The Chinese have been using clay cooking pots for at least 3,000 years. Today, modern chefs around the world have re-fallen in love with ceramic smokers called kamado grills. No other cooking system allows food to retain its moisture better than a kamado, and no grill offers precision control over heat and air flow like a heavy ceramic smoker.
The best known and best-selling brand by far is the Big Green Egg, which got its name, well, because it looks like a big green egg.
It is the undisputed industry giant. But sometimes, the most popular and well-known brand is not actually the best (we’re looking at you, Absolut vodka!).
What Eggheads (yes, the Big Green Egg actually has legions of loyal fans who eagerly embrace this title and attend parties called Eggfests) are reluctant to admit is that Kamado Joe is undoubtedly a superior product. Eggheads didn’t buy a better grill, they bought a fantastic marketing campaign.
Simmer down, Eggheads. Facts are facts … read on.

First and foremost, there is the issue of price. Eggheads are not only loyal, they are apparently also very well heeled. Kamado Joe ceramic grills are significantly less expensive upfront.
Also, if you’re into overpaying, the Big Green Egg is the gift that keeps on giving. What Eggheads realize shortly after buying is that to complete their setup, they are required to buy a whole bunch of extra accessories.
To be fair, the Big Green Egg does come with the grill.
Kamado Joe also comes with the grill — and a heat deflector, a grate-removal tool, an ash tool and the “Divide & Conquer” flexible cooking system. In fact, the only thing that isn’t included is charcoal.
Again, with the Egg, you get the grill. And nothing else.
Let’s get back to that thing with the wacky name we just mentioned. The Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System is a half-rack, multi-level design that lets you cook different foods at different temperatures in different styles simultaneously.
It is, in a word, amazing. Or delicious. Or way better than the Big Green Egg. Take your pick.
Come see for yourself at Kamado Joe Weekend, a special promotional event we’re hosting where we will back up all the claims we just made in this post. We’ll be offering:
- $50.00 gift card on Classic Size
- $75.00 gift card on Big Size
- $100.00 gift card on Tables
- $150.00 gift card on Kamado Joe in a Table
- Charcoal, wood chunks and chips — buy one, get one 30 percent off
- Kamado Joe accessories, buy one get one 25 percent off
To throw a bone to the Eggheads, we’ll also offer a 75 percent off closeout on Big Green Egg accessories. They’re gonna need them if they actually ever want to use that thing.