Kamado Joe is the best all-round choice if you want one charcoal barbecue for grilling, smoking, roasting and pizza. Weber is better value and easier to move, while Big Green Egg suits buyers who want its distinctive design, established dealer network and long-term accessory ecosystem. The right answer depends less on brand prestige than on whether you need a versatile ceramic oven or a simpler kettle grill.
Quick answer: Weber vs Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg
- Best all-round value: Kamado Joe Classic I — a complete 46cm ceramic package at a lower entry price than the more elaborate Series II and III models.
- Best for direct grilling: Weber Original Kettle Premium 57cm — roomy, comparatively light and much less expensive than a ceramic kamado.
- Best heritage choice: Large Big Green Egg — refined ceramic cooking with an established UK dealer and accessory network, but a suitable base increases the real setup cost.
For most people choosing their first kamado, the Kamado Joe Classic I is the sensible sweet spot. The pricier Classic II adds an Air Lift hinge and improved top vent, while the Classic III adds a three-tier cooking system and SlōRoller insert. Those upgrades are worthwhile only if they solve a problem you will encounter regularly.
In This Guide
- How we compared
- Comparison at a glance
- Three models compared
- Head-to-head verdict
- Size, fuel and ownership
- Frequently asked questions
- The bottom line
How we compared
This is a specification-led comparison rather than a claim of hands-on testing. We compared construction, cooking diameter, weight, airflow control, cleaning, included equipment, expansion options and the practical demands of owning each barbecue in a UK garden. Manufacturer specifications and warranty terms were checked for the named models rather than applied loosely across an entire brand.
We also compared complete usable setups, not just headline prices. A ceramic body without a secure base is not ready for the patio, and a lower-priced kettle may need a charcoal arrangement or accessory for consistent indirect cooking. Prices move, so the recommendations focus on what each model includes and which cooking style justifies the spend.
Comparison at a glance
| Model | Best for | Construction | Cooking diameter | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weber Original Kettle Premium 57cm | Fast grilling and lower-cost charcoal cooking | Porcelain-enamelled steel | 57cm | Less insulated for long cooks |
| Kamado Joe Classic I | Best-value ceramic all-rounder | Ceramic | 46cm | Heavy and less convenient to move |
| Large Big Green Egg | Heritage, dealers and accessory depth | Ceramic | 46cm | Base and accessories raise setup cost |
The Weber provides the widest single cooking grate here, but grate diameter does not tell the whole story. Kamado Joe’s half-moon system supports different heights and direct or indirect zones, while Big Green Egg can expand through its EGGspander system. Compare the configuration you will actually buy rather than assuming a larger diameter always means greater versatility.
There is also a substantial price ladder. The Weber usually sits in the low hundreds, the Classic I around the upper hundreds, and a complete Large Big Green Egg configuration reaches four figures once its required support is included. These are not three equally priced alternatives. The question is whether the extra cooking modes, insulation and ownership ecosystem solve needs that a well-managed kettle cannot.
Three premium charcoal BBQs compared
1. Weber Original Kettle Premium 57cm: best for direct grilling
The Weber is the practical choice when most meals will be burgers, sausages, chicken pieces, vegetables and steaks rather than overnight brisket. Its 57cm grate provides useful family capacity, the enclosed ash catcher keeps cleanup tidier than an open tray, and the wheeled steel body is far easier to reposition than either ceramic model.
Airflow is controlled through the lid and bowl vents. With charcoal arranged to one side, it can roast or smoke indirectly, but the thin steel shell does not buffer temperature changes like a heavy ceramic body. Longer cooks need more attention to fuel placement and vent settings, particularly in cold or windy weather. That is manageable, but it is a different ownership experience from setting up a kamado and letting its thermal mass work for you.
- Buy it if: you mainly grill for family and friends, want simple ash cleanup and need to move the barbecue occasionally.
- Skip it if: low-and-slow smoking, bread and high-temperature pizza are central to why you are buying.
- Main compromise: exceptional value and usable grate space, but less insulation and fewer multi-level cooking options.
