Thanks for this video. I just replaced a very problematic and all but smokeless Traeger Timberline 850 with a Classic Joe III and I'm loving every cook with this KJ. I should have taken that Traeger out into the yard and put a full AR-15 magazine through it two years ago!
Andy Kives thanks Andy. Sorry to hear about your experience with the timberline, it’s a pretty high end pellet grill but I do have to agree after using both I too prefer the Kamado Joe for so many reasons. Should we do a video comparing those?
I almost bought the Timberline but everyone was telling me Traeger quality is not the same as it once was. I have no regrets. It's sad Traeger is letting other brands out perform them now. Rec Tec and Greem Mountain seems to be getting more recognition now.
Smoking Dad BBQ Treager HAS NO QUALITY. Had a brand new unit almost burn down. All Treager did was send me the cooking chamber. I had to swap everything else to the new chamber. No “we feel bad free gift” except a jar of petroleum jelly!
Interesting comparison, but it would have been better if you had your platesetter in place properly. It is well known that the BGE is hotter in the back and the standard method is to put the platesetter in with one leg in the rear. I would bet that the exposed portion of the baguette would be much less browned if you had done it this way.
KHAAAAAAAAAN! Thanks for checking it out. With a single piece of bread absolutely it’s possible to help nurture it along to prevent it from burning. The problem is when I’ve done three racks of ribs, a brisket or multiple chickens.... something eventually ends up in a hot spot that you just don’t get with the other two approaches to indirect cooking. 💯 after a decade of cooking on my eggs did I learn how to manage it, sure thing. If I was starting all over it’s easier to get better results on the Joe and that’s really the only point of the video. I don’t expect you to switch brands, it’s just my experience owning both to help out potential new to charcoal buyers
The KJ is definitely more innovative and comes with more. I was going to go with a KJ, but a local egg dealer had everything egg related 20% off (including carts), so I went with the egg. Happy with the egg, but I will definitely consider a KJ going forward! Thanks for the great review!
Aaron Kim thanks for taking the time to check this video out and to comment. Sounds like a great deal, congrats on your new egg. What size did you get?
Smoking Dad BBQ very welcome! I saw your message on Facebook about starting your channel. I wish you the best. I went with an XL. I was initially planning to go with a large, but the people on the Facebook page steered me towards an XL. Just out of curiosity, may I ask why you decided to go with two large KJ’s instead of an XL?
Aaron Kim 🙏🙏 and you will love the XL egg. It’s an amazing cooker. I got two Classic Joes so I could use the same accessories on either one vs my MiniMax and large Egg which needed their own dedicated accessories... but an XL size and a small maybe down the road makes a killer combo
Finally an on which is better besides saying the air lift hinge and the gasket. The gasket and hinge though are perks but I just wasn’t sold as I am in the market for a free standing model.
ryanpatrick16 before you use the grill those are the obvious things to look at ... but after doing several long slow cooks on all configurations I saw trends and big differences in performance so that’s what I wanted to share vs the normal stuff
Yes, I got a kamado joe before this video was made and while researching I found out all this stuff. BGE felt like it was Nickle and diming me. I suppose the argument can be made that there was more options in your configuration and you are not paying for what you dont need. But the gasket, the top vent, the lid lifting assist, and the modular fire box are all what really sold me in the end
Great video. I do challenge you to rewatch and do the "umm, ugh" counter. Think it would be quite beneficial for future videos. Thought it was a great video overall and look forward to more.
Interesting video. I have a BGE and more than happy with it. We should all feel blessed that we can afford $800+ Komodo style grill/smokers. Regardless of the brand. If mine ever blows up, maybe I will switch. Or maybe a new competitor comes up with a more advanced version - in their signature navy blue color! Regardless - your videos are so helpful! I am a happy subscriber now!
thanks Roscoe. agree we are blessed and these two are the top of the top. no need to switch, this is more for folks of don’t have either yet trying to understand the two better
I've got an 18 year old BGE and my fire box broke 2 years ago when it was 16 years old. I went in the store and they handed me a new one no questions asked. If the new one lasts 16 more years I'll be as happy as I can be. I've got a good quality comparison challenge I'd love to see you perform. Heat both grills up to about 600 degrees farenheight and let them sit for about 2 hours. Then at the 2 hour mark dump a 5 gallon bucket of ice water over the top of each grill.
gotta love lifetime warranty. while I am curious about the result I paid for these grills and won’t be changing a void warranty claim for the ice bucket challenge lol.
@@SmokingDadBBQ WOW! I thought you were sponsored, had no idea you actually paid for all of those. I just thought I had a grilling addiction 😁 Great content, keep up the good work!
Excellent work Smoking Dad! Like other commenters, I really thought your were being sponsored for this review... but it turns out that you just LOVE the Kamados lol! I’ve never even heard of the Kamado until I was looking in my local stove shop... now it’s one of those things I feel I MUST HAVE. I’ve had a Webber for years now and been limited to sausages and burgers and the odd shrimp... but the idea of a rotisserie chicken - now that’s a whole new world of outdoor cooking for me 😀 ....and ribs! OH MAN!
I'm a big fan for sure and have bought grills from each brand. Since last year, i have been given a grill FYI but this video represents my voice as a paying consumer of each and I absolutely love the rotisserie cooking now that i have figured it out
@@SmokingDadBBQ Just ordered the KJ Classic 3 for arrival tomorrow. Negative temps here in the UK at the moment, but can’t wait to get cooking. Any video guides to spinning a chicken? 😀
@@AdamReidBSc I need to redo it as I’ve learned more about how to get the best result. Check out my turkey video from the fall as it’s very similar and the principals would apply
My man has like $5k in grills there. I just got a large BGE this weekend and I’m in love. Bit of a learning curve compared to regular gas grills and it can be a bit overwhelming, but I get into that kind of thing. Can’t wait to low an slow some cheap meat, like a shoulder, to work up to the big boys, brisket and the like
Don't wait on the brisket a pretty well cooked brisket is still awesome. It was the second thing I cooked on my BGE 10 years ago and I still remember it like yesterday haha.
Do you think you would do a comparison of the mini Kamados such as the joe jr. vs the vision cadet or the cheaper London sunshine Kamado from Amazon? To see if the cheaper budget ones would stand up and what the differences are? Thanks and great videos
The series 2 was tempting... once I read about the SloRoller I couldn't resist any longer and had to try it. So glad I did, had no idea what I was missing out on
Great video, love the baguette test! Question: I was trying to decide between an XL BGE and Primo Oval XL when I found a KJ Big Joe 1 for a great price. Would you still pick the KJ over the others, even if it's the series 1? Thanks!!
I've always read that the "leg" of the placesetter on the BGE should be at the very back where you experienced the "burning" of the bread. The KJ with acc is about $800 more than the LG BGE
this is because the fire often burns towards the rear so the idea is that gives you extra protection. I prefer to orient brisket or ribs the other way so that the ends don’t burn and avoid the back but the point I am showing is that the platesetter requires more planning and spinning things around to avoid burnt ends (not the good kind 😂) that on a loaded egg is inevitable regardless of the the leg direction. yes it’s only if you add the same accessories that the egg costs more. it comes stock without a heat deflector so depending on your dealers starter bundle the gap closes from there to eventually after a nest, side shelves, egg spander etc
While I generally love your videos I have a few issues with this video. Let just say that I agree that the Kamado Joe is the better deal and don't nickel and dime you like Big Green Egg does and if I was going to buy a Kamado today I would without hesitation buy the Komado Joe. I own a large BGE and while I agree with the cooking results and some of the issues you brought up with the Big Green Egg I feel there were a few things that I am not sure you are not aware of or just let fly by trying to make the Kamado Joe look even better when it pretty much stands on its own. First the BGE does come with a grid tool and ash tool which you did not say but pointed out on the KJ. Second the BGE that you showed uses the old style hinge and not the hinge that you would get today which is a much better hinge although not as nice as the KJ air hinge. LIke I said I agree the KJ is the better value and in my opinion a better Komado style grill but in comparing the newer KJ improvement with the older BGE and leaving out some of the items that do come with the BGE just ring a little bit hollow and disappoints me a little bit as I love most of your videos and have alway considered your video informative and pretty much right on but slightly off the mark with this video comparing an older BGE with the newer KJ. Will still watch your video and like I said the KJ is what I would buy if buying a new one today but if you are going to compare it should be newer design to newer design. I do like that KJ keeps improving their product while it seems that BGE seems to mostly be resting on it reputation and ignoring requests such as a rotisserie but luckily the Joetisserie works on my BGE. Another reason if something happens to my BGE I will be buying a KJ.
