Big Green Egg vs Kamado Joe

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The short answer

For most buyers, Kamado Joe is the better value: the Classic Joe ships with a cart, side shelves, a multi-level cooking system and heat deflectors that Big Green Egg sells as add-ons. Choose the Big Green Egg if you want the most established kamado brand, the widest range of sizes and accessories, and a local authorized dealer for setup and warranty support. Both cook superbly; the difference is mostly what’s in the box and how you buy it.

Big Green Egg vs Kamado Joe at a glance

Factor	Big Green Egg (Large)	Kamado Joe Classic Joe
Grid diameter	18.25 inches	18 inches
What’s in the box	The EGG itself; nest/stand, side shelves (EGG Mates) and the convEGGtor heat deflector are usually extra or bundled by dealers	Grill on a cart with side shelves, Divide & Conquer multi-level system, heat deflectors, ash drawer (Classic II/III)
Hinge	Spring-assisted band hinge	Air Lift hinge that makes the heavy dome feel light
Top vent	Dual-function metal top (rEGGulator on current models)	Kontrol Tower top vent
Ash removal	Ash tool through the lower door	Slide-out ash drawer
Sizes	Many, from MiniMax to 2XL	Joe Jr., Classic (18″), Big Joe (24″), plus Konnected Joe digital model
Where to buy	Mainly authorized dealers	Widely available, including Amazon
Amazon	Search Amazon	Amazon

How we compared them

We compared manufacturer specifications, warranty terms, owner reviews and published reviews from barbecue sites and kitchen publications. Both brands make thick ceramic kamados that hold heat exceptionally well, so we focused on the things that actually separate them: included hardware, build details, size range, how you buy and get support, and total cost once you’ve added the accessories you’ll want.

Cooking performance

This is closer than marketing suggests. Both are ceramic kamados that hold low-and-slow temperatures for many hours on one load of lump charcoal, and both get very hot for searing and pizza with the vents open. Owners of each report excellent results on brisket, ribs, pork shoulder and steaks. Differences in cooking come down to setup, not ceramic.

Kamado Joe’s Divide & Conquer system lets you run two heights and two heat zones at once, for example searing on one side over direct heat while roasting on the other side above a half-moon deflector. The Classic Joe III adds the SloRoller hyperbolic insert, designed to improve smoke circulation during low-and-slow cooks. Big Green Egg achieves similar flexibility with its EGGspander system, which is sold separately.

Build quality and design details

The Big Green Egg is the original modern kamado brand and its ceramics have a long reputation for durability. Its design is simple and proven, with fewer moving parts.

Kamado Joe added several design features owners like: the Air Lift hinge that makes the heavy lid easy to lift and stay open, a locking latch, a slide-out ash drawer that makes cleanup much easier than scooping ash, and the Kontrol Tower top vent, which tends to hold its setting when you open the lid. Kamado Joe uses a fiberglass gasket that resists heat and grease better than older felt gaskets.

Good to know: both are very heavy. Kamado Joe’s included cart makes it easier to move on a patio; an EGG in a nest moves too, but many owners set theirs into a table.

Price and what you actually pay

Comparing sticker prices is misleading. A Big Green Egg is sold as the cooker itself, and most owners also buy a nest or table, side shelves and a convEGGtor before their first low-and-slow cook. Dealers often bundle these. A Kamado Joe Classic Joe arrives on its cart with shelves and deflectors, so the price you see is closer to the price you pay. Once comparable accessories are added, the Big Green Egg typically costs more for the same 18-inch size. Check current prices; both go on sale, and Kamado Joe in particular is frequently discounted.

Warranty and support

Both brands offer lifetime coverage on the ceramic body, with shorter terms for metal parts, gaskets and other components; read the current warranty for each before buying. A key difference is how you buy: Big Green Egg works primarily through authorized dealers, and buying from an authorized seller matters for warranty coverage. Kamado Joe is sold through many retailers. If having a local shop that will assemble your grill and help with warranty claims appeals to you, that favors Big Green Egg.

