Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg is mostly a question of how you like to buy. Both are thick ceramic charcoal cookers that grill, smoke and bake, and the two most compared models, the Big Green Egg Large and the Kamado Joe Classic Joe, are within a quarter inch of each other in grid size. The real differences are what comes in the box, how the lid and gasket are built, the warranty fine print and the final price once you add a stand. Below is how they compare, using each manufacturer’s published specs and current prices checked in October 2026.
Big Green Egg Large vs Kamado Joe Classic: the specs
| Big Green Egg Large | Classic Joe Series III Standalone | Classic Joe Series II Standalone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grid diameter | 18.25 in | 18 in | 18 in |
| Main cooking area | 262 sq in | 250 sq in | 250 sq in |
| Weight | 162 lb | 238.8 lb | 214.5 lb |
| Listed temperature range | 200 to 750°F | 225 to 750°F | Not listed on the page we checked |
| Multi-level cooking rack | Not included (egg only) | 3-tier Divide & Conquer included | 2-tier Divide & Conquer included |
| Smoking insert | Not included | SlōRoller included | Not included |
| Stand or cart | Not included (nest sold separately) | Not included | Not included |
| Our price | $1,199.99 | $1,999.99 | $1,399.99 |
Sources: the Big Green Egg Large product page and Kamado Joe’s pages for the Classic Joe III Standalone and Classic Joe II Standalone. The 12 square inch difference in main grate area is too small to matter for most cooks. The Egg’s own page sizes the Large for 4 to 6 people, or a 20 lb turkey, 12 burgers or 8 steaks.
Kamado Joe or Big Green Egg: what comes in the box
This is where the two brands differ most, and where an unfair price comparison usually starts.
- Big Green Egg sells the egg on its own. The Big Green Egg Large needs a stand: a Table Nest ($39.99) if it will sit in a table or island, or a rolling stand such as the intEGGrated Nest+Handler ($449.99).
- Kamado Joe packs more into each grill. The Classic Joe Series III Standalone includes the 3-tier Divide & Conquer rack system, the SlōRoller hyperbolic insert for smoking and a stainless steel charcoal basket. Kamado Joe’s Series III page also lists the Kontrol Tower top vent, Air Lift hinge and wire mesh fiberglass gasket. “Standalone” means no cart and no side shelves; it is the version for a table or built-in island.
- The cart version, the Classic Joe Series III with cart ($2,199.99), adds a powder coated steel cart with locking wheels and folding side shelves.
So a rolling Big Green Egg Large on an intEGGrated Nest+Handler comes to $1,649.98 before any accessories, against $2,199.99 for a rolling Classic Joe III that already has a multi-level rack and a smoking insert.
Hinge, gasket and day-to-day use
Ceramic lids are heavy. Kamado Joe’s Series II and III grills use the Air Lift hinge, which the company says “significantly reduces dome weight” when you lift the lid, plus a double-thick wire mesh fiberglass gasket. If you cook pizza or sear at 700°F often, ask about gasket type and replacement cost before you buy.
Big Green Egg’s hinge is part of its band and hinge assembly, and its gasket is treated as a wear part (see the warranty section). The Egg’s advantage is weight: at 162 lb the Large is roughly 50 to 77 lb lighter than the Classic Joe models in the table, which matters if you plan to move it around or lift it into an island.
Kamado Joe lists a slide-out ash drawer on the Classic Joe Series I, II and III to make cleanup easier. The Big Green Egg Large product page does not list one.
Warranty: read past “lifetime”
Both brands advertise a lifetime warranty on the ceramics, but the details differ. From the Big Green Egg warranty page and the Kamado Joe warranty page:
| Part | Big Green Egg | Kamado Joe |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramics | Limited lifetime (dome, base, fire ring, firebox) | Lifetime for the original purchaser |
| Metal parts | 5 years (grate, grid, bands and hinge, draft door, top vent) | 5 years |
| Heat deflectors and stones | 3 years | 3 years |
| Gasket and thermometer | 1 year | 2 years |
| Registration required | Yes | Yes |
Both cover the original owner only, and both drop to a 1 year warranty for commercial use. Kamado Joe’s terms say a grill bought from an unauthorized dealer is not covered; we are an authorized Kamado Joe dealer, so grills bought from us are covered under Kamado Joe’s warranty terms. Register your grill as soon as it arrives and keep your receipt.
Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg price: ours vs the manufacturers
Kamado Joe sells direct on its own site, and Big Green Egg now lists prices on its own site too. We checked both on October 5, 2026. Our prices on these grills match the manufacturers’: Big Green Egg Large $1,199.99, Big Green Egg XL $1,649.99, Classic Joe III Standalone $1,999.99, Classic Joe II Standalone $1,399.99, and the Big Joe Series III Standalone $2,999.99. Every grill here is over $999, so it ships free by freight from us. Big Green Egg offers white glove assembly for an extra fee on its site, which we do not.
The cheapest way into either brand is the Kamado Joe Classic Joe Series I. Kamado Joe sells it on a cart with side shelves, a 2-tier rack and the ash drawer for $999.99. We carry the Classic Joe Series I and Cover Bundle at $1,069.99, the same price Kamado Joe charges for that bundle.
Which kamado grill is best for you?
- Choose the Big Green Egg Large if you want the lightest 18 inch class ceramic, plan to build it into a table or island (the $39.99 table nest keeps the cost down), or want to choose your accessories one at a time.
- Choose a Classic Joe Series II or III if you want the multi-level rack, the assisted hinge and the ash drawer included from day one. The Series III adds the SlōRoller insert for low and slow smoking.
- Cooking for a crowd? The Big Green Egg XL (24 in grid, 452 sq in) and the Big Joe Series III (24 in, 450 sq in) are a close match on size. The Egg XL costs $1,350 less for the bare cooker, but the Big Joe III includes the 3-tier rack and SlōRoller.
If the kamado is going into an island, read our built-in grill and outdoor kitchen guide first for clearances and the parts people forget. For the rest of the patio, see the fire pit buying guide and the patio heater buying guide. You can browse the full Big Green Egg lineup or call us at 866-777-2590 (Mon to Fri, 9AM to 6PM PST) if you need help choosing. Returns follow our return and refund policy.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg cooking area different?
Barely, at the main grate. The Big Green Egg Large lists 262 sq in on an 18.25 in grid and the Classic Joe lists 250 sq in on an 18 in grid. Kamado Joe’s included Divide & Conquer racks let you add a second level, while on the Egg you buy extra racks separately.
Why is the Big Green Egg vs Kamado Joe Classic price gap so large?
The base Egg comes without a stand, rack system or smoking insert. Add a rolling nest and the Large comes to about $1,650. A Classic Joe III with cart is $2,199.99 with those parts included. A Classic Joe I is the closest like-for-like on price.
Do both grills come in smaller sizes?
Yes. Big Green Egg makes Mini, MiniMax, Small and Medium sizes. Kamado Joe’s small model is the Joe Jr with cast iron stand ($499.99). The small Eggs are not in our catalog right now, so call us to ask about ordering one.
Can I build either one into an outdoor kitchen?
Yes. Big Green Egg makes a table nest for that purpose, and the Kamado Joe Standalone models are the cart-free versions meant for tables and islands. Plan ventilation and a non-combustible surround according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