Thanks Lynn for your comment. Few thoughts to add.. These tools are not included even though some dealers may choose to bundle them in a starting package. My receipt for my last of 4 Big Green Egg purchases lists the ash tool for $19.99, and the ash pan for $29.99. Not sure how they were bundled on your receipt but I have this still with a cost associated with everything On the hinge, yes. When I did this video I bought my Egg & my Joe and I didn’t receive compensation from either company for making the video regardless of the verdict. This means i am comparing my $2k grill against my $2k grill, and that means it may not be the latest and greatest model …this Egg was older than the Joe and didn’t have the new hinge, the new reEGGulator, or the new EGGspander. I am not a BBQ store and don't have access to every updated product so agree this is a shortfall / limitation of an individual making reviews of products they’ve purchased. I hope to redo it in the future where I can borrow the latest and greatest and not have the same limitations Despite the limitations of using old personal gear, I still believe in the overall message that the better buy for the one once you price them out fully to be as apples to apples as you can that the KJ is the better buy, but yes BGE has closed the gap on the hinge, the cap, the gasket material has changed, the fire box basket and the rack system have all improved which in part were my frustrations when I had the Egg and innovation after innovation was coming out on team red whereas my generation egg looked a lot like the same product as when it first came out in the 70’s.
Just curious because I'm not sure. The KJ you're using is the newest model. The BGE appears to be a little bit older. Does BGE make incremental in their designs similar to KJ? I know the KJ lid can hold it's place but the original KJ couldn't. Would the same be true for a BGE in 2020 vs one that came out maybe 5 years ago?
Daniel Williamson thanks Daniel. The hinge design has changed on the egg but it doesn’t stay in place or reduce the mass. It’s still more similar to the one found on the first generation classic from about 10 years back. The series 2 introduced the hinge you see in the video. I am using the newest series 3
This was a great video, you did a nice job. I'm jealous you have all those ceramics!!!! lol. I saw two things in your video about the KJ that have always annoyed me with the BGE - how the platesetter doesn't block the heat on the edges and that nifty way to pull out the lump. It did make me feel that BGE better not stop improving their product! Some background for me, I've owned a LBGE for about 5 years and have been very happy with it. My base was replaced for free when it cracked a few months back. That process went unbelievably well. Part of the reason i bought the BGE was their reputation for quality and the life time guarantee and i will say they have lived up to it. : - )
Don’t plan on the ignition unit to last much over 3 months. It failed to ignite so I went to the site & yup…. The parts site shows “Out of Stock” try a substitution? At your cost…. Apparently their warrantee requires you to write them a letter w/ the hopes they’ll come up w/ a solution to out of stocks & apparently a BBQ that’s going to fail you.
BGE better get there head out of you know where. I looked at the Kamado Joe when they first came out or at least when they first started getting to be available and the price was a lot cheaper then the BGE. Like a fool I waited a few years and those suckers jumped up in price close to the egg. I am from kind of small town so I never got to see KJ at that time and The BGE was in my small town so I went with the BGE. I knew KJ was just as good but it just wasn't really available to me. I see why you chose the KJ over the egg I would also now. Can you tell us will the KJ guts fit the BGE? The accessories used to be interchangeable are they still? Thanks for sharing your video well done.
tmortensen1000 thanks for watching. I haven’t bought a series 1 but I helped a neighbour pick one out and he loves it. The airflow is very similar to the large egg. You now get the multi piece fire box, two tier divide and conquer system etc for a really good price. Felt good suggesting it to a neighbour and still feel good recommending it to anyone else considering it
Unless the Classic 1 is a crazy great deal, I’d go ahead and invest in a new or used (good condition) Classic 2. You’ll be glad you did. There’s a bunch of improvements that are definitely worth the extra money. And the resale value on it is very good so it holds its value if you ever want to sell it and upgrade to a Big Joe or something. I have a Classic 2 and use it about twice a week. Spatchcock chicken on there with pecan & cherry chunks will blow your mind. $5 chicken from Sam’s Club feeds 3 people and there’s always leftover for snacking later. The best BBQ joint in my town sells whole smoked chickens for close to $40 after tax and mine blows it outta the water. A classic 1 would be great also but I’d seriously consider looking for a classic 2. I guarantee you won’t regret it.
Miha Marinko that’s hard because they are both great grills. For me personally it was the Engadget article on how the Harvard class changed the science of bbq (link in the description) that put me over. The SloRoller is a game changer in my opinion
james, quick question. im looking at the BGE and KJ and had been leaning towards the BGE simply based on the fact that i have a store that has them and all the accessories local to me. i havent seen a kamado joe at all... but all online says they are better.. there is a KJBJ II on sale right now for less than the base BGE XL but no stand and being a II no sloRoller.. is the difference between the II and III significant where it wouldnt be worthwhile to get the II for 1300?
The only thing I don't like about the Joe is that when I want to add more wood for additional smoke, if I'm doing indirect I need to take everything out pretty much to add the wood. Besides that I would die before I give up my Joe.
James, This video made my decision to purchase a KJ Classic about a year ago. Wished I had caught you were using a Classic III. (I probably missed you saying that). I came home with the Classic II. Had Zero knowledge between the II and III at that time. A few months later I figured out that my dealer sold me on a leftover series II which, had I known and did my research, I wouldn't have bought it. Regardless, It's been a great grill but two issues.. I can't cook double indirect and I can't cook all my food at the same time. After your more recent video comparing the Classic III vs. the Big Joe II, please tell us why you'd still choose the Big Joe II over the Classic III even though you wouldn't be able to cook double indirect. Obviously one of your answers will cure one of my issues, More Space. But, is that double indirect method you've discovered a game changer?
You set the egg up backwards. The leg on the plate setter should be to the back. Which is where the air in most kamato’s is being pulled Other than that informative 👍
Hi, great video! I can’t help wonder if the KJ Classic is big enough? I use a 57cm weber at the moment and don’t really want to lose space...but the Big Joe 3 in my country is €2,800!!!!
Ian Connolly I fit 15lbs brisket by laying it over a V rack or wood chunks. If you get the second level accessory you keep the same grill space it’s just vertical instead of horizontal. If you cook more than 6 racks of ribs regularly, more than one brisket, more than three spatchcock chickens or more than 6 pork shoulders at one time you might want to save up for the big joe. Otherwise you can fit all of the above
Smoking Dad BBQ cool thanks!! Do the 3 chickens fit on the classic grate or do they need to be stacked on the second level? Maybe the classic will do me afterall and save me €1000!! Love your channel by the way!
its looks good... no ceramic parts to break but I would wonder how efficient it is. The main reason I like KJ over the eggs is their efficiency is worse which helps improve clean smoke and better tasting food. The Broil King Keg and Weber summit i have used are dare i say too efficient for their own good. not sure how this one would perform
I’ve had the Char-griller Akorn for a few years (It was $250, so much more affordable). How does it compare to a KJ? Is it a huge upgrade worth the price?
it’s a Kamado already. you’re gaining some premium features like the air hinge, gasket, basket, cart, control top, SloRoller along with accessory support like the JoeTisserie and DoJoe etc. so depends if you like any of those things.
Great video I’m on the fence about getting one following my deployment in December 2020. So is there a difference between the joe III and big joe? I think I need the one that has the slow roller or at least that’s what most videos recommend. Thoughts.
Steven Coffee is he big joe has the most space and you can get it with the SloRoller in the gen III just like you can on the classic size. So it’s really just a matter of real-estate for what you need. Both gen 3’s come with a charcoal basket and a divider so you don’t need to use more coal
I'm a big green egg guy, and i agree with you. Innovations with the BGE really miss the mark. They survive with name recognition, great no hassle warranty. If i had to replace my BGE, it may be with a Kamado Joe.
The pricing is hard to compare since BGE doesn't come with a nest, charcoal basket, ash pan or ash tool, platesetter or the newer multi tier grid system for the naked egg price. Where I am located, the egg costs more when you get catch up with things I use every day for cooking
Thanks David. The Egg doesn’t come with the ConvEGGtor (plate setter) or the EGGspander in the box, for an additional fee you can add either one to your Egg. Some dealers in my area are only stocking the EGGspander accessory which totally makes sense but the fire rings still have the notches for the plate setter if you choose to buy that option at the 2020 eggs I’ve seen. Have you seen a ring with the notches deleted designed specifically for the EGGspander?
You are correct that they are not included but my point was that they have fixed the issue with the plate setter gaps. The new XL and 2XL do not have the notches for the plate setter and the intended method for indirect cooking is to use an eggspander basket and two half stones. The two main factors that made me go with the egg were not having to line up all the plates in the firebox and not having to clean a gummed up temperature regulator.
