Kamado Joe vs Primo — Which Grill Brand Is Better? (2022)

Want a unique grilling experience? Get into the world of the kamado grill. These charcoal grills have a unique oval shape which makes it effective as a grill, a smoker, and an oven.

Read on as we compare two of the most well-known kamado grill brands; Kamado Joe vs Primo.

Kamado Joe

Kamado Joe is known for having quality ceramic cookers. A big feature of Kamado Joe is that it's built for a two-zone cooking system. It also has a patented slide-out ash drawer that makes clean-up easier to manage.

All Kamado Joe grills come with the air lift hinge which makes lifting and closing the lid easy. Not to mention, the lids seal tightly so that you can maintain your desired temperature.

Primo

When it comes to kamado grills, Primo is one of the best brands as well. It also has a 2-zone cooking system with an oval design. All primo oval grills come with a lifetime warranty.

All of their grillers are exclusively made in the USA and they come in various sizes. You can choose among a charcoal grill, propane grill, or natural gas grill.

These two brands offer the best-quality grills. This article will review and compare both kamado joe vs primo brands to help you decide which one to buy!

Top 3 Kamado Joe Grills  

1. Kamado Joe Classic

This is a 28-inch portable charcoal grill with a heat-resistant ceramic shell that secures smoke and moisture to keep the consistent cooking heat. Its main features include:

• Patented Divide and Conquer flexible cooking system with a multi-level, half-rack design that maximizes cooking space.
• Patented no-rust aluminum and rain-proof Kontrol Tower top vent that keeps airflow management precise and consistent.
• Self-activating stainless steel latch with a double-thick wire mesh fiberglass gasket with an airtight seal.
• Side shelves with a patented slide-out drawer design to keep things clean and organized.

2. Kamado Joe Classic II

The Classic II features several upgrades from the Classic I with its improved vent, air lift hange, and firebox. It still has the main features like the divide and conquer design.

There is not much difference from the previous model but a few improvements include:

• Kontrol Tower top vent made out of powder-coated cast aluminum. This makes it rain and mold-resistant.
• Patented Air Lift Hinge made to reduce dome weight and make lifting the lid easier.
• Multi-panel firebox that's made of six different pieces, ensuring that the material withstands high heat cooking.
• It also comes with its wire mesh fiberglass gasket that provides an air-tight seal.

3. Kamado Joe Big Joe

This is a large 50-in. standing charcoal grill with an addition of more grilling surface. It has the usual dense, heavy ceramic walls that retain heat for highly efficient cooking and consistent temperature control.

All of its main features are adjusted with its bigger size and these include:

• Patented Divide & Conquer flexible cooking system with side tables and multi-level rack extensions.
• Multi-panel firebox eliminates charcoal breakage and retains heat for hours.
• Patented, no-rust aluminum, rain-proof Kontrol Tower top vent to maintain consistent, precise airflow management
• Patented slide-out drawer makes emptying ashes more manageable and a self-activating stainless-steel latch for an extra airtight seal.

For our Primo vs Kamado comparison, here are the Primo grills that have similar sizes and features from the ones listed above.

Top 3 Primo Grills

1. Primo Grill 773

Starting with our  Kamado Joe vs Primo comparison is the Primo 773 that has similar features as the Kamado Joe Classic.

It's also a portable 28-inch grill with heavy-duty ceramic walls made for superior heat and moisture retention. Its main features include:

• 280 sq. in. of grilling surface with a thermometer for excellent temperature control, reversible cooking grates, and side shelves.
• Cast-iron top vent and stainless steel draft door
• Premium-grade primo ceramic grill able to withstand any outdoor weather. It's made to efficiently heat faster, reducing cooking time and fuel.

2. Primo 774 Ceramic Charcoal Smoker Grill, Oval Junior

It's a fact that Kamado Joe Classic II is a clear winner in this Primo vs Kamado comparison, but this is a great quality option if you're not willing to spend a lot for choosing one grill.

The Primo Oval Junior has a smaller cooking surface with just 210 square inches.

It doesn’t have a cast-iron cart and wheels, side shelves, and all the fancy upgrades but its main features are worth looking out for:

• Has a premium-grade ceramic blend with a scratch-resistant glaze.
• Comes with reversible stainless steel cooking grates for more versatile cooking space.
• Highest quality ceramic grill for increased efficiency and durability.

3. Primo Oval XL

A big competitor for large-sized kamado grills is the Primo Oval 400 measuring 18.5 in. by 25 in.

It has a large 680 sq. in. of grilling surface. Its large oval design is made for high cooking efficiency and easy food accessibility.

This product is flexible and very capable of cooking from slow and low heat to fiery blazing hot. It's very convenient and requires little maintenance.

Its highlight features include:

• 2-zone, simultaneous direct and indirect versatile cooking.
• Efficient light-up and quick heating that lets you save time. Primo ceramics enable you to use less fuel to get it hotter faster, and save time.
• Made to withstand any outdoor weather with its high-quality ceramics, glazes, and hardware.

Overall Winner: Kamado Joe

If we're to choose from one of the top-notch brands in the market, the clear answer is the one and only, Kamado Joe.

While there is much divide and debate, you can't deny that a Kamado Joe cooker has the best-patented qualities made to make cooking more efficient. But with this Primo vs Kamado comparison, we can't deny that Primo is tough competition.

Primo may not have the same exact design as Kamado Joe but if you're not willing to shell out a big budget for a kamado grill [1], it's the next best choice.

Both brands have a great deal to offer. What do you think?