The Big Green Egg was designed for the backyard cook. The Kamado Joe is a traditional Japanese style cooker that can be used in your home or on a grill outside. These two cooking methods are relatively similar, leading to confusion as to which one will best suit your needs but there are some key features of each product that make them worth looking into if you’re deciding which type of smoker to buy.
The “big green egg vs kamado joe vs weber” is a comparison of the three most popular types of smokers, the Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe, and Weber. The Big Green Egg is an American made smoker that has been around since 1996. The Kamado Joe was released in 2002 by the Japanese company KJ Trading Co., Ltd. and is also known as the Ceramic Dome Smoker. The Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker was first released in 2009 by Weber-Stephen Products LLC.
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If you’re anything like me, you’ll thoroughly research any reasonably priced item before making a final decision, and a Kamado type grill is no exception.
So, is the Kamado Joe or the Big Green Egg better? Let’s compare and contrast the Big Green Egg with the Kamado Joe.
What are the dimensions of the Big Green Egg and Kamado Joe?
The Big Green Egg is available in seven distinct sizes, with the Mini Big Green Egg having a 10′′ diameter grid and the Big Green Eggs 2XL having a 29′′ diameter grid.
There are a few distinct models of the Kamado Joe grill, but they all come in three sizes. Both companies provide all 10 in the following grid sizes:
- 10′′ diameter grid on a little Big Green Egg
- 13′′ diameter girdle on the Mini Max Big Green Egg
- Joe Jr. – 13.5 grid diameter
- 13′′ diameter grid on a little Big Green Egg
- 15′′ diameter grid on a medium Big Green Egg
- 18′′ – 18′′ diameter grid Kamado Joe Classic III
- Big Green Egg – 18 1/4′′ grid diameter
- Big Joe 24′′ – 24′′ grid diameter
- XL Big Green Egg – 24′′ grid diameter
- Big Green Egg 2XL – 29′′ grid diameter
The 18-inch diameter grill is the most common size. The Large is 18 1/4′′ in diameter on the Big Green Egg, while the Classic III is 18′′ in diameter on the Kamado Joe. As a result, both may accommodate this element.
The Mini Max is the one advantage that Big Green Egg has over Kamado Joe. The Mini Max is the ideal size for traveling, whether you’re in a camper or going to a tailgate party.
What are the included accessories for the Big Green Egg and Kamado Joe?
While both feature a variety of accessories, there is a clear winner in terms of which offers the most value for money. With the Kamado Joe Classic III, the Kamado Joe gets you started straight away.
The following accessories are included with the Kamado Joe Classic III:
- Ceramic Grill Premium 18″
- Galvanized Steel, Heavy-Duty Rolling Cart
- SloRoller Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber (patent pending)
- 3-Tier Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System
- Charcoal Basket Made of 304 Stainless Steel
- Cooking Grates Made of 304 Stainless Steel
- Hinge for Air Lift
- Top Vent of the Kontrol Tower
- FireBox AMP
- Latch made of 304 stainless steel
- Fiberglass Gasket with Wire Mesh
- Slide-Out Ash Drawer (patent pending)
- Thermometer built-in
- Folding aluminum side shelves/handle, finished
- Gripper for grilling
- Ash Tool
The following accessories are included with the size Large Big Green Eggs:
- Ceramic Grill 18″
- Steel Lump Coal Grate and Fire Box with Fire Ring
- Stainless Steel Grate 18″
- Felt Gasket (Standard)
- Thermometer built-in
- Daisy wheel with a new design
The Big Green Egg comes with most of the same accessories as the Kamado Joe, but they are all additional. Here, the Kamado Joe comes out on top.
Kamado Joe Gasket vs. Big Green Egg Gasket (Under the Dome Lids)
This is one thing that is definitely different between the Big Green Egg and Kamado Joe. The Big Green Egg comes with a Felt Gasket (Standard) that in my opinion fails too soon, especially under higher heat.
For me, I’d rip it right off and install a Rutland Gasket when its time for a replacement in which when I did it I haven’t looked back. I absolutely love the Rutland Gastket over the BGE Felt Gasket (Standard).
As for the Kamado Joe, it already comes with an excellent gasket. It comes with a Fiberglass Gasket with Wire Mesh which will last you much longer than the Big Green Eggs gasket.
Most ovens come with these gaskets, which is pretty much evidence that they are far more resistant to greater temperatures (just like the recommended Rutland replacement gasket for the Big Green Egg).
Is the Big Green Egg or the Kamado Joe the Older of the Two?
What is the origin of the Big Green Egg? (And when was it founded?)
The Big Green Egg has been around for a lot longer than Kamado Joe’s. The Big Green Egg is the most well-known brand in the Kamado sector, having been founded in 1974 and manufactured in Mexico.
Where did Kamado Joe come from? (And when was it founded?)
The Kamado Joe, on the other hand, is the Kamado industry’s fastest expanding brand. The Kamado Joe was founded in 2009 and is manufactured in China.
Summary of Big Green Egg vs. Kamado Joe
While I possess a secondhand Big Green Egg, I am a major supporter of the brand. However, if I had purchased my Big Green Egg fresh, I’m afraid I would have gone with a Kamado Joe Classic II. Getting all of the extras included for the same price is a no-brainer.
The Kamado Joe also has a nice Hinge for Air Lift system which really does make opening the dome much easier not to mention it includes the nest, side tables…
Another annoying feature of the Big Green Egg is that it is not available for purchase online. You must visit a certified store, which is regrettably not easy to find.
Big Green Egg & Kamado Joe Warranties
One last point to highlight is that both the Big Green Egg and the Kamado Joe’s come with a lifetime guarantee. While I can’t answer about Kamado Joe since I don’t own one, my Big Green Egg has had a damaged fire box.
The Big Green Egg has an incredible guarantee, and they replaced the fractured fire box for free with no questions asked.
The “kamado joe classic ii” is a great option for those who are looking for a large, well-insulated, and easy to use grill. The many features make it one of the best options in this category.
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