Thanks Michael, I think I put this in the description. I bought my first two large Eggs (one not in the video) 10 years ago and my first KJ (in the video) in 2019 and used both models before making the review. Over 10 years I got a fathers day gift (the minimax) and a free mini egg from an internet forum member (but neither of these are in the video). I have since sold my Eggs to a family member
I have a question 🙋🏻♀️ I have a Kamado Joe Classic II, I just purchased an outdoor kitchen to put it in. The hinge of the Kamado is so long that I would have to set it up way too high for the hinge. Is there a replacement hinge to be able to set it on a more normal height? I just realized this issue when we were going to transfer the Kamado in the kitchen.
i am being way more gentle with my newest one as oven cleaner is too strong for the paint finish. tossing it in the grill after a cook at 350-400f indirect does a good job of burning off the excess fat without compromising the look / function. otherwise i would go mild mild mild dish soap soaking in hot water
As much as I love BGE and KJ. The over lap of heat shield might be the deal breaker for me. Thanks! Have a classic 1, jr, and bge mini. Was gonna replace the two back breaking heavy small Kamados with a bge large. I might just have 2 get another kJ classic 1 instead now.
Just a fair warning I’ve sold both brands, bge is hands down a better company from a customer service stand point. The warranty for KJ can be a real pain. In terms of quality the BGE is worth the extra money from a product and customer service point of view. These grills should be built to last 50+ years, to me the little bit of extra cash is well worth it for this long term investment.
J B thanks for watching and commenting. May I ask what country you’re from? In Canada owning both (I don’t sell either or work in an industry that sells bbqs) the BGE warranty is managed through a distributor and is not the same experience I read about in the US. Not sure how you’re evaluating quality, but my Eggs broke more components than the Joes. Fire boxes, fire rings, bands coming out of alignment and killing the gasket mid cook, daisy wheel defects, paint issues etc.
James Mack the new eggs don’t come with a daisy wheel it comes with a reggulator. The ceramics breaking is just part of owning a Kamado, that being said the warranty here in the states on BGE can be done through a distributor or by contacting BGE directly. The newer style band and hinge on BGE is also a major upgrade from the old ones. It seems like you might be comparing an older egg to a newer KJ. In my experience BGE WANTS you to have a kamado that your happy with and KJ is glad you bought one...but would rather you just buy a new one than warranty anything.
James Mack next time you replace gaskets on your BGE get flat commercial grade oven gaskets and put it on the dome only. Will save you a lot of time, money, and grief down the road.
J B the egg i am using is one with a reEGGulstor. I’ve bought 4 Eggs so have experience with several generations. Not sure what you’re saying as you seem to be critiquing KJ older models and defending BGE for fixing design issues in recent years in which case isn’t I’m equally true that both companies newest units represent the best they have to offer? I get it if your livelihood depends on selling Eggs you’ll have and opinion which is completely you’re right. For a consumer not affiliated with either brand I think it’s pretty clear they will evaluate what you get in the box, and how capable that grill is for the price. At time of recording this, the KJ hands down came out ahead. If I add the EggSpander, nest, side shelves, half moons and grids, BGE fire bowl, ash pan, tool etc I’ve paid more for an egg and I still don’t have the SloRoller, three tier grid, gasket, ash tray, air hinge etc.
Smoking Dad BBQ what I’ve spoken to has been mainly their warranty policy and process, what you get out of the box means nothing to me. For reasons pertaining solely to customer service and warranty issues I won’t do business with KJ but good luck with your endeavors with them.
Hi, I'm about to pull the trigger on a Classic 1 KJ, is it still a good buy since there is a 300$ difference with the 2. I'm aware of the upgrades but the 2 is currently unavailable anywhere while the other is. Your thougths?
As a BGE owner for about 10 years I have to say KJ is a better grill by far..BGE got lazy and attempted to rest on its laurels and they didn't innovate..KJ beat them to the punch.
they are both top notch, i am happy with my switch. this article sold me - www.engadget.com/2019-10-25-harvard-barbecue-desora-kamado-joe-cinder-grills.html
Bit of an unfair test…… the KJ 3 is far more expensive than a large BGE with nest and folding shelves. The reason the baguette didn’t burn on the KJ is because the deflector stones were set much lower towards the charcoal compared to the BGE. If you add the Eggspander system and two half stones to the BGE you could set the stones lower to the charcoal today and then you would find identical results on either oven You’d still end up spending less money than a KJ 3 doing it that way too plus you’d have an extra 35+ configuration available to you with the BGE not to mention the raised sliding cooking area on top of all that 🤷🏻♂️
the KJ 1 is the more direct comparison to the egg as you remove the air lift hinge and the mesh gasket for something that is more comparable on both fronts which comes with the divide and conquer rack. if price is your primary criteria the egg with the eggspander, nest and shelves is close to 2x the cost. if you add the eggspander, ash tools, cart, side shelves to make it as comparable as possible to the series 3 at my local store the egg costs more. I’ve bought 4 eggs and don’t get a commission tied to either brand. as someone who’s purchased both the performance is not the same especially the series 3 which I have.
@@SmokingDadBBQ yep, I agree the KJ 1 vs GBE is a much fairer comparison but unfortunately that wasn’t done in the video….. You compared a £2000 grill to a £1600 grill here in the UK. I know you touched on the fault of the BGE fire box cracking but that is a lifetime warranty part and easily replaced, unlike the metal fire ring on the KJ which are known to warp causing the D&C system to not sit flush and also the KJ upper vent which are known to corrode and cease up. While the mesh gasket on the KJ is seen as an advantage over the felt BGE gasket in reality both need replacing just as frequently in real world use. Over here the price of a KJ3 gets me a Large BGE, Nest, Shelves, Eggspander system, 2x cast iron half moons, 2x stone half moons, ash rake and ash pan. So in my view is it on par with the KJ as while the egg doesn’t have the air hinge I don’t find the egg lid heavy or difficult to lift up and down furthermore the weight of the egg lid creates a fantastic seal and I find the the KJ latch is only a solution to a problem created back to lack of weight caused by the air hinge itself. Anyway I still don’t think the current video comparison as it stands is a fair one. Add an Eggspander system with stones and the baguette doesn’t burn in the egg.
@@taffpunk if the egg is the better value in your market then get that one. Where I am from its more expensive. They represent the best of the best so you’re not going to make the wrong decision. For me, the performance of the different shape, extra height and SloRoller pushed me over to switch
@@SmokingDadBBQ yeah I can see that prices for KJ are much different it’s the states to over here. So I guess that’s what’s right for you isn’t necessarily right for you. I still would have liked to of seen the results the KJ3 vs the BGE with the Eggspander setup I mention above against the baguettes though, one day maybe haha
I love my large BGE. Kamado cookers seem expensive but are such a bargain in my eyes, for what they can do and how long they last and ease of use once you get the hang of it. Your tests and analysis were very substantive and covered many aspects of what an everyday user would experience. A buddy of mine was debating what kind if grill to get. He was thinking pellet and I think I talked him into kamado. I was pushing for egg until I looked into the Joe, I was on the fence. You definitely talked me into the Joe. I’ll be looking into one for myself down the line too. Thanks for the great video.
The competitor Monilith should be mentioned as well. Quality build and way more versatile than this two brands. I think Monilith is the best one you can get.
They sell a product called ikamand that does what the monilth does. KJ also makes a bunch more accessories, has a better lid and vent. Does the monolith have a single piece firebox? Don't get carried away with controlling the grill from a phone.
Lots of information about KJ. Bread test you should have turned plate setter leg toward back to cover bread in back. My egg has always been a little hotter in back than on front where air is coming in. Bought my egg in 2008 no KJ back then. I have not had any problems with it except gasket replacement 3 times. If I were buying another I would probably consider the KJ. Both BGE and KJ are over priced.
same here, only egg when I bought my first Kamado. I agree about the back however with ribs or a brisket the point is something is always exposed which is all I am illustrating here
Smoking Dad BBQ Gotcha, I have always used a large pan that just fits down inside plate setter when doing ribs or brisket for some added moisture. It fills in those gaps , but I know what you are saying.
Goolge Hatter lol it got a little out of hand. Some were a gift (MiniMax Father’s Day) some were free online (mini) etc ... my brother and law took the large and the MM so I am down to just 3 now lol 😂
@@SmokingDadBBQ Well.... I started with a Jr and said that's all I needed. Then the Classic arrived and that was more than enough for my needs. Who needs more than a Classic after all. The Big Joe will arrive in Jan next year because the better half needs to be softened so I still have a place to live. I think a couple of months is going to be enough..... So I see how it can get out of hand a little. Plus the accessories....... Joetisserie, soapstone, DoeJoe and iKamand make the KJ so versatile! Thanks for the videos SD-BBQ. New sub from Oz and loving your channel.
