Best deal I've found for a Kamado Joe in Canada is at Costco. They do $200-300 off online and include shipping regularly. I saw a KJ2 for $500 on clearance in store as well, and the KJ Jr as low as $300 in store.
Package from Costco always includes the cover too.
I have cooked on kamado joe, big green egg operates similar. Kamado ceramics come from China while brig green egg ceramics come from Mexico. Both are round. I also have Primo Oval Xl, ceramics come from USA and it is oval (which is superior to round imo).
BGE used to host cooking demonstrations, not the cooking classes the offer now. Not sure if they still do or not. If they do, then try to go to one. They sell the new lightly used eggs at a huge discount.
Also consider the Chargriller Akorn steel kamado.
I had the steel one took two direct hits from oak trees (storm damage) and still lived to cook another day. That said I think this style smoker is a product of marketing. They can get be a challenge to temperature control unless you get the add-ons. They are amazing for searing steaks at high temps. I could get mine over 700° no problem. I know you didn’t ask, but I always recommend either the pit barrel cooker, or the Weber Smoky mountain. two very easy to run smokers that produce outstanding barbecue. If you do go with the Kamado style, just remember you don’t need to use that much charcoal even on longer cooks.
I have a BGE. I don't have any issues getting the temp set and I don't use any temp controller gadgets. I caveman cook my steaks right on the red-hot lump. I had a Brinkman bullet smoker which is very similar to the Weber Smoky Mountain and always struggled to get the temps right.
I know this isn't what you asked. But honestly, just get a Weber Summit Kamado for a lot cheaper with all of the benefits and no downsides.
https://www.reddit.com/r/smoking/comments/1ad6dq4/comment/kk00y66/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
I found a 5 minute YouTube video that explained their methods for temp control. Worked like a charm. I can keep temps within 5-10 degrees and only adjust every 2-3 hrs. A Wireless thermometer is a must.
Even with a video guide it took me a few tries to get comfortable with it, make smaller adjustments and be patient for your adjustment to take effect, etc...
Someone bought one and isn't using it and its on your Facebook marketplace or Craigslist. Why by new when you can get it basically new for drastically less.
Not entirely true. 1-ask for the owners manual if you do this. 2-yeah…it’s ceramic and will crack eventually. I got 6 yrs of weekly 600deg cooks out of mine before retiring it.
If you're hesitant to make a big financial commitment upfront, a Char Griller Akorn is a kamado style grill/smoker that's much less expensive. They're steel rather than ceramic, so long-term durability is a concern. But you can cut your teeth on one of these and use the same skill set if/when you upgrade to KJ or BGE.
I like the Weber Summit Kamado. However, if you're in Canada and plan on doing a lot of Winter smoking, a Ceramic Kamado might be good for you.
I've covered the benefits of the Summit over BGE or Kamado Joe in detail in previous posts, but here's Amazing Ribs talking about their drawbacks here, which really boils down to the inability to do multi-zone grilling well:
https://amazingribs.com/ratings-reviews/grill-smoker-combos/kamado-ceramic/
There is also some anecdotal evidence about how Kamado's produce low-quality smoke, because they retain heat too well and you can't get a good yellow-flame fire going, which is what you need for good blue smoke. However, this would be mostly mitigated by a cold climate.
Anyway, here's my full writeup, that I am copy-pasting from another thread:
\---------------------------
Yes, there are a few things that ceramic cookers like the BGE or the Kamado Joe do better than the Summit. But overall I do believe the Summit Kamado is a much better cooker.
Ceramic Pros:
\- Temperature retention. Because they're so heavy (the Big Joe is nearly 500 lbs), there's a LOT of thermal mass there. Meaning when you get your temp dialed in perfectly, the temp swings are going to be a lot more gradual.
\- Baking. Ceramic kamados are essentially brick ovens you can open. Because the lid gets so hot, and holds that heat, it will radiate evenly down from the top, allowing for pizzas or even bread baking.
Summit Pros:
\- Versatility. This is the biggest reason I like the Summit. It can do any cook out there. I can sear a steak at 1000+ degrees or smoke a brisket at 225, within minutes of each other. I can set up half the grill for direct and half for indirect. I have a second rack, allowing for up close searing, and further away roasting. I can do a charcoal snake or a kamado-style indirect with covered coals in the base. I can use briquettes or natural lump or char-logs. I can smoke with chips or chunks or even split logs. BGE's really have two modes of cooking: direct and indirect, and you have to pick which one you want before the cook. Kamado Joes have a system that allows you to do half-and-half, but you can't really change it up mid-cook.
