My wife and I died laughing at the intro. She was like "OMG this is just like you."

Hi Steve, thank you for your very honest review. I own a Kamado Joe Classic for about 8 years. I had a stroke ten years ago and after recovering for a year we moved from the city to the countryside. My health was so bad but it slowly improved. I then realized that my life would revolve around the terrace of the house. Then I decided to invest in a Kamado and after watching a bunch of KZfaq videos I bought a Kamado Joe Classic. I learned cooking the hard way. For instance when the food was done I forgot to have a place to put the meat. I wanted to BBQ but discovered that the meat was still in the freezer or that the meat had to be marinated long before. I learned how to plan at least one, preferably two days ahead. Now I have little trouble anymore. 😀 By now I have upgraded to the Classic 3. What I don't like is the new Advanced Multi-Panel Firebox. It is very hard to put together and put the ring on top. When I take the Divide and Conquer rack out it will pull the ring off and my firebox will fall apart 😡. I finally bought an old firebox to go back to the old system. These tend to crack but in the new Multi-panel firebox there are cracks too. I use the charcoal basket as well. In my opinion the old system is better for me at least. What I love are the accessories. I have the Joetissery and the basket. The basket is by far my favorite. I also have the soapstone which I use often. I use the Kamado Joe summer and winter long.

Brilliant ... loved the intro 😆

I have had my Classic II for nearly two years. I kind of stumbled into ceramics. I have a WSM that was rarely used and a propane grill that was falling apart and I was originally looking for its replacement. When I discovered that the kamado joe was so versatile it was a done deal. It was only a short time later I was buying at Costco the $969 beauty. I was hesitant at that moment because it’s a big chunk of change and I could not later say to the wife that I regret purchasing the Kamado Joe. I have been cooking more now that I am home during the pandemic. The negatives for me are you will smell like a bbq. If your having guests over I would suggest getting the grill fully setup and temp stable. Put food on if your doing low and slow then take a shower and change clothes before guest arrive. I think the smoke smell and grime is what made people go to propane back in the late 70’s and 80’s as a Gen Xer having a propane grill was a luxury item over the inexpensive charcoal kettles and square grills. My second gripe that only applies to me is that I get no help from my wife with the kamado. I am 100% responsible for dictating when we are going to use it, getting ingredients,cooking etc. That being said, I love it. I have bought the Joetisserie and the KJ ash basket. I didn’t have the justification to get the Big Joe, not sure I would buy the Big Joe with a family of 5. I don’t cook sides, just the main protein.

Top shelf video production and very informative good sir! The intro was a beauty! Thanks for the thorough overview on the Classic II as well as the tips for proper lighting procedure. Love the cook shed!

Love the honestly and perspective! Still working thru getting things dialed in on my KJ two but love it. Great video.

Loved this video James. Agree with everything you've hit the nail on the head.

Great vid - will check out all your other stuff too. I'm definitely in "honeymoon" territory as I'm a couple of months into owning a Big Joe 3, my first kamado (I always was one for diving in). My early mistakes on the first few cooks were all about temp management (and probably a bit of impatience on my part in wanting to "get cooking"). Amazing bit of gear though. After a whole lot of soul-searching over the cost and discussion with the Mrs before taking the plunge, she's as delighted with the results as I am - which has made the few accessory purchases since a lot easier to get signed off that I imagined!

Great vid and very informative 👍 I’m going to go for the Classic III as it has the ash basket, slo-roller, metal side shelves, and I like the look of the trolley base over the Classic II.

Great review, I'm looking at maybe getting one of these so this really helped - thanks!

Love the intro! I’ve owned a Big Joe for three years and love it!