Cut the bread in half lol- My Green egg has been great- It is the last Komodo you need to buy. Not one problems from it. That things will hold 225 all day long.
show2ime lol. The video isn’t really meant to convince you to switch. Having owned both I am sharing my experience for people looking into their first charcoal smoker grill
Clearly the egg is fine. Their problem is that it is largely unchanged and Joe kept innovating. If anyone is in the market for a new kamado, they would be silly to go with the Green egg. They offer an inferior product currently.
robhimself79 they all cook the same. An attachment doesn’t make it a better grill. My Large egg with the convector cooks better and hold temps better than my neighbors Komodo Joe. And he paid a helluva lot more for his. And the end of the day it’s like Ford bs Chevy. You cannot believe influencers on youtube to make your decision anyway. Mine are facts and real world. I cook 5 days a week on mine and he does as well. We literally are right next door talking to each other off our decks.
Hey James, thanks for all the great videos! I recently bought a Dutch local kamado brand called 'the bastard', wasn't in the position the shelf out the amount needed for a KJ:) I'm experiencing a similar situation as described in your video where the diameter of the heat deflector is significantly smaller than than the fire ring, heat at the edges seems to take a too direct path up to the cooking grid. I was thinking of remedying this by placing a brick on my heat deflector plates en setting a larger heatdeflector on top of that which will cover all of the direct heat escaping at the edges. Call it a poor man's recreation of your double indirect method:) Not perfect but might be a solution for others in similar situations!
Great video. Team red looks like a winner.... for less $$$. Or at least that is my take based on your video... and you had the Chef take notice... this video is going to do well for you.
Big green egg is still better there all class there simple too confusing on the KJ way too many things to move out of it and adjust. Bge more simple green egg for me buddy
SloRoller for the win - having multiple cookers the KJ-3 is just the better cooker hands down - fully agree more consistent temps, better and more equal cooks, super crisp on wings and chicken with the SloRoller - and consistent smokering - it's the complete package without having to add all sorts of accessories in order to get started -
David McLavey despite headlines this video is about people new to charcoal more-so than you with either one. I enjoyed all 4 eggs I purchased and I’ve enjoyed my Joes since buying my first over a year ago now... given its unique to have purchased each brand this is my experience with each
A Baker I’ve bought each with my own money. I am not an employee, reseller or being paid by either company. The newest vs the newest from each company it’s no contest imo. This video isn’t meant to make you switch it’s for people that haven’t bought one yet. The new series 3 is hands down the most stable, best breathing ceramic cooker I’ve ever used.
Hey Fanboy I have a BGE but its pretty obvious the KJ has pulled ahead of your beloved BGE. I love my BGE but just because I spent money on it and it works great doesn't mean its the best anymore. I will never understand people like you, so closed minded its strange. "If I paid money for it, it's the best no matter what" Stamps his foot and leaves. I didn't sleep well I am tired so you got the truth out of me. Now I stamp my foot and leave.
Hopkins Home I bought 4 eggs before my first Joe. I just happened to have a buyer for my eggs and table so I justified the switch but normally not suggesting everyone with an egg rip and replace it lol. More for people in the market now there is a better option in my opinion (hint it’s red 😂)
pro's and cons to each approach. BGE is dealer only, KJ is national direct. I have waited half a year for BGE warranty parts based on my dealer waiting to order with their next stocking order which was not fun. I think the potential is better in KJ's model but it seems pretty equal at the moment of each having some good stories and some not so good stories
maybe you missed the several times I mentioned I purchased with my own money the grills. I am not a reseller, was not paid by either party and don’t get a commission tied to the sale of any grill
Kyle Draper thanks for watching. The operation is nearly identical so I wouldn’t say ones easier or harder to use than the other. What’s included out of the box is different. If you learn on one you can cook right away just as easily on the other
Man! This is an awesome video! Great comparison and a lot of info! Love it! Now I know what I'll get next year 😀😀😀
Salty Tales thanks for the Ninja love. Merry Christmas
Ninja!!!!
@@adanbeltran9099 Adan!! 😀😀
@@SaltyTales WOOOOOOWWWW WE LOVE Y'ALL!!! from Houston!
Thanks for this video.
I just replaced a very problematic and all but smokeless Traeger Timberline 850 with a Classic Joe III and I'm loving every cook with this KJ.
I should have taken that Traeger out into the yard and put a full AR-15 magazine through it two years ago!
Andy Kives thanks Andy. Sorry to hear about your experience with the timberline, it’s a pretty high end pellet grill but I do have to agree after using both I too prefer the Kamado Joe for so many reasons. Should we do a video comparing those?
I almost bought the Timberline but everyone was telling me Traeger quality is not the same as it once was. I have no regrets. It's sad Traeger is letting other brands out perform them now. Rec Tec and Greem Mountain seems to be getting more recognition now.
D Knight competition usually helps sort these things out as companies feel the heat which is good for us
Smoking Dad BBQ Treager HAS NO QUALITY. Had a brand new unit almost burn down. All Treager did was send me the cooking chamber. I had to swap everything else to the new chamber. No “we feel bad free gift” except a jar of petroleum jelly!
Interesting comparison, but it would have been better if you had your platesetter in place properly. It is well known that the BGE is hotter in the back and the standard method is to put the platesetter in with one leg in the rear. I would bet that the exposed portion of the baguette would be much less browned if you had done it this way.
KHAAAAAAAAAN! Thanks for checking it out. With a single piece of bread absolutely it’s possible to help nurture it along to prevent it from burning. The problem is when I’ve done three racks of ribs, a brisket or multiple chickens.... something eventually ends up in a hot spot that you just don’t get with the other two approaches to indirect cooking. 💯 after a decade of cooking on my eggs did I learn how to manage it, sure thing. If I was starting all over it’s easier to get better results on the Joe and that’s really the only point of the video. I don’t expect you to switch brands, it’s just my experience owning both to help out potential new to charcoal buyers
This is exactly what I was looking for as a comparison video. Now that I made up my mind to get a KJ I need to look at what one to purchase.
Ambassador thanks so much for checking it out. Read the Engadget article on the Harvard science class that developed the SloRoller
The KJ is definitely more innovative and comes with more. I was going to go with a KJ, but a local egg dealer had everything egg related 20% off (including carts), so I went with the egg. Happy with the egg, but I will definitely consider a KJ going forward! Thanks for the great review!
Aaron Kim thanks for taking the time to check this video out and to comment. Sounds like a great deal, congrats on your new egg. What size did you get?
Smoking Dad BBQ very welcome! I saw your message on Facebook about starting your channel. I wish you the best. I went with an XL. I was initially planning to go with a large, but the people on the Facebook page steered me towards an XL.
Just out of curiosity, may I ask why you decided to go with two large KJ’s instead of an XL?
Aaron Kim 🙏🙏 and you will love the XL egg. It’s an amazing cooker. I got two Classic Joes so I could use the same accessories on either one vs my MiniMax and large Egg which needed their own dedicated accessories... but an XL size and a small maybe down the road makes a killer combo
Smoking Dad BBQ sounds good. Happy grilling!
Finally an on which is better besides saying the air lift hinge and the gasket. The gasket and hinge though are perks but I just wasn’t sold as I am in the market for a free standing model.
ryanpatrick16 before you use the grill those are the obvious things to look at ... but after doing several long slow cooks on all configurations I saw trends and big differences in performance so that’s what I wanted to share vs the normal stuff
Yes, I got a kamado joe before this video was made and while researching I found out all this stuff.
BGE felt like it was Nickle and diming me. I suppose the argument can be made that there was more options in your configuration and you are not paying for what you dont need.
But the gasket, the top vent, the lid lifting assist, and the modular fire box are all what really sold me in the end
Good stuff!
Great video. I do challenge you to rewatch and do the "umm, ugh" counter. Think it would be quite beneficial for future videos. Thought it was a great video overall and look forward to more.
Relax
Couldn’t wait till later to watch this😂 this is a really good review! Kamado Joe needs to sponsor you👍👊
Comparison Cooking thanks so much for checking it out. Much appreciated and hey, I’m down with that 😂
They don't sponsor you? You pay for all those grills?
@@Buldgr LOL His viewers pay for those grills (UA-cam payments for views and “Like and Subscribe”)
Interesting video. I have a BGE and more than happy with it. We should all feel blessed that we can afford $800+ Komodo style grill/smokers. Regardless of the brand. If mine ever blows up, maybe I will switch. Or maybe a new competitor comes up with a more advanced version - in their signature navy blue color! Regardless - your videos are so helpful! I am a happy subscriber now!
thanks Roscoe. agree we are blessed and these two are the top of the top. no need to switch, this is more for folks of don’t have either yet trying to understand the two better
I've got an 18 year old BGE and my fire box broke 2 years ago when it was 16 years old. I went in the store and they handed me a new one no questions asked. If the new one lasts 16 more years I'll be as happy as I can be.
I've got a good quality comparison challenge I'd love to see you perform. Heat both grills up to about 600 degrees farenheight and let them sit for about 2 hours. Then at the 2 hour mark dump a 5 gallon bucket of ice water over the top of each grill.
gotta love lifetime warranty. while I am curious about the result I paid for these grills and won’t be changing a void warranty claim for the ice bucket challenge lol.
