A premium kamado grill owners love for outstanding heat retention, easy temperature control, long cook times, and excellent customer support. The main caveat is the high price, though most call it buy-once-cry-once.
77% of 22 verified owners recommend the Kamado Joe Classic II.
What 22 owners say
121 comments reviewed · scored on the 22 clearest verdicts
77%
Recommend
17 owners
14%
Neutral
3 owners
9%
Don't recommend
2 owners
Source
Breakdown
Score
N
Counted in the score
Reddit
94%
17
Other forums
20%
5
Reviewed, but not counted — and why
Affiliate blogsiThese blogs earn a commission when you buy. Across our data they rate products ~35 points more positively than actual owners — shown for transparency, never counted in the score.paid commission
75%
4
Affiliate blogs here say 75% recommend, while the owner-based score is 77%. They earn a commission on every sale — so we show them for transparency but never let them move the score.
The headline score reflects owners (Reddit, enthusiast forums), independent lab tests, and blogs with no affiliate links. YouTube and affiliate blogs are shown for perspective but kept out — hover the i for why.
What owners like
Built like a tank and lasts for years in all weather · 7 · 32%
Excellent heat retention and precise temperature control · 4 · 18%
Outstanding customer service and support · 3 · 14%
Versatile for both low-and-slow smoking and high-heat grilling · 3 · 14%
Fuel efficient with long cook times per charcoal load · 3 · 14%
What owners flag
Ceramic heat deflector cracks easily and replacements are hard to get · 3 · 14%
Expensive, premium-priced cooker · 3 · 14%
Top quotes, sourced
121 reviewed · 26 shown
Sentiment
Community
Sort
ProductReview.com.au▼ don’t recommend
“the heat deflector cracked. On to the shop to buy the replacement. Ordered 6 months ago and still not received. Rumour tells me that the heat deflectors are now discontinued. What? This thing cracks so easily but discontinued? People who wants KJ, think twice.”
Reddit— neutral
“The latch on my Kamado Joe Classic II went within a month of buying it. I have to say the customer service with KJ is absolutely fantastic.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“We switched about 1.5 years ago to the kamado joe classic ii’s and I can assure you those things are WAY better engineered in almost every way.”
ProductReview.com.au▼ don’t recommend
“the head deflector broke for no reason. I contacted BBQ Galore but they are out of stock. I contacted Kamado Joe in the States. Out of stock! My Kamado Joe is sitting in my yard cold and getting dust. It's been 3 months now! Checking the internet and realised that breaking these ceramic heat deflectors are common event!”
Reddit▲ recommend
“Still amazed at the temp control (got it to stay at 250f with relative ease for a first-timer).”
ProductReview.com.au— neutral
“Only thing that bugs me is the hinge design. Metal springs adjacent to a heat source will lose its hold and eventually the lid needs to be propped up which is not provided.”
Bob Vila (affiliate)— neutral
“The Kamado Joe is limited when it comes to cooking space. The Joe’s grate is 18 inches in diameter, which amounts to just 250 square inches of total cooking surface; this is tight for a standard grill and very limited for a smoker.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“I have a Kamado Joe Classic II and a Traeger Pro 22. They are both excellent.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“The KJ's heat retention is amazing.”
ProductReview.com.au— neutral
“This BBQ can cook anything, tried cooking pizza, but get burnt mostly the crust, I still can't estimate the temperature and time as we are still practicing, but very good on char grilled meat, cook meat deliciously, tender and juicy. Good BBQ except I think it's too over priced.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“Its expensive but its an amazing BBQ/Smoker, and their support is the best I've ever dealt with.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“I have a Kamado Joe Classic II that I'm cooking a rib roast on right now. It's been great to me. I got it 3-4 years ago.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“Kamado Joe Classic II. She is my love. My heart. My everything.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“Kamado Joe Classic II. I’ve had it since last December and have loved it.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“I have a Kamado Joe Classic II that is the bees knees.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“I am extremely happy with the change.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“Kamado Joe classic II 18” and don’t look back. 16 hours of cook time on one load of charcoal, locked in on your temp. The only thing I use to smoke now.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“Jz mam Kamado Joe Classic II še iz korone.
Je res precej drag ampak ga že pet let uporabljam skoraj vsak vikend, tudi pozimi, in je še vedno super.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“I have a kamado joe, classic II and it was a case of buy once cry once for me. I don't regret it at all and have been using it year round since 2021, it sits out there cooking away in all weathers with no trouble at all.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“I have the Kamado Joe Classic II and love it, for whatever that's worth to you.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“I have a Kamado Joe Classic II and have had it for years.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“I have a Kamado Joe Classic II, and love it”
AmazingRibs (Meathead) (affiliate)▲ recommend
“a well-crafted ceramic cooker that presents strong competition to other 18″ models in the premium priced market”
Burning Brisket (affiliate)▲ recommend
“the Kamado Joe Classic II is our absolute favorite each and every time. This thing performs at low and slow and high heat grilling so well, it’s easy to use, is really well built, and is full of innovative features that actually make the kamado better.”