2. Kamado Joe Classic I: best all-round value
The Classic I is the best-value route into the Kamado Joe system. Its 46cm ceramic body can grill directly, cook indirectly with the supplied heat deflectors, hold a low smoking temperature or run hot for pizza. The two-tier Divide & Conquer system uses half-moon grates, so food can sit at different heights or over different heat zones without buying an entirely new cooking surface.
Choosing the Classic I means accepting fewer convenience features than the newer versions. It lacks the Series II Air Lift hinge and Kontrol Tower top vent, and it does not include the Series III SlōRoller or three-tier rack. None of those omissions prevents it from cooking well. They matter most to frequent users who open the heavy dome repeatedly, smoke large cuts often or want the most flexible rack arrangement.
The ceramic body also changes installation. At roughly 85kg plus its cart and accessories, this is not something to wheel over rough paving every weekend. Give it a level, stable position with enough room to open the lid and use both side shelves. If the patio itself is being planned, our guide to laying a patio explains the importance of a firm, even base.
- Buy it if: you want genuine ceramic versatility without paying for every newer convenience feature.
- Skip it if: you want a lightweight barbecue or expect to cook only quick, direct-grilled food.
- Main compromise: strong cooking flexibility for the money, but with a heavier lid and simpler vent than later models.
3. Large Big Green Egg: best heritage choice
The Large Big Green Egg has a 46cm cooking surface and is sized for typical family entertaining. The current UK package includes the stainless-steel cooking grid and ConvEGGtor, so direct and indirect cooking are available from the start. That is important because older comparisons sometimes describe the ConvEGGtor as an unavoidable extra; it is now included with the Large EGG package.
Big Green Egg’s appeal is broader than the ceramic shell. Its UK dealer network, classes, recipes and long-running accessory range make it attractive to someone who wants to build an outdoor cooking system over time. The EGGspander, cast-iron grids, baking stones and tables can make the setup highly capable, but each addition increases the total spend and storage requirement.
A suitable base is essential. The official configurator allows the EGG itself to be selected without a wheeled nest, but it still needs a Table Nest or another approved installation arrangement that protects the supporting surface. Compare complete configurations when pricing it against a Kamado Joe supplied with a cart and shelves.
- Buy it if: the brand, dealer support and long-term accessory ecosystem matter as much as the initial specification.
- Skip it if: you want the most complete mobile package for the lowest upfront cost.
- Main compromise: polished ceramic cooking and excellent support, but the final setup can become expensive.
Head-to-head: which one should you buy?
Weber vs Kamado Joe
Choose Weber if direct grilling is the priority. It heats quickly, offers more single-level grate space and costs far less. Choose Kamado Joe if you want one appliance to grill, smoke, roast and bake with less temperature variation during long cooks. The cost difference buys insulation and flexibility, not automatically better burgers.
The biggest mistake is buying a kamado because it looks like the “serious” option, then using it only for a few sausages on sunny weekends. A kettle is quicker to uncover, easier to move and less intimidating. Conversely, repeatedly adapting a kettle for overnight smoking can become frustrating when a ceramic cooker would suit the routine better. Our Weber kettle versus Summit Kamado comparison explores the middle ground within Weber’s own range.
Kamado startup is not difficult, but it rewards planning. The ceramic takes time to warm and responds gradually when vents are adjusted. A kettle sheds heat more quickly, which can be an advantage when a short evening cook needs to finish and cool down sooner. Think about the rhythm of a normal meal, not only the most ambitious recipe you might attempt once a year.
Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg
Kamado Joe wins on included functionality and price clarity. Even the Classic I includes a cart, side shelves, heat deflectors and a split cooking system. Big Green Egg wins for the depth of its mature ecosystem and UK dealer experience. Its current inclusion of the ConvEGGtor closes one historic equipment gap, but buyers still need to choose and price a base.
Cooking results depend more on fire management and food preparation than the badge. Both ceramics retain heat well and can cook across a wide temperature range. Pick Kamado Joe when practical equipment per pound matters most; pick Big Green Egg when you value its particular format, support network and step-by-step upgrade path. For a deeper model-specific view, see the Large Big Green Egg review.
