Head-to-head · Best Kamado Grills

Kamado Joe® Classic Joe™ I Premium 18-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill and Smoker in vs Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.2 vs 4.3). The gap is mostly about Tech-savvy beginners wanting smart kamado features — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #5 in Best Kamado Grills

Kamado Joe® Classic Joe™ I Premium 18-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill and Smoker in

4.2

$799.99as of Jul 8

The Kamado Joe Classic Joe I 18-inch grill offers a premium ceramic cooking experience with innovative features like the 2-Tier Divide & Conquer system and Slide-Out Ash Drawer. Reviewers praised its solid build quality, temperature control, and versatility for grilling, smoking, searing, and roasting. The unit's thick ceramic walls and stainless steel grates ensure durability, though its weight and fragile ceramic construction may be drawbacks for some users. This grill is ideal for serious outdoor cooks seeking a high-performance, long-lasting kamado but may not suit those needing portability or very large cooking capacity.

Strengths

— 2-Tier Divide & Conquer® Cooking System allows cooking different foods at various temperatures simultaneously
— Patented Slide-Out Ash Drawer simplifies cleanup
— Cast Iron Top Vent enables precise temperature control

Watch-outs

— Grill is heavy at 227.7 lbs with included cart
— Ceramic construction can be fragile and requires careful handling

$799.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Kamado Grills

Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker

4.3

$2,000as of Jul 8

The Kamado Joe Konnected Joe blends traditional kamado cooking with modern digital technology, offering stable temperature control and automatic ignition. Reviewers praised its rapid heating, consistent performance, and versatility, especially for beginners and tech enthusiasts. However, some noted the 18-inch size as restrictive and the app as basic. It's ideal for those wanting a tech-enhanced charcoal experience but may not suit users seeking larger cooking capacity or advanced smart features.

Strengths

— Automatic Fire Starter (AFS) system eliminates need for third-party fire starters
— Fan-assisted system rapidly reaches set temperature
— Computer-controlled temperature regulation provides incredibly stable internal temperature

Watch-outs

— Size limited to 18-inch diameter which feels limiting for larger cooks
— Basic app functionality with limited advanced features

$2,000 · Buy at kamadojoe.com Full review →

How they stack up

Kamado Joe® Classic Joe™ I Premium 18-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill and Smoker in

The Kamado Joe Classic Joe I stands out with its 2-Tier Divide & Conquer system and Slide-Out Ash Drawer, features not found in the Big Green Egg MiniMax or London Sunshine models. While it shares ceramic construction with the London Sunshine and Outvita, its heavier weight and more robust build make it less portable than the latter. Unlike the Konnected Joe, it lacks digital controls but offers more traditional kamado functionality.

Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker

The Konnected Joe's automatic fire starter and fan-assisted temperature control set it apart from the Classic Joe and Big Joe models, which rely on manual controls. While it offers digital convenience, it lacks the larger cooking capacity of the Brand-Man Rodeo and the 2-tier system of the Classic Joe. It's more tech-oriented than the traditional London Sunshine or Outvita models.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Kamado Joe® Classic Joe™ I Premium 18-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill and Smoker in	Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker
Dimensions	46.2 in	Width 46.9 in inches
Weight	228 lb	216 lb
Cooking Surface Area	250 square inches	450 sq in
Temperature Range	225 - 750°F	Up to 700°F
Material	ceramic	ceramic
Cooking Methods	Smoked, Grilled, Seared, Roasted, Baked	rotisserie, low and slow cooks, and grilling
Fuel Type	charcoal	Lump charcoal

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