Kamado Joe Classic 1 Vs 2: What You Need To Know
Kamado-style cooking has been around in the world for ages now. It’s an Asian technique commonly used to cook or roast meat and vegetables.
As the cooking style cooks food to perfection almost always, the cookware has made its way into the western world.
Currently, the most well-known Kamado-style cookers are the Kamado Joe classics. Two of the top models are the Kamado Joe classic 1 and the Kamado Joe classic 2.
If you look online, you will find many amazing reviews for both of the grills. But, ultimately which one should you put your money on?
Today, we are here to discuss all that! In this Kamado Joe classic 1 vs 2 comparisons, you will know all about the benefits and disadvantages these grills have. Hopefully, by the end of the article, you will be able to make a perfect choice! So without delaying things any further, let’s get on to our comparison.
Kamado Joe Classic 1 Review
Firstly, let’s get to know all about the Kamado Joe classic 1. This was the initial and original model. It gained a lot of popularity and was a well-loved grill by a lot of at-home cooks.
The product is still in the market and still being purchased by people.
Benefits Of Kamado Joe Classic 1
To get to know this unit better, we need to know about the advantages that it provides us. Here is a list of all the benefits that the Kamado Joe classic 1 had to offer.
1. Great Heat Retention
Kamado Joe classic 1 is made of very high-quality ceramic sides. This ensures a powerful heat retention capability.
There is a failed gasket that helps create an airtight seal. This way smoking and grilling are more flavorful.
That is why most people referred to the model as one of the most effective grills and smokers in the market.
2. Multiple Cooking Zones
There is a heat deflector device in this line. It helps you to control multiple cooking zones in the same pot. Therefore, cooking is more efficient and fast.
There are half plates located at various heights in the grill. So, you can use one to cook steak and another to grill food.
3. Kontrol Tower Ventilation
There is a ‘Kontrol tower ventilation’ system in the Kamado Joe classic 1 line. It makes your barbecue experience better.
4. Better Storage
There are cast iron grate locks placed on the wheels of the constitution that keep it from moving.
Also, there is an iron cart design. It makes traveling through storage easy breezy.
5. A Good Price Deal
The Kamado Joe classic 1 is not the most affordable kamado-style grill that you can find in the market, but it surely gives you a bang for the buck.
You will get a lot of benefits packed into the model at a very reasonable price.
6. Great Build
Another thing that we love about this grill is that it comes with a rust-resistant exterior. The high-quality build is very easy to clean as well.
7. Comes With Cool Features
The grill comes with a grill gripper and an ash tool feature. Also, it comes with foldable side shelves that can be adjusted with tool hacks.
8. Easy Installation
Installing a grill should be easy and simple. You shouldn’t have to call any professional just to set your grill up.
The Kamado Joe classic 1 has an easy and simple assembly procedure. The assembly can be done by almost any at-home chef very easily.
Disadvantages Of Kamado Joe Classic 1
All good products sadly have a few disadvantages. The Kamado Joe classic 1 has a few we’d like to discuss too.
1. Small Cooking Area
One thing that we would like to say is that the cooking area is limited. You only get 256 square inches of cooking space on this unit.
If needed, you can add additional racks to increase the space to 660 square inches. But, the width of the grill is not much, which will restrict you anyway.
2. Can Not Block Wind
Another thing that you should know about this grill before you purchase it does not have the proper capability to block rain or wind.
Kamado Joe KJ23RH Classic Joe I Review
Specifications:
- Weighs 188 pounds
- Comes with wheels
- Has 256 square inches cooking surface area to offer
- Stainless steel durable grates
The unit has the ability to accommodate quite a lot of food. It has 256 square inches of cooking surface area to offer.
Thanks to the revolutionary Halfmoon Design that also allows the usage of racks, you can cook different types of food in different styles at the same time.
To get the right temperature for all the recipes- there is a Kontrol Tower top vent. It allows you to regulate the airflow precisely.
The temperature range on this grill is set from 225° F to 750° F. There is a built-in thermometer that shows you the real-time temperature.
