Buying a Kamado Joe comes down to two decisions, in this order. First, pick the body size: Joe Jr at 13.5 inches, Classic at 18 inches, or Big Joe at 24 inches. Second, pick the series: Series I, II, or III, which determines the feature set, or the Konnected Joe, which swaps the Series III extras for digital control.
Most buyers land on an 18-inch Classic. It handles ribs, a pork shoulder, or a full dinner-party spread without dominating the patio. Size up to Big Joe only if you genuinely cook whole packers or feed a crowd, and size down to Joe Jr if you cook for one or two, or want something portable.
If you are cross-shopping against a Big Green Egg before you get to size and series, start with Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg: An Honest Comparison Before You Buy. It compares both on published specifications, what ships in the crate, and warranty terms.
Step One: How Big Should It Be?
Get this wrong in either direction and you will feel it every cook. Too small and you are cooking in shifts. Too big and you burn extra charcoal every weeknight to heat a chamber you are not filling.
For one or two, or for taking with you
The smallest body in the line. It does everything the larger Joes do on a smaller scale, and it comes up to temperature faster on less fuel, which makes it a genuinely good searing grill. Popular as a first kamado, as a camping and tailgating cooker, and as a second grill alongside a Big Joe.
The size most people should buy
250 square inches of cooking space. It fits two rib racks, a pork shoulder, or a whole chicken with sides alongside, and it does not need a dedicated corner of the patio. If you are cooking for a household of two to five and hosting a few times a season, this is the balance point.
When capacity is the deciding factor
450 square inches on a single uninterrupted grate, 80 percent more main-grate space than a Classic. A full packer brisket lies flat and two pork butts sit side by side without stacking. The trade is footprint and weight — a Big Joe III is 51.6 inches wide and 406.3 pounds.
Size Comparison at a Glance
| Model | Diameter | Cooking space | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Jr | 13.5 in | Compact, single tier | Portable |
| Classic Joe III | 18 in | 250 sq. in. | 280.6 lb |
| Konnected Joe | 18 in | 250 sq. in. | 216.1 lb |
| Big Joe III | 24 in | 450 sq. in. | 406.3 lb |
One note on comparing numbers across retailers: some sites publish a stacked total that adds together every rack level, which is how an 18-inch grill ends up listed at 510 square inches and a 24-inch at 864. Both figures are real, but when you compare against another brand, compare single grate to single grate.
Step Two: Which Series?
The rule is simple — the higher the series number, the more that comes in the box. Kamado Joe has built on each generation rather than replacing it, so a Series I and a Series III share the same ceramic body and the same core design.
| Feature | Series I | Series II | Series III |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramic body and slide-out ash drawer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AMP firebox and dome thermometer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Kontrol Tower top vent | No | Yes | Yes |
| Air Lift hinge | No | Yes | Yes |
| Wire mesh fiberglass gasket | No | Yes | Yes |
| Divide and Conquer tiers | 2-tier | 2-tier | 3-tier |
| SloRoller smoke chamber | No | No | Yes |
| Stainless charcoal basket | No | No | Yes |
| Premium cart and aluminum shelves | No | No | Yes |
The two features worth paying attention to are the Air Lift hinge, which arrives at Series II and makes a heavy ceramic dome a one-hand lift, and the SloRoller, which arrives at Series III and is the closest a kamado gets to a dedicated smoker.
The Alternative Path: the Konnected Joe
Push-button fire, fan-held temperature
The Konnected Joe sits outside the Series I to III ladder. It is the same 18-inch body with an Automatic Fire Starter that lights the charcoal at the push of a button, a digital Kontrol Board, a Kontrol Fan that holds your target from 225 to 700°F, and app monitoring with meat probes.
The trade is real: you get 2-tier racks instead of 3-tier, no SloRoller, and a 700°F ceiling instead of 750°F. It also needs a mains outlet.
Put plainly: the Classic Joe III is the better pure smoker, and the Konnected Joe is the easier grill to live with day to day. There is no model that gives you both the SloRoller and the digital system, so this is a genuine fork in the road rather than an upgrade path.
Still Deciding? That Is What We Are Here For
Tell us how many people you cook for, what your patio looks like, and whether you want to manage a fire or have a fan do it. We will tell you which one we would put in your yard, and we will say so if the cheaper model is the right answer.
