Kamado Joe Joe Jr.
Kamado
~$430

Kamado Joe

Kamado Joe Joe Jr.

5(985 reviews across retail listings)

The Kamado Joe Joe Jr. is a compact 13.5-inch portable ceramic kamado that brings full kamado versatility to small spaces, balconies, tailgates, and camping. It's the most portable cooker in the Kamado Joe line.

Approx. price
~$430
Cooking Area
148 sq in
Fuel
Charcoal
Best For
Apartment dwellers, campers, and tailgaters

Specifications

Fuel Type
Charcoal
Cooking Area
148 sq in
Temp Range
approx 225–750°F
Build Material
Ceramic
Dimensions
20 x 21 x 27 in
Weight
68 lbs
Warranty
Lifetime (ceramic)
WiFi / App
No
Meat Probe
No

Features

SearingCeramic BodyHeat DeflectorCast-Iron VentsPortable StandHinged Grate

Pros

  • It packs full kamado versatility - searing, smoking, baking - into a portable 68 lb package you can take camping or tailgating
  • The thick ceramic body delivers the same excellent heat retention and fuel efficiency as full-size kamados
  • At ~$499 it's an affordable entry into the ceramic kamado world and the Kamado Joe ecosystem
  • It includes the heat deflector plate, so you can do indirect cooking and low-and-slow right out of the box
  • It hits high searing temps and holds steady low temps just like its big siblings, with great flavor and moisture
  • The compact 148 sq in is perfect for couples, small families, or cooking a few steaks without firing up a big grill
  • The cast-iron vent and hinged grate give precise air control and let you add charcoal mid-cook
  • Lifetime ceramic warranty and the wide Kamado Joe accessory ecosystem back it

Cons

  • 148 sq in is small - it's really a 2-4 person cooker and can't handle a full brisket or a crowd
  • The narrow opening makes maneuvering racks of ribs or large roasts awkward
  • It's portable but still 68 lbs of ceramic, so it's heavier and more fragile to transport than it sounds
  • Charcoal capacity is limited, so very long overnight smokes require refueling more often than a big kamado
  • Temperature recovery after opening the small dome can be touchy given the limited thermal mass
  • No built-in lid thermometer accuracy you'd fully trust, so a separate probe is recommended
  • The included basic stand is low and minimal - many buyers add a higher cart or table for comfort
  • The same kamado learning curve, ash cleanup, and slow cooldown all apply in miniature

The Kamado Joe Joe Jr. is one of 3 sizes in this line.

See every size, to scale →
Kamado Joe Classic III
~$1,799
Kamado
5(628)

The Kamado Joe Classic III is an 18-inch ceramic kamado loaded with innovations like the 3-tier Divide and Conquer system, SloRoller smoke chamber, and a single-finger Air Lift hinge. It's the feature-rich rival to the Big Green Egg.

Divide and Conquer 3-TierSloRoller Smoke ChamberAir Lift Hinge
Charcoal510 sq inapprox 225–750°F
Best for: Kamado cooks who want premium features included
See specs & owner notes
Kamado Joe Konnected Joe
~$1,999
Kamado
4.4(260)

The Kamado Joe Konnected Joe is an 18-inch ceramic kamado with pellet-grill convenience bolted on: a push-button electric fire starter lights the charcoal for you, and a WiFi-connected fan holds your set temperature automatically while real lump charcoal does the flavoring.

Push-Button Charcoal IgnitionAuto Temp-Holding FanApp + Meat Probes
Charcoal250 sq in225–700°FWiFi
Best for: Cooks who want real charcoal flavor with pellet-grill set-and-forget convenience
See specs & owner notes
Kamado Joe Big Joe III
~$2,698
Kamado
4.8(629)

The Kamado Joe Big Joe III is the 24-inch flagship of Kamado Joe's ceramic lineup - everything the Classic III does, scaled up to brisket-and-a-half capacity, with the 3-tier Divide & Conquer rack system, SloRoller smoke chamber, and a heavy-duty rolling cart included.

24-Inch Cooking Surface3-Tier Divide & ConquerSloRoller Included
Charcoal864 sq inapprox 225–750°F
Best for: Serious kamado cooks feeding a crowd who want maximum capacity without giving up ceramic efficiency
See specs & owner notes
Char-Griller Akorn Kamado
~$399
Kamado
4.7(761)

The Char-Griller Akorn is a budget kamado-style grill that uses triple-wall insulated steel instead of ceramic to deliver kamado-like efficiency at a fraction of the price. It's the popular gateway into kamado cooking.

Triple-Wall SteelBudget Kamado PriceLocking Lid
Charcoal314 sq inapprox 200–700°F
Best for: Trying kamado cooking on a budget
See specs & owner notes
Big Green Egg MiniMax
~$850
Kamado
5(12)

The Big Green Egg MiniMax packs the full ceramic kamado experience into a 19.5-inch-tall tabletop cooker that ships with its own carrier. It's the Egg for balconies, tailgates, and campsites - same 750°F ceiling, a quarter of the footprint.

Tabletop PortableCarrier IncludedLifetime Ceramic Warranty
Charcoal133 sq inapprox 200–750°F
Best for: Portable ceramic cooking for patios, tailgates, and couples
See specs & owner notes
Big Green Egg Large
~$1,250
Kamado

Big Green Egg

Big Green Egg Large

5(73)

The Big Green Egg Large is the most popular size of the iconic ceramic kamado cooker, capable of grilling, smoking, roasting, and baking. Big Green Egg is the brand that brought kamado cooking to the American mainstream.

Heat-Retaining CeramicGrill, Smoke, Bake and RoastLifetime Ceramic Warranty
Charcoal262 sq inapprox 200–750°F
Best for: All-in-one ceramic cooking with huge fuel efficiency
See specs & owner notes