Kamado Joe Big Joe III Review: Would Owners Buy It Again?
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this review was made: We did not test this grill in person. This verdict is based on our reading of expert reviews and owner reports, listed at the end. We found one four-year ownership report and one long-term-ish test, but no large independent durability study, so long-term evidence is thin. Our method.
Excellent cooker if you will use the capacity; a lot of grill if you will not
Reviewers report very stable temperatures (one held a low smoking temperature for about 14 hours), good fuel efficiency and a lid that is easy to lift thanks to the air-lift hinge. One owner reported no firebox cracking after roughly four years. Against that stand a premium price tag, a weight near 487 lb that needs several people to assemble and move, a top vent whose paint peels and which gums up, and small parts such as a latch and gaskets that some owners had to replace. Warranty cover is generous on ceramic but short on gaskets and thermometers. Premium-priced and well made, but best for people who cook for groups often.
Check current price on Amazon → Prices and availability change often, so we don't list them here.Buy it again if you…
- cook for large groups or batch-smoke several cuts at once
- want one cooker for smoking, searing, roasting and baking
- have a permanent spot outdoors and help for assembly
Skip it if you…
- want a grill that is light, portable or quick to heat for weeknight meals
- are on a tight budget or are new to charcoal and just want to try it
- have a small patio or need to move the grill often
The Big Joe III is Kamado Joe's large 24-inch ceramic charcoal cooker, sold here as a freestanding unit with a cart and side shelves. It adds a curved SloRoller insert, a three-tier divide-and-conquer rack system, an air-lift hinge and a wire mesh gasket.
It is premium-priced, so we weigh whether the extra capacity and control are worth it compared with cheaper charcoal grills. Hard long-term data is limited, and we say where.
What owners say, at a glance
Bars show our editorial summary of how consistently owners praise or complain about each area across all sources — not a lab measurement.
The key specs
| Cooking area | 24-inch grate, about 452 sq in; about 864 sq in with the 3-tier system |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Lump charcoal |
| Temperature range | About 225 to 750 F reported; SloRoller limited to about 500 F |
| Weight | About 487 lb as reported by two reviewers |
| Warranty (as summarised by one reviewer) | Lifetime on ceramic for the original owner, 5 years metal, 3 years deflectors and stone, 1 year gasket and thermometer |
What owners love
What owners complain about
How it holds up over time
One owner report covering roughly four years of regular use found no firebox cracking, a sturdy gasket and only one hinge adjustment, though the thin ash collector may wear. Another reviewer expects 15 to 20 years from the ceramic, which is an expectation, not a tested result. A forum thread on design flaws could not be opened by us, so we do not rely on it. Warranty cover on ceramic is strong; the short cover on gaskets and thermometers matches the parts owners say wear first. We did not find service-delay reports in the sources we read, and the one support story we saw was positive, but that is a single account.
Tips from owners
- Plan help for assembly and placement, since it is very heavy.
- Burn out the top vent at high heat when it gums up.
- Use a good cover, as one cheap aftermarket cover failed within six months.
- Move heat changes slowly, because ceramic is slow to cool.
Pros and cons
What owners love
- Very stable low and high temperatures
- Efficient with charcoal
- Large, flexible cooking area
- Easy-lift lid and removable ash tray
- Generous ceramic warranty
What owners complain about
- Extremely heavy and hard to assemble
- Premium price for a large cooker
- Top vent paint peels and clogs
- Latch and gasket wear reported
- Slow to cool down
Other options owners compare
These are common alternatives to a large ceramic cooker.
| Model | Style | Consider it if… | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kamado Joe Big Joe III (this review) | Large ceramic kamado | You cook for crowds and want one cooker for everything | See on Amazon |
| Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch | Steel charcoal kettle | You want a far cheaper, lighter way to grill and smoke | See on Amazon |
| Smaller Kamado Joe (Classic Joe III) | Mid-size ceramic | You want the kamado style in a smaller footprint | — |
Cooking for crowds and want a ceramic cooker?
Check current options, bundles and availability on Amazon.
Frequently asked questions
How heavy is the Big Joe III?
Two reviewers list it at about 487 lb with the cart, so plan on at least three people for assembly.
Does the firebox crack?
One owner reported no cracking after roughly four years, and the firebox was redesigned to resist it. We did not find a large study.
What does the warranty cover?
One reviewer summarises lifetime cover on ceramic for the original owner, 5 years on metal parts and 1 year on gasket and thermometer. Check the current terms.
Is it worth it over a kettle grill?
Only if you will use the capacity and heat retention. A cheaper kettle makes good food but uses more charcoal and holds low temperatures less easily.
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Sources we analyzed
- Food Fire Friends: Big Joe III review, 4 years — long-term use, specs, warranty, problems
- The Trellis: Big Joe III review — test results, assembly, gasket
- Grillseeker: Kamado Joe Big Joe — latch, vent, customer service
Figures reflect each source as of October 21, 2026 and may change. We summarize owner feedback in our own words and do not reproduce retailer reviews.