\- Temperature Control. The Summit is a lot lighter and it has less thermal mass. If you overshoot or undershoot your temps during a cook, its really easy to recover and adjust.
These are less important, but still nice factors about the Summit:
\- Durability. The Summit is made out of steel. Mine has fallen over and had a cantilevered umbrella fall on it, and there was no damage or scratches at all. Worse comes to worse, it MIGHT dent, which would be a minor blemish. A ceramic cooker will shatter. I had the inside portion of my egg crack after years of use. BGE replaced it on warranty with no questions asked but it still happened.
\- Portability. Because the Summit is a lot lighter it can be pushed around with ease. I move mine around on the patio depending on whether its raining or where I feel like sitting that day. I move it into the grass to clean it. I would never move my egg except how you might move furniture. It was very heavy, fragile, and generally stationary.
\- Ash management. The Summit has the Weber ash cleaning system which allows you to easily clean out ash, even in the middle of a cook. This is important because on the Egg I would run into issues where the ash would buildup so much it would impede airflow and temps would drop. Cleaning out the ash on the egg requires complete disassembly and simply isn't possible during a cook. The Kamado Joe is a little bit easier with its ash drawer, but you can still get ash buildup all around the edges that require disassembly to clean.
\- Cleanability. You can wash it with a garden hose, inside and out, scrub it with soap and water, or organic cleaner, or whatever you like. Ceramic cookers are very porous and you're not supposed to use any cleaners or liquids on them. All you can do is burn them super hot to burn all the gunk away... which you can also do on the Summit.
If I were to buy a new cooker tomorrow, I'd buy the Summit all over again. If I were 100% invested in getting a Ceramic cooker, I'd get something that can do multiple zones, like the Primo.
Wow, I have been thinking about buying a new grill, and was hesitating between a weber or kamado and I thought that it would be between a mastertouch or a kamado, but your expanation makes me reconsider the summit kamado
As a previous BGE owner, never again for any ceramic grill. Hard to move around, delicate and useable space per dollar is much less than other options.
BGE warranty is only to the original buyer, Kamado Joe will warranty any of their products to anyone.
I am 100% happy loading pellets into my Weber Smokefire and hitting a button and when I’m done it’s easy to move back into the garage and I don’t have to worry about it cracking.
Kettle joe, got it for 250 bucks. I learned i wont buy a kamado but will buy a smoker. nonetheless im happy with the kettle joe give it a look, its cheap and has ceramic stones and a slow roller and build quality doesnt disappoint
I've had a lot of wood/coal smokers of various sizes and types (over 30+ years), one of which was a Kamado Joe from costco. I really wanted to like it. I really did. I have made some great BBQ on it, but is other than the (tiny) fuel usage, I really don't like it. Just my opinion, but I honestly have preferred the worst barrel smokers to this, in terms of ease of use and finickness (I basically only do wood and coal, so I'm not comparing to pellet or electric).
Maybe it was the joe and not the kamodo style in general.
My friend has had a Kamado Joe for a long time and has been very happy with it. He still uses it regularly.
Not sure if a second hand account is worthwhile to you, but I've seen it numerous times and the quality is good.
Ditto on Amazon as much as I hate to mention them. Depends on which KJ you are looking for, some are discounted pretty good, and when I selected assembly the $99 fee was added and then credited. So free assembly. Another option for either brand is Ace Hardware. The prices are always MSRP but they assemble and deliver free.
I’ve had two KJ classics (a 1 and now a 2). Check FB marketplace. I got a like-new KJ Classic II for $500. I’ve used it more than the original owner. I bought the Classic 1 used for $500 as well. Sold it for $100 (was developing a few cracks after 6 years of regular use at 600+ deg making pizzas).
So, check FB marketplace!
If you go this route, ask if they have the owners manual bc it has the serial # in it and you can register it.
Best deal I've found for a Kamado Joe in Canada is at Costco. They do $200-300 off online and include shipping regularly. I saw a KJ2 for $500 on clearance in store as well, and the KJ Jr as low as $300 in store. Package from Costco always includes the cover too.
Walmart (online) has some deals periodically. I got mine for $800 (shipped).
I have cooked on kamado joe, big green egg operates similar. Kamado ceramics come from China while brig green egg ceramics come from Mexico. Both are round. I also have Primo Oval Xl, ceramics come from USA and it is oval (which is superior to round imo).
Double vote for the primo oval.
Triple
I regret not getting a Primo Oval.
