If you have been following our reviews, you know we recently did a deep dive into premium gas grills with our Napoleon Prestige vs. Weber Genesis showdown. But what if your heart belongs to charcoal and wood-fired flavor? Today, we are taking the guesswork out of premium ceramic cookers.
When it comes to kamado-style grills, two massive titans dominate the backyard: the Big Green Egg and the Kamado Joe. Both offer incredible heat retention, versatility to smoke low-and-slow or sear at blistering temperatures, and heavy-duty ceramic builds. But which one deserves a spot on your patio?
Grab a cold drink, fire up the coals, and let’s break down this heavy-weight matchup.
The Reigning Champ: The Big Green Egg (Large)
The Big Green Egg is the undisputed godfather of the modern ceramic grill movement. It has a massive, cult-like following (affectionately known as “Eggheads”) and a decades-long reputation for reliability.
The Pros:
- Unmatched Ecosystem: Because it has been around so long, the aftermarket accessories available for the BGE are endless. Whether it is from the manufacturer or third-party fabricators, you can find a gadget for anything.
- Tried and True Warranty: Big Green Egg offers a limited lifetime warranty on their ceramics, and their customer service through local dealers is legendary.
- Simplicity: It is a classic, straightforward design that just works.
The Cons:
- A La Carte Pricing: The Egg comes bare-bones. You are essentially just buying the ceramic shell and the grates. If you want a stand, side shelves, or their essential “convEGGtor” (heat deflector for smoking), you have to buy them all separately.
- Outdated Top Vent: While they have made updates, their daisy-wheel top vent still isn’t quite as weather-resistant or precise as newer competitor designs.
The Innovator: Kamado Joe (Classic III)
If Big Green Egg is the traditionalist, Kamado Joe is the disruptor. They looked at the kamado market, identified the pain points pitmasters were having, and engineered solutions right out of the box.
The Pros:
- All-Inclusive Package: Unlike the Egg, a Kamado Joe comes with almost everything you need. The heavy-duty cart with locking casters, side shelves, an ash tool, and heat deflectors are all included in the box.
- Divide & Conquer System: This is a game-changer. The Kamado Joe features a multi-level half-rack design that lets you cook different foods at different heights (and temperatures) simultaneously.
- The Air Lift Hinge: Ceramic domes are incredibly heavy. Kamado Joe’s patented hinge reduces the dome weight by 96%, meaning you can lift it with a single finger.
- Kontrol Tower Top Vent: Their aluminum top vent maintains its exact setting even when you open the lid, and it keeps rain out better than traditional daisy wheels.
The Cons:
- Aesthetics: The bright red color is bold, but it isn’t for everyone. Some purists prefer the subtle, classic green of the BGE.
- Complexity: With more moving parts (like the complex hinge and latch system) comes a slightly higher chance of needing mechanical adjustments down the road.
The Simply Grilling Verdict
Both of these grills are phenomenal investments that will easily last you a lifetime if properly maintained. You cannot go wrong with either, but here is how we break it down:
Buy the Big Green Egg if: You want a classic, proven piece of BBQ history, you prefer supporting local specialty dealers, and you want access to the largest aftermarket accessory ecosystem on the planet.
Buy the Kamado Joe if: You want the absolute best bang for your buck. The Kamado Joe is our top pick simply because of the constant innovation. The inclusion of the Divide & Conquer system, the Air Lift hinge, and the fact that you don’t have to buy a stand and heat deflectors separately makes it a superior value for the modern pitmaster.
Do you cook on an Egg or a Joe? Drop a comment below and let us know which side of the fence you sit on!
