Who doesn’t like to enjoy the day along with tasty grilled food with family and friends? We all do. And thus, we always try to buy the perfect grill for ourselves so that we don’t have to face any future problems related to durability, performance, heating, etc.
When we talk about ceramic portable grills the two main best sellers are the
Big green egg minimax and the Kamando joe jr. So many of us are still in a dilemma about which one to choose. It is obviously not easy for every cooking/lifestyle YouTuber or influencer to buy both of the products and give you an honest review. So, today we are going to tell you everything that you need to know about these two products. Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Similarities
Material
The first thing which is observed in a grill is the material it’s made of. They both are made of the very same material, i.e ceramic. Thus, both the grills will be providing you with the same temperature control technology and flexible cooking system.
The glossy shine on both the grills allows you to clean them in a very effortless manner. So if you are worried about how the food will turn out to be, then you don’t have to think much as both the grills are perfect in this aspect.
Internal Components
The second thing to look after is the components that are included with the grill. Both the grills are of the same type and thus, the working technology for both of them is also the same. The different components provided in both the items are the ceramic firebox, ceramic fire ring, cast iron fire grate (or charcoal grate), and stainless steel cooking grid. One big advantage of having the ceramic firebox in such grills is that it is just one solid piece of ceramic that is meant to crack with an increased temperature of heat. If you want to avoid the issue of cracking, you can check out the latest and advanced unibody models of the brand.
Temperature Control
The top vent on both grills is a classic cast iron daisy wheel, while the bottom vent is an ash door. They work in the same way as any other kamado. The top and bottom vents are used to control the internal temperature.
Portability & Size
Despite their reduced size, both grills offer a compact, easy-to-clean construction. If you’re going camping or traveling, these grills are easy to transport because they don’t take up much space and can simply be stored in the back of your truck or car.
Cleaning & Maintenance
When it comes to cleaning, the kamado joe jr comes along with a grill gripper ash tool. This ash tool makes it easier for you to scrape the ash from the grill in an easy way. Whereas, the big green egg minimax comes with a mesh screen that keeps the hot fire from coming out of the grill. If you want a separate tool for your minimax, you can buy it individually. With the mini max, there is no risk of fire and you can experience a peaceful and safe grilling.
Warranty
The brands of both the kamado joe jr and big green egg offer similar kinds of warranty offers for their customers. They are as follows:
- Ceramic Parts- Lifetime warranty
- Cast iron and stainless steel parts- 5-year warranty
- Ceramic heat deflector- 3-year warranty
- Thermometer and gaskets- 1-year warranty
Differences
Assembly
The kamado joe jr comes in pre-assembled packaging and requires no complicated setup. You only need to remove the plastic covering and you’re ready to go. The big green egg, on the other hand, does not come with a pre-assembled box. Before you can use mini max, you must first set up the entire system. The setup is not difficult, but it does take some time. To make it easier for you to install the grill, the firm includes an instruction booklet with the product.
Carrier
One of the primary differences between the kamado joe jr and the big green egg is the height and nested carrier. The kamado comes with a taller carrier, making it slightly taller than a large green egg. Because Joe Jr. is higher now, it stands taller and maintains its bottom surface away from the ground. A long carrier has the advantage of preventing your tiles or any other ground surface from charring. Additionally, improved airflow under the bottom of the grill makes it easier for the coal to prepare for grilling.
The enormous green egg, on the other hand, has a higher probability of cracking your tiles, but its handle makes it easier to carry.
Cooking Size
The most important consideration is the cooking space. If you have a small family and don’t think you’ll need a large grill, the big green egg is a good option. Otherwise, Joe Jr. is the perfect choice for those with a large family or who want to buy a barbecue for special occasions and get-togethers with friends and relatives. The mini max has a size of 148 square inches as compared to 133 square inches. If you don’t think this size is big enough for you, go for the big green egg.
Is Kamado Joe Jr better than Big Green Egg?
The joe jr and the big green egg each have their own set of benefits and drawbacks. If you think you’ll be comfortable with a grill with more height and cooking space, as well as a pre-installed package, the Joe Jr option is unquestionably the finest.
The majority of people choose the solutions that are most suitable for the general audience. However, you must determine for yourself whether the versatile Joe jr or the big green egg’s modest design will suit your needs. If you’re still unclear, look up videos on YouTube that will assist you to make a better decision.
