What Are The Standout Features Of The Kamado Joe Iii
To make things as simple as possible, here are some of the most exciting and innovative features of the new Kamado Joe III line:
- The Slroller Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber makes the III range a far more effective smoker than the II was.
- All the same build quality and standout features of the II line are still there and still excellent.
- The new 3-tier Divide & Conquer cooking system, combined with the new stainless steel charcoal basket, make it easier than ever to cook at different temperatures inside your kamado grill.
- The elongated shape means the Classic III and Big Joe III now have a lot more cooking space.
- The cart and side shelves have been upgraded to be more durable and more corrosion and heat resistant than those found on the II range.
Kamado Joe Classic Iii 18 Inch Charcoal Grill
The Kamado Joe® Classic III includes our newest innovation, the revolutionary SlRoller, Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber insert. Harnessing the power of cyclonic airflow technology to control heat and smoke, the SlRoller insert is designed to perfect the taste and texture of food on low-and-slow cooks up to 500°F, and is easily swapped out for heat deflector plates when searing or grilling at higher temperatures. As with its predecessor, the Classic II, it also features a thick-walled, heat-resistant shell that locks in smoke and moisture at any temperature.
Kamado Joe Classic III Package includes:
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Premium 18 Ceramic Grill
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Heavy-Duty Galvanized Steel Rolling Cart
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Patent pending SlRoller Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber
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3-Tier Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System
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Patent pending Kontrol Tower Top Vent
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Advanced Multi-Panel FireBox
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304 Stainless Steel Cooking Grates
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Wire Mesh Fiberglass Gasket
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Finished Folding Aluminum Side Shelves/Handle
Overall Performance And Functions
The first question most people ask before buying a grill is about the overall performance. This is because no extra fancy features can make up for poor performance. When it comes to the overall grilling experience, the Kamado Joe Classic III does not disappoint.
Kamado Joe grills are popular for their heat retention due to the thick and well-built ceramic walls. The Kamado Joe Classic III is no different, containing radiant heat better than any other grill we have reviewed. Moreover, you do not have to constantly check and control the temperature because the SlÅRoller hyperbolic smoke chamber distributes heat and smoke evenly, keeping a steady temperature, without letting any heat go to waste.
The convection airflow enables the meat to cook evenly throughout and allows long and steady cooking while maintaining the juicy texture. The Kamado Joe Classic III allows you to cook perfectly tender, juicy, and smoky barbeque, without adding charcoal for the smoky flavor!
When it comes to fuel usage, a fully loaded charcoal basket is enough for a whole day of grilling burgers and steaks! The patented design allows all kinds of grilling. The open vents are perfect for making even uncommon foods for grills, such as a pizza, which is perfectly cooked at the bottom, with a layer of melted cheese on top!
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So Is The Joe Iii Worth The Extra Money
The answer to this boils down to, if the features weve listed above sound like they are going to make cooking with the Kamado Joe III easier and more fun, then yes, its worth every penny.
However, if none of the innovations above sound like they will make much difference, the Classic II and the Big Joe II are still excellent grills, and you wont be missing out on anything by choosing one over the III line.
Important Info For Freight Orders
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What to Expect with Freight Orders
Please visit our Shipping & Delivery page for more information on normal and freight order purchases.
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What We Dont Like
After a few uses, the top vent Kontrol Towers paint started to peel off, revealing the metal underneath. It also gunks up occasionally, making it hard to turn and adjust until the grill is heated, freeing it up once more.
The Kontrol Tower is made of aluminum, so it will not corrode if exposed, but I would hope for better in such a high end grill. I have seen many people get warranty replacements, so hopefully by the time you read this its been improved upon.
One of this grills best features can also be a hindrance: The thick ceramic walls soak up heat and keep temperatures rock-solid stable. This is great for dependable, predictable cooking. However, if you overshoot a temperature, or cook on high heat before wanting to cook at a lower heat, its hard to drop the temperature and can take a long time.
Finally, the price is high compared to many other ceramic kamado cookers. However, you get what you pay for, and this grill is high-end, oozing quality, and packed with features.
Ribs Chicken Pieces Rolled Lamb Leg Even Cold Smoked Bacon
Finally, you can see Ive cooked ribs, chicken pieces, a rolled lamb leg, and even used the KJ Big Joe III to cold smoke 5 large pork bellies after curing them for bacon.
I hope this little lot above which is just a small portion of what Ive cooked on this grill over the years goes to show you how versatile and just how good this thing cooks!
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Slroller Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber Insert
Probably the most significant addition to the Kamado Joe III line is the SlRoller Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber Insert.
