Icon Grills Vs Kamado Joe
Icon Grills and Kamado Joe are two incredibly well-known names in the kamado grills market that cater to all your char-grilling and cooking needs. Still, looking for the right kind of Kamados can take some effort and time. This is why we will get straight to the crux of the matter to help you make an informed choice in the battle of Icon Grills vs. Kamado Joe. This comprehensive guide enlightens our viewers on the history of Icon Grills and Kamado Joe and the ultimate features they behold.
What Size & Weight Are Kamado Joe Grills
The Big Joe range, as the name suggests, is the brands heftiest grill. The width of the firebox is 24, and when the grill is fully assembled with its side shelves out, this goes up to around 58 inches. Big Joe is hefty guy: the Big Joe I models weighs in at 352 pounds, and is definitely not the one to pack for a picnic.
The Classic series vital statistics are 18 inches and 47 inches when fully opened up. The different models have a different number of shelves, which affects their weight however, to give you an idea, the mid-range Classic II weighs 232 pounds.
The baby Joe Junior has a 13.5 inch firebox and no side shelves . It weighs 68 pounds, which makes it pretty heavy for a baby, but it is still lighter than its older siblings.
Do These Grills Come With A Warranty
Yes, Kamado Joe grills have a warranty. Like most outdoor cooking warranties, different components have different levels of cover. With these, youre looking at five years for metal parts and a limited lifetime warranty on the ceramic parts.
Then, there are separate warranties for thermometers, pizza stones, and so on. Take a look at the warranty page on Kamado Joes website for further details.
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Why Would You Need The Serial Number For A Kamado Joe
If you ever need to file a warranty claim for your Kamado Joe, the customer service rep will most likely ask for the serial number.
They will then compare this to the serial number they have on file when you registered your Kamado Joe. The serial number might also come in handy if your Kamado Joe is ever stolen.
Where To Find Kamado Joes Serial Number
A lot of Kamado Joes have the serial number stamped under the lid, or on the backside of the vent.
Though not all models have the serial number on them. Thats why Kamado Joe always puts the serial number for each model in each owners manual.
The serial number matters most for registering your Kamado Joe to activate the warranty coverage.
It can also play an important role later if you need to make a warranty claim inside the coverage window.
Kamado Joe, also notes the original purchaser and keeps you on file, as their warranty coverage does not transfer should you sell the grill to a second party.
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What Are The Best Kamado Grills
Kamado grills can be a big investment, so there are a few things you should consider when looking for your next grill. We looked at the following criteria when compiling our list of the best kamado grills on the market.
Material: Ceramic is the gold standard of kamado grills for a reason, thanks to its durability and heat retention for both high-temp and low-temp cooking. One downside to having those thick walls can be weight, so youll have to find a place you really want to park it for the season . Steel models tend to be lighter and less expensive, but are more prone to weather damage and corrosion.
Size: Most upright kamado grills make great cooking solutions for small backyard spaces and patios, but that also means less surface area to actually grill on. The size of the grill refers to the diameter of the cooking space, so if you want to be able to have enough space to whip up burgers for an entire pool party, or smoke a whole pork shoulder, youre going to want an 18-24 inch grill .
Accessories: Some grill brands will provide add-on accessories like expanding side tables, a larger grill grate, electric thermometer, etc. Most of the time you can buy the basic grill body and then add on all the other perks to create your ultimate grill, but watch out for hidden costs.
Best Small Kamado Grill Char
This little smoker addresses two issues commonly encountered by owners of kamado grills.
Affordability and mobility.
This Akorn Jr. is very competitively priced. Granted, it is teeny, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.
If you have limited space, tend to move around a bit, or want to take your kamado camping with you, then this is the best portable kamado grill.
This unit is made by Char-Griller as well, just like the Akorn we reviewed above. Similarly, it is a basic model and the manufacturers aim to produce products that are sturdy and reliable while remaining affordable.
This unit is made of durable steel. This is important because if you plan on taking this little kamado on the road with you, there is a chance it could be dropped.
As we mentioned, this is a small grill. It has a 14 diameter grate, stands 25 tall and 21 wide. Therefore, if you are planning on cooking for a crowd, or want to use the two-zone cooking method, this is not the grill for you.
The Akorn Jr is the perfect size if you want to cook for two.
