EDITORIAL COMPARISON · 1 VS 1
Big Green Egg MiniMax vs Kamado Joe Joe Jr 13.5": which one should you choose?
Comparison by Valery Grin ·
The portable-kamado derby for small terraces, beach houses or campervan trips. The MiniMax weighs 35 kg and includes the EGGsentiel nest with handles; the Joe Jr lands at 31 kg with a built-in side handle. Both cook like real kamados — the details settle it.
Quick answer
Among tabletop kamados, the Big Green Egg MiniMax beats the Kamado Joe Joe Jr: denser ceramic plus the EGGsentiel nest with a built-in plate setter for indirect cooking from day one. The Kamado Joe Joe Jr wins if you genuinely travel with it (31 kg versus 35 kg) or want to spend €549 instead of €1,349.
Specs side by side
| Specification | Big Green Egg MiniMax | Kamado Joe Joe Jr 13.5" |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter | 33 cm | 34 cm |
| Diners | 2-4 | 2 |
| Weight | 35 kg | 31 kg |
| Material | Cerámica refractaria densa | Cerámica esmaltada |
| Temperature range | 100°C – 370°C | 110°C – 400°C |
| Warranty | Vitalicia (cerámica) — transferible | Vitalicia (cerámica) |
| Current price | €1,349 | €549 |
Verdict by use case
Five real cooking scenarios. For each one we pick a winner with a concrete reason — no diplomatic ties.
For low & slow smoking
Winner: Big Green Egg MiniMax
The MiniMax's ceramic — derived from space-program materials, per the brand — holds heat better than the Joe Jr on 4-6-hour smokes. A small gap, but measurable on a 4 h beer-can chicken.
For pizza and oven bread
Winner: Kamado Joe Joe Jr 13.5"
The Joe Jr hits 400 °C in 15-20 minutes vs the MiniMax's 20 — a quarter-hour you feel when you're running five pizzas for guests.
For big families or parties
Winner: Big Green Egg MiniMax
Near tie: 33 cm MiniMax, 34 cm Joe Jr. The MiniMax wins because the EGGsentiel nest ships a built-in plate setter for indirect roasts.
For balconies or tight spaces
Winner: Kamado Joe Joe Jr 13.5"
The Joe Jr is 4 kg lighter (31 vs 35 kg) and the tabletop stand is integrated: sit it on a heat-resistant bench without a nest. For a small balcony, that wins.
For a tight budget
Winner: Kamado Joe Joe Jr 13.5"
The Joe Jr lands roughly €800 below the MiniMax on Amazon ES (€549 vs €1,349). If you're travelling with the kamado, saving €800 on a grill you'll cart around makes sense.
Best and worst of each
Big Green Egg MiniMax
Best
- Same dense refractory ceramic as the Large — real heat retention
- Only 35 kg, two-handed carry
- EGGsentiel nest included: pack comes with handles and plate setter
Worst
- 33 cm grate caps you on large cuts: 4 diners max
- Cost per cm² cooked is high vs. Large or XL
Kamado Joe Joe Jr 13.5"
Best
- Same Kamado Joe ceramic as the bigger models — real heat retention
- Only 31 kg, two-handed carry
- Hits target temp in 15-20 min (a Classic III takes 30-40)
Worst
- 34 cm grate — caps you at 4 diners
- No SlōRoller or Divide & Conquer: if you want multi-tier, look elsewhere
Our pick: Big Green Egg MiniMax
For the cook who'll use the portable kamado at a country house or fixed terrace, the MiniMax — BGE's denser ceramic and the EGGsentiel nest with built-in plate setter make it a serious kamado in small format. The Joe Jr is the call if you'll truly move it (campervan, beach house, picnic) or if your budget sits closer to €500 — it's 4 kg lighter and the side handle is designed for carry.
KEEP READING
Take this decision further
- Editorial guide
Your first kamado: the complete pre-purchase guide
Size, materials, brand and budget. Everything you have to decide before clicking Buy, told by someone who has made enough mistakes.
- Recipe to try
Low-and-slow smoked brisket
The kamado acid test. Ten hours at 110°C, a deep bark, a pink smoke ring and a texture that gives way under the weight of a fork.
- Recipe to try
St. Louis-style ribs on the kamado
St. Louis-cut ribs (no rib tips), cooked reverse-sear: four hours at 130°C with light smoke, then a final blast of direct heat to caramelise the glaze.
- Glossary term
Plate setter
Big Green Egg's name for its three-legged ceramic deflector, equivalent to the modern ConvEGGtor.