Weber Summit Kamado E6 vs Kamado Joe Classic Joe II
vs
Quick take: The Weber Summit Kamado E6 costs $101 less; the Weber Summit Kamado E6 offers more cooking space (452 vs 250 sq in); the Kamado Joe Classic Joe II reaches a higher max temp (750 vs 700°F).
| Spec | Weber Summit Kamado E6 | Kamado Joe Classic Joe II |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$1,399 | ~$1,500 |
| Rating | 4.7★ (540) | — |
| Type | Kamado | Kamado |
| Cooking Area | 452 sq in | 250 sq in |
| Max Temp | 700°F | 750°F |
| Fuel Type | Charcoal | Charcoal |
| Build Material | Dual-Walled Insulated Steel (Porcelain-Enameled) | Ceramic |
| Hopper Capacity | — | — |
| Burners | — | — |
| WiFi / App | No | No |
| App control | No | No |
| Meat probe | No | No |
| PID controller | No | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 45 x 35 x 36 in | 47.6 x 46.2 in |
| Weight | 142 lbs | 228 lbs |
| Warranty | 10 years (bowl/lid rust & burn-through) | Limited lifetime warranty |
Pros & cons
Weber Summit Kamado E6
- ✓Dual-walled air-insulated steel holds low-and-slow temps like ceramic while burning noticeably less charcoal - a single load can run an overnight brisket
- ✓At 142 lbs it's roughly half the weight of a comparable 24-inch ceramic kamado, and steel can't crack from a drop, a move, or thermal shock
- ✓The 452 sq in grate is meaningfully bigger than a Big Green Egg Large or Kamado Joe Classic, so full packer briskets and multiple rib racks fit without a struggle
- ✓The hinged, two-position diffuser flips up so you can add charcoal or wood chunks mid-cook without unloading the grates - a real pain point on ceramic kamados
- ✓Weber's One-Touch cleaning system sweeps ash into a removable catch cup, making cleanup dramatically easier than scooping ash out of an egg
- ✓The hinged RapidFire lid damper flips fully open to spike airflow, so it climbs from smoking temps to 600-700°F searing heat impressively fast
- ✓The cooking grate accepts Weber's Gourmet BBQ System inserts (pizza stone, griddle, wok), adding versatility without kamado-priced accessories
- ✓AmazingRibs awarded the Summit Kamado line a Platinum Best Value medal, and the bowl and lid carry a 10-year rust and burn-through warranty
- ✗At around $1,399 it costs as much as many ceramic kamados, and stepping up to the S6 with cart and gas ignition pushes well past $1,800
- ✗The three-legged stand is the top owner complaint - the legs and small casters feel flimsy and wobbly under a premium-priced grill
- ✗The E6 has no Snap-Jet gas ignition (that's S6-only), so you're lighting with a chimney or starter cubes like any kettle
- ✗No side tables or work surface on the stand - there's nowhere to set a tray or tools without buying a separate table
- ✗No built-in temperature probes, fan control, or connectivity at a price where pellet grills include all three
- ✗Porcelain enamel is durable but chips if you knock the rim with heavy cast iron, and chips can eventually rust
- ✗The accessory ecosystem is far smaller than Big Green Egg's or Kamado Joe's - no included second cooking level like KJ's Divide & Conquer
- ✗The dome thermometer reads well above grate level, so most owners still end up buying a separate leave-in probe thermometer
Kamado Joe Classic Joe II
- ✓Kontrol Tower top vent stays where it is set and does not need re-dialing after every lid lift
- ✓Air Lift hinge drops the effective dome weight enough to open one-handed
- ✓Double-thick wire-mesh fiberglass gasket seals better and lasts longer than the felt gaskets it replaced
- ✓Two-tier Divide & Conquer, slide-out ash drawer and stainless grates all standard
- ✓A standalone version without the cart sells for $1,399.99 if it is going into a built-in surround
- ✗No more cooking area than the $999.99 Series I — the entire premium is vent, hinge and gasket
- ✗Still the two-tier rack; the three-tier Divide & Conquer needs Series III
- ✗No SloRoller hyperbolic smoke chamber at this tier
- ✗228 lbs, and the folding shelves push it to 46 inches wide in use