Kamado Joe Vs. Big Green Egg: Battle for the Best Kamado Grill
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Kamado-style ceramic grills have been a core part of human culinary development for around 3000 years now.
Even if you’ve not heard of a Kamado, there is a good chance you’ve seen or heard of the Big Green Egg.
They’re kind of hard to miss.
The Big Green Egg company has been the biggest provider of kamado grills in the U.S for the last 40 years. However, they are now facing some competition in the form of
After spending time grilling and smoking from a few different grills from both brands, we’ve decided that, on balance, we prefer Kamado Joe.
Read on, and we’ll explain why.
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OUR PICK
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Description: With it's "Divide and Conquer" cooking system and thick ceramic construction the Kamado Joe Classic II offers amazing versatility, durability and value for money. |
Description: |
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With it's "Divide and Conquer" cooking system and thick ceramic construction the Kamado Joe Classic II offers amazing versatility, durability and value for money.
Big Green Egg VS Kamado Joe – Which Kamado is best?
To help you make an educated decision, we have done a full breakdown of the brand history, grill lineup, and features.
We’ve added links below if you want to get the latest price.
Both companies sell several different grills, so we’ve compared the most popular model from each brand to help show the main differences.
You’ll need to read on to get the complete picture though, for example, the cooking surface will depend on what grate system you are using.
Quick comparison
| Kamado Joe Classic II | Big Green Egg Large | |
| Cooking area | 256 sq. in | 262 sq in |
| Cooking levels | 1 | 2 to 3 |
| Weight | 162 lbs | 232 lbs |
| Hinge | Air hinge | Spring-loaded |
| Grates | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Includes Stand | Yes | No |
| Included Accessories | N/A | Ash collector, grill grate lifter |
| Price | Check latest price | Check latest price |
Brand history and reputation
Big Green Egg
Founded in 1974, by a Pachinko game importer called Ed Fisher, the Big Green Egg company took full advantage of the odd shape of the Kamado, compared to a standard charcoal grill, to maximize their marketing.
They then used that advantage to quickly become the dominant providers of Kamado grills in the U.S, importing them from across the border in Monterrey, Mexico.
BGE made some reasonably large claims about their products, branding them as a favorite of Michelin star restaurants, built from NASA inspired ceramics, vegan-friendly, 100% organic, and offering “culinary perfection every time.”
What we do know is that in their 40 years of operation, the Big Green Egg has developed an almost cult-like following of “Eggheads“.
Kamado Joe
Founded just outside Atlanta in 2009 by Bobby Brennan and Kerry Coker,
Kamado Joe imports its grills from Yixing, China, although this shouldn’t put you off. The quality and craftsmanship are still topnotch and similar in quality to the Big Green Egg.
The
You can also add extra capabilities with a range of Kamado Joe accessories like the JoeTisserie
Kamado Joe grill lineup
By comparison to BGE,
The Classic
- External diameter 23″ / 60cm
- Cooking surface diameter: 18” / 46 cm
- Weight: 187 lbs / 85 kgs
- Height: 27” / 71cm
- Features: Cast Iron Cart & Locking Wheels, Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System, Patented Slide-Out Ash Drawer, Grill Gripper, Ash Tool, Finished Folding HDPE Side Shelves/Handle
The Classic II
- External diameter 23″ / 60cm
- Cooking surface diameter: 18” / 46 cm (expands to 1676.4 sq. cm with both grill grates and the Grill Expander)
- Weight: 187 lbs / 85 kgs
- Height: 27” / 71cm
- Features: (All of those from The Classic, plus) Kontrol Tower Top Vent, sprung Air Lift Hinge. AMP Firebox, Wire Mesh Fibreglass Gasket.
The Classic III
- External diameter 23″ / 60cm
- Cooking surface diameter: 18” / 46 cm
- Weight: 282 lbs / 128 kgs
- Height: 27” / 71cm
- Features: (All of those from The Classic, and the Classic II plus) Heavy-Duty Galvanised Steel Rolling Cart & Locking Wheels, Finished Folding Cast Aluminium Side Shelves/Handles, Patented SloRoller Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber, 3 Tier Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System, 304 Stainless Steel Charcoal Basket.
The Konnected Joe
Read our full Konnected Joe review.
The Konnected Joe is the first attempt from
It’s also a unique feature they have, as we’ve never seen another kamado brand build this in.
The Konnected Joe includes an automatic charcoal starter, digital temperature readout and smartphone connectivity.
