The Kamado Joe Jr. has proven itself to be a steady, good‑mannered little grill—one of those tools that fits right into family life without drawing attention to itself. Its small size and stout, ceramic build make it easy to manage on the patio, taking no more room than a milk stool. Folks appreciate how it can be moved about without trouble, whether a person is grilling by the porch or setting it near the garden bench.
For families with children nearby, the Joe Jr. brings a sense of peace. It sits low, stays stable, and keeps its heat tucked safely inside the thick walls. With adults tending it, it feels right at home in a place where little ones are always underfoot. It doesn’t flare up wildly or behave in a way that startles folks, which is a blessing when there’s much activity around.
What stands out most is how varietal it is—good for meat, vegetables, and even a pan of baked beans if a person wants to get creative. It warms up faithfully, holds its heat like a woodstove, and gives food that gentle, smoky flavor our people enjoy when gathering on the porch after a long day.
If there is one thing that would make the Joe Jr. even better, it would be if Kamado Joe offered more options and accessories sized especially for this smaller model. A few added tools or attachments would make it all the more useful for families who prefer the compact size.
All told, the Kamado Joe Jr. is a humble, dependable grill that fits a family’s patio the way a well‑made chair fits the kitchen table—quiet, sturdy, and ready to serve.
This grill is fantastic! I use it for everything from smoking eggs to grilling meat to making lasagna. It holds temp extremely well, once I get the air flow set, it'll maintain the temperature within a couple of degrees, from smoking eggs at 110 degrees to smoking pork butt at 250 degrees to searing steak at 550 degrees. Absolutely love it!
I bought this during a surprise sale at a solid price. We currently have a KJBJ3 and having the Jr has been great for those cooks that do not require a big fire or prep. While it’s a hefty and well-built piece of kit, it has gone with us on road trips and camp outs. Additionally, I have taught my children how to grill with it. Like our KJBJ3, we cannot imagine not having it. It’s great.
The moment I 1st saw it on YouTube being reviewed I thought it was all hype but when I finally got mine mastering it didn’t take long.It heats up and maintains heat very well making a perfect cook every time. I personally love it when i make wings pork or steaks .The round shape makes it easy to arrange the meat for perfect around cook. I am enjoying this journey of discovery what other perfect meat I can prepare on it .My favorite grills and cooks have been chicken wings,pork chops,steaks, pizza corn and loving it.
My wife and I decided to invest in this Grill over 13 years ago after going through many other grills and smokers. We decided on Kamdo Big Joe because of the versatility this thing would give us. After having it for a while I sold my offset smoker and my gas grill. Didn’t need em anymore. When we got ours they still had the black ones available. Now they only have red ones. I haven’t had any problems with mine and it’s still going strong. It has moved from Texas to upstate Ny and back to Texas and doesn’t have a crack in it. I’ve never had to use the warranty on any part. I love how this company has grown and improved their accessories over the years. I even bought one for my best friend for his birthday because I love mine so much.