Despite its size, however, the unit still has two vents for great temperature control and triple wall insulation to retain heat. This means that this little grill can still cook at temperatures ranging from 200-700°F, just like the big boys.
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The steel construction means you dont need to fret if it takes a couple of hits when you take it along on your adventures.
Get the latest price on Amazon.
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Best Overall Kamado Grill Kamado Joe Classic Ii 18 Charcoal Grill
Kamado Joe have made a name for themselves as makers of innovative, high quality kamado grills.
Even though the kamado grill concept has been around for thousands of years, this company is still focused is on innovation and improvement.
For that reason, even some Big Green Egg fans have been won over by Kamado Joe
The Kamado Joe Classic II 18 Kamado features some nice innovations including the airlift hinge which reduces the weight of the dome by around 96%.
The Classic II also offers a redesigned double thick wire mesh fiberglass gasket and six piece firebox design.
Kamado Joe has since released the newer Classic III which does include a few nice innovations like the SlowRoller hyperbolic insert to improve heat and smoke distribution. Check out our Kamado Joe II Vs III guide for a full breakdown.
If you like to have the latest version at any cost its definitely a better product, but with quite a large hike in price, we think the Classic II is probably better value for most people.
The Kamado Joe Classic also features a multilevel divide and conquer cooking system, which allows you to cook different foods on different surfaces. Not only does this make the unit more versatile, it also doubles the cooking area.
How does it work you ask? Instead of the normal full grill rack, you get two half racks at different levels.
This gives you different heat zones and lets you cook different food at different temperatures at the same time.
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What To Look For When Buying A Kamado Grill
When you are making a big purchase such as a kamado grill, not only should you be looking at build quality, but you should also be clear on what your needs and preferences are.
We have listed some things to think about and look out for if you are on the hunt for a kamado grill.
Size
How many people do you plan to cook for? If you cook for 6-10 people regularly, or you want to utilize the two-zone cooking method, you should be aiming for a large size kamado to meet your needs.
Accessories: If you like to get creative with your cooking, then a model that offers more accessories is what you are after. These accessories might cost a bit more, but they will allow you to cook a wider variety of dishes.
Warranty
Dont get caught up looking at features and forget to ask about the warranty. Some brands will offer a lifetime warranty on these grills. Make sure you ask the question, as kamados really should last you a lifetime.
Ash Trays
As we have mentioned earlier in this article, ash buildup can be an issue in kamado grills. Checking out where the ash goes, and how easy it is to clean out is an important step. It will make you life a lot easier in the long run.
Design Features
Construction Material
Most kamados are made of ceramic with a porcelain glaze, but more recently there have been offerings in steel as well. This may be worth some consideration, as steel units wont crack if dropped, and can be a little lighter than their more traditional counterparts.
Ash Grates
Top Vents
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Weber Summit Kamado Charcoal Grill
The Weber Summit Kamado Charcoal Grill is a great Kamado Style Grill that has a lighter weight than your usual Kamado grill. The 24 grill grate gives you 452 square inches of cooking space, but weighs only 100 lbs! Its low weight is largely due to its construction material, made of porcelain-enamelled steel instead of ceramic like most Kamado Grills. But have no fear, though the steel models are known to retain less heat, this double-walled design gives it the same excellent heat retention you would see in any ceramic body.
The adjustable coal grate lets you choose between high and direct searing or low and slow cooking. Another bonus is the propane-powered igniter that makes lighting this unit a breeze, saving you time fooling around with chimney starters or starter cubes. This Kamado Grill is in the same price range as the well-known Big Green Egg but may offer more versatility in terms of cooking options.
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Vision Grill Vs Kamado Joe: Which Is The Best Kamado Grill
One reason why people love Kamado grills so much is because people love wood-fired cooking. For some reason, the food tastes authentic and pure. Kamados can handle any backyard grilling task that you throw at it. Plus, if youre used to cooking with a grill, the Kamado grill can make things easier.
Theyre usually made from ceramics and they can retain heat with increasing efficiency. You really only need a small amount of fuel to cook, and it goes a long way. Also, you can fire up the Kamado grills and they can become very hot. The kind where you can cook Neapolitan pizza or grill any steak.
There are different Kamado Grills you can work with. But if youre looking for something truly off the top, you might want to give Vision grill or Kamado Joe a try. They are going to add value to your kitchen and backyard. Not to mention your food will turn out to be amazing.
