Kamado Joe Classic III

It ranks #3 (A tier) on our consolidated charcoal grills board, drawn from 5 independent outlets.

The Kamado Joe Classic III is for the cook who wants a ceramic kamado with modern construction and does not need the longest track record. It sits in A tier on our charcoal grills board, praised for superior temperature control, durable construction and a positive community reception, and reviewers say it could challenge the older designs. If you want the proven option with decades of community support, the Big Green Egg Classic ranks first in S tier. If a kamado is more grill than you need, the Weber Original Kettle Premium 22" Charcoal Grill in S tier costs far less.

Reviewers on our board credit the Kamado Joe Classic III with durable construction. A ceramic body does not rust, so lifespan comes down to the gasket, hinges, grates and bands, which are all replaceable. Keep it covered, avoid thermal shock from water on hot ceramic, and it should last many years.

Very well. Superior temperature control is the strength reviewers cite most for the Kamado Joe Classic III. Thick ceramic walls store heat, so once the vents are set the cooker holds a low smoking temperature for hours or a high searing temperature without constant attention. Small vent adjustments make big changes, so move them a little at a time.

Buy the Big Green Egg Classic if you want the top-ranked, longest-proven kamado. It ranks first in S tier on our board against the Kamado Joe Classic III in A tier. Buy the Kamado Joe Classic III if its modern construction and temperature control matter more to you than the longer track record. Both cook the same way, so neither choice is a mistake.

Clear the ash before each cook, keep the vents clean and store the cooker under a cover. Burn it hot occasionally to clean the inside instead of scrubbing. Check the lid gasket for a tight seal and tighten the bands once a season so the lid stays aligned.