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Are Kamado Joe Grills Worth The Money?

Is your heart set on a high quality grill in that distinctive egg-shaped style? Then Kamado Joe could be the brand you’re looking for.

Kamado Joe is a premium grill brand headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The company was founded in 2009 by two grill chefs, Bobby Brennan and Kerry Coker, and acquired by Dominus Capital in 2018. Certified buyers give these grills 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Join us as we delve into the Kamado Joe brand in more detail, giving key information on the product range, brand history and usage…

Are Kamado Joe Grills Worth The Money?

Where Are Kamado Joe Grills Manufactured? (Are They Made in The USA?)

Although Kamado Joe is an American brand, their grills are made in Yixing in China. However, don’t let this put you off, as we’re not talking cheap imports here.

Kamado Joe components are good quality and it’s regarded as a premium brand. Their brand HQ is near Atlanta, Georgia.

Who Makes Kamado Joe Grills? (Will They Stand Behind Their Products?)

The company was founded back in 2009 by two keen grill chefs, Bobby Brennan and Kerry Coker.

In 2018, Kamado Joe was acquired by Dominus Capital, which has also invested in Masterbuilt Manufacturing and Smoke Hollow. Bobby Brennan and Kerry Coker continue to be involved with the business.

What Products Are in The Kamado Joe Grills Collection?

Kamado Joe makes a range of kamado grills. They are based on the traditional Japanese cooking appliance, a wood-burning, egg-shaped vessel (Kamado literally just means “stove”).

The latest editions are crafted from heat-retaining and tough ceramic, and that unique shape is suitable for all different types of cooking from grilling to baking. Because they are so well-insulated, they’re also extremely fuel efficient. 

So, when you’re talking about variety in the Kamado Joe collection, it’s mainly different types of the same classic grill. The Classic and Joe series grills come in a range of different sizes, and you can choose models with or without carts and stands.

The Big Joe range has a generous 24” fire box, while the baby of the series, Joe Junior, has a more portable 13” area. The company has branched out to offer a pellet-fuelled model (whereas pellet kings, Louisiana Grills, has launched a Kamodo grill…) as well as their usual charcoal.

What Size & Weight Are Kamado Joe Grills?

The Big Joe range, as the name suggests, is the brand’s heftiest grill. The width of the firebox is 24”, and when the grill is fully assembled with its side shelves out, this goes up to around 58 inches. Big Joe is hefty guy: the Big Joe I models weighs in at 352 pounds, and is definitely not the one to pack for a picnic.

The Classic series’ vital statistics are 18 inches and 47 inches when fully opened up. The different models have a different number of shelves, which affects their weight; however, to give you an idea, the mid-range Classic II weighs 232 pounds.

The baby Joe Junior has a 13.5 inch firebox and no side shelves (the stand adds on an extra three inches). It weighs 68 pounds, which makes it pretty heavy for a baby, but it is still lighter than its older siblings. 

Do These Grills Come With a Warranty?

Yes, Kamado Joe grills have a warranty. Like most outdoor cooking warranties, different components have different levels of cover. With these, you’re looking at five years for metal parts and a limited lifetime warranty on the ceramic parts.

Then, there are separate warranties for thermometers, pizza stones, and so on. Take a look at the warranty page on Kamado Joe’s website for further details.

Does Kamado Joe Also Make Accessories?

As you’ve probably noticed, we tend to get a bit excited about grill accessories here at Take A Yard! Kamado Joe has a great range of quality extras that increase your cooking capacity. There’s a choice of additional grates, plates and racks, and the Jotisserie gets an honorable mention for its name alone.

Add a pizza stone and a chicken stand to increase your al fresco repertoire. Pick up a grill cover to keep your Kamado in great condition. You can also buy fuel from their website.

Big Kamado Joe fan? Get dressed up to grill in a branded T-shirt and baseball cap. There are even Nike Dri-FIT golf shirts for those slightly smarter BBQs.

What Do The Reviews Say About Kamado Joe Grills?