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Features Face To Face
For the purposes of comparing the two brands, weve chosen two grills of a similar size and with similar functions, in this case, the Big Green Egg Large and Kamado Joe Classic III.
Well be comparing their warranty, build quality, the accessories they come with, and the customer support and community engagement associated with each brand.
Kamado Joe Company Overview Support And Warranty
The Kamado Joe company was conceived and founded by a couple of guys who felt something lacking in their own grills. Its a nice backstory for a startup thats made a name for itself in a niche area of grilling that was previously dominated by a single name Big Green Egg.
Theyve come a long way and have proven themselves to be innovators dedicated to building quality products.
Theres a good selection of FAQs on the Kamado Joe website should you run into trouble. They also provide tips and guides for operation, and there are over 450 videos on their YouTube channel.
You wont be able to call KJ, but they have a highly detailed contact form on the website. You can even attach photos to help explain your issue.
They have a strong presence on social media, too, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Theyre a great place to find real-world answers to your burning questions. And, why not join one of the many unofficial groups too?
You got to love a company that stands behind their workmanship every Kamado Joe grill comes with a lifetime warranty against defects on all the ceramic parts, five years on metal parts, three years on the heat deflector, and one year on the gaskets and thermometer.
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How Often To Clean A Kamado Grill
A valid question that comes to every grill owners mind is that how often to clean a kamado grill, do you clean it after every grill session or do you clean it once a month.
Well, the answer depends on how thoroughly you want to clean your kamado grill.
If you just clean it using a brush and a dry cloth then you can do it after every grill session.
The deep cleaning depends on how often you use your kamado grill. If you grill a lot then once two weeks or if you rarely grill on your Kamado Joe then maybe once a month.
If I grill every day on Kamado Joe then I would deep clean once every week or every other week but since I do not cook on it often, I go for once a month.
Step 1. You can do the pyrolyzing technique to get rid of the food residuals from the SloRoller. So fire up the grill and let it heat up with the SLoRoller inside it.
Step 2. Then let the grill cool down and take the SloRoller out.
Step 3. Simply brush away the residuals, and you are good to go. Do not use soap, and there is no need to get rid of the grease.
The grease will condition the SloRoller and make it more durable after using the grease on it.
How To Clean The Grill Grates Of Kamado Grill
Many people would recommend inserting the grill inside the Kamado grill while pyrolyzing so that the residue on the grill can burn off on its own.
And I recommend doing the same, but I always clean the grill grates with a little bit of water, and if there is something sticky stuck to them, I soak them in warm water and clean them.
This is not something I always do, but it does help at times.
You can then dry the grates and insert them inside the Kamado grill for the pyrolyzing process.
It is the best way to clean grill grates of a Kamado grill, and I find it super helpful.
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Are Ceramic Kamado Grills Best
Kamado grills started out as ceramic cooking environments, and today, ceramic is still the best way to go! Ceramic bodies offer thick walls with amazing insulation that can hold variable temperatures from 200F all the way to 700F or higher. These versatile grills are great for grilling, searing, and smoking.
Overview And Core Features
Starting with the basics, the Joe Jr. Is a portable ceramic kamado grill. It runs on charcoal, and you can use it for both grilling and smoking food.
As Ive already mentioned, its a small grill the cooking grate measures 13.5 in diameter, providing 148 square inches of cooking space. To put that size in perspective, many standard gas grills have upper warming racks bigger than that.
For such a small grill, the Kamado Joe Junior has a wide temperature range. You can smoke low and slow at 225F, or you can crank it up to a screaming 750 °F for an epic sear in just minutes.
Now, dont get me wrong on its size this is meant to be a portable grill. At under 20 across and about two feet tall without the stand, the Joe Jr. Is easy to stow and go. Fair warning, though: it weighs 68 pounds empty, so you might want a hand loading and unloading. Its a 2-person job for sure.
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Firing Up Your Kamado
Is The Serial Number Important For Kamado Joes
Its important to know your serial number as Kamado Joe asks that you register your grill shortly after purchasing.
This includes entering the serial number so they can note the original purchaser in their records, to keep you on file for warranty claims.
If you do more than 45 days without registering your Kamado Joe, and you need to file a warranty claim in the next five years, you will need to provide them with an accurate serial number.
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