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The Kamado Joe may be one of the best ways to elevate your backyard cook out to the next level , but is it worth its cost ? After using the Kamado Joe regularly for a year , I institute through my examination that it largely live up to its toll . For one , the ceramic grill excels at handling such standard backyard barbecue fare as steak and burgers . In add-on , it permit menage cook to expound their grill horizons with the ability to wangle in ways they simply ca n’t with a traditional charcoal grill , such as smoking a brisket or baking a pizza . TheKamado Joeis a great option for those who are serious about up their broil game and who do n’t heed springing for the premium cost that come with it .
Kamado Joe Classic Joe Grill – Series II: At a Glance
Rating:9.2/10
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What is the Kamado Joe Series II?
Like most kamado grills , theKamado Joeconsists of a thick ( and very gravid ) oblong ceramic cook box that feature a grapple - style palpebra . The James Cook box sits in a wrought - atomic number 26 stand with gravid casters that make it possible to roll up the grille around a deck or patio . It use hardwood charcoal for fuel .
While the Kamado Joe might resemble a classic kettle charcoal grill , its twist is quite different . The acorn - shaped cook box is made from 1.25 - inch - thick ceramic as opposed to thin porcelain - coat sword sheet metal . In addition to piss the grill quite heavy , this design allows it to retain heat much better than traditional oxford gray kettle grill .
As a result , the Kamado Joe is tremendously various . enter the lid and the low-spirited vent and it routine as a stock grill for searing steak and burgers at temperature that approach 750 level Fahrenheit . Add a pizza stone add-on to it and you’re able to use the Joe to make Sir Henry Wood - fired pizza pie .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Smoke meat at low temperatures with a few allowance . put the included ceramic plates over the hot coals to make indirect heat and shut the lid and you could fume brisket , porc fag , or ribs for minute on a single load of charcoal . When slow - cooking on the single charcoal load , temperatures linger around 225 grade Fahrenheit .
How easy is it to set up the Kamado Joe?
commit this kamado grillroom together is n’t complicated , but you will need an additional set of custody to get the problem done as the ceramic Captain Cook box alone tips the scale at more than 150 Irish pound . Since the frame-up unconscious process involves purloin the ceramic grill soundbox and setting it into its wrought - smoothing iron metal base , there ’s really no way to set up this affair by yourself . You ’ll either need to get aid from a brawny supporter with a strong back or pay extra for expert assembly .
After the ceramic Captain James Cook box is firmly in the base , which sits on top of four hardy caster , it ’s moderately well-fixed to roll over a liquid open such as a terrace or deck . The sleep of the assembly , which includes set up the ceramic plates that line the inside and adding the cooking grates , is fairly simple .
How easy is it to cook with the Kamado Joe?
As with any other grillwork , it takes clip to study how to fake with the Kamado Joe Series II . Figuring out what type of charcoal to use , how much to sum up to the cook box seat , how to arrange the preparation grate , and how to adjust the vents to control the temperature is cardinal to attain good results .
Kamado Joealso offers a broad grasp of accessories to use for smoke meat , grilling steaks , and baking pizza . While this gives the Joe fantastic versatility and allows you to be more originative with outdoor cookery than with a standard charcoal grill , hear how to be successful with these different cookery types learn pattern and some test and error . Be prepared to suffer a few kamado - grill failures along the fashion while see out how to ready with it . For example , you’re able to make a wood - provoke , brick - oven - trend pizza on the Joe , but it ’s very easy to burn the crust before the top cooks if you do n’t get laid how to exert the correct intimate temperature .
I loved the fact that the Kamado Joe is subject of get hold of glaring - red-hot temperatures . Searing a courteous crust and grill mark on steaks and burgers is very comfortable with the Kamado Joe . Getting the Joe to cook at lower temperature takes more practice and accomplishment , but once I figured out how to use the ceramic plates to create collateral heat and the vents to master temperature , I was able to use the Joe to make toothsome smoke ribs and pork bottom without too much difficulty .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
The Kamado Joe is specify when it comes to cooking space . The Joe ’s grating is 18 inch in diameter , which amounts to just 250 straightforward inches of total cooking surface ; this is tight for a received grill and very special for a smoker . While you’re able to double the smoking surface country by buy a 2nd level for the survive grating , you ’re still limited by the grillroom ’s diameter .
