Did I pick the BEST? Big Green Egg vs Kamado Joe (newest models) ... which is BEST?

Where are they made? Seems like the red is china and the green is mexico

In 2023 if you are buying big green egg then you must be a moron.

Nothing is beating the big green eggs lifetime warranty. Fu$K koamado joes

One very tiny but annoying issue with the Kamado Joe that might benefit others. If you're looking for your serial number for warranty registration, I think I may have found it in the very back of the owner's manual in what appears to be the Russian language section. There are two ink stamps, one in black ink and one in red ink. I think the serial number is the one in red ink Some reading this may think, "What's this guy complaining about?" Well, good for you if you found this right away. I didn't find it right away and I'm not alone. If they have a machine that's printing this inside the book, in a section for one specific language, why not simply stamp it on the front of the book? Also, there are two decals attached to the back of the the cooker, near the bottom and there's a number pressed into the ceramic under the lid close to the vent. I sent in images of everything for my registration. Instead of the website saying, "The model number and serial number for your Kamado Joe grill can be found in the owner’s manual that comes included with your grill.", why not say, "The serial number can be found on the inside of the last page in the Russian language section"; or, simply print it on the cover of the book? Just a very small gripe. Thanks for your indulgence.

I am ordering the Big Joe 3, what is the advantage to purchasing the soap stone? Why can't I just use my half moon deflector plates?

KJ are all made in China.

James, what about comparing the KJ big Joe grill to the Primo XL grill ?
-James from VA

I just scored a big green egg brand new but the inside ceramic fire ring holder cracked and broke a piece about 1/4 of it which I have the piece. How should I repair? Cement?

I have had BGE for well over a decade now. Although BGE itself has been slow and expensive with accessories stuff like the woo ring have better purpose and functionality than either the KJ or eggspander stuff. All for a lot less money. At this point I could sell my eggs for significantly more than I paid (My large still has the 4” handle). They are just as up to date as the series III and the new stuff from BGE YEARS before they were available from either OEM.

Have you ever considered a PK Grill?

Big Joe 1 or Big green egg in the same size? Thank you great vid!

Great review

Interesting fact, KJ was founded by a previous employee of BGE that quit, founded KJ and sold the company off after he made bank.

Question about sloroller, when allowing for more smoke does that add a more bitter taste to the meat. I only ever want a light smoke taste so I can still taste the meat. Can someone please explain?

Could you compare the KJ with a Monolith?

Have you tried a traeger pallet grill? If so whats the thoughts between the bj kj and trager

Neither

Hi James, I know the BGE is built with aerospace-derived ceramics like Primo, kamado Joe what kind of ceramics is it built with? Thank you

Hi James, do you know if the reggulator for a large will fit on the KJ classic?

I just orderd a Kamado Joe classic II it arives in a few day's :)

Hi James, thanks for your informative videos. I am new to KJ and BGE, never heard of them until 1 week ago. I have watched about 6 videos of yours in the past week, and feel suitably impressed to get the KJ D&C grill from our local Hardware store in Australia (Bunnings). Keep up the great videos.

Great video!! I'm in the market for a new Kamado and have been debating between the BGE and KJ. Originally I was convinced I was going to get a BGE. However, after extensive research and seeking out opinions on those have owned the two, I've switched gears and decided KJ is the way to go.

Do a primo comparison!!!

Thanks to your video I just purchased the Big Joe II 24” .....👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸

In Australia the kjoe's classics are $1299, $2299 and $3299 for the 1, 2 and 3, for the large bge you're paying $2199 with a cart or $1899 without a cart... Not sure why anyone would go bge over kjoe series 1 when it costs almost $1000 more and is on par at best

Thanks for the review, James. I've had a Big Joe for about 6 years now and wouldn't part with it for anything. I have a question -- I noticed your Divide & Conquer rack has 3 levels in the video -- is that standard rack? Mine only has 2 levels, but is the gen before the Slo Roller became available. I just ordered a Slo Roller, but I can't find any D&C rack that has the 3 levels like yours. I'm really interested in the double indirect approach. Any suggestions? Great channel!