We looked at the reviews for the Classic II model on Amazon. It seems that this is one popular grill! It has over a thousand ratings, and has scored excellent marks – 4.8 out of five stars.

What do people like about it? It seems that it does the job brilliantly. Reviewers are in ecstasy over tender brisket and perfect pizza, and frankly, you feel hungry just reading the Amazon page. 

Users appreciate its heat-retaining properties, and many reviewers mentioned how “strong” and “sturdy” the build quality is. (one reviewer describes it as having a “build like a tank”). The built-in ashtray and soft-close lid are much-appreciated features.

Any negatives? Some arrived with cracks in the ceramic, and sorting the problem wasn’t always smooth… Remember that that’s most likely to be in-transit damage rather than the grill quality itself.

How Much Do Kamado Joe Grills Cost?

We looked at the prices on the company’s website. Currently, the Big Joe III is the most expensive and costs $2,499. If you go a bit smaller, the Classic series ranges from $749 to $1,699, although you can save money by ditching the cart.

If you’re not cooking feast-size meals, the compact Kettle series is around $500 and the Junior $400. The pellet Classic will set you back around two thousand dollars.

How Do I Use My Kamado Joe Grill?

Kamado Joe grills are straightforward to use. Make sure you get in some good quality lump charcoal, and you’re good to go.

  1. Fill the charcoal tray, leaving a gap in the center for a starter brick
  2. Add the starter brick and light it with a long match
  3. Open all the vents and leave the lid open to create maximum airflow
  4. Check it after ten to fifteen minutes: the charcoal should be glowing and smoking
  5. Now close the lid, and keep an eye on the temperature gauge. When it reaches the right temperature for your food, close the vents to keep it at this temperature
  6. Time to get cooking!

Your Kamado Joe grill will come with an instruction manual, so please make sure you read it before you start. It’s also worth buying or downloading a Kamado cooking guide, as honestly, there are just so many ways you can cook with one of these versatile grills. 

Kamado Joe Grills

Are These Grills Easy To Maintain?

Kamado Joe grills are pretty simple to look after. Try to empty the ash after each use, as this makes them far easier to maintain.

Here’s how you clean the grill’s interior:

  1. Heat the grill to around 600 degrees fahrenheit for 30 minutes 
  2. Allow the grill to cool
  3. Take out the internal components of the grill
  4. Using a soft bristle brush, clean out the interior of the grill
  5. Remove the residue that collects in the bottom 
  6. Insert the internal components

The outside is even easier to clean. Simply wipe that smart red exterior with clean water and detergent, using a soft cloth.

How Do I Store My Kamado Joe Grill?

It would be a great shame to winterize your Kamado Joe grill indoors. We know, we usually tell you to give your a good clean and then put it in a safe, dry place for the colder months, but that would waste one of your Kamado Joe’s best features: its superior insulating properties.

That ceramic case provides a super-thermal layer that will keep your brisket cooking or your fish smoking even on the coldest day. Sure, it may take longer to reach temperature, but when it does, it will hold it nicely. So, make the most of your fantastic cold-weather grill by keeping it active throughout the winter.

Plus, at these weights, a gust of wind isn’t going to blow your Joe down the block (OK, if there’s a hurricane forecast, think again. Otherwise, these are heavy old beasts). Invest in a well-fitting cover (like Kamado Joe’s own make), and make sure it’s not exposed to the rain and sun.

If it does need to go away for a time, clean it, dry it, and then cover it, before hefting it indoors. A good clean prevents bugs, rodents, and mildew from attacking it while it’s in storage.

Conclusion: Where Can I Purchase a Kamado Joe Grill?

You can buy Kamado Joe grills direct from the company’s website, as well as all those exciting accessories.

There’s also a store locator on the website if you prefer to buy offline. Many hardware stores stock Kamado Joe, as do Amazon, Lowe’s, and Home Depot.

Mark H.

Homeowner and property investor Mark H. aspires to bring you the very best outdoor living content, based on his years of experience managing outside spaces. Read more >