Is the Kamado Joe Series II well designed?
There are several design feature I like about the Joe and a few I opine could be amend upon . check the vents and clamshell lid are key with a kamado grill , and the Joe does well with both . The palpebra uses its Air Lift flexible joint , which serves as a power help to easily open and exit the heavy lid . There are large vents on both the cook box and the lid , which volunteer lot of adjustability for control airflow . I also love the enceinte thermometer on the lid that makes it easy to monitor the interior temperature .
Fold - out side tables add useful homework and bring down space for nutrient blend on and derive off the grillroom . to boot , theKamado Joedoes some cool down things with the cooking grate : you’re able to set the preparation grating to unlike stature , which give you more control over how close your solid food is to the spicy coals .
you’re able to also set the two halves of the rotary grate to dissimilar heights , which is a great option for create two estrus zone when cooking different type of nutrient at the same time .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Cleaning a charcoal gray grillroom is a pain in the neck , and it ’s no different with the Kamado Joe . The removable ash box at the lower vent help with cleanup spot ; however , there ’s still a fair amount of mess left inside the grille . Some of the ash falls around the border of the box and some quell in the ceramic boiler itself , forcing one to broom it out or use a shop class vac to really get it clean .
At just over 230 quid , the Joe is fleshy , which could make rolling it around a scary experience . Luckily , the Kamado Joe nucleotide is quite sturdy , thanks to its wrought - smoothing iron construction and large casters , two of which are lockable . I did n’t find it unmanageable to revolve the Joe into and out of position on my patio , nor did I feel like it was in risk of toppling over while in passage .
Is the Kamado Joe worth the money?
Kamado grills are the most expensive type out there , and the Kamado Joe Series II is no exception . At around $ 1,300 , it ’s quite an investment funds . That tell , there is quite a set of note value built into the price . Traditional oxford gray grill simply wo n’t give you the ability to misrepresent in as many ways as a kamado grillwork does .
The Joe ’s ability to cook for many hours at temperature as low as 225 degrees Fahrenheit and strive searing - hot temperatures of 750 degrees Fahrenheit supply alone versatility in a single outdoor grill . It can function as a smoking carriage , pizza oven , and standard barbecue grill all in one .
The Joe will also long outlast standard charcoal gray grills . With its ceramic mental synthesis , it ’s basically rustproof . As such , owners of a Kamado Joe can truly expect it to last for a lifetime if they maintain it the right way , build it a little easier to swallow the eminent price rag .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Should you buy a Kamado Joe?
Whether it make sense to spring for the Kamado Joe really depends on one ’s grilling and outside cooking habits . Those who grill on a regular basis , like to experiment with grill a variety of different food for thought , and prefer the flavor of charcoal over the convenience of gas likely will find the Kamado Joe is suitable of its mellow price shred . The Joe is essentially a oxford grey grillroom , smoking carriage , and wood - fired ceramic oven all in one . And since theKamado Joewill still be standing long after a brand grillroom has eat away , buyers can bear to get their money ’s deserving .
That said , the Joe does n’t make sentience for everyone . Those whose grille sit down unwarranted most of the year , or those who employ their grill only to wangle received grille menu such as steak , hot dogs , and beefburger , probably wo n’t want to splurge for the Kamado Joe . There are plenty of other good- quality grills out there that will carry out these basic grilling pauperism at a much more low-priced monetary value .
Where to Buy the Kamado Joe Series II
Meet the Tester
Tony Carrick is a freelancer writer specializing in home improvement , landscaping , technology , home security , and blueprint . His article have been boast on such site as Popular Mechanics , Futurism , Field & Stream , 360 Reviews by U.S. News & World Report , Domino , and more . Carrick has conducted rigorous production testing on everything from powerfulness tools to abode security systems to backyard grills . With each review , his goal is to help readers ascertain whether a product meets their pauperism and if it is or is n’t deserving its price ticket .
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