Kamado Joe Classic II 18" vs Kamado Joe Classic III 18": 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 Classic III 18"

   The SlōRoller is the only real reason to step up to the III. On a 12-hour pulled pork the even bark and well-distributed smoke are visible at a glance.

2. For pizza and oven bread

   Winner: Kamado Joe Classic II 18"

   For pizza the SlōRoller doesn't matter: both hit 400 °C in thirty minutes with the same thermal mass. Paying the III premium for pizza alone is throwing away €500.

3. For big families or parties

   Winner: Kamado Joe Classic III 18"

   Tied on capacity (46 cm), but the III ships the upgraded Kontrol Tower thermometer: cooking for 8 makes reading temperature without opening every fifteen minutes worth the extra.

4. For balconies or tight spaces

   Winner: Kamado Joe Classic II 18"

   The II weighs 100 kg vs the III's 113 kg. Thirteen kilos that don't sound like much until you move the kamado from the courier to its final spot.

5. For a tight budget

   Winner: Kamado Joe Classic II 18"

   The Classic II typically lands €500 below the III on Amazon ES and delivers 90 % of the kamado. If you don't do smokes longer than 8 hours, the gap isn't justified.

Best and worst of each