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If you are like me, I shop every decently priced purchase to the fullest before pulling the trigger on the actual purchase and a Kamado style grill falls in that bucket.
So which is better, the Kamado Joe or the Big Green Egg? Let’s dive into some of the differences between the Big Green Egg and the Kamado Joe.
What Size Does the Big Green Egg and Kamado Joe Come In?
The Big Green Egg comes come in seven different sizes ranging from a 10″ diameter grid on the Mini Big Green Egg to a 29″ diameter grid on the Big Green Eggs 2XL.
The Kamado Joe has a couple different versions of the same grill but basically comes in 3 different sizes. All ten from both brands come in the following sized grids:
- Mini Big Green Egg – 10″ diameter grid
- Mini Max Big Green Egg – 13″ diameter gird
- Joe Jr. – 13.5 diameter grid
- Small Big Green Egg – 13″ – diameter grid
- Medium Big Green Egg – 15″ diameter grid
- Kamado Joe Classic III 18″ – 18″ diameter grid
- Large Big Green Egg – 18 1/4″ diameter grid
- Big Joe 24″ – 24″ diameter grid
- XL Big Green Egg – 24″ diameter grid
- 2XL Big Green Egg – 29″ diameter grid
The most popular sized grill is the 18″ diameter grid. The Big Green Egg has the Large at 18 1/4″ diameter and the Kamado Joe has the Classic III that has a 18″ diameter. So both can accommodate this aspect of it.
The one thing that Big Green Egg has over Kamado Joe is the Mini Max. The Mini Max is the perfect size for traveling whether its in a camper or if you are off to a tailgating event.
What Accessories Do the Big Green Egg and Kamado Joe Come With?
While both have several accessories there is a very clear winner on which is the better bang for the buck when it comes to accessories. The Kamado Joe sets you up right from the get go with the Kamado Joe Classic III.
The Kamado Joe Classic III includes the following accessories:
- Premium 18″ Ceramic Grill
- Heavy-Duty, Galvanized Steel, Rolling Cart
- Patented SloRoller Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber
- 3-Tier Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System
- 304 Stainless Steel Charcoal Basket
- 304 Stainless Steel Cooking Grates
- Air Lift Hinge
- Kontrol Tower Top Vent
- AMP FireBox
- 304 Stainless Steel Latch
- Wire Mesh Fiberglass Gasket
- Patented Slide-Out Ash Drawer
- Built-in Thermometer
- Finished Folding aluminum Side Shelves/Handle
- Grill Gripper
- Ash Tool
The size Large Big Green Eggs includes the following accessories:
- 18″ Ceramic Grill
- Fire Box with Fire Ring and Steel Lump Coal Grate
- 18″ Stainless Steel Grate
- Standard Felt Gasket
- Built-in Thermometer
- Newly designed daisy wheel
The Big Green Egg has the majority of the accessories that the Kamado Joe does but they all come as at an extra cost. The Kamado Joe is a clear winner here.
Big Green Egg Gasket vs Kamado Joe Gasket (Under the Dome Lids)
This is one thing that is definitely different between the Big Green Egg and Kamado Joe. The Big Green Egg comes with a standard felt gasket that in my opinion fails too soon, especially under higher heat.
For me, I’d rip it right off and install a Rutland Gasket when its time for a replacement in which when I did it I haven’t looked back. I absolutely love the Rutland Gastket over the BGE standard felt gasket.
As for the Kamado Joe, it already comes with an excellent gasket. It comes with a wire mesh fiberglass gasket which will last you much longer than the Big Green Eggs gasket.
These gaskets can even be found on most ovens which is pretty much proof in itself that it is much more resistant to higher temperatures (just like the recommended Rutland replacement gasket for the Big Green Egg).
Has the Big Green Egg or Kamado Joe Been Around Longer?
Where Is the Big Green Egg Made? (And When Was It Established)
The Big Green Egg has definitely been in the game longer than the Kamado Joe’s. The Big Green Egg is the biggest name in the Kamado industry and they were established in 1974 in which they are made in Mexico.
Where Is Kamado Joe Made? (And When Was It Established)
The Kamado Joe on the other hand is by far the fastest growing name in the Kamado industry. The Kamado Joe was established in 2009 in which they are made in China.
Big Green Egg vs Kamado Joe Summary
While I personally own a used Big Green Egg, I’m also a huge fan of them. With that being said though, if I had bought my Big Green Egg new then I’m afraid I probably would of ended up going with a Kamado Joe Classic II. It is just a no brainer to get all the accessories included for the same price.
The Kamado Joe also has a nice air lift hinge system which really does make opening the dome much easier not to mention it includes the nest, side tables…
Another frustrating thing that the Big Green Egg doesn’t have going for them is you can’t buy them online. You must go to a certified retailer and these, unfortunately, aren’t located by everyone.
Big Green Egg & Kamado Joe Warranties
One final note that is worth mentioning is that both the Big Green Egg and the Kamado Joe’s are backed by a lifetime warranty. While I can’t speak for Kamado Joe because I don’t have one, I have had a cracked fire box in my Big Green Egg.
Big Green Egg has an amazing warranty and they replaced the cracked fire box with very little question asked for free.
Ben Esman
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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