@@SmokingDadBBQ WOW! I thought you were sponsored, had no idea you actually paid for all of those. I just thought I had a grilling addiction 😁 Great content, keep up the good work!
Buldgr thanks so much. Since this came out I have been sent a big Joe
@@SmokingDadBBQ If anyone deserves a grill it's you!
Buldgr, great idea and since it's your idea you should do the test with your egg! Would love to see the outcome video.
Great comparison, love the bread idea to illustrate the heat signitire solutions.
Chef Eric Gephart thanks so much Chef Eric
Excellent work Smoking Dad! Like other commenters, I really thought your were being sponsored for this review... but it turns out that you just LOVE the Kamados lol! I’ve never even heard of the Kamado until I was looking in my local stove shop... now it’s one of those things I feel I MUST HAVE. I’ve had a Webber for years now and been limited to sausages and burgers and the odd shrimp... but the idea of a rotisserie chicken - now that’s a whole new world of outdoor cooking for me 😀 ....and ribs! OH MAN!
I'm a big fan for sure and have bought grills from each brand. Since last year, i have been given a grill FYI but this video represents my voice as a paying consumer of each and I absolutely love the rotisserie cooking now that i have figured it out
@@SmokingDadBBQ Just ordered the KJ Classic 3 for arrival tomorrow. Negative temps here in the UK at the moment, but can’t wait to get cooking. Any video guides to spinning a chicken? 😀
@@AdamReidBSc I need to redo it as I’ve learned more about how to get the best result. Check out my turkey video from the fall as it’s very similar and the principals would apply
My man has like $5k in grills there. I just got a large BGE this weekend and I’m in love. Bit of a learning curve compared to regular gas grills and it can be a bit overwhelming, but I get into that kind of thing. Can’t wait to low an slow some cheap meat, like a shoulder, to work up to the big boys, brisket and the like
Richard Cagle congratulations on your new egg. I have a low and slow tips early on the egg which I hope helps shorten the learning curve
Don't wait on the brisket a pretty well cooked brisket is still awesome. It was the second thing I cooked on my BGE 10 years ago and I still remember it like yesterday haha.
Do you think you would do a comparison of the mini Kamados such as the joe jr. vs the vision cadet or the cheaper London sunshine Kamado from Amazon? To see if the cheaper budget ones would stand up and what the differences are?
Thanks and great videos
Great idea, likely spring time though by the time i could round up some extra little guys
I bought a BGE few years ago.kamado Joe wasn’t what it is today back then. Kamado Joe has improved a lot.
Emmett Wanzer thanks and very true. My first egg that was the only Kamado option as well
Kamado Joe is the king of kamado cookers. BGE is good for sure, but so many improvements on the Red.
The series 2 was tempting... once I read about the SloRoller I couldn't resist any longer and had to try it. So glad I did, had no idea what I was missing out on
Always wanted to know this!!!! Ty for the.vid.
will0127 thanks so much for checking it out. Glad you liked the video
Hey quick question have you ever used or heard of the Grill Dome? I’m looking at buying an XL one for a great price
I have heard of them but haven’t had a chance to use one yet
Thanks very much for your videos. They have been extremely helpful. Do you have any views on the Kamado Joe vs the Saffire Platinum?
I haven’t seen that grill in the wild yet
Do you own 2 Classic 3's or is one of those a Big Joe 3?
Love your vids btw
thanks so much. these are two classics
Kamado Joe looks like great quality. Is it made in the states?
Edward Teach-McCloud thanks for watching. Both the egg and Joe are made outside the US
The Kamado Joe is made in China. The BGE is made in Mexico.
Dang I wish I saw this but I got a used green egg for 750 with all the accessories so I don’t think I did bad
you did great, the egg is a great machine... especially for that price
Thank you
Cheers
You need to add the Akron in the mix. It is right up their with BGE and KJ as one of the most popular Kamado grills out on the market!
good call, they are very popular
Great video, love the baguette test! Question: I was trying to decide between an XL BGE and Primo Oval XL when I found a KJ Big Joe 1 for a great price. Would you still pick the KJ over the others, even if it's the series 1? Thanks!!
the series 1 is the most comparable to the XL BGE... if its great price I would jump on the best deal
Very nice review. Overall you have great videos. Keep it up! Best regards from the metric system!
Thank you very much!
I've always read that the "leg" of the placesetter on the BGE should be at the very back where you experienced the "burning" of the bread. The KJ with acc is about $800 more than the LG BGE
this is because the fire often burns towards the rear so the idea is that gives you extra protection. I prefer to orient brisket or ribs the other way so that the ends don’t burn and avoid the back but the point I am showing is that the platesetter requires more planning and spinning things around to avoid burnt ends (not the good kind 😂) that on a loaded egg is inevitable regardless of the the leg direction. yes it’s only if you add the same accessories that the egg costs more. it comes stock without a heat deflector so depending on your dealers starter bundle the gap closes from there to eventually after a nest, side shelves, egg spander etc
While I generally love your videos I have a few issues with this video. Let just say that I agree that the Kamado Joe is the better deal and don't nickel and dime you like Big Green Egg does and if I was going to buy a Kamado today I would without hesitation buy the Komado Joe. I own a large BGE and while I agree with the cooking results and some of the issues you brought up with the Big Green Egg I feel there were a few things that I am not sure you are not aware of or just let fly by trying to make the Kamado Joe look even better when it pretty much stands on its own. First the BGE does come with a grid tool and ash tool which you did not say but pointed out on the KJ. Second the BGE that you showed uses the old style hinge and not the hinge that you would get today which is a much better hinge although not as nice as the KJ air hinge. LIke I said I agree the KJ is the better value and in my opinion a better Komado style grill but in comparing the newer KJ improvement with the older BGE and leaving out some of the items that do come with the BGE just ring a little bit hollow and disappoints me a little bit as I love most of your videos and have alway considered your video informative and pretty much right on but slightly off the mark with this video comparing an older BGE with the newer KJ. Will still watch your video and like I said the KJ is what I would buy if buying a new one today but if you are going to compare it should be newer design to newer design. I do like that KJ keeps improving their product while it seems that BGE seems to mostly be resting on it reputation and ignoring requests such as a rotisserie but luckily the Joetisserie works on my BGE. Another reason if something happens to my BGE I will be buying a KJ.
Thanks Lynn for your comment. Few thoughts to add..
These tools are not included even though some dealers may choose to bundle them in a starting package. My receipt for my last of 4 Big Green Egg purchases lists the ash tool for $19.99, and the ash pan for $29.99. Not sure how they were bundled on your receipt but I have this still with a cost associated with everything
On the hinge, yes. When I did this video I bought my Egg & my Joe and I didn’t receive compensation from either company for making the video regardless of the verdict. This means i am comparing my $2k grill against my $2k grill, and that means it may not be the latest and greatest model …this Egg was older than the Joe and didn’t have the new hinge, the new reEGGulator, or the new EGGspander. I am not a BBQ store and don't have access to every updated product so agree this is a shortfall / limitation of an individual making reviews of products they’ve purchased. I hope to redo it in the future where I can borrow the latest and greatest and not have the same limitations
Despite the limitations of using old personal gear, I still believe in the overall message that the better buy for the one once you price them out fully to be as apples to apples as you can that the KJ is the better buy, but yes BGE has closed the gap on the hinge, the cap, the gasket material has changed, the fire box basket and the rack system have all improved which in part were my frustrations when I had the Egg and innovation after innovation was coming out on team red whereas my generation egg looked a lot like the same product as when it first came out in the 70’s.
The problem for me is that the BGE is a bit of a status symbol. KJ looks a bit garish in red! Wish it were black or something!
i do say you get used to either one pretty quick
@@SmokingDadBBQ I’m literally trying to decide between the both now! Think I’m going to go for the KJ...
Really helpful video thanks!
Courtney Sirmon thanks. Glad it helped
Just curious because I'm not sure. The KJ you're using is the newest model. The BGE appears to be a little bit older. Does BGE make incremental in their designs similar to KJ? I know the KJ lid can hold it's place but the original KJ couldn't. Would the same be true for a BGE in 2020 vs one that came out maybe 5 years ago?
