Kamado Joe Konnected Joe vs Kamado Joe Big Joe II
vs
Quick take: The Kamado Joe Konnected Joe costs $301 less; the Kamado Joe Big Joe II offers more cooking space (450 vs 250 sq in); the Kamado Joe Big Joe II reaches a higher max temp (750 vs 700°F).
| Spec | Kamado Joe Konnected Joe | Kamado Joe Big Joe II |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$1,999 | ~$2,300 |
| Rating | 4.4★ (260) | — |
| Type | Kamado | Kamado |
| Cooking Area | 250 sq in | 450 sq in |
| Max Temp | 700°F | 750°F |
| Fuel Type | Charcoal | Charcoal |
| Build Material | Ceramic | Ceramic |
| Hopper Capacity | — | — |
| Burners | — | — |
| WiFi / App | Yes | No |
| App control | Yes | No |
| Meat probe | Yes | No |
| PID controller | Yes | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 47 x 30 x 48 in | 53.5 x 58.3 in |
| Weight | 216 lbs | 407 lbs |
| Warranty | Lifetime (ceramic) | Limited lifetime warranty |
Pros & cons
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
Kamado Joe Big Joe II
- ✓450 sq in is 80% more grate than the Classic Joe II for roughly $800 more
- ✓The 24-inch grid takes two full packer briskets side by side without diagonal loading
- ✓Kontrol Tower vent and Air Lift hinge carried over from Series II — the hinge matters far more on a dome this heavy
- ✓407 lbs of ceramic holds an overnight low-and-slow with very little fire management
- ✓$1,000 less than the Big Joe III while keeping the same body, grid and warranty
- ✗407 lbs needs a solid pad and is a genuine two-or-three-person job to position
- ✗Two-tier Divide & Conquer only; the third tier that makes the big grid fully usable is a Series III feature
- ✗58 inches wide with shelves out, which is more patio than many buyers expect
- ✗Heating this much ceramic burns a lot of lump for a small cook, so it is wasteful as an everyday grill