Kamado Joe Big Joe III 24" vs Pit Boss K24 24": which one should you choose?

Specs side by side

Verdict by use case

Five real cooking scenarios. For each one we pick a winner with a concrete reason — no diplomatic ties.

1. For low & slow smoking

   Winner: Kamado Joe Big Joe III 24"

   The Big Joe's SlōRoller and dense ceramic give it an hour's extra stable-temperature window over the K24 on a 14-hour brisket. It's not marketing — it's thermal mass.

2. For pizza and oven bread

   Winner: Pit Boss K24 24"

   For pizza, hitting 350 °C is what matters, and both do. The K24 delivers it at a third of the price — and the pizza can't tell the difference.

3. For big families or parties

   Winner: Kamado Joe Big Joe III 24"

   Same capacity (61 cm), but the Big Joe III ships three-tier multi-level. On the K24 you cook on one level — for 10-12 people that means sequential cooking, not parallel.

4. For balconies or tight spaces

   Winner: Pit Boss K24 24"

   The K24 weighs 110 kg vs the Big Joe III's 170 kg. If your terrace can't handle the Big Joe's mass, the K24 is the only one that fits through a standard 80 cm door without disassembly.

5. For a tight budget

   Winner: Pit Boss K24 24"

   €1,900 in savings. That's a family trip to Italy or six years of premium charcoal prepaid. If your cooking is occasional, the math is clear.

Best and worst of each