Thank you for your honesty, I have been using my Joe for several years now, this year as always I will cook the Christmas turkey on it. I often use a drip tray so haven't noticed your hot line. I got myself a pair of welding gloves for moving grates around. Great affordable protection. Keep up the good work 🔥

Great video and nice to hear both positive and negative. I've owned the original Kamado Joe Classic and the Kamado Joe Classic II. I also have the Big Joe II. To address some of your issues, as far as the coals blocking holes on the cast iron grate, I place only my very large pieces of lump charcoal (which is all I ever use) on the bottom to keep small pieces from clogging the holes and affecting my air flow. with the smaller pieces on top. I bought the new Kamado Joe stainless steel Ash Basket, that now comes with the Kamado Joe Classic III and eliminated my cast iron grate, which greatly improves my air flow. The cast iron grate no longer comes with the cast iron grate on the Kamado Joe III. It makes life a lot easier. I always use a FOILED drip pan. The one I use is by SMOKEWARE FROM JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA. It's the one they sell for the LARGE Big Green Egg and fits my Kamado Joe perfectly, which would solve your air leak problem and make clean-up a lot easier. I've never had an air leak problem before using the drip pan. I did have my fiberglass come lose toward the front of the grill and bought some high heat adhesive, which fixed the problem. Make sure you use the grill grippers that came with your Kamado Joe that I see hanging behind you. You can move your grate anywhere you want safely and without getting burned. Enjoy your Kamado Joe as I do. If you like Pizza, it does the best pizza you'll ever have. My setup is: Use extra coals for High Temperature cooking. I put the Grill Grates on the top level of the divide and conquer rack. The Ceramic half moon deflector plates go ON TOP OF THE GRILL GRATES. I BOUGHT THE KJ GRILL EXTENDER PLACE IT OVER THE CERAMIC PLATES. which is a cheap accessory (about $59 US dollars) and still is able to attach to the grill grate under the ceramic plates. Your PIZZA STONE GOES ON TOP OF THE GRILL EXTENDER and you're set to go. I open top and bottom vents FULLY and wait for the grill to get up to around 600 degrees F. I turn out a delicious pizza every 6 minutes. Don.t waiste you money on a DO-JO at $250 US dollars. The set up I gave you works better and I've tried both ways. If I can help in any way don't hesitate to contact me. Good Luck with your Kamado Joe Classic II.

Thanks man, I did a lot of research before buying the classic 2, which I did yesterday, and your 3 points of dislike is the first time I heard any of them and they are totally understandable. That line between the 2 plates is nice to know before hand and will save me some deception when I do my first few cooks. Always nice to hear from people who can set aside the fanboy mentality and do a proper pros and cons after using it for a while. It would be so easy to only focus on the good after spending all that money. Once again, thank you for the great info and the time you put for this video.

A most clever and entertaining opening. Nice job!

intro got me weak. already got my attention. love the music as well

Another really well done and informative video James. I bought the Kick Ash Basket for my Kamado and got rid of the steel plate. I've also experimented with using the Kamado with and without the ash catcher and I find I get more stable heat without it. I do use the ash catcher to add small chunks of wood if required during the cook though, if required. To remove the griddle plates I bought a pair of long reach needle nose pliers to lift them. I grip the griddle and lift it clear of the locating "hump" in the Divide and Conquer and then manoeuvre it out sideways. Heat resistant gauntlets are still recommended though. I have also had success using the "Tip Top Temp" temperature regulator that I use on my Weber kettle on my Kamado for low and slow cooking.

Weird, you described me to a tee. I just pulled the trigger on the big joe 3, will be delivered in a couple days. Can't wait. Good vid bro

Really useful James and refreshing to hear your comments, I'm one of those in the "trying to justify the cost" camp but watching your videos over the past few weeks has helped me make my find up, this video sealed the deal🍴🔪🐽🍗👍

That intro deserves a follow. Great vid!

Honest review and greatly appreciated👍

Haha awesome intro!!! Really funny! Loved it! Very informative video too! Keep up the great work! Just subscribed!

I also have an classic 2 for over an year now. I have purchased an Kamado Joe charcoal basket for my 2 and removed the cast iron plate. Way better airflow and easier cleaning. The (cast iron) grates i put in with the long side first, then set it to fall in to place. Never had it catching on the d&c higher level . Very happy with it and highly recommend buying one 🔥😎

I have pretty much the same pro's and cons as you, not noticed the deflector issue. Good to hear an honest and independent assessment. A lot of guys reviewing them have not necessarily paid handsomely for them and as you say, it's always good to hear what they don't like. The airflow issue is a pain for me sometime, I struggled to get mine over 250c at first - my previous cheap(er) Kamado would go to 350+ easily. I also think the frame is weak, i'm always nervous moving it, this appears to have been addressed in the C3.

