Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg: Full Comparison
Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg: The Definitive Comparison
TL;DR — Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg: Both grills produce identical cooking results and last a lifetime. Kamado Joe Classic III wins on value — it includes EUR 500–800 of accessories (cart, shelves, heat deflectors, air lift hinge) that Big Green Egg charges extra for, making a fully-equipped Kamado Joe around EUR 200 cheaper. Choose Big Green Egg if brand heritage, the largest accessories ecosystem, or strong resale value matter more than upfront savings. For most first-time kamado buyers on the Costa Blanca, we recommend Kamado Joe Classic III.
The kamado grill has become something of a cult object among Costa Blanca expats. Walk through any villa neighbourhood in Jávea, Moraira, or Calpe and you will spot green or red ceramic domes on terraces with Mediterranean views. But which one should you buy?
Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg dominate the premium ceramic grill market. Both produce exceptional results, both will last decades, and both have passionate followings. The differences, however, are real — and they matter more than you might think when you are investing EUR 1,500-3,000 in a grill.
The Brands at a Glance
Big Green Egg
Founded in 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia, Big Green Egg is the original Western kamado. It popularised ceramic charcoal cooking outside of Japan and has built a massive global community. The brand carries genuine heritage — when people say “kamado grill,” many picture a Big Green Egg.
Kamado Joe
Founded in 2009, Kamado Joe is the younger challenger that has systematically addressed every criticism of traditional kamados. Where Big Green Egg rests on reputation, Kamado Joe innovates aggressively — introducing features that have become industry standards.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Build Quality and Ceramics
Both grills use thick-walled ceramic construction, but the details differ:
Big Green Egg uses a proprietary ceramic blend that has been refined over 50 years. The walls are thick, heat retention is excellent, and the finish is the iconic green glaze. The ceramics are proven — there are Big Green Eggs from the 1990s still in daily use.
Kamado Joe uses a multi-layered ceramic shell that the company claims offers superior heat retention and crack resistance. The red glaze is equally durable. Kamado Joe also includes a heat deflector system (the Divide & Conquer) as standard, while Big Green Egg sells their convEGGtor separately.
Verdict: Both are excellent. Big Green Egg has the longer track record; Kamado Joe’s newer ceramic formulation performs marginally better in thermal shock tests. For the Costa Blanca climate — where you rarely face extreme temperature swings — both are equally suitable.
Features Out of the Box
This is where the two brands diverge significantly:
| Feature | Kamado Joe Classic III | Big Green Egg Large |
|---|---|---|
| Divide & Conquer system | Included | Sold separately (convEGGtor ~EUR 90) |
| Air lift hinge | Yes — makes lid effortless | No — lid is heavy (~35 kg) |
| Ash tool | Sliding ash drawer | Manual ash removal |
| Top vent | Kontrol Tower (rain-proof) | Daisy Wheel (basic) |
| Cart/stand | Included | Sold separately (EUR 300+) |
| Side shelves | Included (foldable) | Sold separately |
| Warranty | Lifetime (ceramics) | Lifetime (ceramics) |
Kamado Joe wins this category decisively. The Classic III includes roughly EUR 500-800 worth of accessories that Big Green Egg charges extra for. The air lift hinge alone is a significant quality-of-life improvement — lifting a 35 kg ceramic lid without assistance gets old fast.
Cooking Performance
On actual cooking performance, the grills are remarkably similar:
- Temperature range: Both hold stable from 80°C (low-and-slow smoking) to 400°C+ (pizza and searing)
- Heat retention: Near-identical. Both will hold 110°C for a 12-hour pork shoulder cook on a single load of charcoal
- Fuel efficiency: Both use approximately the same amount of lump charcoal per cook
- Smoke flavour: Identical — both are sealed ceramic chambers burning lump charcoal
- Versatility: Both grill, smoke, roast, bake, and sear equally well
The one practical difference: Kamado Joe’s SloRoller hyperbolic smoke chamber (available as an accessory, around EUR 130) distributes smoke more evenly than a standard heat deflector. If you do a lot of low-and-slow smoking, this is a genuine advantage.
Size Options
| Size | Kamado Joe | Big Green Egg |
|---|---|---|
| Portable | Joe Jr (34 cm) | MiniMax (33 cm) |
| Small | — | Small (33 cm) |
| Medium | — | Medium (38 cm) |
| Standard | Classic (46 cm) | Large (46 cm) |
| Large | Big Joe (61 cm) | XLarge (61 cm) |
| Extra Large | — | 2XL (73 cm) |
For most Costa Blanca expats, the 46 cm (18-inch) size is the sweet spot — it comfortably feeds 6-8 people and fits on a standard terrace without dominating the space.