The addition of a slide-out drawer makes the cleanup very easy. All of the ashes from the charcoal, or even bits and pieces of food can be easily cleaned. There’s no need to completely deconstruct the grill to give this unit a thorough cleaning. All of the dirt and debris is accumulated in the ash drawer that you can later throw out.
Stainless steel cooking grates are very durable and will last ages.
The grill weighs 188 lb and comes with wheels. If necessary, it can be transported to different places.
Highlighted Features:
- Dirt and grime collect in the ashtray that is very easy to clean
- Wheels allow you to transport the grill if needed
- Added built-in thermometer
- Can be used to cook different kinds of food at different temperatures at the same time
- Temperature ranges from 225° F to 750° F
Kamado Joe Classic ii Review
Let’s move on to the Kamado Joe classic ii. It is the newer and upgraded model. It has also gained a significant amount of popularity.
Benefits Of Kamado Joe Classic 2
If you want to invest in the more upgraded version of the Kamado Joe classic series, you first need to know what advantages this model has to offer.
Here are a few things that we love about this unit.
1. Eye-Catching Design
The first thing that we would like to talk about is its very eye-catching design. The unit has been made by keeping ancient Chinese and Japanese clay oven cooking techniques in mind.
The model comes with a variety of color options to choose from as well.
2. Easy To Clean
You can clean the unit very easily. The exterior does not hold on to any dirt or grime for too long and is also scratch-resistant.
Besides being easy to clean, the unit is also very easy to use. The learning curve for this grill is very short.
Also, you won’t have to keep on checking the temperature for this grill constantly. You can stay chilled, and just trust the grill to cook your food properly.
3. Heat Retention
This one too has a high-quality ceramic build that helps hold in heat for much longer. Therefore, you can easily slow cook meat and smoke vegetables on this unit.
The grill has a high heat retention capability. You won’t have to use as much charcoal as you would have to with other models of grills.
4. Versatile
The grill has the capability to perform well under very high temperatures.
It can operate at 600° F and still provide wide-open ventilation. This means that you can cook anything starting from a crispy pizza to a thick cut of meat on this grill.
Adjusting the temperature is very easy.
5. Comes With Shelves
The unit is also equipped with several shelves. Inside the egg-shaped design, you get the opportunity to hang your barbecues on hooks.
These hooks are also great for smoking food.
The stainless-steel grades added to the model are also very durable and sturdy.
6. Sturdy Metal Vent
When using the grill, you might sometimes lower or move its cover. With the Kamado Joe classic ii, you won’t have to worry about the metal vent shutting clothes. It can stay still in its position.
7. Easy To Lift Cover
The covers on the ceramic lid have a spring-loaded design. This is a game-changer because it makes the heavy ceramic lid very easy to lift.
Disadvantages Of Kamado Joe Classic 2
Fortunately, the Kamado Joe classic ii does not have that many notable disadvantages. We just have one we would like to discuss.
Expensive
The one thing that might be a disadvantage of this Kamado Joe classic ii, is that it is very expensive. If you search the market well, you can get other types of Kamado-style grills that cost way less than this.
Kamado Joe KJ23RHC Classic Joe II Review
Specifications:
- Weighs 250 pounds
- Easy spring airlift hinge
- Comes up with locking casters
- 2 tier divided cooking area
The Kamado Joe classic ii is a newer and more improved grill.
The product has been made with stainless steel and ceramic components to give you durability and sturdiness. You can count on this grill to last you for years without needing frequent maintenance.
Powder-coated cast aluminum exterior makes cleaning very easy. This also means that the grill can be kept outdoors without worrying about scratches and rust.
Weighing about 250 pounds this Joe classic does come with wheels. This makes the unit portable and slightly travel-friendly if needed.
Equipped with a cast-iron cart, their grill has 18 inches of cooking surface area to provide. With your purchase, you also get locking casters.
There are two tiers that you can cook on this grill. The units can be divided to cook two different types of meals at the same time. Controlling the temperature on this grill is very easy.
One of the main things that makes the Joe classic ii So much better than the Joe Classic 1, is its Kontrol tower top event. This vent is designed to help you maintain a consistent air setting. It helps the airflow very precisely, which makes the temperature accurate.