The Big Joe II
- External diameter 24″ / 63cm
- Cooking surface diameter: 24” / 61 cm
- Weight: 485 lbs / 220 kgs
- Height: 31” / 71cm
- Features: Premium Ceramic Grill with Cast Iron Cart & Locking Wheels, Finished Folding HDPE Side Shelves/Handle, Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System,
Kontrol Tower Top Vent, Air Lift Hinge, AMP Firebox, Wire Mesh Fibreglass Gasket, Patented Slide-Out Ash Drawer, Grill Gripper, Ash Tool.
The Big Joe III
- External diameter 24″ / 63cm
- Cooking surface diameter: 24” / 61 cm
- Weight: 507 lbs / 230 kgs
- Height: 35” / 90cm
Features: (All of those from The Big Joe, plus) Heavy-Duty Galvanised Steel Rolling Cart & Locking Wheels, Finished Folding Cast Aluminium Side Shelves/Handles, Patented SloRoller Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber, 3 Tier Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System, 304 Stainless Steel Charcoal Basket.
We have a complete guide comparing the Classic and Big Joe II vs the III model if you want to learn more about the differences.
ProJoe
- External diameter 21″ / 55cm
- Cooking surface diameter: 24” / 61 cm
- Weight: 485 lbs / 220 kgs
- Height: 31” / 71cm
Features: Patented SloRoller Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber, 3-Tier Divide & Conquer® Flexible Cooking System, 304 Stainless Steel Charcoal Basket, 304 Stainless Steel Kontrol Tower Top Vent, 304 Stainless Steel Air Lift Hinge, 304 Stainless Steel Charcoal Basket, AMP Firebox, Wire Mesh Fibreglass Gasket, Patented Slide-Out Ash Drawer, Built-in Thermometer, Grill Gripper, Ash Tool
Joe Jr
- External diameter 11″ / 28cm
- Cooking surface diameter: 13” / 34 cm
- Weight: 68 lbs / 31 kgs
- Height: 20” / 53cm
Features: Premium 34 cm Ceramic Grill with Cast Iron Stand, Built-in Thermometer, 304 Stainless Steel Cooking Grate, Ceramic Heat Deflector, Grill Gripper, Ash Tool.
Big Green Egg sizes
Big Green Egg produces one product in several different sizes, from the portable MiniMax to the largest 2XL Big Green Egg.
The Large Big Green Egg is the most popular and best-selling version.
With all of the BGE products, you’ll need to purchase a stand separately.
MiniMax Big Green Egg
- External diameter including the hinge and handle: 22” / 56cm
- Cooking Surface Diameter: 13” / 33cm
- Weight: 90 lbs / 40 kgs
- Height: 19.5″ / 50cm
Medium Big Green Egg
- External EGG diameter: 18″ / 46cm
- Cooking Surface Diameter: 15” / 38 cm
- Weight: 113 lbs / 51 kgs
- Height: 29″ / 69cm
Large Big Green Egg
- External diameter 27″ / 69cm
- Cooking surface diameter is 18″ / 46cm
- Weight: 162 lbs / 73 kgs
- Height 31.5″ / 80cm
XL Big Green Egg
- External diameter 32″ / 82cm
- Cooking surface diameter: 24″ / 61cm
- Weight: 205 lbs / 93 kgs
- Height 32″ / 82cm
2XL Big Green Egg
- External diameter 35″ / 88cm
- Cooking surface diameter: 29” / 74 cm
- Weight: 375 lbs / 17 kgs
- Height: 40” / 101cm
If you want to consider a third option, we also have a Big Green Egg vs Traeger comparison.
Features face to face
For the purposes of comparing the two brands, we’ve chosen two grills of a similar size and with similar functions, in this case, the Big Green Egg Large and
We’ll be comparing their warranty, build quality, the accessories they come with, and the customer support and community engagement associated with each brand.
Build quality
The build quality for both the Big Green Egg Large and
BGE does boast about their use of NASA pioneered ceramics in their products, but there doesn’t seem to be much of a difference in the thickness or the quality of the body of these grills.
Neither of the grills is produced in the USA, with the BGE coming from Mexico and the
The working parts of the
The stand and wheels, which come as part of the cost of the
The stand and wheel locks are made from thicker heavy-duty galvanized steel and are welded together where the BGE stand is only screwed together.
While there isn’t any difference in the build quality of the central oven bodies of the BGE line vs. the
Available accessories
In this category,
The whole range comes with a few accessories included like a cast iron stand and wheels, grill gripper, ash tool, finished folding high-density polyethylene (HDPE) side shelves and handles and the patented slide-out ash drawer.