I new about the charcoad grid when I went for the KJC1. So I got the coal basket immediately and am really happy with it.

LOL instantly subscribed when i saw him put the blanket around the grill.

Hi from Australia 9:50 I would use the grate gripper and twist them in, 1st you don’t have to touch the grill directly so you don’t get grease all over your hand, 2nd if you have a lit coals you won’t burn your hand.

Keep er lit lad, I have been KZfaq mad over what Kamado to go for and have decided to go for the Joe Classic 2 as well and then found a good local Norn Iron lad saying they are great as well. That's enough for me

Great video James I'm loveing cooking on the "el cheapo" kamado and impressed with it. As you said I tend to neglect the weber now. It's the versatility of them, from 10hr low and slow to 350c pizza.

Great video James, I’ve not notes the line on anything I cook before with the deflector plates in not really looked for it, also the grate I use tongs and use a twist motion to get the grate higher or lower, with the cast I use the tool that come with it to do the same. 👍🏼

Best video you’ve done yet 😂

Love my kamado joe! I don't use it as much as I should because I have so many other cookere, but it is one of my favorites!

Hello from Michigan If I had seen your vid first I would also have had a year with my KJ classic ll.There are several cooks who informed me of what to purchase.!. stainless steel komodo ash basket simply stellar workmanship. extended rack that enhances grill capacity and a more heat swirling layer up top.The other must have is the SloRoller.With the Covid shutdown I decided it was safer and more pleasurable to cook at home.The classic is just the right size for my fam.It is undeniably the most versatile cooker around and beautiful to look at and cook with.

they sell charcoal baskets for the classic 1 and 2 as well. I'm planning on picking one up soon.

The intro was too funny! Lol!

Great video, specials the intro. I've been toe tapping on purchasing this bbq for a long time now. is it worth paying the extra money for the new classic III or should I keep some coin in my pocket by purchasing the classic II? Thanks for your comments

i feel you sir on where you feel the need of getting your cooking skill up to par for the expensive grill. i am in that stage again

The Proq frontier bullet smoker is the definition of versitiliy, that's what I use down here in Dublin. Great value too.

Great video mate. Never noticed the heat deflector issue though but never really looked. Don’t use them much now though with the Sloroller!

Loved the intro!

I loved the intro! Great video...

Thanks. Funny and informative. Like you I’ve been wanting one for a couple years. I’m conflicted on what size to buy. Joe or Big Joe. Any thoughts? Most meals I will be cooking for 4-6 people. But I really want to do large briskets as well.

Lol. This intro has me cracking up. 😂😂😂😂 that will be me when I get mine.

Great video James !! I’ve had my KJ Classic II for a couple of years now and have never looked back. I had the issue with the grate and switched to a basket a few months ago, getting it up to temp now is lightning fast but I do however find that I’m bringing through more lumpwood than I originally was with the grate in place.

Loved your video. I have two classic 3 and have never noticed the plate issue you mentioned. Must be either the extra 4” height or the three levels on the divide and conquer

Yes I am researching the Kamado Joe 2 for last 4 weeks. I’m obsessed. They are expensive but although I love a glass of wine I’d rather invest in a bbq man cave than a bar, which what too many men are doing. Lisburn man here enjoying someone from our wee country breaking it all down. Best of luck. John.

Hey bud! Love this vid! In hindsight - would you still buy the classic 3 over the big joe 2? The prices here in Europe as you might know are a bit on the steep side compared to the states. I really can’t decide. I do have another heat source (wood fired pizza oven). Family of 3 who occasionally cook for 6-8 people

Funny start

Im so glad i fell off my wallet and went Komado. I was in the market for something new and was looking at all kinds of stuff. Im not a pellet fan so i wanted something versatile and was looking at gravity feeds. So happy i got a Big Joe instead. Best grill ive ever used and can do basically anything so yeah. Get you one.

Absolutely love my KJ. Bought some £4.99 welders gloves from Screwfix and use the tool and twist when changing grate heights, no more burnt arms. One of my gripes coming from a Weber I was used to a full grate to pick up with food on, the KJ is a pain with a large piece if meat as you have to pick up two half grates

Did pizza on mine tonight, easy and awesome. Home made pepperoni cheesy crust. I used the weber baby q pizza pans, made a big difference. Just put pizza stone up high where grill sits, then pan straight on that. Golden brown base that didn't burn. Best temp was 600 -700f. Anything hotter tended to burn. Best to go lower for longer than too hot. Also grab the cover today, fits perfect and is heavy duty and we'll made

And funny intro, my wife said that was exactly my behavior when I got mine. only 3 weeks in so still in the honeymoon period lol!