Even when the lid is open, the food inside keeps cooking properly.
An airlift hinge makes opening the dome lid very easy. It’s designed to take off the weight significantly.
When it comes to the temperature, the unit has a range started from 225° F to 750° F.
Another thing that we love about this unit is the advanced multi-panel firebox. This firebox has a 6-piece patent design which increases grill durability and efficiency.
Highlighted Features:
- Comes with an advanced multi-panel firebox
- Easy to lift the dome lid
- Kontrol Tower top vent results in better airflow
- powder-coated cast aluminum exterior
- Two different foods can be cooked at different temperatures at the same time
Key Differences And Similarities
If you’re still confused about the differences in the models, here is an easy-to-understand chart that represents the key differences and similarities in both these units.
| Similarities Between The Kamado Joe Classic 1 And ii | Differences Between The Kamado Joe Classic 1 And ii |
| Thick ceramic constructed body | Airlift easy to lift hinge |
| Both come with easy to clean slide-out ashtray | Better capability to withstand damage during rain |
| Both can be used to cook two different meals at two different temperatures at the same time | Upgraded Stainless steel latch |
| Grates are constructed with stainless steel and are durable | Upgraded kontrol tower top vent |
| Both units come with handy accessories | Durable fiberglass gasket |
| Inclusion of multi-panel firebox |
Comparing Kamado Joe Classic 1 Vs 2
Now that we know all about the benefits and disadvantages both of these grills give us, it’s time we jump into the comparison.
Uses
There is no difference in the food you cook using Kamado Joe classic 1 and ii.
You can cook all types of food in both of these grills.
Usually, the grills are used for baking, roasting, cooking, or barbecuing meat, fish, or even vegetables.
Features
When it comes to the features, we definitely choose the Kamado Joe Classic ii.
It is the upgraded version of the Kamado Joe classic series. It comes with more innovative and new features.
You might find the Kamado Joe classic 1 very easy to use as a beginner. But as you keep on building your skills you will see that the Joe classic 1 has limited features.
Top Vent
One of the main improvements that the Kamado Joe Classic ii comes with is the improvement in the vent.
The vent does not move and stays still even if you move the grill. It has also been constructed with newer powder-coated cast aluminum.
This makes the vent capable of handling a lot of pressure and makes it more durable. The finish also results in a much easier cleaning method.
This event has been designed to give you more consistent airflow. Even when the lid is open, the food inside keeps on cooking properly.
Therefore, maintaining your desired temperature in cooking is very easy on the Kamado Joe classic ii.
Price
If price is a huge factor for you, and you are on a budget, you should surely go with the Kamado Joe classic 1.
The Kamado Joe classic ii is more expensive as it comes with more features. But if you are on a tighter budget, you can make do with the Joe Classic 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Size Cooking Service Area Does The Kamado Joe Classic ii Offer?
The upgraded version has an 18-inch diameter with 256 square inches for cooking.
If needed, you can also add on racks to increase the cooking surface area.
When we do a kamado joe size comparison, both the models provide the same amount of cooking surface area.
2. Which Kamado Joe Classic Is Easy To Install?
Both, the Kamado Joe classic 1 and ii come with easy installation procedures. There are a lot of videos online that can guide you to make the correct setup.
If needed, you can also contact customer services to understand the proper assembly procedures.
3. Can You Cook Multiple Foods At The Same Time On Kamado Joe Classic 1?
Yes, you can. The construction allows you to cook different kinds of food on the grill at the same time. For example, you can use one rack to cook a steak while you use another rack to roast vegetables
Which Kamado Classic Is Best?
When it comes to making the final decision, selecting just one grill out of two popular Kamado grills can be a bit difficult.
But, if we were to suggest one between the Kamado Joe classic 1 vs 2, we would go with the latter one.
Yes, you have to pay a little bit more when buying the improved version, but you are paying for a lot more features.
The ability to control temperature on the Kamado Joe classic ii is impeccable. It also comes with more cool features and accessories that can make your grilling experience much better! We believe that you should only go with the Kamado Joe classic 1 if you’re on a budget.