Additionally, the
Other standout accessories include the JoeTisserie, a durable cast aluminum rotisserie that sits inside grills body, and the cast-iron Dutch oven that turns your kamado into a chili making machine.
Support and community
Both BEG and
This forum is filled with helpful advice, cooking tips, maintenance walk-throughs, and is monitored by the BGE customer support staff, making it an excellent resource for BGE owners.
Kamado Joe might not have their own dedicated forum, but they do have a good track record of solving their customer problems quickly and efficiently.
In one case, founder Bobby Brenan called a customer at home to help them through the installation of a new dome lid spring.
Standout features
What sets
The Sloroller uses patented Harvard science to turn your Kamado into a smoker by distributing smoke and heat in rolling, recirculating waves. This both enhances the smoky flavor and reduces hotspots.
The Divide & Conquer flexible cooking system uses a half-moon heat deflector to partially block off heat, coupled with multi-level tiered grates (two with the
By creating innovative accessories and bundling them with their grills,
Since the quality of the grills produced by both companies is essentially the same, the greater utility of
Warranty
BGE prides itself on offering a limited lifetime warranty on all of its products, with different warranty periods for different materials.
The ceramic components, including the dome, base, damper top, firebox, and fire ring, remain under guarantee as long as you are the original purchaser of the egg, and it came from an authorized dealer.
For ceramic add-ons, such as the plate setter and pizza stones, the guarantee period goes down to three years. BGE also offers a one-year warranty on thermometer and gaskets.
The metal components, including the metal bands, hinge mechanism, dual-function metal top, cooking grid, fire grate, and draft door, all come with a five-year warranty, and any wooden components have a one-year warranty.
Kamado Joe offers an almost identical warranty with exactly the same warranty periods and restrictions.
Both companies offer a comprehensive and excellent warranty for their products, so you don’t have to worry about your kamado falling apart in the first 6-months.
Price
When you compare the price of a similarly sized Big Green Egg and
However, the
The Kamadoe Joe also includes the dual grilling rack system.
For value for money, the edge goes to
Wrapping it up
The chances are, regardless of whether you buy a BGE or a
However,
Buying a BGE means you’ll get an excellent grill. But buying a
Do you prefer BGE over
About Your Pitmaster
Joe Clements is the founder and editor-in-chief of Smoked BBQ Source, a leading barbecue resource that has helped tens of millions master grilling and smoking. Growing up in a vegetarian household, his love for barbecue was unexpected. Determined to master the craft, he launched Smoked BBQ Source in 2016 to document his journey from amateur to pitmaster.
Joe leads a team of expert barbecue creators and oversees the largest collection of in-depth grill reviews and a library of tested, foolproof recipes. Whether he’s firing up a pellet grill or charcoal kettle, he’s passionate about making barbecue approachable and enjoyable for all.
BGE user for twenty years plus, two eggs my xl appx. 10 years old thousand of cooks for sure, the entire right side cracked. Sunday running hot, running hot honestly all these years in bbq I was like dumb founded. After a propane type quick cook, I go to clean racks and wipe down the unit. Then I feel something wiping down the right side about 4 hours later, a major crack in the ceramic wow. This thing is TOAST and some four letter words come out !! As a long time smoker, griller etc. I relax and accept it has been a long time. All the paper work is in to the dealer, let’s see just how BGE honers this warranty obviously it has to be a complete replacement. Just can’t match the seasoned product with the green product. I will have a new BGE replacement and will purchase the large Joe for sure. Very interested in Joe, as well thought the story is something we can all appreciate when it comes to quality and what we do. Check us out on the sauce !!!
Nice description of 10years if BGE use. Cracked lower base and fire obj ring. HOWEVER… today BBQ Outfitters can out. Replaced base and firebox at NO CHARGE, replaced hinge and rings and gasket and I now have a NEW BGE 10 years after purchase.
NEVER NEVER NEVER gonna change. AMAZING.
How did the claim go?
Built in China. End of story. I will go with BGE.
Along with the vast majority of other grills. BGE is manufactured in Mexico for what it’s worth.