Sizes and accessories

Big Green Egg has the deeper lineup, from the tiny MiniMax for tailgates up to the 2XL for large crowds, and the largest accessory ecosystem, including many third-party parts designed around the EGG. Kamado Joe’s range is smaller but covers the main needs: Joe Jr. for portable use, Classic for families and Big Joe (24-inch) for big cooks. Kamado Joe also offers the Konnected Joe, a digital kamado with automatic charcoal ignition and fan-based temperature control, which has no direct Big Green Egg equivalent.

Our recommendations

Kamado Joe Classic Joe III: best overall value

The Classic III is the most fully equipped 18-inch kamado you can buy ready to cook: cart, shelves, Divide & Conquer, SloRoller, Air Lift hinge and slide-out ash drawer. It’s the right pick for most families who want one cooker for smoking, searing and pizza.

Good to know: it weighs a lot; get help unboxing and lifting the dome onto the base.

Check the Kamado Joe Classic Joe III on Amazon →

Kamado Joe Classic Joe II: best for the money

The Classic II has the same 18-inch size, Air Lift hinge, Kontrol Tower and ash drawer, without the SloRoller. It often sells for noticeably less than the III and cooks almost identically for grilling and most smoking.

Check the Kamado Joe Classic Joe II on Amazon →

Kamado Joe Big Joe: best for big cookouts

The 24-inch Big Joe gives you room for whole briskets, several pork butts or a large turkey while keeping the same features and multi-level system.

Check the Kamado Joe Big Joe on Amazon →

Big Green Egg Large: best for brand and dealer support

The Large is Big Green Egg’s most popular size, with an 18.25-inch grid that handles a family-sized cook. Buy it if you want the original, a huge accessory ecosystem and the convenience of a local dealer. Plan to add a nest or table and a convEGGtor.

Good to know: Big Green Egg is sold mainly through authorized dealers. Check that any seller, online or local, is authorized so your warranty is protected.

Search Big Green Egg on Amazon →

The verdict

Choose Kamado Joe if: you want the most features for your money, an easier-to-lift lid, a slide-out ash drawer, and a grill that’s ready to cook out of the box.

Choose Big Green Egg if: you value the brand’s long track record, want a specific size like the MiniMax or 2XL, love the accessory ecosystem, or want a local dealer to handle assembly and warranty.

Kamado buying checklist

• Size: an 18-inch kamado suits most families of four to six. Go 24-inch or larger if you regularly cook whole briskets or for crowds.
• Total cost: price out the stand, shelves and heat deflector, not just the cooker.
• Placement: kamados are heavy; put them on a level, non-combustible surface away from siding and railings.
• Fuel: use lump charcoal, not lighter fluid, which can soak into the ceramic.
• Accessories worth having: a wireless meat thermometer, a pizza stone, an ash tool and a cover.
• Safety: “burp” the lid (open it a little at first) when cooking hot, to avoid a flashback of flame when oxygen rushes in.

FAQ

Is Kamado Joe as good as Big Green Egg?

Yes. Both are thick ceramic kamados that cook equally well. Kamado Joe includes more hardware in the box, while Big Green Egg offers more sizes, more accessories and dealer support.

Why is Big Green Egg more expensive?

The EGG is usually sold without a stand, shelves or heat deflector, so the real cost rises once you add them. Brand reputation and dealer distribution also play a part.

Which Kamado Joe is comparable to a Large Big Green Egg?

The Kamado Joe Classic Joe (18-inch) is the closest match to the Large Big Green Egg (18.25-inch grid).

Can you buy a Big Green Egg on Amazon?

Big Green Egg sells mainly through authorized dealers. Some listings appear online, but confirm the seller is authorized, because that can affect warranty coverage.

Do kamado grills crack?

Ceramic can crack from drops, thermal shock or very hot fires with a wet interior. Both brands cover the ceramic under their warranties; let a new grill dry out and avoid extreme first fires.