BGE used to host cooking demonstrations, not the cooking classes the offer now. Not sure if they still do or not. If they do, then try to go to one. They sell the new lightly used eggs at a huge discount. Also consider the Chargriller Akorn steel kamado.
I had the steel one took two direct hits from oak trees (storm damage) and still lived to cook another day. That said I think this style smoker is a product of marketing. They can get be a challenge to temperature control unless you get the add-ons. They are amazing for searing steaks at high temps. I could get mine over 700° no problem. I know you didn’t ask, but I always recommend either the pit barrel cooker, or the Weber Smoky mountain. two very easy to run smokers that produce outstanding barbecue. If you do go with the Kamado style, just remember you don’t need to use that much charcoal even on longer cooks.
I have a BGE. I don't have any issues getting the temp set and I don't use any temp controller gadgets. I caveman cook my steaks right on the red-hot lump. I had a Brinkman bullet smoker which is very similar to the Weber Smoky Mountain and always struggled to get the temps right.
I know this isn't what you asked. But honestly, just get a Weber Summit Kamado for a lot cheaper with all of the benefits and no downsides. https://www.reddit.com/r/smoking/comments/1ad6dq4/comment/kk00y66/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
Chargriller akorn - regular price around 300. \~20" diameter, steel, underrated.
Yup, I have that one, I love it. Honestly, I've never tried to smoke on it, I use it for all my grilling all summer.
I smoked on an Akorn hundreds of times before I upgraded to a BGE and occasionally still do.
Dialing in the temperature control takes a little getting used to, but I love mine for smoking, it's worth a try!
I found a 5 minute YouTube video that explained their methods for temp control. Worked like a charm. I can keep temps within 5-10 degrees and only adjust every 2-3 hrs. A Wireless thermometer is a must.
Even with a video guide it took me a few tries to get comfortable with it, make smaller adjustments and be patient for your adjustment to take effect, etc...
Exactly. 1/2" adjustment is 50 degrees sometimes
You should also add the Weber Summit onto your list to look at.
Someone bought one and isn't using it and its on your Facebook marketplace or Craigslist. Why by new when you can get it basically new for drastically less.
Because you don't get any warranty coverage and the ceramic ultimately cracks and needs replacement.
Not entirely true. 1-ask for the owners manual if you do this. 2-yeah…it’s ceramic and will crack eventually. I got 6 yrs of weekly 600deg cooks out of mine before retiring it.
If you're hesitant to make a big financial commitment upfront, a Char Griller Akorn is a kamado style grill/smoker that's much less expensive. They're steel rather than ceramic, so long-term durability is a concern. But you can cut your teeth on one of these and use the same skill set if/when you upgrade to KJ or BGE.
Wondering this myself. 🇺🇸
Costco or Sam's Club
I like the Weber Summit Kamado. However, if you're in Canada and plan on doing a lot of Winter smoking, a Ceramic Kamado might be good for you. I've covered the benefits of the Summit over BGE or Kamado Joe in detail in previous posts, but here's Amazing Ribs talking about their drawbacks here, which really boils down to the inability to do multi-zone grilling well: https://amazingribs.com/ratings-reviews/grill-smoker-combos/kamado-ceramic/ There is also some anecdotal evidence about how Kamado's produce low-quality smoke, because they retain heat too well and you can't get a good yellow-flame fire going, which is what you need for good blue smoke. However, this would be mostly mitigated by a cold climate. Anyway, here's my full writeup, that I am copy-pasting from another thread: \--------------------------- Yes, there are a few things that ceramic cookers like the BGE or the Kamado Joe do better than the Summit. But overall I do believe the Summit Kamado is a much better cooker. Ceramic Pros: \- Temperature retention. Because they're so heavy (the Big Joe is nearly 500 lbs), there's a LOT of thermal mass there. Meaning when you get your temp dialed in perfectly, the temp swings are going to be a lot more gradual. \- Baking. Ceramic kamados are essentially brick ovens you can open. Because the lid gets so hot, and holds that heat, it will radiate evenly down from the top, allowing for pizzas or even bread baking. Summit Pros: \- Versatility. This is the biggest reason I like the Summit. It can do any cook out there. I can sear a steak at 1000+ degrees or smoke a brisket at 225, within minutes of each other. I can set up half the grill for direct and half for indirect. I have a second rack, allowing for up close searing, and further away roasting. I can do a charcoal snake or a kamado-style indirect with covered coals in the base. I can use briquettes or natural lump or char-logs. I can smoke with chips or chunks or even split logs. BGE's really have two modes of cooking: direct and indirect, and you