Kamado Joe Classic 2 vs 3: Who Wins Your BBQ Heart?

Want a better BBQ? Let’s look at the Kamado Joe Classic 2 and 3. The Classic 3 has some cool new stuff. This guide will help you see what’s different and which one will be the best for your outdoor cooking. Let’s find the perfect grill for you!

✅ Check the latest deals on Amazon:

👉 Kamado Joe Classic 2 = https://amzn.to/3YRhXoW

👉 Kamado Joe Classic 3 = https://amzn.to/4k3Djrq

Key Takeaways

• More Cooking Space: The Classic 3 has a 3-level cooking system, so you can cook even more food at once.

• Better Smoking: The Classic 3 has a special SlōRoller that makes smoking food taste even better.

• Easier Lid: The lid on the Classic 3 is stronger and easier to lift.

• Cool Extras: The Classic 3 often comes with nice extras like cast iron grates for searing.

• Same Good Quality: Both grills are made of the same great ceramic and control heat really well.

• Cheaper Option: The Classic 2 usually costs less money.

• Still Cooks Great: The Classic 2 still has a 2-level cooking system and works really well.

• Think About How You Cook: If you want all the newest features and cook a lot of different things, the Classic 3 might be worth the extra money.

Overview: Understanding Kamado Joe Classic

Kamado Joe makes really good ceramic grills, and their Classic series is the most popular. When the Classic II came out, it had cool new things like an easy-to-lift lid and a special top vent. The Classic III is even better, with more upgrades, but it still has the same 18-inch size that people love.

Both grills are great at keeping a steady temperature and can cook all sorts of food with that awesome ceramic flavor. But knowing how they’re different will help you pick the right one for how you like to cook outside.

Design and How They’re Built:

Both grills are the famous Kamado Joe red ceramic. But the Classic III is tougher. It has a strong steel cart that won’t rust as easily as the Classic II’s cart. The Classic III also has better side shelves that can handle heat and won’t rust, unlike the plastic shelves on the Classic II.

Both have the easy-to-lift lid hinge, so it’s not hard to open the heavy ceramic. And both have a thick seal around the lid that keeps air in really well for good temperature control.

Cooking System and How They Cook:

The biggest difference is how you cook on them. The Classic III has a 3-level cooking system. This means you can cook different foods at different temperatures all at the same time. The Classic II only has a 2-level system.

The Classic III also has a special SlōRoller for smoking. This part makes the smoke move around your food in a special way, so it tastes even smokier and better.

Both grills can get very hot or stay very low for smoking. The top vent on both stays where you set it, even when you open and close the lid, so it’s easy to keep the temperature steady.

My Experience with Both Models

I’ve used both the Kamado Joe Classic 2 and 3 a lot, and they both cook great. The Classic 2 is a really good grill with strong parts and smart features. It’s easy to put together, and even if you’ve never used a charcoal grill before, you can learn to control the heat pretty easily.

But the Classic 3 is even better, especially if you love to smoke meat. The SlōRoller part makes a big difference in how smoky and flavorful your brisket and chicken turn out. The 3-level cooking system also lets you cook a lot of different things at once, which is great if you’re making a big meal.

Both grills make meat look amazing with perfect grill marks, and veggies get that nice smoky char. Just be careful with small foods because the grates have wide spaces. It’s a good idea to use skewers for things like sausages.

How to Use

Both Kamado Joes work the same way. You put charcoal in the bottom, light it, and then adjust the vents on the top and bottom to get the temperature you want. If you’re smoking on the Classic 3, you put in the SlōRoller before it gets to cooking temperature.

You control the heat with the top vent and the bottom door. For low heat (like 225–275°F), open the vents just a little. For medium heat (350–450°F), open them about halfway. For high heat (500–750°F), open them all the way.

The Divide & Conquer system lets you cook in different areas by putting the grill racks at different heights and using the half-moon plates to block heat.

Which One is the Better Deal?

The Classic 3 costs more money, but it has some really good extras for people who grill a lot. If you smoke meat often, the SlōRoller is a big upgrade. The 3-level cooking also makes it easier to cook big meals.

The Classic 2 is still a great deal. It has most of the important things that make Kamado Joe grills so good, but it costs less. If you don’t grill all the time or you’re new to kamado cooking, the Classic 2 is a smart choice.

Which One Should You Pick?

Pick the Classic 2 if:

• You’re new to kamado grilling.
• You mostly just grill directly over the heat.
• You don’t want to spend as much money but still want a good grill.
• You don’t need the extra cooking level.

Pick the Classic 3 if:

• You smoke meat a lot and want it to taste the best.
• You often cook big meals with different things needing different heat.
• You want a grill made with really strong, long-lasting parts.
• You want all the newest and best features in a kamado grill.

Troubleshooting Guide

Even though Kamado Joe grills are really good, you might have a problem sometimes. Here’s how to fix some common issues and some helpful tips:

Fixing Problems:

• Takes Too Long to Heat Up: This usually means there’s too much ash inside from the last time you used it. Clean out the ash before you start. Not enough charcoal or leaving the lid open can also make it heat slowly.

• Can’t Keep the Right Temperature: Check the seal around the lid to make sure it’s tight. Also, make sure you adjusted the vents right. The top vent should stay where you set it.

• Fan Doesn’t Work (on some models): The fan might turn off if the grill gets to the temperature you set, if the lid is open, or if the lid switch isn’t working right.

If you still have problems, Kamado Joe has good customer support that can help.

Tips and Tricks for Grilling

• Use All the Space: The multi-level cooking system lets you cook more food at once by putting things at different heights.

• Don’t Lose Food: Use skewers for small things like cut-up veggies or sausages so they don’t fall through the grates.

• Keep the Lid Closed: Try not to open the lid too much while cooking so the temperature stays steady.

• Better Smoke (Classic 3): If you have a Classic 3, try different kinds of wood chunks with the SlōRoller to get different smoky flavors.

• Clean the Ash: Regularly clean out the ash. The special charcoal basket in the Classic 3 makes this easier.

The Final Word: Which Kamado Joe is Right for You?

The Kamado Joe Classic 2 and 3 are both great, but they’re for slightly different people. The Classic 2 is a fantastic grill with smart features that most people will love. The Classic 3 takes it up a notch with even better features that make grilling and smoking even easier and tastier.

Think about how you like to cook and how much you want to spend. If you just want a really good grill that will last, the Classic 2 is a great choice. But if you’re serious about grilling and smoking and want the best tools, the Classic 3 is worth the extra money.

No matter which one you pick, you’re getting a high-quality grill that will make your outdoor cooking amazing for many years. Happy grilling!