This takes the place of the old heat deflector used in the Classic II
Unfortunately, SlRoller Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber Insert is a bit of a mouthful and doesnt really tell you much about what it does.
The SlRoller helps circulate heat and smoke in a way that mimics a more traditional smoker. This means that if youre looking for a kamado grill that works for both grill and smoking, you should get better results from the III line than you would with a II.
Im not 100% convinced the extra cost is worth it though. The II with the heat deflector still making an excellent smoker.
One thing to note is that smoking with the SlRoller system requires you to keep the temperature below 500°F to avoid stripping the Teflon coating from the cast aluminum insert.
Kontrol Tower Top Vent
The control tower top vent is a double-edged sword. It solved some problems seen on many other kamado-style cooker vents, but has introduced a couple of issues of its own.
Compared to other style vents, it prevents water from getting inside the grill. And it solved the issue of older, wheel-style top vents moving position when you opened and closed the grill lid.
However, it does have a tendency to gunk up, clog, and become hard to move after a few cooks. So you need to keep on top of cleaning it. But then, sadly, after just a few cleans the paint peels and makes it look less attractive. Luckily, most flaking on the inside and happens through cleaning.
Overall, the design and idea behind it is great, and it works well. But I feel Kamado Joe needs to find a better, higher heat paint for it or provide a stainless steel version that doesnt need painting.
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Competition: A Class Of Its Own
Kamado Joe Classic II Grill: The Kamado Joe Classic II Grill has a two-tiered Divide and Conquer Cooking System, which in comparison to the three-tiered one in the Classic III, amounts to a lesser cooking area. The Classic III with its SlRoller is built for better smoking in addition to grilling. Although the SlRoller accessory can be purchased separately for a Classic II, the smoke distribution may not be as efficient. The Classic III has a deeper base and more elongated shape compared to the Classic II. This creates a higher clearance above the charcoal for accessories like the SlRoller and Joetisserie. The Classic III also has an updated heavy-duty cart and stainless-steel charcoal basket with a divider for dual-zone cooking.
For smoking as well as grilling and to feed a larger crowd, the Kamado Joe Classic III Grill outperforms the Kamado Joe Classic II Grill, but for a smaller family or gathering, the Classic II Grill will work just as well. It also retails for slightly less at around $1,299.
An airlifted mesmerized yes.
Whats New With The Kamado Joe Iii
As usual, Kamado Joe continues to innovate. The company that brought you the Divide and Conquer flexible cooking system, the JoeTisserie rotisserie, the pizza DoJoe, the safer air-lift hinge, the temperature controlling iKamand, a wide variety of easy to use cooking inserts, and so many more new products, has now introduced the SloRoller Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber
Wait, what?
The SloRoller Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber is a bit of a mouthful so lets just call it the SloRoller.
OK, so what is it?
The SloRoller is the first of its kind, the revolutionary SlRoller leverages patented, Harvard science that transforms a Kamado Joe® into one of the worlds most optimal smokers.
Blah, blah, blah. So what does that mean?
Kamado Joe says the benefit of the SloRoller is by distributing smoke and heat in rolling, recirculating waves, the SlRoller surrounds food in clouds of delicious smoke while evenly distributing heatresulting in enhanced flavor and significantly reduced hot spots.
The SloRoller is ideal for low and slow bbq cooking think Franklin Barbeque, Big Bob Gibson, or your own backyard.
Lets learn more about the SloRoller
Pretty cool, huh?
Im down for fewer hot spots and better flavor, how about you?
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Benefits Of Kamado Joe Grills
Divide & Conquer Cooking System – This system is designed to let you cook as many ways as possible with ease. The Divide & Conquer Cooking System features a flexible cooking rack, halved cooking grates, halved heat deflectors, and an accessory rack. Mix and match to effortlessly change your cooking environment.
Air Lift Hinge – Since ceramic is more fragile by nature, this hinge helps to decrease the chance of cracking. It reduces the dome weight, preventing the kamado lid from slamming shut and breaking.
Slide-Out Ash Drawer – During a cook, the ash will collect in the ash drawer. When youre finished cooking, all you have to do is slide the drawer out, remove the pan, and dump the ash.
Wire Mesh Gasket – This is the best gasket you can get for a kamado because it offers an air-tight seal. Its much easier to replace than other gaskets on the market, too!
Cast Aluminum Kontrol Tower Top – Not only is aluminum rust proof, but this cap can be adjusted to multiple positions to allow airflow & adjust the temperature on the inside. It also prevents rain from entering the grill when not in use.