Daniel Williamson thanks Daniel. The hinge design has changed on the egg but it doesn’t stay in place or reduce the mass. It’s still more similar to the one found on the first generation classic from about 10 years back. The series 2 introduced the hinge you see in the video. I am using the newest series 3
Clearly there are about 24 BGE owners that disliked this video. Cannot wait to buy a Joe.
robhimself79 lol thanks 🙏
This was a great video, you did a nice job. I'm jealous you have all those ceramics!!!! lol. I saw two things in your video about the KJ that have always annoyed me with the BGE - how the platesetter doesn't block the heat on the edges and that nifty way to pull out the lump. It did make me feel that BGE better not stop improving their product! Some background for me, I've owned a LBGE for about 5 years and have been very happy with it. My base was replaced for free when it cracked a few months back. That process went unbelievably well. Part of the reason i bought the BGE was their reputation for quality and the life time guarantee and i will say they have lived up to it. : - )
Dan Allison thanks Dan. Yes I have always done well with BGE warranty if you ever need to use it
Don’t plan on the ignition unit to last much over 3 months. It failed to ignite so I went to the site & yup…. The parts site shows “Out of Stock” try a substitution? At your cost…. Apparently their warrantee requires you to write them a letter w/ the hopes they’ll come up w/ a solution to out of stocks & apparently a BBQ that’s going to fail you.
Which ignition unit sorry? Neither egg or joe has an igniter unless you’re looking at this years connected Joe
BGE better get there head out of you know where. I looked at the Kamado Joe when they first came out or at least when they first started getting to be available and the price was a lot cheaper then the BGE. Like a fool I waited a few years and those suckers jumped up in price close to the egg. I am from kind of small town so I never got to see KJ at that time and The BGE was in my small town so I went with the BGE. I knew KJ was just as good but it just wasn't really available to me. I see why you chose the KJ over the egg I would also now. Can you tell us will the KJ guts fit the BGE? The accessories used to be interchangeable are they still? Thanks for sharing your video well done.
somehow youtube didn't show this comment from way back when, sorry
Thanks for the review! I'm looking at a Kamado Jo Classic 1 that is on sale. What are your thoughts on those?
tmortensen1000 thanks for watching. I haven’t bought a series 1 but I helped a neighbour pick one out and he loves it. The airflow is very similar to the large egg. You now get the multi piece fire box, two tier divide and conquer system etc for a really good price. Felt good suggesting it to a neighbour and still feel good recommending it to anyone else considering it
Unless the Classic 1 is a crazy great deal, I’d go ahead and invest in a new or used (good condition) Classic 2. You’ll be glad you did. There’s a bunch of improvements that are definitely worth the extra money. And the resale value on it is very good so it holds its value if you ever want to sell it and upgrade to a Big Joe or something. I have a Classic 2 and use it about twice a week. Spatchcock chicken on there with pecan & cherry chunks will blow your mind. $5 chicken from Sam’s Club feeds 3 people and there’s always leftover for snacking later. The best BBQ joint in my town sells whole smoked chickens for close to $40 after tax and mine blows it outta the water.
A classic 1 would be great also but I’d seriously consider looking for a classic 2. I guarantee you won’t regret it.
Dont get the joe 1... you will be changing seal strips every few cooks, heavy lid with no hinge help and firebox that will crack... atleast joe 2
Get the classic 2 for under $999..upgrades are worth it..C1 had cracking problems..C3 too expensive
RangerBandit77 upgrades are worth it for sure. Check out the Engadget article on the SloRoller... that’s what sold me on the 3
Which KJ do you prefer...classic 2 or 3....classic 3 is 500€ more exspencive...is it worth this extra money?
Miha Marinko that’s hard because they are both great grills. For me personally it was the Engadget article on how the Harvard class changed the science of bbq (link in the description) that put me over. The SloRoller is a game changer in my opinion
james, quick question. im looking at the BGE and KJ and had been leaning towards the BGE simply based on the fact that i have a store that has them and all the accessories local to me. i havent seen a kamado joe at all... but all online says they are better.. there is a KJBJ II on sale right now for less than the base BGE XL but no stand and being a II no sloRoller.. is the difference between the II and III significant where it wouldnt be worthwhile to get the II for 1300?
The only thing I don't like about the Joe is that when I want to add more wood for additional smoke, if I'm doing indirect I need to take everything out pretty much to add the wood. Besides that I would die before I give up my Joe.
this will solve that issue for you - ua-cam.com/video/2qtHrFjWY1U/v-deo.html
James, This video made my decision to purchase a KJ Classic about a year ago. Wished I had caught you were using a Classic III. (I probably missed you saying that). I came home with the Classic II. Had Zero knowledge between the II and III at that time. A few months later I figured out that my dealer sold me on a leftover series II which, had I known and did my research, I wouldn't have bought it. Regardless, It's been a great grill but two issues.. I can't cook double indirect and I can't cook all my food at the same time. After your more recent video comparing the Classic III vs. the Big Joe II, please tell us why you'd still choose the Big Joe II over the Classic III even though you wouldn't be able to cook double indirect. Obviously one of your answers will cure one of my issues, More Space. But, is that double indirect method you've discovered a game changer?
you can do double indirect with a pizza stone instead of the SloRoller
You set the egg up backwards. The leg on the plate setter should be to the back. Which is where the air in most kamato’s is being pulled
Other than that informative 👍
Thank-you, cheers
Hi, great video! I can’t help wonder if the KJ Classic is big enough? I use a 57cm weber at the moment and don’t really want to lose space...but the Big Joe 3 in my country is €2,800!!!!
Ian Connolly I fit 15lbs brisket by laying it over a V rack or wood chunks. If you get the second level accessory you keep the same grill space it’s just vertical instead of horizontal. If you cook more than 6 racks of ribs regularly, more than one brisket, more than three spatchcock chickens or more than 6 pork shoulders at one time you might want to save up for the big joe. Otherwise you can fit all of the above
Smoking Dad BBQ cool thanks!! Do the 3 chickens fit on the classic grate or do they need to be stacked on the second level? Maybe the classic will do me afterall and save me €1000!! Love your channel by the way!
Ian Connolly thanks so much. You can only fit two spatchcock without the grid extender accessory
What do you think about the Goldens’ Cast Iron Cooker?
its looks good... no ceramic parts to break but I would wonder how efficient it is. The main reason I like KJ over the eggs is their efficiency is worse which helps improve clean smoke and better tasting food. The Broil King Keg and Weber summit i have used are dare i say too efficient for their own good. not sure how this one would perform
@@SmokingDadBBQ Great point! Thanks
I’ve had the Char-griller Akorn for a few years (It was $250, so much more affordable). How does it compare to a KJ? Is it a huge upgrade worth the price?
it’s a Kamado already. you’re gaining some premium features like the air hinge, gasket, basket, cart, control top, SloRoller along with accessory support like the JoeTisserie and DoJoe etc. so depends if you like any of those things.
Great video I’m on the fence about getting one following my deployment in December 2020. So is there a difference between the joe III and big joe? I think I need the one that has the slow roller or at least that’s what most videos recommend. Thoughts.
Steven Coffee is he big joe has the most space and you can get it with the SloRoller in the gen III just like you can on the classic size. So it’s really just a matter of real-estate for what you need. Both gen 3’s come with a charcoal basket and a divider so you don’t need to use more coal
It's not even a question..Joe is the best!
RangerBandit77 thanks for watching and commenting
Honestly, I can’t believe the BGE are still on the market. Kamado Joe I > BGE
I'm a big green egg guy, and i agree with you. Innovations with the BGE really miss the mark. They survive with name recognition, great no hassle warranty. If i had to replace my BGE, it may be with a Kamado Joe.
Probably because of the pricing. Kamado Joe III is $2499 while BGE XL is $1249 (24" diameter cooking area)
The pricing is hard to compare since BGE doesn't come with a nest, charcoal basket, ash pan or ash tool, platesetter or the newer multi tier grid system for the naked egg price. Where I am located, the egg costs more when you get catch up with things I use every day for cooking
Had a BGE for 10 years. I love it, but it is way behind feature wise compared to the current Joe. Would buy a Komado Joe if I was buying today.
@D maybe the heat deflector
Just FYI the new eggs don't use the place setter anymore. They use a convEGGtor basket and two half stones.
Thanks David. The Egg doesn’t come with the ConvEGGtor (plate setter) or the EGGspander in the box, for an additional fee you can add either one to your Egg. Some dealers in my area are only stocking the EGGspander accessory which totally makes sense but the fire rings still have the notches for the plate setter if you choose to buy that option at the 2020 eggs I’ve seen. Have you seen a ring with the notches deleted designed specifically for the EGGspander?
You are correct that they are not included but my point was that they have fixed the issue with the plate setter gaps. The new XL and 2XL do not have the notches for the plate setter and the intended method for indirect cooking is to use an eggspander basket and two half stones. The two main factors that made me go with the egg were not having to line up all the plates in the firebox and not having to clean a gummed up temperature regulator.
@@davidhinote6939 How's your experience been with your BGE? I'm thinking of going with the large now that they've fixed the plate setter gaps.
@@chillwill2673 It's worked well. No problems at all and definitely better than the place setter.
Did you buy all of those with your own money? That’s a huge investment. Thanks for the video.