Accessories Ecosystem
Big Green Egg has the larger accessories ecosystem. After 50 years in the market, there are hundreds of first-party and third-party accessories: nests, tables, racks, pizza stones, rotisseries, cast iron inserts, and more. Whatever you want to do, there is probably a Big Green Egg accessory for it.
Kamado Joe has a smaller but rapidly growing range. The key advantage is that most essential accessories are included in the box price. Third-party accessories from brands like Kick Ash Basket and Ceramic Grill Store also fit Kamado Joe.
Verdict: Big Green Egg wins on sheer variety, but Kamado Joe includes more from the start. In practice, most expats use 3-4 accessories beyond the basics — and both brands cover those well.
Price Comparison (Spain, 2026)
| Model | Kamado Joe | Big Green Egg |
|---|---|---|
| Portable | Joe Jr: ~EUR 500 | MiniMax + Nest: ~EUR 750 |
| Standard (46 cm) | Classic III: ~EUR 2,200 | Large + Nest + convEGGtor: ~EUR 2,400 |
| Large (61 cm) | Big Joe III: ~EUR 3,200 | XLarge + Nest + convEGGtor: ~EUR 3,500 |
When you factor in the accessories that Kamado Joe includes as standard (cart, shelves, heat deflectors, ash drawer, air lift hinge), Kamado Joe offers better value at every price point. To match the Kamado Joe Classic III’s out-of-box setup with a Big Green Egg Large, you would spend approximately EUR 600-800 more on accessories.
Which Is Better for Costa Blanca Expats?
Choose Kamado Joe if:
- Value matters — You want the most features for your money
- Ease of use matters — The air lift hinge and ash drawer make daily cooking simpler
- You are new to kamado cooking — The Divide & Conquer system makes it easier to learn multi-zone cooking
- You want everything in one purchase — Cart, shelves, and deflectors included
Choose Big Green Egg if:
- Heritage and community matter — BGE has a passionate global community and decades of recipes, tips, and events
- Accessories matter — The BGE ecosystem is unmatched in variety
- You already own one — If upgrading from a smaller BGE, keeping the same brand simplifies accessory sharing
- Resale value — Big Green Eggs hold their resale value exceptionally well due to brand recognition
Our Recommendation for the Costa Blanca
For most expats setting up on the Costa Blanca, Kamado Joe Classic III offers the best overall package. The included accessories, air lift hinge, and competitive pricing make it the smarter buy — especially if you are new to ceramic grilling.
That said, you will not go wrong with either. Both produce identical cooking results, both last a lifetime, and both handle the Costa Blanca climate beautifully. The ceramic construction actually benefits from the Mediterranean warmth — less fuel is needed to reach cooking temperature compared to grilling in northern Europe.
Caring for Your Kamado on the Costa Blanca
Whichever brand you choose, a few Costa Blanca-specific tips:
- Cover it when not in use. While ceramic handles UV well, the metal components (bands, hinges, vents) will last longer with a cover. Both brands sell fitted covers.
- Use quality lump charcoal, not briquettes. You can source excellent charcoal from suppliers in Ondara and Pedreguer, or order online from specialists like Flame Boss or Carbon de Encina suppliers.
- Check the gasket annually. The felt gasket between lid and base can degrade faster in the dry Costa Blanca climate. Replace it when it compresses — kits cost EUR 20-30.
- Position it on a level surface at least 50 cm from walls. A heat-resistant mat underneath protects terrace tiles from occasional ash spills.
Ready to Choose?
Costa Blanca Outdoors stocks both Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg, with delivery and white-glove setup throughout the Costa Blanca. We can help you choose the right size for your terrace and cooking style. Request a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Kamado Joe better than Big Green Egg?
- Both are excellent ceramic grills, but Kamado Joe offers more features out of the box — including a divide-and-conquer cooking system, air lift hinge, and ash tool. Big Green Egg has a longer track record and a massive accessories ecosystem. For most Costa Blanca expats, Kamado Joe offers better value for money.
- How long do ceramic kamado grills last?
- A quality ceramic kamado from either brand will last 20+ years with basic care. The ceramics handle Costa Blanca heat and occasional rain without issues. The main maintenance items are gasket replacement (every 3-5 years) and keeping the vents clean.
- Can I use a kamado grill on my Spanish terrace?
- Yes. Kamado grills are among the safest BBQ types for terraces because they are extremely well insulated, produce very little smoke when operated correctly, and have no exposed flames. Most comunidades allow them. Place it on a heat-resistant mat and keep it at least 50cm from walls.
- What size kamado should I buy for a Costa Blanca terrace?
- The 18-inch (Classic/Medium) size suits most expat families — it feeds 6-8 people comfortably and fits on standard terraces. If you regularly entertain larger groups, the 24-inch (Big Joe/XL) is worth the extra space. For small balconies, the Kamado Joe Jr (13.5 inch) is compact enough.