Kamado Joe Classic vs Classic II vs Classic III – Comparison
- Sales Rank is548
- Department:Lawn & Patio
- Weight:
Our Summary Score: 8.9 points
Main Features
- Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System transforms the humble grill grate into the most powerful cooking tool in your arsenal. The revolutionary multi-level, half-moon design frees you to cook different foods in different styles at different temperatures.
- Control Tower Top Vent lets you control air flow for precise temperature control. Perfect for smoking from 225F all the way to searing at 750F.
- With a slide-out drawer, cleanup is easy. Unlike other Kamado style grills, you no longer must remove the inside components from the grill to clean out the ashes. Simply remove the Patented Ash Drawer, dump your ashes and keep on grilling!
- Stainless Steel Cooking Grates
- Built-in Thermometer
- Sales Rank is91
- Department:Lawn & Patio
- Weight:
Our Summary Score: 9.5 points
Main Features
- Premium 18″ Ceramic Grill with Cast Iron Cart & Locking Wheels – The Kamado Joe Classic II gives the perfect cooking size of 18 inches along with its Premium cart that comes with the purchase of your grill, including locking casters and wheels.
- 2-Tier Divide & Conquer - Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System transforms the humble grill grate into the most powerful cooking tool in your arsenal. The revolutionary multi-level, half-moon design frees you to cook different foods in different styles at different temperatures—all at the same time
- Kontrol Tower Top Vent - Maintains consistent air setting for precise airflow management during dome opening and closing. Constructed of powder coated cast aluminum, the patent pending dual-adjustment top vent is rain resistant and allows you to smoke from 225F all the way to searing at 750F.
- Air Lift Hinge – The air lift hinge significantly reduces dome weight. The grill dome can be lifted with a single finger giving the most comfortable grilling experience there is.
- AMP (Advanced Multi-Panel) FireBox – The patent pending six-piece design eliminates breakage and increases grill efficiency.
- Sales Rank is605
- Department:Lawn & Patio
- Weight:
Our Summary Score: 9.2 points
Main Features
- Premium 18″ ceramic grill with heavy-duty galvanized steel rolling cart with locking wheels.
- Patent pending SlōRoller Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber - The first of its kind, the revolutionary SlōRoller leverages Harvard science that transforms a Kamado Joe into one of the world’s most optimal smokers. By distributing smoke and heat in rolling, recirculating waves, the SlōRoller surrounds food in clouds of delicious smoke while evenly distributing heat—resulting in enhanced flavor and significantly reduced hot spots.
- 3-Tier Divide & Conquer - Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System transforms the humble grill grate into the most powerful cooking tool in your arsenal. The revolutionary multi-level, half-moon design frees you to cook different foods in different styles at different temperatures—all at the same time.
- Kontrol Tower Top Vent - Maintains consistent air setting for precise airflow management during dome opening and closing. Constructed of powder coated cast aluminum, the patent pending dual-adjustment top vent is rain and mold-resistant and allows you to smoke from 225F all the way to searing at 750F.
- Patented Air Lift Hinge – Reduce dome weight by 96% with the Patented Air Lift Hinge. The grill dome can be lifted with a single finger giving the most comfortable grilling experience there is. W/ 3 Tier Divide & Conquer- 510 square inches
If you’re in the market for a kamado grill, you can’t go wrong with a Kamado Joe Classic. It’s the perfect size for those who want to try out the wonders of ceramic cooking. You can use it as a grill, smoker, or an oven. Plus, it has enough cooking space to feed a regular-sized family. The question is which Kamado Joe Classic version do you get – I, II, or III? All versions feature a thick-walled, ceramic shell that’s heat resistant and effective in holding heat in. All of them come with a cast iron cart with locking wheels, a split heat deflector, a slide-out ash drawer, a dual-disc vent system, a spring-loaded lid, an ash tool, and a cooking grate thermometer. With each version, you also get an 18-inch 304 stainless steel cooking grate and the Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System. So, what’s with the price difference? And which one suits you best?
The differences between the Kamado Joe Classic I and II are the vent, the firebox, the gasket, and the lid. The Kontrol Tower Top Vent is now made of powder-coated cast aluminum which makes it resistant to mold and rain. It allows for consistent airflow and doesn’t lose its setting whenever you lift the lid. Moreover, it prevents rain from getting inside the grill. The patented Air Lift Hinge was improved to make it even easier to lift. You can now do this with just one finger. The AMP (Advanced Multi-Panel) Firebox is made of six pieces that enable the firebox to flex under heat without causing damage to the material. This prevents the firebox from cracking during high heat sessions. Lastly, the double-thick Wire Mesh Fiberglass Gasket still provides your grill with a superior airtight seal but it has a longer lifespan, 10x longer than your average gasket.
What about the Kamado Joe Classic III? This version also comes with several upgrades that a serious griller is going to appreciate. It features an updated Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System. Instead of two tiers, this newest version has a 3 tiers of split racks. This means that you can cook different foods at different temperatures using different techniques – all at the same time. Another upgrade in the Kamado Joe Classic III is the SloRoller Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber created by an insert which increases smoke circulation for a more flavorful meal. The cart has also been upgraded; it’s now made of heavy duty galvanized steel for increased durability. The shelves are now made of aluminum. You also get a bottom shelf plus a charcoal basket with a divider.
So, which one is better? The Kamado Joe Classic I is best for those with a limited budget. Even without the bells and whistles (a.k.a. upgrades), this model already exceeds expectations. It doesn’t require as much investment as the others but it still performs better compared to other Kamado grills in the market. Moreover, you can actually get the upgrades separately and install them in your Classic I once you have the budget for it. But if you have enough cash to spare right now, we recommend to just go for the Kamado Joe Classic II. The upgrades in version III are nice to have but they’re not necessary to produce high quality barbecue. It definitely doesn’t seem worth the extra $400.