Call 833-777-2962 Email UsAuthorized Kamado Joe dealer · Free shipping on all orders
Cart or Standalone?
One more decision, and it is easy. Most models come two ways.
- With cart. A freestanding grill on a powder coated steel cart with locking wheels and folding side shelves. This is what you want unless you are building an outdoor kitchen.
- Standalone. The same cooker without the cart, designed to drop into a masonry island or custom table. Available on the Classic Joe II, Classic Joe III, Big Joe II, and Big Joe III.
If you are going the standalone route, call us before you order. Cutout dimensions and clearance requirements need to reach your fabricator before anyone cuts stone, and that conversation is much cheaper to have first.
Three Things Worth Planning Before You Order
- Measure the spot, including height. A Big Joe III is 55.1 inches tall. Check pergola beams, soffits, and low overhangs, not just floor space. Published widths usually include the side shelves, so fold them down when planning a parked footprint.
- Plan the delivery route. These ship on pallets by scheduled LTL freight with curbside or driveway service as standard. Moving 200 to 400 pounds of crated ceramic from curb to patio is on you, so confirm the path and line up a second person and a dolly.
- Sort power if you are buying a Konnected Joe. The board, the fire starter, and the fan all draw current. Confirm a weather-appropriate outdoor outlet before the pallet arrives, not after.
Common Questions
Which Kamado Joe size is most popular?
The 18-inch Classic. It offers the best balance of capacity, fuel efficiency, and footprint for a typical household, and it is the size most buyers land on once they work through the trade-offs. The Big Joe makes sense when you regularly cook for a crowd; the Joe Jr makes sense for one or two people or for portability.
Is the Series III worth the step up from Series II?
It depends on how you cook. If low-and-slow smoking is a priority, the SloRoller is the single biggest capability difference in the whole line and it only comes on Series III. If you mainly grill and roast, the Series II already has the Kontrol Tower vent and Air Lift hinge, which are the two features that most change day-to-day handling.
How does a Kamado Joe compare to a Big Green Egg?
On the main grate they are close — 250 square inches on a Classic Joe III against 262 on a Large EGG. The bigger difference is what ships in the crate: Kamado Joe includes heat deflectors, multi-level racks, the SloRoller, a cart, and side shelves, while the EGG is typically finished with separately purchased accessories. Our full Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg comparison covers specifications, cost, and warranty terms side by side.
Can I use Classic Joe accessories on a Big Joe?
No. Covers, grates, deflectors, soapstones, and pizza attachments are sized per body. Order accessories that match your grill's size. If you are unsure which you are looking at, call us and we will check the part number before you buy.
What charcoal should I use?
Natural lump charcoal. Briquettes contain binders and fillers that produce more ash and can affect flavor, and heavy ash accumulation restricts the airflow the vents rely on to control temperature.
Do I need to burp the grill?
Yes, at high temperatures. Open the dome a few inches first and pause before lifting it fully. That lets oxygen enter gradually rather than rushing into a hot chamber. It becomes second nature quickly, and the owner's manual covers it.
Does buying from an authorized dealer matter?
Yes. Kamado Joe's warranty terms state that purchasing through an unauthorized dealer voids coverage. Smokeforges is an authorized Kamado Joe dealer, so your Lifetime Limited Warranty stands. Registration is required for the warranty to apply, and the documentation supplied with the grill governs component periods and exclusions.
Should my first kamado be a Joe Jr?
It can be, but be honest about capacity. A Joe Jr is a capable cooker and an excellent searing grill, and plenty of people own one alongside a larger Joe. But if you already know you will be cooking for four or more, most owners will tell you they have never wished for a smaller grill.
Talk It Through Before You Commit
Smokeforges is an authorized Kamado Joe dealer. We carry the Classic, Big Joe, Joe Jr, and Konnected Joe lines in both cart and standalone configurations, and we would rather spend ten minutes on the phone getting the choice right than process a return on a 400-pound grill.
Read the individual breakdowns: Classic Joe III · Big Joe III · Konnected Joe
Cross-shopping brands: Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg · New to ceramic cooking: How to build a strong fire in a Kamado Joe
Call 833-777-2962 · Email info@smokeforges.com
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