I hear ya. I take special care and selection when I have to opt for Chinesium products. There is a lot of crap out there mainly because some allow it as manufacturers to take delivery of said crap. (cheap before quality) Albeit, some US investives like All Balls Racing enforces quality control of Pacific origin products before taking delivery. I’ve put a Chinese origin crank in my race bike because I know All Balls HotRod cranks enforces those quality controls. Moreover, the US options has reports of cranks coming apart. The reason we get crap from China is because cheap US companies purchasing it don’t give a shit in favor of getting that dollar. “That which we permit.. shall continue”
Oh yes, mexico vs china. Both NOT made in the USA. One Grill superior, innovative, easier to use, assemble, grills better, smokes better, bakes better. Accessories can be bought anywhere. This is a no brainer. Get a Kamado Joe. Pretty simple. Plus for the eggheads out there did you know that 75% of all Egg dealers have closed down or are in the process of shedding their license because BGE is a bit like the germans in the 40’s. So good luck finding your accessories with nowhere to buy them. Egg on Eggheads
Steve, you should throw everything out of your house made in China. Don’t forget to toss out all the materials your house was built with as well. You’re going to look awful funny standing there with no clothes on and no roof over your head. At least you’ll have your Big Green Egg.
This article is ridiculously biased. Brushing over that fact that KJs are manufactured in China – clearly this is going to be a deciding factor for people with the slightest bit of common sense.
The vast majority of grills are manufactured in China so I don’t see what the issue is here. If that’s the most important consideration for you then obviously you don’t need our article to help you decide.
In our opinion, whether a grill is manufactured in China or Mexico (where Big Green Egg is manufactured) doesn’t have a lot of bearing on the quality or features of a grill. We like to look at the finished product.
iPhones are made in China and I hear they are quite popular. Rejecting a top quality item just because of its manufacturing origin is not the best policy but each to their own.
The best policy for me is keeping my supply chains as local as possible. I’ll buy Mexican goods over Chinese all else being equal. Would even pay a bit more.
Can’t help but notice all the affiliate links on this site are for the Kamado Joe, guess it doesn’t pay to review a grill you can’t make a profit on right guys?
Well then I guess you own a Primo as that’s the American built Kamado grill.
Wow. These reviews are absurd. We were asked simply whether we thought a Big Green Egg or a Kamado Joe (or any other similar grill) provided a better bbq experience. People’s views on manufacturing locations or other biases are not useful to those of us who simply want to smoke a better rib. Take your views to a political site. This isn’t one.
If I’m going to make a decision, my criteria will be quality first (3 points) and bang for the buck second (2 points), country of origin third (1 point).
As an American, if I’m going to solely base my decision on the country of origin and there isn’t a Kamato brand built in the good old USofA, my criteria still stands because there is NO competitor. Look, I get it, I’m not pro China at all. However, I like EVERYTHING I’m hearing about the quality of both BGE and KJ (tie). Bang for the buck definitely goes to KJ. Therefore, without The USA not even having a comparable horse in the race my money goes to KJ (earns 5 points for quality and value), while BGE only earns 4 points for quality equaling KJ and ‘Mexico origin’ going to BGE over KJ.
For those of you that refuse to by China good luck. If you’re truly going to stick with your principles, you’re going to need more luck than you think! Over 95% of products have at least some component to it that is manufactured in China… just saying.
Are we just going to speed past the fact that the joe “comes” with these accessories. While the price of the large egg is 899.00 and the classic joe 2 is 1,299.00. Egg nest for the large is 164.00,eggspander is 159.00, tables for nest 139, ash tool and grate tool 30.So basically 1400 egg vs 1300 joe.
How can anyone be xenophobic about a grill? Oh yeah you’re American.
I see that BGE 24″ at Ace Hardware is around 1299. Kamado Joe II around the same size I found on the web is around 1699. I was originally shopping around for Kamado Joe but for 400 bucks difference, I say screw joetisserie. That was gonna cost me another 250 anyway. If I have to I will grab some kid in the neighborhood and pay him 5 bucks an hour to roll my poultry and throw beer cans at him if the little bastard ever dares to stop spinning my chicken. I find the whole china vs mexico argument ridiculous. I don’t give a crap if a diseased prostitute from the mars made my pot as long as it cooks my brisket as I want.
Hey Steve, I don’t live in United States and attitudes like yours are the reason I try to avoid products made in the US. I agree with others, quantity comes first, then bang for the buck, with country of origin way down the list, but all else being equal, I buy made in USA last. If you don’t support my country, why should I support yours.
Which makes you just as bad.
Sanctimonious much?
Some Young Guys, that is where consumers have the power for change. People complain about slave labor from overseas and that is where we can make the change. Less products purchased from China, we will see a marketing change shift. Will it be quick, no, but bringing manufacturing back to the USA will benefit us all. So, I understand the comment about made in China is a no purchase and I appreciate this mans stand on it. Hopefully we will see a change as consumers are awakening to the fact that just because you dominate the manufacturing world, you only do so because of the slave labor.