Consider the warranty service. I love your videos and have been very impressed with the ingenuity of Kamado Joe. So, I recently purchased a Big Joe II. It was scheduled to be delivered Friday (July 1st) just before the big 4th of July holiday. I was excited. Made big plans for a cook out. The grill was delivered on time, but the fire box and fire walls were broken and chipped. The fire box was broken into two pieces. So, I left the pieces in the packaging, took pictures and called the dealer. He said I had to call Kamado Joe directly. But they don't have a phone number. I had to email a claim to them from their website. No response. I went to their Facebook page and sent a message to them. They did respond with a statement that they have a claim and that someone would email me with a resolution. I asked if it would be possible to actually talk to a representative so we could get this thing resolved quickly. They replied stating that they have transitioned to digital support only and apologized for any inconvenience. I decided to call Big Green Egg to see if they too had gone to digital only support. I got a rep on the phone within 30 seconds and presented him with the same scenario. He gave me clear instructions on how to get it handled and also provided the phone number to the nearest distribution center. He then told me to call him back if I had any issues getting my problem solved. It was the difference between night and day. I concluded that if I want to buy something from Kamado Joe, it will be handled quickly. If I need support, prepare to wait, and wait, and wait. I'm still waiting, and waiting, and waiting.

How would you say the hinge mechanism on the BGE compares to the KJ? I know the airlift hinge can be "lifted by a child", but ... if for example, the hinge on a KJ3 can accomodate 95% of the weight of the dome, and the hinge on a KJ only accomodates 10% of the weight of the dome, where would you say the BGE lands?

BGE doesn't even compare anymore. i don't think its even a competition. you get so much more and the customer service is exceptional. I bought the original KJ classic and had 4 warranty claims. Always handled professionally and quickly. that to me speaks volumes.

Two Titans head to head and man it was a tough choice. I ended up with the Kettle Joe.

Your comparison was both
revealing & refreshing.

Just never wanted to exercise, lifting 💪
BGE lid, so KJ2 has been great investment. Looking forward to the adventure of accessories & replacing time spent in kitchen. ~ Thanx ~

I own both an XLarge BGE and a Kamado Joe 3 big Joe. Like you I started out with the BGE and loved it. I eventually purchased a KJ Big Joe 3 due to the Slow roller and other inovative features.
I really love the KJ! I recently fired up the XL BGE for some Tomahawk steaks. The Steaks turned out fantastic, but the whole time I was wishing I had the Big Joe fired up. You cannot go wrong with eithe one, but in my experience the KJ warranty experience has been nothing short of amazing. I received an entire new lower due to some minor imperfections on the inside of the unit. One email and a couple of pictures and they shipped me out an entire lower half of the grill. KJ Gasket and hinge... I agree with you. I will always like my BGE but I Love my KJ! I enjoy your the Great Videos!

What about the warranty difference between the two? I've heard BGE will replace broken ceramics forever--does Kamada Joe?

Competition is a good thing. It breeds innovation. If not for KJ and the other ceramic grills out there, BGE wouldn't have made any changes. That lack of innovation is precisely the reason I got a KJ about 5 years ago instead of a BGE.

What is the secret to clean smoke and not white and heavy smoke ?

Super helpful, ya hey der, thanks!

Hi James first of all I really appreciate all your video’s, just a general question when you fire up a Kamado Joe no matter what model when you install the deflector plate did it never cracked due to sudden temperature increase? Keep up the good work cheers Joey👍👍

Can you add the SloRoller to the classic ii or the same sized BGE? I want to buy one of these grills but still undecided. Thank you!

Is it worth upgrading Kamado classic two to classic 3?

Such a great video. Been on the fence between the two companies. Just curious I’m not sure if there is enough vertical height, but would the Slo-roller fit in the large or XL BGE?

Great review....Kamado Joe are great...but I can't buy anything made in China when I have options of Primo made in the USA or Big Green Egg made in Mexico....

Would LOVES you to do a series on the char grilled akorn. There’s a pretty large community of akorn owners

I had a problem with the upper band on my CIII moving when I opened and closed the lid. It had started making a crunching sound and I could see small bits of ceramics drop out with every move. I asked the local dealer here in Norway what do to and also asked in an online forum. The forum advised me on tightening the band, which resolved the problem. In the mean time the dealer forwarded my question to KJ, which offered to ship me a replacement base. I told them it was fixed and I probably didn't need it, but they shipped it anyway. I guess I will swap it out at one point since it takes up a lot of space in the basement and use the old base as a gigantic plant pot out on the deck complimenting the grill that is always there!

Would love you to do a review of the Monolith grills. Not sure if they are easy to get in Canada though...

I am definitely going to buy a set of the half moon BGE deflectors. This will give better coverage than the platesetter, and I’ll be able to mimic your double-indirect, finally!

Love the review but I’m still on Team Red!! Just need to get a Big Joe!

Great vid. Would love to see a kj3 vs a vision.

Nice and clear explanation

2499CAD... It is 4282CAD (converted from Euros) here in Finland. Loads of transportation and taxes???