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Kamado Joe

Big Joe I

24-inch ceramic kamado grill on a locking-wheel steel cart with 450 sq in of cooking space and a 2-Tier Divide & Conquer system.

$1,500Approx. MSRP
Great forlow-and-slow smokingsearing steaksreal charcoal flavor

Only worth buying secondhand at a steep discount for someone who wants Big Joe capacity and doesn't mind wrestling a heavy lid; a beginner should get the II or III for the easier hinge.

Pros

  • Full 24" cooking surface handles large cuts (whole briskets, multiple racks of ribs) that smaller kamados can't
  • Same heat retention/versatility as smaller Joes but with more capacity for entertaining
  • Ceramic construction is effectively rustproof and long-lasting
  • Built to last (ceramic)
  • Ceramic holds heat and moisture — grill, smoke or bake

Watch-outs

  • No counterbalanced hinge, so the heavy ceramic lid takes real effort and care to lift
  • Felt gasket wears out sooner than later fiberglass versions
  • Cast-iron top vent can rust/peel over time
  • Very heavy overall, needs two people to move

Known niggles

  • Heavy lid is noticeably harder and less safe to lift without the counterbalanced Air Lift Hinge that later generations have
  • Felt gasket degrades faster than the fiberglass gaskets used on Big Joe II/III
  • Cast-iron top vent can rust and its coating can peel over time
  • Ash pan jams against the tapered base when full of debris
TypeKamado
FuelCharcoal
FormatFreestanding cart
Approx. MSRP (USD)$1,500
Primary cooking area450 sq in
Side burnerNo
Temp range225–750°F
Weight359 lb
Build materialCeramic
WiFi / appNo

Specs sourced from the manufacturer / retailer listing. Prices are approximate and drift — check the seller for the current figure.

Kamado Joe Big Joe I

Features

  • 2-Tier Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System
  • Cast-iron top vent for temperature control
  • Slide-out ash drawer
  • 450 sq in cooking surface, 24-inch diameter
  • Steel cart with locking wheels and folding HDPE side shelves
Compare in The Pit Buy links coming soon — we're lining up direct-brand deals.

More Kamado grills

Kamado Joe Classic III$1,499Big Green Egg Large$1,049Big Green Egg 2XL Big Green Egg$2,799Big Green Egg XLarge Big Green Egg$1,898