@Barbechoo - UK BBQ Are you using the included KJ Grill Grate Lifter? Lead in with the long edge. I always use it and have never had a problem the 6 years I've had my Classic 1. I also use it for moving the deflectors around, that can be more awkward when they set in the fully down position. Re: a gap between the deflectors, I have never noticed this either but I foil wrap my deflectors for less staining and easier cleaning which might make a bit of a flusher fit. Only end up changing the foil a few times a season so it's not a big deal.

Love the channel. Your cooks are way more interesting than the same old pork shoulder, brisket, and ribs cooks that 95% of the channels keep repeating. Looking at pulling the trigger on a Classic II. I cook a lot of steaks, chicken, lamb, and ribs on my Weber performer and seldom do cooks longer than 4 hours. Obviously the KJ does low and slow way better/easier than a kettle but, in your experience, did the Kamado Joe improve the taste and/or ease of cooking for faster cooking items? Thanks.

That intro ♥

hi mate i have a big joe 2 the charcoal basket upgrade is a great option another thing is my grill has developed a massive overbite on the hinge so i really have to press the lid down hard with two hands i have trouble shooted and retightened all the bands but to no avail this seems a common problem and it is making my experience miserable im going to ring customer services today and see if they can help great vid mate as you said they cook food brilliantly

Great Video... very helpful, Im ready to pull the trigger on getting a Kamado Classic, Im soo tired of trying to cook on a gas grill.. I cant even sear a steak proper with gas grilling.. :( as far as the heat seeping threw the half moon defuser joint, would putting tin foil over them help with blocking that heat seepage?

Great intro. As a newish kamado owner I have to say I'm lapping up every video I can find. Keep up the good work. I have a masterbuilt kamado which is basically a classic joe1. In your opinion is it worth upgrading the top vent from the traditional daisy wheel to the classic 2 style?

I have the big joe, and I did this yesterday with smoking to the searing a large number of meats at once. Use the grate grippers and a cheap welding glove to lower the grate down and go three or for bars past the bottom noch, lower the opposite end, then back the entire half moon grate back. Be sure to grip the grate about midway to 3/4 of the way from the end before you do it.

Hi, thanks for this. You say the temperature recovers quickly after opening and closing the lid, but I wonder what I am doing wrong with my Big Joe 3 then. I can have ribs on it for 3 hours, temperature rocksolid at 110C, then I have to open and close the BBQ to get them off to wrap the ribs, then open and close the BBQ again to put them back and I see the temperature slowly climbing to 130-135C and it stays there unless I start closing down the vents. What am I missing?

I am only 26 seconds in and had to pause it to write a comment on how good the opening 26 seconds was. I laughed for a solid 20 seconds

Great video. I'm on the edge too. Tossing up between the classic 1 and the classic 2. I have an akorn jr and a Weber at the moment.

I have the big joe 111 I love it.... looking for a second one smaller. Costco has the big joe 2 and classic 2 on sale. 200 dollars off in case anyone plans on buying one. I made my first brisket a week ago, nailed it in my mind it already paid itself.

Both my heat deflectors broke for no reason, replaced under warranty. The felt gasket has perished and I have to replace at my cost. I've always stored my kj under cover so not impressed really. Very very glad I didn't sell my offset!

Lol and great video.... thanks for your feedback

How big a difference is the smoke flavor/end product on a kamado joe vs a weber kettle with an SNS (my current set up). I also have a yoder 640. I'm thinking of selling both and getting a kamado joe big joe... What are your thoughts. I do like the relative ease but increased smoke flavor on the weber vs my pellet smoker.

James, I’m 100% Weber (Circular charcoal and Genesis gas ) … so I live in the Algarve where I can cook outside all year round. I’m very curious… what would a Kamado Joe do for me ?

I got a pizza tray to place under my drip tray, it acts as an additional heat deflector

Great video, but HOW do you keep the external so clean? I’ve been trying simply green, but can’t get all the junk and grease off the lid. Thanks!