Setup Process: Mostly Tool
Due to the weight of the grill, there was no way I could lift that big, beautiful egg-shaped thing by myselfnot even after I gave it the widest possible hug. So, I called a neighbor to help. Since we could only use the open bottom face and front lower vent opening as lifting points, we used furniture moving straps to take it up a few steps into the house and then a few steps down into the backyard and placed it on its cart facing forward. It wasnt the smoothest of operations, but it was manageable. The rest of the setup was easy. After opening the dome, I placed the slide-out ash drawer in the bottom of the grill and aligned it with the lower vent. Building the firebox inside the grill was simple. The pieces leaned against the inner walls of the grill, and then I just pulled them in to fit under the stainless steel ring, one by one.
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Aluminum Side Tables / Prep Areas
Like most of KJs products, the Big Joe III has folding shelves that provide you with prepping areas / beverage resters for when youve gotta flip some meat.Compared to previous models, the shelves are made with aluminum rather than marine-grade plastic.
This is a good and needed upgrade because many people including myself would unintentionally melt the old ones by placing a hot pan or hot tools down on them.
So far, so good with the new design tables on my Big Joe III, theres not a melt in sight! So this upgrade is a definite win.
Kamado Joe Classic Iii Package Includes:
- Premium 18 Ceramic Grill
- Heavy-Duty Galvanized Steel Rolling Cart
- Patent pending SlRoller Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber
- 3-Tier Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System
- 304 Stainless Steel Cooking Grates
- 304 Stainless Steel Charcoal Basket
- Set of Half Moon Heat Deflectors
- Air Lift Hinge – significantly reduces dome weight – so you can lift it with a finger
- Patent pending Kontrol Tower Top Vent
- Advanced Multi-Panel FireBox
- Finished Folding Aluminum Side Shelves/Handle
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The Kamado Joe Classic Iii 18
The Classic III is the third generation of Kamado Joes ever-so-popular, innovative version of the traditional kamado grill. Built from the same thick-walled, high-fired ceramic shell as its predecessor, the Classic II, the Kamado Joe locks in heat, smoke and moisture to give your meal a full 360° treatment that you simply cant get from other types of barbecues.
Also unlike a lot of other barbecues, the Kamado Joe is as versatile as they come! On this one unit youll be able to grill, smoke, or bake almost anything you can think of. From ribs, Boston butt and brisket to roasted chicken, wood-fired pizza and desserts too, you could seriously use the Classic III in place of your kitchen if you wanted to.
As we mentioned above, Kamado Joe lead the industry in terms of innovation. So, if youre considering buying one of their top of the line Classic IIIs, lets take a look at what makes this brand stand out from the crowd.
So Which One Should I Get
When it comes right down to it, most pitmasters will be satisfied with the Classic II or, if they need a little extra cooking space, the Big Joe II.
However, if you are looking for peak performance, are interested in smoking as much as grilling in your Kamado, or just want the largest amount of cooking space possible, the innovations youll find on the Classic III and Big Joe III are really going to benefit you.
Want a third option? We have a detailed Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg comparison guide.
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Kamado Joe Kamado Grill Collections
Kamado Joe Classic II – This grill takes all the great features of the original Classic, and has new additions like the easy close lid and latch. These added features extend the life of the grill by preventing the ceramic from breaking or cracking.
Big Joe II – Do you often find yourself cooking for large parties? The Big Joe II would be perfect for you. While you can cook any food in a Kamado Joe Classic II, you only have enough room for everyday use. The Big Joe II was made with feeding large groups of people in mind!
Shipping & Return Policies
This product leaves our warehouse within 5-7 Business Days.
Due to a significant increase in demand for home products, we are currently experiencing longer hold times and slower email and chat response rates. It may take up to 24 business hours to respond to post order emails. We understand your frustration, and apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause. We are diligently working and hiring additional staff to improve our hold and response times.
30 Day AOK No Hassle Returns
Returns of all new, unused and un-assembled items in their original packaging, and well give you a full refund minus the cost of the original shipping & return shipping.
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Kamado Joe Classic Iii Review: Is Top Of The Line Worth It
Kamado Joe are the fastest growing brand in the world of kamado grills. And, just when we think it cant get any better, they do it again! Enter, the Kamado Joe Classic III. This is the top model in their Classic line-up. And, with the new SloRoller hyperbolic chamber, an updated cooking system and a super sturdy cart to boot, this kamado is optimized for smoking and grilling like no other!
In our Kamado Joe Classic III review, we dive into the features, stats, pros and cons as well as real-life feedback on how these premium kamados actually perform to help you decide if its right for you.
If youre just after a quick overview of how the Classic III compares to the Classic II, check out our Kamado Joe II vs III comparison.
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