Kamado Joe · Premium
Kamado Joe Big Joe II review
24-inch grate for whole briskets, multiple pork shoulders, and party-size cooks.
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Kamado Joe Big Joe II
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The short version
The Big Joe II is the Classic II scaled up to 24 inches. It's the model you buy when "feed the whole party" or "two whole briskets at once" is a real recurring need, not a once-a-year fantasy. The cooking experience is the same — patient, forgiving, and remarkably stable — with roughly 75% more surface area to work with.
What you actually gain at 24"
Two whole pork shoulders side by side without crowding. A full 14-pound packer brisket laid flat instead of folded. Six racks of ribs with airflow between them. If you cook for crowds, the difference vs the 18-inch Classic is enormous.
Build & daily use
Same ceramic recipe as the Classic II, same Air Lift hinge, same cast-iron top vent. The cart is wider with the same locking-wheel story. Charcoal usage scales with the cooking chamber — plan on noticeably more lump per cook, though efficiency per pound of food stays excellent.
Pros
- Truly party-sized cooking surface.
- Inherits every Classic II strength.
- Divide & Conquer rack scales beautifully at this size.
Cons
- Big, heavy, hard to move once installed — plan the spot first.
- Overkill for a household of four.
- Lump charcoal cost per cook is noticeably higher.
Who should buy it
Anyone who regularly cooks for 8+ people, runs a catering side hustle, or just hates running two cooks back-to-back. If that's not you, the Classic II is the smarter purchase.
FAQ
Big Joe II or Big Joe III? Same logic as Classic II vs III — the III gets the SlōRoller. Worth it only if low-and-slow dominates your cooking.
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