Looking for a kamado charcoal grill? Here comes the crème de la crème. Let's dive in!
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This is the best versatile charcoal grill ever — Kamado Joe Classic II. You can’t imagine how flexible and versatile it is. Not only can you grill, but you can roast, smoke, bake, sear, and even fry with this grill. Let’s check it out!
Table of Contents
Kamado Joe Classic II: 2-Tier Flexible Cooking System
The Kamado Joe Classic Joe II Charcoal Grill has a 2-Tier Divide & Conquer Cooking System which makes it super flexible in cooking.
There are two layers and you can cook at different levels and so different temperatures at once. The lower layer is closer to the fire and thus having a higher temperature, vice versa.
In addition, it’s compatible with a wide range of accessories. You can even buy other accessories and replace the grilling grate in order to cook in different styles. For example, you can replace with a griddle, soapstone, rotisserie, SloRoller rack, or even a wok.
What’s more, some of the accessories designed by Kamado Joe are half-moon. Hence, you can customize your cooks with at most 4 different surfaces at one time. For instance, you can have a grilling grate + soapstone + griddle + stainless steel surface. Grilling, baking, roasting, smoking all in one. Super versatile!
Here are some accessories you can choose for Kamado Joe Classic II & III:
- Cast Iron Cooking Grate
- Cast Iron Reversible Griddle
- Soapstone Cooking Surface
- Pizza Stone
- Stainless Steel Cooking Surface for Fish and Vegetables
- Heat Deflector Plate
- Heavy Duty Wok
- Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- Rotisserie
- Grill Expander
- SloRoller with Rack
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Excellent Heat Control
Temperature matters in grilling. In this Kamado Joe Classic II, you can control the airflow and hence the temperature precisely by the dual-adjustment top vent. It is coated with cast aluminum and rain resistant. This design allows you to maintain consistent air setting and be able to control the heat from 225°F (107°C) smoking to 750°F (400°C) searing.
Even under this wide temperature difference, no worries if the firebox will crack thanks to the advanced multi-panel feature. The firebox is constructed of 6 pieces which allows it to expand and contract under different temperatures and prevents cracking or any breakage. Plus, the firebox retains heat fabulously.
Knowing the temperature while cooking is also important. There is a thermometer for you to monitor the real-time temperature so as to cook ideally.
Moreover, this Kamado Joe Classic II features a thick heat-resistant shell, fiberglass mesh gasket and self-activating latch for air-tight sealing and locking heat. This is especially significant for smoking and baking.
► Read More: 10 Best Steaks to Grill & 4 Tips for Grilling the Perfect Steaks
Easy To Clean
The cleaning work is a nightmare after the happy grilling party. You don’t want to be annoyed with that. Here, the Kamado Joe Classic II is equipped with a slide out ash drawer which makes cleanup a clinch.
Specs and Other Designs of Kamado Joe Classic II
The Kamado Joe Classic II Charcoal Grill measures 26.4 x 26.4 x 36 inches (LxWxH) and weighs 250 pounds (114 kilograms). It sounds heavy but don’t worry, this grill comes with locking casters and wheels. It’s easy to move around the backyard.
The grill dome is heavy but you can lift it up with no fuss thanks to the air lift hinge. It reduces 96% of the weight of the dome and allows you to lift it with just a finger as well as stay it wherever you like.
It also comes with two side tables that offer convenient spaces for the users to prepare food just near the grill, or store some seasonings. And there are some pins on the tables so you can hang some tools such as tongs and a basting brush on them.
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Kamado Joe Classic II Charcoal Grill: User Reviews
The Kamado Joe Classic II Charcoal Grill is rated 4.7 stars / 5 stars on Amazon by over 1,100 reviews at the time of writing.
People loved the divide and conquer grill system and the great heat control. One of the users said he could easily get the grill to 800°F for searing and had an awesome result eventually.
Some designs were highly favored by the users. For instance, people liked the lid assist mechanism which made opening the grill a two finger job. Besides that, the removable ash tray and side tables were what the chefs liked as well.
Some users described this grill as a tank because of its sturdily built construction. It’s durable and quality.
Furthermore, quite a number of users were satisfied with its package. They said their Kamado Joe Classic II was packaged well just like an Apple product.
However, a few users thought it would be even better if the casters were larger for easier rolling. And one user wasn’t happy with their customer service.
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Kamado Joe Classic 2 vs Classic 3: Which Should You Buy?
In fact, Kamado Joe Classic II and III are quite similar. But there are 3 main differences between them apart from the shapes which is obvious to tell.
First, the Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System of Kamado Joe Classic 2 is 2-tier while that of Classic 3 is 3-tier. With one more layer, you can further enrich your cooking party and cook in more different styles simultaneously. Higher flexibility for Classic 3.
Second, the Classic 3 has an additional SlōRoller Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber. With this new feature, the smoke and heat are distributed in rolling and recirculating waves. So you can smoke with a richer flavor and more evenly distributed heat. Better smoking for Classic 3.
Last but not least, the price. Having more features, Classic 3 is $600 more expensive than Classic 2. If you are grilling at a very big party and don’t want your friends to wait too long, or you are crazy about smoking, it’s worth it to pay $600 more. Otherwise, I think Classic 2 is more than enough, it’s incredible already!
| Classic II | Classic III | |
| Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System | 2-Tier | 3-Tier |
| SlōRoller Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber | X | V |
| Price | $1299 | $1899 |
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Should You Buy a Kamado Joe Classic II Charcoal Grill?
Surely YES! The Kamado Joe Classic II Charcoal Grill is perfect from tip to tail. We especially love its unique flexible cooking system that allows us to grill in different styles. It looks much more expensive than most of the other grills but actually you are buying an all-in-one appliance. Also, it’s sturdy and durable to use for years. We love the heat control, ash drawer and other design details as well. This is the best kamado grill ever!
