Kamado Joe Classic III vs Kamado Joe Konnected Joe
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Quick take: The Kamado Joe Classic III offers more cooking space (510 vs 250 sq in); the Kamado Joe Classic III reaches a higher max temp (750 vs 700°F).
| Spec | Kamado Joe Classic III | Kamado Joe Konnected Joe |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,999 | $1,999 |
| Rating | 4.7★ (1,200) | 4.6★ (480) |
| Type | Kamado | Kamado |
| Cooking Area | 510 sq in | 250 sq in |
| Max Temp | 750°F | 700°F |
| Fuel Type | Charcoal | Charcoal |
| Build Material | Ceramic | Ceramic |
| Hopper Capacity | — | — |
| Burners | — | — |
| WiFi / App | No | Yes |
| App control | No | Yes |
| Meat probe | No | Yes |
| PID controller | No | Yes |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 48 x 28 x 48 in | 47 x 30 x 48 in |
| Weight | 282 lbs | 216 lbs |
| Warranty | Lifetime (ceramic) | Lifetime (ceramic) |
Pros & cons
Kamado Joe Classic III
- ✓The Divide and Conquer 3-tier rack system effectively doubles cooking space and lets you cook different foods at different heights and temps at once
- ✓The SloRoller insert uses cyclonic airflow to distribute smoke and heat evenly, noticeably improving low-and-slow results over a bare kamado
- ✓The Air Lift hinge makes the heavy ceramic dome lift with one finger, a genuine quality-of-life upgrade over the Egg
- ✓Unlike the Big Green Egg, it ships with a rolling cart, fold-down side shelves, and accessories included in the price
- ✓Ceramic construction gives the same incredible fuel efficiency and steady temps as any top kamado
- ✓510 sq in on the main grate (more usable with the tiered system) handles bigger cooks than a Large Egg
- ✓The thick-gauge stainless cooking grates and overall fit-and-finish feel premium and built to last
- ✓It does it all - 225°F brisket, 750°F pizza and searing - with a lifetime ceramic warranty backing it
- ✗At ~$2,000 it's one of the priciest kamados, a significant premium even over the Big Green Egg
- ✗It's extremely heavy at 282 lbs and a real chore to assemble and move once set up
- ✗The many included parts (SloRoller, multi-tier racks, gaskets) mean more components to store, clean, and eventually replace
- ✗The felt or fiber gasket can wear and need replacement after heavy high-heat use
- ✗Like all kamados it's slow to cool down, so overshooting a low target temp is hard to correct
- ✗Charcoal lighting, ash management, and the kamado learning curve all apply
- ✗No built-in smart features or app despite the flagship price
- ✗Some owners report shipping damage to the ceramic given the weight, requiring a warranty claim
Kamado Joe Konnected Joe
- ✓The Automatic Fire Starter lights lump charcoal at the push of a button - no torch, chimney, or fire-tending, which removes the single biggest barrier to kamado cooking
- ✓The Kontrol Fan holds set temperatures from 225°F to 700°F automatically, so overnight brisket cooks are genuinely set-and-forget on charcoal
- ✓You get real lump charcoal flavor and searing power that pellet grills can't match, with roughly the same effort level
- ✓The Kamado Joe app handles temp control, timers, cook programs, and up to three meat probes from your phone
- ✓Full manual fallback - close the fan door and it cooks exactly like a normal ceramic kamado, so dead electronics never brick the grill
- ✓Thick ceramic construction gives the same fuel efficiency, moisture retention, and 700°F sear capability as the Classic series
- ✓The 2-tier Divide & Conquer grate system enables two-zone cooking at different heights, and the Air Lift hinge makes the dome feel weightless
- ✓Slide-out ash drawer makes cleanup faster than scooping out a traditional kamado firebox
- ✗At around $2,000 it costs the same as the larger-capacity Classic III while giving you an 18-inch, 250 sq in primary grate
- ✗The electronics that justify the price carry only a 3-year warranty, versus lifetime coverage on the ceramic itself
- ✗It needs a 120V outlet within reach, which complicates placement compared to a fully analog kamado
- ✗The fan can overshoot low smoking targets if you load too much charcoal or leave the top vent too far open - there's still a small learning curve
- ✗216 lbs of ceramic means moving it is a two-person job and it should live under cover on a stable surface
- ✗WiFi setup and app pairing are hit-or-miss for some owners, with occasional mid-cook disconnects reported
- ✗Grate expansion racks, half moons, and other accessories are all extra, pushing real-world cost well past MSRP
- ✗The control panel and wiring add failure points and weather exposure concerns that traditional kamados simply don't have