Thanks Michael, I think I put this in the description. I bought my first two large Eggs (one not in the video) 10 years ago and my first KJ (in the video) in 2019 and used both models before making the review. Over 10 years I got a fathers day gift (the minimax) and a free mini egg from an internet forum member (but neither of these are in the video). I have since sold my Eggs to a family member
I have a question 🙋🏻♀️ I have a Kamado Joe Classic II, I just purchased an outdoor kitchen to put it in. The hinge of the Kamado is so long that I would have to set it up way too high for the hinge. Is there a replacement hinge to be able to set it on a more normal height? I just realized this issue when we were going to transfer the Kamado in the kitchen.
it’s usually best to cut a notch for the hinge to fit in the table vs trying to sit above it.
@smokingdadbbq this is the video that sealed the deal and why I love my Big Joe.
congratulations on your big Joe
nice to know and see the differences
Debbie Bashford thanks so much for the comment and for checking out the comparison
a good video 👍, let me know more about these 2 brands, what about SEB / Steel Egg BBQ kamado? can't wait you make another Comparison
Frank Lin my wife might kill me for buying a 6th Kamado for the backyard lol but I love it
what do you typically use to clean your Kontrol tower to prevent it from gunking up?
i am being way more gentle with my newest one as oven cleaner is too strong for the paint finish. tossing it in the grill after a cook at 350-400f indirect does a good job of burning off the excess fat without compromising the look / function. otherwise i would go mild mild mild dish soap soaking in hot water
@@SmokingDadBBQ thanks for your input, have you noticed the paint on the inner side has peeled off on yours?
ChrisChinners not yet. My old ones did, it seems the paint is different this year vs older ones so I am hoping it holds up better
I don't have a pool, so I'm going with...Pit Boss 24"
congrats on the new grill
As much as I love BGE and KJ. The over lap of heat shield might be the deal breaker for me. Thanks! Have a classic 1, jr, and bge mini. Was gonna replace the two back breaking heavy small Kamados with a bge large. I might just have 2 get another kJ classic 1 instead now.
thanks for watching
Just a fair warning I’ve sold both brands, bge is hands down a better company from a customer service stand point. The warranty for KJ can be a real pain. In terms of quality the BGE is worth the extra money from a product and customer service point of view. These grills should be built to last 50+ years, to me the little bit of extra cash is well worth it for this long term investment.
J B thanks for watching and commenting. May I ask what country you’re from? In Canada owning both (I don’t sell either or work in an industry that sells bbqs) the BGE warranty is managed through a distributor and is not the same experience I read about in the US. Not sure how you’re evaluating quality, but my Eggs broke more components than the Joes. Fire boxes, fire rings, bands coming out of alignment and killing the gasket mid cook, daisy wheel defects, paint issues etc.
James Mack the new eggs don’t come with a daisy wheel it comes with a reggulator. The ceramics breaking is just part of owning a Kamado, that being said the warranty here in the states on BGE can be done through a distributor or by contacting BGE directly. The newer style band and hinge on BGE is also a major upgrade from the old ones. It seems like you might be comparing an older egg to a newer KJ. In my experience BGE WANTS you to have a kamado that your happy with and KJ is glad you bought one...but would rather you just buy a new one than warranty anything.
James Mack next time you replace gaskets on your BGE get flat commercial grade oven gaskets and put it on the dome only. Will save you a lot of time, money, and grief down the road.
J B the egg i am using is one with a reEGGulstor. I’ve bought 4 Eggs so have experience with several generations. Not sure what you’re saying as you seem to be critiquing KJ older models and defending BGE for fixing design issues in recent years in which case isn’t I’m equally true that both companies newest units represent the best they have to offer? I get it if your livelihood depends on selling Eggs you’ll have and opinion which is completely you’re right. For a consumer not affiliated with either brand I think it’s pretty clear they will evaluate what you get in the box, and how capable that grill is for the price. At time of recording this, the KJ hands down came out ahead. If I add the EggSpander, nest, side shelves, half moons and grids, BGE fire bowl, ash pan, tool etc I’ve paid more for an egg and I still don’t have the SloRoller, three tier grid, gasket, ash tray, air hinge etc.
Smoking Dad BBQ what I’ve spoken to has been mainly their warranty policy and process, what you get out of the box means nothing to me. For reasons pertaining solely to customer service and warranty issues I won’t do business with KJ but good luck with your endeavors with them.
Can you use the divide and conquer on an Icon?
Acorn? If so not sure, don't have any near me to try but if its an 18" grid the gen 1 and 2 racks should fit ... i know some folks with eggs use them
Very helpful, thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
It seems the komodo is way ahead of the egg, why would they not upgrade the egg? The hinge should be standard to not fall slam down
guitar911rock you have no idea how many times I’ve cringed when guests come over and don’t realize the weight and let it slam down
Hi, I'm about to pull the trigger on a Classic 1 KJ, is it still a good buy since there is a 300$ difference with the 2. I'm aware of the upgrades but the 2 is currently unavailable anywhere while the other is. Your thougths?
I understand supply is catching up... not sure which country you're in but US and Canada are getting better
Smoking Dad BBQ Puchased a Classic 1 from the KJ US site. The price was difficult to resist. No freight nore taxes.
Must start a new Drinking Game. Every time you Say "Ahhh" drink a shot
i don't think i would be sober after 2min.... hopefully you find an improvement on newer vids. Been working on it. Cheers 🍻
How does the Joe match up against the Monolith?
Gina Hieber thanks Gina. Much appreciated, responded on your other question. Let me know if that helps
Wow that is an excellent video! Thanks!
Glad it helped! thanks
You are awesome! Thank you
w
Good job highlighting the differences.
The Buckeye BBQ thanks for taking the time to check it out.
As a BGE owner for about 10 years I have to say KJ is a better grill by far..BGE got lazy and attempted to rest on its laurels and they didn't innovate..KJ beat them to the punch.
dale pratt truth
Great review!!
Anthony Chappell thanks for checking it out
What are the difference between monolith kamado Classic and kamado joe?
2612greg great question. They don’t sell them in my parts so I’ve never seen one in person so can’t weigh in much sorry
Is it feasible to use a wok on it with the x thing?
Absolutely. A Wok or dutch oven sit on it perfectly
Idk which one to get ahhhhh
they are both top notch, i am happy with my switch. this article sold me - www.engadget.com/2019-10-25-harvard-barbecue-desora-kamado-joe-cinder-grills.html
Bit of an unfair test…… the KJ 3 is far more expensive than a large BGE with nest and folding shelves. The reason the baguette didn’t burn on the KJ is because the deflector stones were set much lower towards the charcoal compared to the BGE. If you add the Eggspander system and two half stones to the BGE you could set the stones lower to the charcoal today and then you would find identical results on either oven You’d still end up spending less money than a KJ 3 doing it that way too plus you’d have an extra 35+ configuration available to you with the BGE not to mention the raised sliding cooking area on top of all that 🤷🏻♂️
the KJ 1 is the more direct comparison to the egg as you remove the air lift hinge and the mesh gasket for something that is more comparable on both fronts which comes with the divide and conquer rack.
if price is your primary criteria the egg with the eggspander, nest and shelves is close to 2x the cost.
if you add the eggspander, ash tools, cart, side shelves to make it as comparable as possible to the series 3 at my local store the egg costs more.
I’ve bought 4 eggs and don’t get a commission tied to either brand. as someone who’s purchased both the performance is not the same especially the series 3 which I have.
@@SmokingDadBBQ yep, I agree the KJ 1 vs GBE is a much fairer comparison but unfortunately that wasn’t done in the video….. You compared a £2000 grill to a £1600 grill here in the UK.
I know you touched on the fault of the BGE fire box cracking but that is a lifetime warranty part and easily replaced, unlike the metal fire ring on the KJ which are known to warp causing the D&C system to not sit flush and also the KJ upper vent which are known to corrode and cease up. While the mesh gasket on the KJ is seen as an advantage over the felt BGE gasket in reality both need replacing just as frequently in real world use.
Over here the price of a KJ3 gets me a Large BGE, Nest, Shelves, Eggspander system, 2x cast iron half moons, 2x stone half moons, ash rake and ash pan. So in my view is it on par with the KJ as while the egg doesn’t have the air hinge I don’t find the egg lid heavy or difficult to lift up and down furthermore the weight of the egg lid creates a fantastic seal and I find the the KJ latch is only a solution to a problem created back to lack of weight caused by the air hinge itself.
Anyway I still don’t think the current video comparison as it stands is a fair one. Add an Eggspander system with stones and the baguette doesn’t burn in the egg.
@@taffpunk if the egg is the better value in your market then get that one. Where I am from its more expensive. They represent the best of the best so you’re not going to make the wrong decision. For me, the performance of the different shape, extra height and SloRoller pushed me over to switch
@@SmokingDadBBQ yeah I can see that prices for KJ are much different it’s the states to over here. So I guess that’s what’s right for you isn’t necessarily right for you.
