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Big Green Egg vs. Kamado Joe

Big Green Egg vs. Kamado Joe

The Kamado Joe vs. Big Green Egg – which one of them is better? Ah, the never-ending battle for supremacy between the two top-rated ceramic Kamado grills in the heavy-weight category. A head-to-head battle for the top spot as a newcomer and a timeless classic are pit against each other.

The best thing about these two egg-shaped grills is that they are not just outstanding grillers, but also excellent smokers as well. Their unique design allows smoke to rise from the charcoal-filled grates at the bottom to the narrow air vent at the very top, completely engulfing the food in the process. This infuses a characteristic smoky flavor that every barbecue lover craves.

Truth be told, you can’t go wrong with either one. But hey, a side-by-side comparison never hurt anybody.

Kamado Joe vs. Big Green Egg

 

Kamado Joe

Big Green Egg

Overview

  • Established in 2009
  • Comes with a lifetime warranty for the ceramic elements
  • Limited warranty for the smaller metallic elements
  • Manufactured in China
  • Body construction is a red-glazed egg-shaped high-fire ceramic
  • Available in three sizes: 16, 18 and 24 inches in diameter
  • Uses charcoal as the primary fuel source
  • Established in 1974
  • Comes with a lifetime warranty for the ceramic elements
  • Limited warranty for the smaller metallic elements
  • Manufactured in Mexico
  • Body construction is a green-glazed egg-shaped high-fire ceramic
  • Available in six sizes ranging between 10-inches and 29-inches in diameter
  • Uses charcoal as the primary fuel source

Cooking System

  • Has a “Divide and Conquer” cooking system. This integrates a half-rack multi-cooking design to allow for different kinds of foods to be cooked at the same time at different temperatures
  • Comes with a mesh fiberglass gasket for an airtight seal
  • Comes with Kamado Joetisserie and Do Joe Pizza Oven add-ons for more cooking versatility
  • Built with a cast aluminum Kontrol Tower Top vent for consistent airflow and shields against the rain to prevent water from running into the grill
  • Has high-quality cooking efficiency
  • Has a basic single-level cooking system
  • 5-piece EGGspander kit sold separately to allow for both direct and indirect cooking
  • Has a rain-shield for the top vent which is sold separately from the main grill
  • ConvEGGtor half-moon deflector plates are available but also sold separately
  • Has high-quality cooking efficiency

Accessories

  • Comes with a wheeled iron cart with metal locking wheels
  • Side-shelves included
  • Stainless steel grate included
  • Has a SloRoller hyperbolic smoke chamber insert to create a cyclonic airflow to further enhance the smoky flavor of food
  • Half-moon heat deflectors for direct/open flame and indirect cooking included
  • 304-gauge stainless steel grill grate gripper included
  • Airlift hinge included
  • Slide-out ash drawer included
  • Has a Kontrol Tower Top Vent
  • Comes with an SS-locking latch
  • Mesh fiberglass gasket included
  • Wheeled cart with plastic wheel locks sold separately
  • Side-shelves sold separately
  • Stainless steel grate sold separately
  • Diffuser plate for smoking sold separately
  • Grill Gripper sold separately

Price

  • Price is on the higher side although all the accessories are included for convenient cooking
  • It is cheaper; however, all the accessories are sold separately

Cleaning

  • Easy to clean since it comes with a stainless steel ash drawer that you can easily pull-out to dump the ashes
  • Messy to clean since it does not come with an ash drawer. You would need to remove the ash manually using an ash rake

Delivery and Assembly

  • Sold online
  • Has to be handled with care since ceramics are prone to cracking
  • Assembly process is quick and easy
  • Only sold in-store
  • Has to be handled with care since ceramics are prone to cracking
  • Assembly process takes longer

The Verdict

Both are excellent choices for grills and are guaranteed to give your food a delicious smoky flavor that cannot be replicated with any other grill. However, if you’re looking for a grill whose price is inclusive of all the accessories, then you’re better off with the Kamado Joe.

If you have a limited budget and you’d rather skimp on the bells and whistles, then the Big Green Egg is exactly what you need. Kamado Joe vs. Big Green Egg? Both are winners.

Thinking about getting a barbecue smoker? Check out our blog to learn about all the different types and discover the right one for you.

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