BGE owner here, but not a freak fanboy about it – if a Joe is your thing, that’s fantastic, too. While this review/article basically concludes that both brands are very good but the Joe is the better deal because it comes with more (which may make it a better value, but not necessarily better in craftsmanship), the article fails to say what those extra accessories are beyond mentioning the Joe including a stand. The article says “The fact that they bundle in so much more with their grills” but does not state what all those mystery accessories are.
China or Mexico? What about Japan where Kamado grills have been used for centuries!
Doesn’t Japan make a Kamado grill since that’s where it originated?
None that we have found for sale.
No.I have a 42 year old Japanese Imperial Kamado that we bought in 1980 from the then House of Pachinco Ed Fisher now Big Green Co.
I also have my dad who has passed away is which is almost 50 years old. I did a lot of research and they don’t make them in Japan anymore labor got to expensive.Ed tried making them in Tiawan but they were crap. They are currently made in a high temperature ceramics factory in Mexico under contract for BGE.
Hello everyone, I’m a Dutchman with a JJC3. What I am reading here is a political discussion as we would be discussing the pros and cons of both Kamado families. Please get out of your positions and let’s start talking about Kamados (again)
I would love to try the Kamado Joe, however, I WILL NOT knowingly help support China in any way what so ever! Sorry, but this isn’t just about a grill, it’s about supporting and protecting our nation as well. That’s like going to purchase a gun and ammo for someone to kill you with. That’s just my opinion of it. I wish someone in the U.S. would actually manufacture something like that here.
ok.. please give up your phone, clothes, shoes, plastic and electronic parts in your house/car/work.
You wont even have underwear or socks, computer monitors, keybaords, mouse, apple/android, speakers, pots and pans, forks/spoons, lightbulbs, water bottles… list goes on and on.
Lee do you own a cell phone? If you do get rid of it made in China. By the way get rid of your television. Oh better get rid of your vehicle electrical components made in China. Oh better check your kitchen appliances parts made in China. I could go on and on you get the point.
Made in China on the Joe ends it for me buy USA come on America wake up buy USA or be owned by China!
Big Green Egg is not made in the USA either.
Good old American greed is the reason you can’t find what. You like made in the USA companies always go for the cheapest labor and make unbelievable profits we need more companies like Henrey gun makers made in the USA
I have a green egg and love it. I have seen Kamado Joe in person and they seem equal in quality. If country of origin is your primary consideration, Primo makes a kamado grill in USA but I think the ceramic is slightly thinner. Otherwise I think Primo is on par with Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg. The main reason I went with Big Green egg was I had local dealer support.
Some of you don’t see why Made in China is a deal breaker for many.
Some folks see the Communist Chinese as the West’s greatest economic and military threat. Sending our Western income to support Communist China’s industries seems counter to supporting free and peaceful societies.
My $.02
Like Carlos, I really appreciate being able to work with a local dealer. That was the deciding factor for me in choosing BGE instead of Joe.
Wow I thought the UK was backwards but you Americans have seriously f’ed up views. No wonder there is such a divide in the US of A.
I have owned the large BGE for 9 years and really love it. My only complaints are that I wish BGE would get on board and start innovating a bit more to compete with KJ. Things like all SS components instead of the junk powder coated metal that’s on it now which rusts and peels in a short time. Include a charcoal sifter and ash drawer like KJ. Just bring the BGE a little more up to date and better value for your money.
The reviews are helpful – thanks. But speaking as a Europhile Brit who left the U.K. a because I couldn’t stand the xenophobia and bellicose nationalism any more, what’s going to make my decision is simply which one of the two I can get most easily out here in Mallorca. In theory it’s the KJ Classic 3 but in practice they are out of stock. All I would observe is that BGE really need a distributor out here as we have a near perfect environment for this type of cooking.
As a footnote I’d simply add that I would be more concerned with the ethics of the supply chain rather than the country of origin.
Hi Alan, long time KJ fan. I upgraded to a KJ2 recently (gave my brother old KJ1). Bought a charcoal basket and a joetisserie with the money I saved on a KJ3. Still had money left over. FWIW bought it in Ireland, imported from USA!
Kamado Jo series 3 is rubbish, my seal fell off, all the stainless rusted within months- severely, casters come loose and you can’t get a spanner in there to tighten, read the review above where they say Kamado is better quality, completely wrong