I still would have liked to of seen the results the KJ3 vs the BGE with the Eggspander setup I mention above against the baguettes though, one day maybe haha
@@taffpunk I’d love to do an updated one for sure
The real test is Kamado Joe vs The Primo
that would be a good test
I love my large BGE. Kamado cookers seem expensive but are such a bargain in my eyes, for what they can do and how long they last and ease of use once you get the hang of it. Your tests and analysis were very substantive and covered many aspects of what an everyday user would experience. A buddy of mine was debating what kind if grill to get. He was thinking pellet and I think I talked him into kamado. I was pushing for egg until I looked into the Joe, I was on the fence. You definitely talked me into the Joe. I’ll be looking into one for myself down the line too. Thanks for the great video.
Keith Connolly thanks for checking it out
Yeah but you pay twice as much for the joe to get those 'included' extras
@@bookooc5605 is it really double?
The competitor Monilith should be mentioned as well. Quality build and way more versatile than this two brands. I think Monilith is the best one you can get.
I don’t think they sell them in Canada. never seen one in person whereas I bought these two and could review them as a customer
They sell a product called ikamand that does what the monilth does. KJ also makes a bunch more accessories, has a better lid and vent. Does the monolith have a single piece firebox? Don't get carried away with controlling the grill from a phone.
Awesome information. Parties at your house must have some big eats 😃😆😍
hahaha thanks. well they used too when that was allowed lol
Lots of information about KJ. Bread test you should have turned plate setter leg toward back to cover bread in back. My egg has always been a little hotter in back than on front where air is coming in.
Bought my egg in 2008 no KJ back then.
I have not had any problems with it except gasket replacement 3 times.
If I were buying another I would probably consider the KJ. Both BGE and KJ are over priced.
same here, only egg when I bought my first Kamado. I agree about the back however with ribs or a brisket the point is something is always exposed which is all I am illustrating here
Smoking Dad BBQ Gotcha, I have always used a large pan that just fits down inside plate setter when doing ribs or brisket for some added moisture. It fills in those gaps , but I know what you are saying.
RRP in Australia for your 3 Kamadoe Joes is almost $9000.00 Aus Dollars,not to mention your B.G.Egg's
Ger Hal gotta love currency exchange yikes
And you have no gun rights.
Why did you buy so many grills?
Goolge Hatter lol it got a little out of hand. Some were a gift (MiniMax Father’s Day) some were free online (mini) etc ... my brother and law took the large and the MM so I am down to just 3 now lol 😂
@@SmokingDadBBQ Well.... I started with a Jr and said that's all I needed.
Then the Classic arrived and that was more than enough for my needs. Who needs more than a Classic after all.
The Big Joe will arrive in Jan next year because the better half needs to be softened so I still have a place to live. I think a couple of months is going to be enough..... So I see how it can get out of hand a little. Plus the accessories....... Joetisserie, soapstone, DoeJoe and iKamand make the KJ so versatile! Thanks for the videos SD-BBQ. New sub from Oz and loving your channel.
Wow loved the video
Olivia Clow thanks so much for checking it out and commenting
Great video but holy “ah” Batman!
ya i have been working on it since this came out, hopefully on new ones you notice the effort
Cut the bread in half lol- My Green egg has been great- It is the last Komodo you need to buy. Not one problems from it. That things will hold 225 all day long.
show2ime lol. The video isn’t really meant to convince you to switch. Having owned both I am sharing my experience for people looking into their first charcoal smoker grill
Clearly the egg is fine. Their problem is that it is largely unchanged and Joe kept innovating. If anyone is in the market for a new kamado, they would be silly to go with the Green egg. They offer an inferior product currently.
robhimself79 they all cook the same. An attachment doesn’t make it a better grill. My Large egg with the convector cooks better and hold temps better than my neighbors Komodo Joe. And he paid a helluva lot more for his. And the end of the day it’s like Ford bs Chevy. You cannot believe influencers on youtube to make your decision anyway. Mine are facts and real world. I cook 5 days a week on mine and he does as well. We literally are right next door talking to each other off our decks.
show2ime have you looked at the new Eggspander? I like it more than the platesetter, I bought the ceramic grill store PS woo for my large
@@SmokingDadBBQ I did and will be getting that setup. Very nice
Bought a JOE because of this video:)
congrats, hope you're loving it as much as we do
Big
Green
Egg
Thanks for checking out my video and for commenting
Why do you prefer the egg?
Hey James, thanks for all the great videos! I recently bought a Dutch local kamado brand called 'the bastard', wasn't in the position the shelf out the amount needed for a KJ:) I'm experiencing a similar situation as described in your video where the diameter of the heat deflector is significantly smaller than than the fire ring, heat at the edges seems to take a too direct path up to the cooking grid. I was thinking of remedying this by placing a brick on my heat deflector plates en setting a larger heatdeflector on top of that which will cover all of the direct heat escaping at the edges. Call it a poor man's recreation of your double indirect method:) Not perfect but might be a solution for others in similar situations!
thank-you, cheers
and #4..... cleaning them??
always a good idea idea
Great video. Team red looks like a winner.... for less $$$. Or at least that is my take based on your video... and you had the Chef take notice... this video is going to do well for you.
View to a grill thanks for checking it out Johnny. Much appreciated
Why do you have so many units ?
i sold my eggs to my brother in law as no one person can use that many lol
Great video definitely appreciate the difference of Kamado Joe.
Big green egg is still better there all class there simple too confusing on the KJ way too many things to move out of it and adjust.
Bge more simple green egg for me buddy
i've had 4, liked them all
SloRoller for the win - having multiple cookers the KJ-3 is just the better cooker hands down - fully agree more consistent temps, better and more equal cooks, super crisp on wings and chicken with the SloRoller - and consistent smokering - it's the complete package without having to add all sorts of accessories in order to get started -
Gerben Verstraete thanks for taking the time to check out the video and comment. 💯 agree with you
10 seconds in,,we know which way you are going!!,, Bye Bye dad!! I love my Egg!!
David McLavey despite headlines this video is about people new to charcoal more-so than you with either one. I enjoyed all 4 eggs I purchased and I’ve enjoyed my Joes since buying my first over a year ago now... given its unique to have purchased each brand this is my experience with each
Why do you prefer the egg?
@@asscass2 no answer will come... Because BGE stays where they are... They not inovate. I put my money on a Joe
A Baker I’ve bought each with my own money. I am not an employee, reseller or being paid by either company. The newest vs the newest from each company it’s no contest imo. This video isn’t meant to make you switch it’s for people that haven’t bought one yet. The new series 3 is hands down the most stable, best breathing ceramic cooker I’ve ever used.
Hey Fanboy I have a BGE but its pretty obvious the KJ has pulled ahead of your beloved BGE. I love my BGE but just because I spent money on it and it works great doesn't mean its the best anymore. I will never understand people like you, so closed minded its strange. "If I paid money for it, it's the best no matter what" Stamps his foot and leaves. I didn't sleep well I am tired so you got the truth out of me. Now I stamp my foot and leave.
Honestly, I dont see why anyone would buy a green egg vs a Joe.
Joe Stafford, PA local dealer maybe but in general I agree you are paying more and getting less at the moment for team green
I agree - I have 2 eggs (L and XL). Brought them years ago, however I would choose Joe’s if buying today.
Hopkins Home I bought 4 eggs before my first Joe. I just happened to have a buyer for my eggs and table so I justified the switch but normally not suggesting everyone with an egg rip and replace it lol. More for people in the market now there is a better option in my opinion (hint it’s red 😂)
Kj warranty is nothing like bge
pro's and cons to each approach. BGE is dealer only, KJ is national direct. I have waited half a year for BGE warranty parts based on my dealer waiting to order with their next stocking order which was not fun. I think the potential is better in KJ's model but it seems pretty equal at the moment of each having some good stories and some not so good stories
Nice Komado Joe AD, sponsored by Komado Joe LMAO
maybe you missed the several times I mentioned I purchased with my own money the grills. I am not a reseller, was not paid by either party and don’t get a commission tied to the sale of any grill
How does someone end up with 5 cookers ?
lol I sold a few as turns out... 5 is too many
I like to thank you for running the contest for a chance to will a grill.
Florence Cochrane hey thanks. Glad you entered, good luck.
Definitely Joe for me.
cheers
Going to checking out your other videos, thanks for the great work.
@@Bigfish1day thanks 🙏
Kamado Joe is better suited for the beginner, vis-a-vis it’s idiot proof. I don’t know many advanced cooks that make any distinction between the two.
Kyle Draper thanks for watching. The operation is nearly identical so I wouldn’t say ones easier or harder to use than the other. What’s included out of the box is different. If you learn on one you can cook right away just as easily on the other
Great comparison and couldn’t agree more! KJ give so much more out of the box!
Tyler Fraley thanks so much for checking out the video and for the comment