Kamado Joe Big Joe Series III 24-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill and Smoker, Red Review (2026)

Who the Big Joe III is for

This is a grill for people who regularly cook for a crowd, since the 24 inch cooking surface and roughly 450 square inches of grate space can hold a whole packer brisket or multiple pork butts at once, something smaller kamados simply cannot fit. Kamado Joe positions the Series III as the flagship in its lineup, built around the same ceramic shell construction the brand is known for, which locks in heat and moisture far better than a steel smoker of similar size. It suits a household with a dedicated outdoor cooking area more than an apartment patio or anyone who might need to move the grill around frequently, given its size and weight.

Airflow, heat range, and construction

Kamado Joe's own specifications list a heat range of 225 to 750 degrees Fahrenheit, covering everything from an overnight low and slow smoke to a hot sear, controlled through the Kontrol Tower top vent and a bottom damper working together. The Series III airflow system is designed to hold a set temperature with minimal adjustment once dialed in, which is a big part of the appeal for long cooks that would otherwise need frequent monitoring. The shell is a thick walled, heat resistant ceramic, paired with a powder coated steel cart on locking wheels, stainless steel charcoal basket and grates, and a double thick fiberglass gasket that helps the dome seal tightly against heat loss.

Living with a grill this size

The single biggest adjustment for a new owner is simply the size and weight, with Kamado Joe listing the grill at over 400 pounds even before factoring in charcoal and food, so this is not a grill anyone repositions casually once it arrives. A permanent spot on a patio or deck rated for that load is worth planning before delivery. The larger firebox that makes big cooks possible also means it burns through more charcoal than a smaller Classic Joe when cooking a modest weeknight meal, so owners doing small everyday cooks may find the Big Joe less charcoal efficient than a compact kamado for that specific job.

How it compares with other kamados

Against Kamado Joe's own Classic Joe Series III, an 18 inch model, the Big Joe trades some portability and charcoal efficiency for roughly double the usable cooking area, which matters directly for anyone regularly cooking for large groups. Compared with Char-Griller's AKORN line, a noticeably lower priced steel bodied kamado, the Big Joe's ceramic shell offers meaningfully better heat retention and build quality, reflected in the price gap between the two. Buyers who rarely cook in bulk and want kamado style cooking mainly for weeknight meals are usually better served by a smaller model, ceramic or steel, than by the Big Joe's capacity.

Verdict and who should size down

For anyone who regularly hosts and needs to cook large cuts of meat or multiple dishes at once, the Big Joe III earns our score of 9.1 out of 10 on the strength of its cooking capacity, heat retention, and airflow control. It is a serious, long term investment in outdoor cooking rather than a casual weeknight grill. Buyers with limited patio space, anyone who might need to move the grill in the future, or households that mostly cook smaller weeknight meals should look at the 18 inch Classic Joe or a similarly sized kamado instead, since the extra capacity here comes with real weight and charcoal tradeoffs.

Frequently asked questions