Weber vs Big Green Egg
These are the least similar products in the comparison. The Weber is the sensible choice for uncomplicated charcoal grilling and occasional indirect cooking. The EGG is for someone who wants an outdoor ceramic oven and accepts the weight, learning curve and investment. If your budget is closer to the Weber, do not stretch to the EGG expecting every meal to improve; spend the difference only when its low-and-slow and baking capability will be used.
Size, fuel and long-term ownership
Allow for working space, not just barbecue width
Measure the barbecue with its lid open and shelves in use. A narrow body can still dominate a small terrace once a cook needs space for utensils, hot trays and safe circulation. Ceramic cookers should stand on stable paving and are awkward to move across gravel, steps or uneven slabs. The Weber is more forgiving where storage or furniture arrangements change.
For tighter gardens, plan the entire zone before choosing the cooker. Our small-patio ideas and outdoor dining-set guide help balance seating, preparation space and a safe route around the hot barbecue.
Fuel choice and temperature control
Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg are designed around lumpwood charcoal. Their insulated ceramic bodies allow partially used charcoal to be shut down and reused once cold. Weber kettles work with lumpwood or briquettes; briquettes can be easier to arrange in repeatable quantities for indirect cooks. Follow the fuel guidance for the exact model and never use indoor heating fuel or treated timber.
Avoid fixed “cost per cook” figures. Fuel brand, bag price, weather, food load, target temperature and cooking time all change consumption. Ceramic models can use fuel efficiently during long cooks, but that saving alone is unlikely to repay a four-figure purchase quickly. Buy a kamado for the cooking range and temperature stability, not as a fuel-cost investment.
Weather, cleaning and warranty
All three can live outside when installed and maintained as their manufacturers specify, but a fitted cover protects metal fittings, shelves and moving parts from avoidable weathering. Let the cooker cool and dry before covering it. Empty ash regularly because retained moisture and ash are an unfriendly combination for steel components.
Warranty headlines need context. Weber lists ten years against rust-through or burn-through for the Master-Touch bowl and lid, with shorter periods for other parts. Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg offer limited lifetime cover on key ceramic components, while metal, gasket, thermometer, base and accessory cover varies. Read the current terms and retain proof of purchase rather than assuming “lifetime” covers accidental cracks or every replaceable component.
Whichever model you choose, food-safety basics remain the same. The Food Standards Agency barbecue guidance covers separation of raw and cooked food, thorough cooking and avoiding cross-contamination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is best: Weber, Kamado Joe or Big Green Egg?
Kamado Joe is the best all-round choice for most buyers who want ceramic versatility. Weber is better value for direct grilling, while Big Green Egg suits buyers who prioritise its dealer and accessory ecosystem.
Is a Kamado Joe better than a Weber?
It is more versatile for smoking, roasting and pizza, but it is much heavier and more expensive. A Weber kettle is the better purchase when quick direct grilling is the main job.
Is Big Green Egg better than Kamado Joe?
Neither is universally better. Kamado Joe generally includes more equipment in a complete mobile package, while Big Green Egg offers an established dealer network and extensive long-term accessory system.
Can a Weber kettle smoke food?
Yes. Arrange the charcoal for indirect heat, control the vents and monitor grate temperature. It can produce excellent results, although its steel body needs more attention than an insulated ceramic kamado during long cooks.
Can ceramic kamados stay outside in winter?
They can remain outside when installed and maintained according to the manufacturer, but a fitted cover helps protect metal fittings and accessories. Avoid moving or shocking hot ceramic with cold water.
Is the Kamado Joe Classic III worth the extra cost?
It is worthwhile for frequent smokers who will use the SlōRoller, three-tier cooking system and heavier cart. The Classic I remains the stronger value choice when those additions are not essential.
The bottom line
Buy the Kamado Joe Classic I if you want the strongest balance of ceramic versatility and complete-package value. Choose the Weber Original Kettle Premium when most cooking is direct grilling and you would rather keep the budget, weight and learning curve down. Choose the Large Big Green Egg when its design, dealer support and expandable ecosystem justify paying more for the finished setup.