Outdoor cooking has seen a significant surge in popularity over the past few years, and kamado grills are at the forefront of this movement. According to Future Market Insights, the global ceramic barbecue grill market is projected to grow from USD 11.4 billion in 2025 to USD 15.8 billion by 2035, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6% over the forecast period. This growth underscores the increasing demand for versatile, durable, and high-performance outdoor cooking solutions.
The question we hear most often is a simple one: Big Green Egg or Kamado Joe? The Big Green Egg has long been the staple in this category, but Kamado Joe, Primo, and Monolith have all introduced compelling alternatives, and each of them solves a different problem. Below we compare all four on build, grate systems, included accessories, lid design, warranty, and price, then walk through the questions we ask customers before a kamado goes into a cabinet layout.
Understanding Kamado Grills
Kamado grills trace their origins to ancient Japan, where the traditional “kamado” was a wood or charcoal-fueled clay stove. Today’s kamado grills typically use thick ceramic construction, which delivers unmatched heat retention, consistent temperature control, and incredibly juicy results across various cooking styles.
They are known for their ability to sear steaks, slow-smoke briskets, bake pizzas, and even roast vegetables, all in one unit. That kind of flexibility is what makes them a cornerstone of serious outdoor kitchen setups.
Big Green Egg: The Original Kamado
The Big Green Egg (BGE) is the most iconic name in kamado grilling. It’s been around since the 1970s, and many enthusiasts consider it the gold standard.
What We Like:
- Durability: The ceramic shell is thick and built to last. We’ve seen Eggs in the field still performing beautifully after 15+ years.
- Consistent Performance: Once you dial in the temperature, it stays rock-steady for hours.
- Accessory Ecosystem: The range of add-ons—from baking stones to rotisserie kits—means you can use your Egg for just about anything.
Potential Drawbacks:
- Price Point: The base unit is competitively priced, but many core accessories (like the stand, side tables, and deflector) are sold separately.
- Weight: These are hefty units. While durable, they aren’t easy to move once installed.
In our opinion, the BGE shines if you’re looking for time-tested reliability and a huge community of users. But it’s not the only game in town anymore.
Kamado Joe: Innovation and Value
Kamado Joe burst onto the scene with smart design updates that addressed some of the pain points we’ve seen with traditional kamados.
Standout Features:
- Divide & Conquer Cooking System: This split-tier cooking system lets you cook multiple dishes at different temperatures simultaneously. Huge plus for versatility.
- Air Lift Hinge: Reduces dome weight by 96%, making it one of the easiest kamado lids to lift.
- Kontrol Tower Vent: Designed for all-weather use, this top vent maintains airflow consistency, even in rain or wind.
Value Add:
Kamado Joe includes several accessories (like the ash tool, grill gripper, and multi-level grates) in the base price, whereas you’d pay extra for these with other brands.
In our experience, Kamado Joe is ideal for users who value innovation and ease of use. The cooking results are excellent, and the user interface is friendly, even for first-timers.
Primo Ceramic Grills: Shape Matters
Primo is the only major kamado grill brand made in the USA, and it stands apart with its patented oval shape.
Why It Works:
- More Cooking Space: The oval design provides a better layout for indirect and direct cooking zones.
- Precision Grilling: You can set up two-zone heat easily, which is great for smoking a pork shoulder on one side while searing veggies on the other.
- Build Quality: The ceramic construction is solid and backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
While you don’t get quite as many included accessories as Kamado Joe, Primo wins points for cooking flexibility and domestic craftsmanship. We’ve found it especially useful in setups where side-by-side grilling is essential.
Monolith: Feature-Rich and Futuristic
Monolith is lesser-known in North America but is rapidly gaining traction in Europe and premium markets. It’s a kamado grill that feels like it was built by engineers who grill.
Key Features:
- Smoke Pellet Feeder: Load wood chips or pellets without opening the lid. This is a real bonus for smoking sessions where temperature consistency is key.
