Large Big Green Egg Charcoal Grill vs Kamado Joe Classic III Charcoal Grill (2026)
Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.
Large Big Green Egg Charcoal Grill
Ceramic kamado, 46cm cooking surface, 100°C-380°C+, 40-year warranty, versatile. The ceramic cooker cult.
Check Price ↗ Full ReviewKamado Joe Classic III Charcoal Grill
SloRoller, divide & conquer, air lift hinge, 18", ceramic. Big Green Egg rival with more features.
Check Price ↗ Full ReviewAt a Glance
| Large Big Green Egg Charcoal Grill | Kamado Joe Classic III Charcoal Grill | |
|---|---|---|
| 247Verdict Score | 9.4/10 | 9.3/10 |
| Owner Rating | 4.7★ (3,200) | 4.7★ (4,200) |
| Verdict | Excellent | Excellent |
Quick Verdict
This is a genuine draw — both score within 0.15 points of each other. Large Big Green Egg Charcoal Grill: Ceramic kamado, 46cm cooking surface, 100°C-380°C+, 40-year warranty, versatile. The ceramic cooker cult.. Kamado Joe Classic III Charcoal Grill: SloRoller, divide & conquer, air lift hinge, 18", ceramic. Big Green Egg rival with more features.. Choose based on your specific needs.
Pros & Cons Side by Side
Large Big Green Egg Charcoal Grill
- Ceramic construction retains heat at 180°C for 8+ hours on a single load of charcoal
- Operates from low-and-slow 100°C smoking to 380°C+ searing — no other BBQ covers this range
- 40-year warranty on the ceramic shell — genuine lifetime product
- Cast iron cooking grate retains heat for restaurant-quality sear marks
- Fanatical community of EGGheads — 40 years of recipes, techniques and accessories
- £1,000+ for a BBQ requires serious commitment to outdoor cooking
- Heavy at 60kg — once positioned, moving it is a significant project
- Learning the vent system to control temperature takes 2-3 sessions to master
Kamado Joe Classic III Charcoal Grill
- SloRoller insert creates cyclonic smoke flow for more even low-and-slow results than standard kamado
- Divide & Conquer flexible cooking system enables different heat zones at different heights simultaneously
- Air Lift hinge lightens the heavy lid to one-finger lifting — safety and convenience
- 2-tier cooking surface doubles usable space within the 18-inch cooking diameter
- 4,200 Amazon reviews at 4.7★ from kamado enthusiasts comparing it directly with Big Green Egg
- £1,000+ — same premium investment as Big Green Egg
- 18-inch cooking surface adequate for 4-6 portions but smaller than Weber kettle at lower cost
- Learning curve for temperature control identical to any kamado ceramic cooker
FAQ
Which is better, Large Big Green Egg or Kamado Joe Classic III?
This is a genuine draw — both score within 0.15 points of each other. Large Big Green Egg Charcoal Grill: Ceramic kamado, 46cm cooking surface, 100°C-380°C+, 40-year warranty, versatile. The ceramic cooker cult.. Kamado Joe Classic III Charcoal Grill: SloRoller, divide & conquer, air lift hinge, 18", ceramic. Big Green Egg rival with more features.. Choose based on your specific needs.
Is the Large Big Green Egg worth the extra cost?
Yes — Large Big Green Egg Charcoal Grill scores higher at 9.4/10 vs 9.3/10.
Also Worth Considering
Weber Spirit II E-310 3-Burner Gas BBQ
3 burners, GS4 system, open cart design, iGrill3 ready, 10-year warranty. The BBQ gold standard.
Check Price ↗ Full ReviewTraeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill
Wood pellets, WiFIRE app, Super Smoke mode, 885 sq in, D2 drivetrain. The smart pellet smoker.
Check Price ↗ Full ReviewWeber Master-Touch GBS 57cm Charcoal BBQ
57cm GBS, hinged grate, ash catcher, One-Touch cleaning, 10-year warranty. The classic kettle BBQ.
Check Price ↗ Full Review