Kamado Joe KJ23RH Classic Joe I Charcoal Grill, 18 inch, Blaze Red

To begin, let me state that I own a large Big Green Egg. This was a Father's Day gift from my father. If you're deciding between this and the Egg, I'd go with this one. Everything you'll need to get started is included in this package. The Egg is a fantastic grill that hasn't changed much in the last 20 years and adheres to the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy. Of course, they've had a monopoly on the market for a long time, but this creates an incentive for competitors to innovate in order to break into it. That principle is exemplified perfectly by the Kamado Joe Classic II. The lid assist mechanism literally makes opening the grill a two-finger job, and the lid "stays" where you let it go, not slamming down unless fully articulated like the egg. The removable ash tray is great, the side tables are more than adequate, and the aluminum rain/vent cap, along with all stainless hardware, gives you confidence that this grill will last! br>br>If I were to buy a personal grill for the first time today, I would choose the Kamado Joe, which my father had. I have nothing against the Egg; it has dominated the market for a long time and is responsible for the current state of kamado grilling. But this unit is so much more well-thought-out that I can't think of a single instance where the Egg comes close to matching it. The dimensions are the same, and the warranties are the same, but the Red is richer and more appealing to me than the green, which isn't a big deal. br>br>Best of luck; you will not be disappointed if you buy this grill. It also comes fully assembled and expertly packed in a crate with everything styrofoamed and covered. From beginning to end, a job well done.

Trey Glover

| Mar 15, 2021

The Kamado Joe is an excellent purchase. Costco was where I got mine. My version, dubbed "Big Joe," is the larger of the two. I started this business because I wanted a "Big Green Egg," or BGE for short, and since they are only sold in certain stores, I finally found one and went to look at it. What surprised me about the price was that you didn't get any extras and everything was extra. I believe you will receive the ceramic body as well as the grill. After that, I began my research and came across Kamado Joe. As luck would have it, our local Costco was hosting a KJ road show, so I jumped in the car and drove over. The quality of the ceramic as well as the amount of extras that came with it astounded me. Side shelves, the "nest," as the base is referred to, and the neatest grill system I've ever seen. The grill has been cut in half, and the rack on which it sits allows you to adjust the height of the grill. It also includes the heat deflector, which is referred to as the "platesetter" in the BGE. In addition, the Big Joe includes a ceramic divider to divide the firebox. Of course, I purchased it, brought it home, and assembled it. It's a hefty package. My poor Holland grill now sits idle, despite the fact that I use it almost every day. It gets quite hot, but it does a fantastic job on homemade pizza. I needed a second rack to sit above the factory one, so I bought a regular round grill and made legs out of large U bolts. That's where I set my pizza stone, and it's perfect. If you're interested in the BGE, the Kamado Joe is a good option. It's the same warranty, but it's a better deal. br>If you found my review helpful, please click the yes button below!.

Denise Charles

| Jan 27, 2021

So far, we are very pleased with the grill. The ceramic inserts, on the other hand, came out of the package with chipped edges. I would expect any damaged parts to be replaced on a product this expensive. br>The same day we received the grill, I sent photos of the damaged parts to Kamado Joe. For weeks, we've gone unnoticed. br>As a result, I am unable to recommend this brand; instead, I would advise prospective buyers to choose the green competitor. br>The performance of the green egg appears to be comparable for roughly the same price, suggesting that they may have an advantage if they don't ignore their customers. br>Thank you, Kamado Joe customer service, for nothing!.

Jessie McKee

| May 31, 2021

I've had my Big Green Egg for five years and use it at least once a week. The issue was that it was only a medium size, and I required something larger. br>br>At Costco, I had the opportunity to check out the Kamado Joe and was very impressed. They took everything that was good about the BGE and improved on it. The fixtures are of the highest quality. Upgrades have been made to the interior system. The hinge has been improved. The nest has grown in strength. That sort of thing. However, they did not ruin anything about the Egg's greatness - That is crucial. br>br>I ended up purchasing from Amazon because having it delivered to my home and taking advantage of Amazon's free assembly was worth foregoing $200 in Costco savings. br>br>With a Big Green Egg, you can't go wrong. However, I believe you can do a little better with the Kamado Joe. There's no need to upgrade if you're happy with your current Egg. However, if this is your first time or you need a replacement, I strongly advise you to go with the Joe. br>br>UPDATED AFTER TWO SEASSONS. I'm equally pleased with Joe. br>br> There have been no issues, and there has been no rust (as opposed to my Big Green Egg). Even so, I strongly advise it.

Javier Pruitt

| Feb 09, 2021

Wow, I had no idea how powerful charcoal could be. What a difference 15 years of Weber propane has made. It's very simple to put together right out of the box. Fire stone pizza, beer can chicken, and smash burgers have all been consumed in less than two days. He hasn't had much time to relax. My beloved Weber is being passed down. Once you understand how the airflow works, it's very easy to use. There are a plethora of videos on YouTube to get you started. I'd never heard of Kamado Joe before, but as soon as I saw the Green one, it stood out. My only wish is that the casters were a little bigger to make rolling a little easier. For years of use, it's built like a tank. Return to the kitchen now!.

Rafael Giles

| Jun 11, 2021