Kamado Joe Classic Joe Series II 18-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill and Smoker with Cart
- Charcoal Grill
- 250 sq in
- Charcoal
- Aluminum, Cast Iron, Ceramic
- Better rated than 73%
- More reviewed than 55%
A capable ceramic kamado that several reviewers rated above the Big Green Egg for its hinge and included accessories, worth the higher price if you plan to smoke and sear regularly.
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Styles Available
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How it ranks among the 22 charcoal grills we track
4.7★ across 960 Amazon ratings, Bayesian-smoothed toward the category average.
960 Amazon ratings, weighted on a log scale so huge counts don't drown everything.
Modest tracked demand last month.
Brand identity, imagery, description and spec coverage.
The ProductDome score is separate from the Amazon rating shown above: it combines the Bayesian-smoothed Amazon rating with evidence volume, tracked demand, and data quality across the 22 charcoal grills we track - how the scorecard works · full charcoal grills data report. Confidence: medium - useful but incomplete evidence.Last refreshed Jun 21, 2026. Data-computed, not a hands-on test. Compiled by the ProductDome Research Team.
Overview
The Kamado Joe Classic II is an 18-inch ceramic charcoal grill and smoker sold as the KJ-23RHC package, which bundles the grill dome with a matching cast iron cart, locking caster wheels and side shelves rather than selling the cart separately.
Its Divide and Conquer system splits the grate into half-moon tiers so one half can sear while the other holds food at a lower temperature, and the Kontrol Tower top vent is rated from 225 F for slow smoking up to 750 F for searing. An Air Lift Hinge is built in so the heavy ceramic dome lifts with one finger instead of two hands, and the six-piece AMP firebox is designed to resist the cracking that plagues single-piece ceramic fireboxes.
- 18-inch grill with 250 square inches of stainless grate space
- Kontrol Tower vent runs from 225 F to 750 F
- Air Lift Hinge reduces dome-lifting effort to one finger
- Six-piece AMP firebox designed to resist cracking
Who it's for
This suits someone moving up from a kettle grill who wants to smoke, bake and sear on one appliance, or someone cross-shopping it against a Big Green Egg. It is not a fit for anyone without at least one helper on hand, since the ceramic body and cart are heavy to unbox and position, or for a home where a freight delivery truck cannot get close.
What buyers say
From Amazon customer reviews.
Buyers who cross-shopped this against a Big Green Egg said they preferred the Classic II for its hinge and the accessories included at this price, and one owner reported it still performing well after several years in Florida's humidity. The recurring complaints were not about the grill's cooking itself: freight delivery problems (a semi truck delivery, an Amazon scheduling mix-up), a frayed lid gasket on arrival, and one reviewer who found hitting precise temperatures took some trial and error at first.
Strengths and trade-offs
Drawn from this product's published specifications.
- Retains heat for long, steady smokes
- Divide and Conquer grate runs two temperatures at once
- Air Lift Hinge makes the heavy dome easy to open
- Cart, side shelves and locking wheels included
Performance notes
The thick ceramic walls hold heat steady for long smokes without much fuel, and the dual-adjustment top vent lets you dial in anywhere from a 225 F smoke to a 750 F sear without swapping equipment. The half-moon Divide and Conquer grate lets two different foods cook at two different heights and temperatures in the same session, which is the main thing separating it from a single flat kamado grate.
Specifications
| Model | KJ23RHC |
|---|---|
| Dimensions & fit | |
| Item Weight | 232 pounds |
| Item Dimensions D x W x H | 18 × 18.1 × 36 inches |
| Item Dimensions | 18 × 18.1 × 36 inches |
| Capacity & performance | |
| Number of Heating Elements | 1 |
| Power & efficiency | |
| Fuel Type | Charcoal |
| Construction & materials | |
| Material Type | Aluminum, Cast Iron, Ceramic |
| Handle Material | Metal |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Color | Red |
| Finish Types | Painted |
| Compatibility & installation | |
| Installation Type | Freestanding |
| Included components | |
| Unit Count | 1 |
| Included Components | 1 charcoal grill |
| Warranty & support | |
| Warranty Description | Limited lifetime |
| Other details | |
| Cooking Surface Area | 250 sq in |
| Number Of Racks | 1 |
| Main Burner Count | 1 |
| Required Assembly | No |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Outdoor |
| Cooking System | Multi-level |
| Grill Configuration | Multi-level |
| Indoor Outdoor Usage | Outdoor |
| Item Type Name | Charcoal Grill |
| Primary Cooking Method | Grilling |
| Other Special Features of the Product | Adjustable Air Vent, Folding Side Table, Heat-Resistant Handle, Heavy Duty, Tool Holder |
How it compares
This product against the closest alternatives we track in charcoal grills.
| Product | Amazon rating | Ratings | ProductDome score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kamado Joe Classic Joe Series II 18-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill and Smoker with CartThis product | 4.7 / 5 | 960 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Royal Gourmet CC1830S BBQ Charcoal Grill and Offset SmokerRoyal Gourmet | 4.3 / 5 | 7,100 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Weber Original Kettle Charcoal Grill | 4.8 / 5 | 10,100 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Char-Griller® AKORN® Jr. Portable Kamado Charcoal Grill and Smoker with Cast Iron Grates…Char-Griller | 4.6 / 5 | 3,800 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Captiva Designs Extra Large Charcoal BBQ Grill with Oversize Cooking AreaCaptiva Designs | 4.4 / 5 | 632 | 4.0 / 5 |
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Questions about the KJ23RHC
Common buyer questions answered straight from the product spec data - no fluff, no "it depends".
Does the Kamado Joe Classic II come with a cart?
Yes, the KJ-23RHC package includes the matching cast iron cart with locking caster wheels and side shelves, so nothing extra needs to be bought to make it mobile.
How hot can the Kamado Joe Classic II get?
The Kontrol Tower top vent is rated from 225 F for low and slow smoking up to 750 F for searing.
How is this different from a single-level kamado grate?
The Divide and Conquer system splits the grate into half-moon tiers, so you can sear on one side while holding food at a lower temperature on the other, at the same time.