So I am new to this type of BBQ. Should I start with the Gen 2 or Gen 3 model?

Lol😂😂😂 I can relate with the intro, I got mine a couple of weeks ago

Any thoughts on that Heston Blumenthal 4k grill? I've failed to find a direct comparison to the Joe but the slow roller probably puts the Joe over the top.

Hi James, another brilliant video as always, they always make me laugh and have bags of info in them. Its fortunate you have made this one now as im in the market for a premium grill at the moment. Can totally identify with the worry of having saved up a lot of money and actually having it in the bank, do I actually want to spend it now. For me it came down to the KJ 2 or 3 or the Weber Summit Charcoal Grill. I like you have spent months and months of research and kept switching all the time while weighing up the pro's and cons of each. Ive settled on the Weber but loved watching this video too, keep up the great content.

Nice video, man :)

Hi mate, great vid. I'm in the market for one in the next couple of months was leaning towards buying the the classic ll with the additional kick ash basket just to save myself a few quid. Based on your review do you think its worth saving a little longer and getting the mk3 as theres still quite a price difference? Cheers

you could remove the lower grate and use a basket only.

You could try the pizza base instead of the half moon heat deflectors, they look to be the same material, that will stop that annoying kind. The joe 3 has resolved the other issues you are finding. You definitely need one👍

Hi James - best place to buy? I’m also from NI and living here. Only starting the process of trying to justify the cost… cheers!

So it's not just me not able to drop the grates down. Great vid. Keep em coming.

James i have ordered a KBJ3 due to arrive in August 2020 (i hope) is there anything i need to do pre first cook on the kamado joe

Here! have a subscribe and a hifive from holland!

Saving $$$$ for one. Should I go for II or III

I have 4 smokers - Big chief, Bradley, Apollo 200, pit boss pellet but I want a komodo.

I saw a Weber there, do you still use that as well?

Great review. Got a KJ myself and the intro had me laughing! I’ve never noticed your issue with the deflector plates, but would agree about the other 2 issues. I’m wanting to get an ash basket and moving hot grates can be fiddly. The other issue is add is fitting the 5 piece heat box together with 2 hands in near impossible. Luckily you don’t need to touch it very often! I’m in Scotland and I’m paranoid about the cold winters cracking the ceramic. So much so I’ve even brought it in over winter. I’m interested to know what you did with yours over winter in Northern Ireland?

never had an issue with the center line... super strange

0:19 pitching a tent...

I bet Dramatic yes

Buy a charcoal basket. U will love it.

I bought a kamado joe classic. When I got it home and opened the box it was broken. I returned it and got a full refund but now I'm a little concerned about buying another one.

My experience with Kamado joe has been very different. Unit arrived with a dink, when I questioned it they sent me some really thin paint that basically ran and did not stay in the damaged area. I'm not to fussed as it was at the back of the unit and you'll never seen it (how they handled it still bugs me though) 2nd - Control tower paint basically flaked off, this was replaced and is starting to happen again. 3rd Heat deflector cracked at the weekend - 4 days and no reply from customer services. Agree with the air holes getting clogged, I don't have a problem with getting the grills in though. Overall a very good cooker, taste is amazing.

Would you buy a classic III today with the knowledge you have now on the classic II?

I'm trying to justify spending that much money on one. I've looked at buying a second hand one but can't find any. If nobody is selling second hand ones that's surely a testament to how good they are

Why did you choose the name "Nicole" for your grill? I would have thought that you would have named her "Josephine."

Bruh the intro😂

What... You prefer to these kettle???🙄 It's an outside oven, more fun struggling with temps and fighting for... Don't have the money for one either 🤪🤪

😂😂 I'm like that with my kettle. You should join discover bbq Ireland and bbq life Ireland in fb

That intro just called me out

The accent ! Ballymoney , ballyclaire ?

The biggest negative I've seen about the Kamado Joe's is basically the top vent constantly getting sticky and clogged up, paint flaking, etc, because it's aluminum instead of 304 stainless. Honestly it makes me reluctant to buy one, because if I'm going to be buying a $1700 or $2600 (for Classic 3 and Big Joe 3 respectively) grill a design flaw like that is unacceptable.