This Konnected Joe review is for buyers who want a ceramic kamado without babysitting vents all day. The Kamado Joe Konnected Joe is an 18 inch ceramic charcoal grill with three digital additions: a built-in electric fire starter, a Kontrol Board controller with a fan that holds your set temperature, and Wi-Fi app control. There is also a 24 inch Big Joe Konnected Joe. Below: what each part does, what it cannot do, how it compares with the Classic Joe, and when buying direct costs less. The Everything Depot is an authorized Kamado Joe dealer, and you can browse everything we carry on our Kamado Joe brand page.
Konnected Joe review: what you get
According to Kamado Joe’s Konnected Joe product page, the standard model (KJ15041123) has an 18 inch cooking surface, 250 square inches of cooking space, a 225 to 700°F heat range and a grill weight of 216.1 lb. The page lists a grill cart, folding aluminum side shelves, stainless steel cooking grates, heat deflectors, one meat probe, an accessory rack and an ash tool, plus the 2-Tier Divide & Conquer system, Air Lift hinge, Kontrol Tower top vent and slide-out ash drawer.
The three digital parts, per Kamado Joe:
- Automatic Fire Starter (AFS): a heating element inside the grill lights the charcoal at the push of a button. The Konnected Joe extended FAQ says the element stays on for 15 minutes, so no lighter cubes or chimney are needed.
- Kontrol Board and Kontrol Fan: you set a target temperature and the fan feeds air to hold it. The board also does 24 hour temperature graphing, alerts and timers, and can monitor up to 3 meat probes (one is included).
- Kamado Joe app: connects over Wi-Fi so you can watch probes and adjust the set temperature remotely. The owner’s manual notes the grill needs a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network.
What the app cannot do
The extended FAQ says you cannot turn the grill on from the app: you flip the power switch on the back, power on the controller, and press the AFS button at the grill. You also cannot fully shut it down remotely. Turning off the controller from the app stops the fan, but the charcoal keeps burning until you close the bottom vent, then close the top vent once the temperature drops below 400°F. Plan to be at the grill to start and finish every cook.
Three cook modes
- Automatic Cook Mode: the board and fan hold the temperature. Kamado Joe says to keep the bottom vent fully closed in this mode.
- Classic Cook Mode: you run it like any Kamado Joe with the top and bottom vents. You can still use the AFS to light it and the board as a thermometer and timer.
- Accessory Cook Mode: for the DoJoe, JoeTisserie or full surface griddle, which run with the dome open.
Big Joe Konnected Joe: the 24 inch version
The Big Joe Konnected Joe (KJ15042425) uses the same digital system on a 24 inch grill. Kamado Joe lists 450 square inches of cooking space, a 225 to 750°F range and a weight of 341.7 lb, and its FAQ says it ships with folding aluminum side shelves and a powder-coated steel cart. It suits people who regularly cook for a crowd. If you are still choosing between the two sizes, our Classic Joe vs Big Joe comparison covers the size question in more depth.
Konnected Joe vs Classic Joe
The closest non-digital match is the Classic Joe Series III. Specs come from Kamado Joe’s product pages (the Classic Joe III page and the Konnected pages linked above).
| Spec | Konnected Joe | Big Joe Konnected Joe | Classic Joe Series III |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking surface | 18 in | 24 in | 18 in |
| Cooking space | 250 sq in | 450 sq in | 250 sq in |
| Heat range | 225 to 700°F | 225 to 750°F | 225 to 750°F |
| Grill weight | 216.1 lb | 341.7 lb | 280.6 lb |
| Divide & Conquer | 2-tier | 2-tier | 3-tier |
| Auto ignition, fan, app | Yes | Yes | No |
| SloRoller insert | Not listed | Not listed | Included |
| Kamado Joe price | $1,999.99 | $2,999.99 | $2,199.99 |
| Our price | $1,999.99 | $2,999.99 | $2,199.99 |
The trade-off is clear: the Classic Joe III gives you a higher top temperature, the 3-tier rack and the SloRoller smoke insert, while the Konnected Joe gives you push-button lighting and fan-held temperatures for $200 less. For how both stack up against another ceramic brand, see Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg.
Power, setup and safety
Unlike a regular kamado, the Konnected Joe has to be plugged in. The owner’s manual we could open on Kamado Joe’s manual server is for the international model (KJ15041523 owner’s manual), so its 220 to 240 volt rating does not apply to US grills. Check the label on yours or call us. The general safety rules in that manual include:
- Outdoor use only, and never under roof coverings, carports, awnings or overhangs.
- Keep at least 10 ft (3 m) from combustible materials and from overhead construction, walls and rails.
- The grill must sit on the ground on a level, non-combustible surface such as dirt, concrete, brick or rock. Do not use it on wooden or flammable surfaces, so a wood deck is out.
- Use only an approved grounded outlet. Any extension cord must be a grounding-type 3-wire cord rated for outdoor use, kept dry and off the ground.
- Do not use it during an electrical storm or expose it to rain.
Warranty
The Kamado Joe warranty page lists a limited lifetime warranty on key ceramic parts, 5 years on key metal parts, 3 years on electronic components, heat deflectors and pizza stones, and 2 years on miscellaneous parts such as gaskets and thermometers. You must register the grill for the warranty to apply. Replacement pieces are sold separately, for example the Konnected Joe element kit ($37.99) and element plug kit ($24.99).
Price check: our store vs Kamado Joe direct
We compared every product here with kamadojoe.com today. Grills and bundles cost the same at both stores:
- Konnected Joe with cover and fish and vegetable grate: $2,174.99 (both list $2,219.99 as the regular price).
- Big Joe Konnected Joe with soapstone and cover: $3,209.99 at both.
Shipping is where they differ. We ship freight free on orders of $999 or more, so the grills ship free from either store. Below $999 we charge a flat $200, while the Kamado Joe FAQ says orders of $200 or more ship free within the contiguous US. That means accessories and parts bought on their own, like the sear plate ($99.99), aluminum side shelves for the Konnected Joe ($179.99) or side shelves for the Big Joe Konnected Joe ($199.99), will usually cost less buying direct from Kamado Joe. For ideas on what to add, see our Kamado Joe accessories guide. Questions about an order? Call 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST, and see our return and refund policy.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Konnected Joe worth it?
It is worth it if you value set-and-forget temperature control and push-button lighting, especially for long smokes. If you mostly sear at very high heat, the Classic Joe III reaches 750°F and adds the SloRoller and 3-tier rack for $200 more. On a tighter budget, our Kamado Joe Jr review covers the smallest model.
What is the difference between the Kamado Joe Konnected Joe and the Big Joe Konnected Joe?
Size and heat. The Konnected Joe is 18 inches with 250 square inches of cooking space and a 700°F top end. The Big Joe Konnected Joe is 24 inches with 450 square inches and a 750°F top end, and it weighs 341.7 lb against 216.1 lb.
Can I use the Konnected Joe without Wi-Fi or the app?
Yes. Kamado Joe says Classic Cook Mode works like any traditional kamado with the vents, and you can still use the fire starter. Automatic mode can also be run from the Kontrol Board on the grill.
Can I put a Konnected Joe on a wood deck?
The owner’s manual we reviewed says not to use the grill on wooden or flammable surfaces and to keep 10 ft from combustibles, walls and overhead structures. Follow the manual that ships with your grill and your local fire codes.