- Smart Grid System: Similar to Kamado Joe’s Divide & Conquer, but with even more configurations for trays, stones, and deflectors.
- Craftsmanship: German-engineered, with thick ceramic and stainless steel fittings.
In our hands-on tests, Monolith delivers superb temperature control and build quality. The learning curve is a bit steeper due to the modular system, but the payoff is worth it.
Big Green Egg vs. Others: Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Feature | Big Green Egg | Kamado Joe | Primo Oval XL | Monolith Classic Pro |
| Shape | Round | Round | Oval | Round |
| Build | Ceramic | Ceramic | Ceramic | Ceramic |
| Included Accessories | Sold Separately | Included | Partial | Included |
| Grate System | Single Level | Multi-Level | Adjustable Racks | Multi-Level (Smart) |
| Ease of Lid Lift | Standard Hinge | Air Lift Hinge | Standard | Spring-Loaded Hinge |
| Smoke Feeder | No | No | No | Yes |
| Price Range (est.) | $$$ | $$ | $$ | $$$$ |
| Warranty | Lifetime (Limited) | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime |
What to Consider When Choosing a Kamado Grill
When helping customers build out their outdoor kitchens, here’s what we always ask:
- What’s your cooking style? If you’re mainly doing grilling and occasional low-and-slow, BGE or Kamado Joe are solid. If you smoke regularly or cook large meals, the oval layout of Primo might serve you better.
- How often will you use it? If this is a weekend hobby, you may not need premium accessories. But if you’re firing it up three times a week, convenience features (like Kamado Joe’s hinge or Monolith’s pellet chute) are well worth the investment.
- Are you building a custom layout? Some kamados fit more seamlessly into custom HDPE cabinet cutouts than others. We’ve seen excellent integration with both Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg when installed alongside our EXT Cabinet modules.
Final Thoughts: Which Kamado is Right for You?
Kamado grills bring unmatched flavor, temperature control, and versatility to outdoor kitchens, and all four brands we’ve covered have something unique to offer.
- Go with Big Green Egg if you want the classic, cult-favorite with deep aftermarket support.
- Choose Kamado Joe for innovation and convenience straight out of the box.
- Pick Primo for maximum layout flexibility and made-in-USA pride.
- Opt for Monolith if you want pro-level control with smart engineering.
Pair any of these with our weatherproof, lifetime-warranty HDPE outdoor kitchen cabinets, and you’ll have a backyard setup that performs as well as it looks.
Want help designing your layout or need help fitting your kamado into a custom cabinet enclosure? Request a quote or browse our outdoor kitchen gallery to see real installations in action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kamado is the category, and the Big Green Egg is a brand within it. Kamado grills trace back to the traditional Japanese clay stove, and today's versions use thick ceramic for heat retention and steady temperature control. The Big Green Egg is simply the best-known name in that category, and it has been around since the 1970s.
It depends on what you want out of the grill. Kamado Joe includes accessories like the ash tool, grill gripper, and multi-level grates in the base price, and its Divide & Conquer system, Air Lift Hinge, and Kontrol Tower vent make it easier to live with day to day. The Big Green Egg gives you time-tested durability, rock-steady temperatures once dialed in, and the deepest accessory ecosystem and user community of any kamado.
Kamado Joe, Primo, and Monolith. Kamado Joe competes on innovation and value, Primo on its patented oval shape and made-in-USA build, and Monolith on features like its smoke pellet feeder and modular Smart Grid system.
Kamado Joe and Monolith include accessories with the grill. Primo includes some, and with the Big Green Egg most core pieces, including the stand, side tables, and deflector, are sold separately, so factor that into your budget.
Yes, though some models drop into a custom cutout more cleanly than others. We've seen excellent integration with both Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg alongside our EXT Cabinet modules. Keep in mind these are heavy units and aren't easy to move once installed, so settle the layout before the grill arrives.