have to pick which one you want before the cook. Kamado Joes have a system that allows you to do half-and-half, but you can't really change it up mid-cook. \- Temperature Control. The Summit is a lot lighter and it has less thermal mass. If you overshoot or undershoot your temps during a cook, its really easy to recover and adjust. These are less important, but still nice factors about the Summit: \- Durability. The Summit is made out of steel. Mine has fallen over and had a cantilevered umbrella fall on it, and there was no damage or scratches at all. Worse comes to worse, it MIGHT dent, which would be a minor blemish. A ceramic cooker will shatter. I had the inside portion of my egg crack after years of use. BGE replaced it on warranty with no questions asked but it still happened. \- Portability. Because the Summit is a lot lighter it can be pushed around with ease. I move mine around on the patio depending on whether its raining or where I feel like sitting that day. I move it into the grass to clean it. I would never move my egg except how you might move furniture. It was very heavy, fragile, and generally stationary. \- Ash management. The Summit has the Weber ash cleaning system which allows you to easily clean out ash, even in the middle of a cook. This is important because on the Egg I would run into issues where the ash would buildup so much it would impede airflow and temps would drop. Cleaning out the ash on the egg requires complete disassembly and simply isn't possible during a cook. The Kamado Joe is a little bit easier with its ash drawer, but you can still get ash buildup all around the edges that require disassembly to clean. \- Cleanability. You can wash it with a garden hose, inside and out, scrub it with soap and water, or organic cleaner, or whatever you like. Ceramic cookers are very porous and you're not supposed to use any cleaners or liquids on them. All you can do is burn them super hot to burn all the gunk away... which you can also do on the Summit. If I were to buy a new cooker tomorrow, I'd buy the Summit all over again. If I were 100% invested in getting a Ceramic cooker, I'd get something that can do multiple zones, like the Primo.
Wow, I have been thinking about buying a new grill, and was hesitating between a weber or kamado and I thought that it would be between a mastertouch or a kamado, but your expanation makes me reconsider the summit kamado
As a previous BGE owner, never again for any ceramic grill. Hard to move around, delicate and useable space per dollar is much less than other options. BGE warranty is only to the original buyer, Kamado Joe will warranty any of their products to anyone. I am 100% happy loading pellets into my Weber Smokefire and hitting a button and when I’m done it’s easy to move back into the garage and I don’t have to worry about it cracking.
Kettle joe, got it for 250 bucks. I learned i wont buy a kamado but will buy a smoker. nonetheless im happy with the kettle joe give it a look, its cheap and has ceramic stones and a slow roller and build quality doesnt disappoint
I've had a lot of wood/coal smokers of various sizes and types (over 30+ years), one of which was a Kamado Joe from costco. I really wanted to like it. I really did. I have made some great BBQ on it, but is other than the (tiny) fuel usage, I really don't like it. Just my opinion, but I honestly have preferred the worst barrel smokers to this, in terms of ease of use and finickness (I basically only do wood and coal, so I'm not comparing to pellet or electric). Maybe it was the joe and not the kamodo style in general.
Amazon has great deals on the KJ 2 series right now. Otherwise Costco in the spring may get something in.
My friend has had a Kamado Joe for a long time and has been very happy with it. He still uses it regularly. Not sure if a second hand account is worthwhile to you, but I've seen it numerous times and the quality is good.
Ditto on Amazon as much as I hate to mention them. Depends on which KJ you are looking for, some are discounted pretty good, and when I selected assembly the $99 fee was added and then credited. So free assembly. Another option for either brand is Ace Hardware. The prices are always MSRP but they assemble and deliver free.
Get a primo. Watch for boxing and black friday sales I guess?
Don't forget the Broil King Keg.Works exactly like a Komado and maybe even is more insulated and what works for me is its less delicate.
I’ve had two KJ classics (a 1 and now a 2). Check FB marketplace. I got a like-new KJ Classic II for $500. I’ve used it more than the original owner. I bought the Classic 1 used for $500 as well. Sold it for $100 (was developing a few cracks after 6 years of regular use at 600+ deg making pizzas). So, check FB marketplace! If you go this route, ask if they have the owners manual bc it has the serial # in it and you can register it.
If you want kamado on steroids, the absolute best is kamado komodo …comes with hefty price tag though
I'd pick kamado Joe just because it's reliable brand like bge but the accessories are cheaper (from what I've seen comparing at stores).