Kamado Joe Joe Jr 13.5-Inch Portable Ceramic Charcoal Grill Review (2026): Small Grill, Big Flavor?

Updated: August 3, 2026

The Kamado Joe Joe Jr 13.5-inch portable ceramic charcoal grill is one of the best compact kamado grills for people who want real charcoal flavor without buying a full-size ceramic cooker. Yes—for the right buyer. The Kamado Joe Joe Jr is worth it if you cook for one to three people and want real charcoal flavor, steady heat control, and strong fuel efficiency in a small ceramic grill. Skip it if you need a lightweight portable grill or enough room for big family cookouts. is small, heavy, efficient, and surprisingly capable when used for the right kind of cooking. Quick verdict: Buy the Kamado Joe Joe Jr if you cook for one to three people, want excellent heat retention, and like the idea of grilling, smoking, roasting, and baking on one small charcoal grill. Skip it if you need a lightweight portable grill or enough room to feed a crowd. Disclosure: Everything Grill Reviews may earn a commission if you buy through affiliate links on this page. This does not change your price. I try to point buyers toward grills that make sense in real backyard use, not just what looks good in a sales ad. Go to Amazon for price

Kamado Joe Joe Jr At a Glance

• Best for: Couples, small patios, RV setups, and serious charcoal flavor in a small package
• Cooking style: Grill, smoke, roast, bake, and sear
• Fuel: Lump charcoal
• Cooking surface: Compact 13.5-inch ceramic kamado setup
• Portability: Compact, but heavy
• Best buyer: Someone who values flavor and heat control more than cooking space
• Biggest drawback: Limited room for large family meals

Table of Contents

• Quick Answer: Is the Kamado Joe Joe Jr Worth It?
• Who This Grill Is Really For
• Is the Kamado Joe Joe Jr Big Enough?
• Cooking Performance
• Temperature Control
• How Much Charcoal Does It Use?
• Is It Really Portable?
• Comparison Table
• Pros and Cons
• Final Verdict
• Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Answer: Is the Kamado Joe Joe Jr Worth It?

Yes, the Kamado Joe Joe Jr is worth it for the right buyer. It is not the cheapest small charcoal grill, and it is not the lightest portable grill, but it delivers a level of heat control and charcoal efficiency that cheaper metal grills usually cannot match. The reason people like the Joe Jr is simple: it gives you a small version of the kamado cooking experience. You can run it hot for steaks, steady for chicken, low for ribs, or indirect for roasting. That is a lot of cooking ability in a small footprint. The catch is space. This is not a backyard party grill. If you regularly cook for five or six people, you will run out of room fast. But if you cook smaller meals and want better flavor than a gas grill gives you, the Joe Jr makes a lot of sense.

Who This Grill Is Really For?

The Kamado Joe Joe Jr is best for people who want premium charcoal performance in a small grill. That means couples, small households, apartment patio cooks, RV owners, and backyard grillers who do not need a huge cooking surface every weekend. I look at this grill as a small serious cooker, not a cheap tailgate grill. There is a difference. A cheap portable grill is easy to move, easy to store, and usually simple to replace. The Joe Jr is heavier, more expensive, and built for people who care about temperature control, charcoal flavor, and versatility. If you are the kind of cook who wants to throw six burgers on a grill in a hurry and be done, a cheaper kettle or gas grill may fit you better. But if you enjoy controlling fire, using lump charcoal, and getting more flavor out of simple food, this little kamado earns its place.

What Makes the Joe Jr Different From Cheap Charcoal Grills?

The big difference is ceramic heat retention. Most small charcoal grills are thin metal cookers. They can grill burgers and hot dogs just fine, but they lose heat faster, burn fuel quicker, and usually do not hold steady low temperatures as easily. The Joe Jr is a ceramic kamado. That thick ceramic body holds heat and moisture better than a thin metal portable grill. Once the fire is settled and the vents are adjusted, the cooker can run steady with less fuss. That matters when you are cooking chicken, ribs, pork shoulder, or anything that needs time. A grill that holds steady heat lets you focus on the food instead of fighting the fire every ten minutes. That does not mean it is magic. You still have to learn airflow. You still have to use good charcoal. You still have to avoid chasing the temperature dial every few minutes. But once you understand how the vents work, the Joe Jr becomes predictable.

Is the Kamado Joe Joe Jr Big Enough?

No, the Joe Jr is not big enough for large families, but it is big enough for small meals. This is where buyers need to be honest before spending money. In real backyard terms, expect room for:

• Two to three steaks, depending on size
• Four burgers comfortably, maybe more if they are smaller
• Chicken pieces for a small family meal
• One small rack of ribs if cut or arranged carefully
• A small pork butt or trimmed roast
• Vegetables or sides in smaller batches

If you cook for one or two people most nights, this size is actually handy. You are not lighting a giant cooker just to make two pork chops. You use less charcoal, heat up a smaller space, and finish with less cleanup. If you cook for a family of five, this grill will make you work in rounds. That gets old. For bigger meals, a larger kamado, kettle, pellet grill, or gas grill will be easier.

What Can You Actually Cook on the Joe Jr?

You can cook a lot on the Kamado Joe Joe Jr, just not all at once. That is the best way to understand it. For high-heat grilling, steaks are a natural fit. The ceramic body gets hot, and lump charcoal gives you that deep grilled flavor that gas grills often miss. Burgers, pork chops, sausages, and chicken thighs also work well. For low-and-slow cooking, the Joe Jr can handle ribs, small pork shoulders, chicken, and smaller cuts that do not need a huge grate. A full packer brisket is not realistic on a grill this size unless you are trimming hard and making compromises. That is not a knock on the grill. It is just the reality of a 13.5-inch cooker. Where the Joe Jr shines is smaller, better meals. A couple of steaks. Chicken thighs for supper. A small pork roast. Wings. Burgers for two. A small pizza. A pan of vegetables. That is where this grill makes sense.

How Do You Cook Performance: Where the Joe Jr Shines?

The best thing about the Kamado Joe Joe Jr is how much cooking performance it packs into a small body. Many small grills feel like compromises. This one feels more like a scaled-down serious cooker. For searing, the Joe Jr can get plenty hot. Lump charcoal and ceramic heat make a strong combination. If you like steak with a real crust, this grill can do it. For chicken, the steady heat helps. Chicken is one of those foods that exposes a weak grill fast. Too hot and the outside burns before the inside is done. Too cool and the skin turns rubbery. With the Joe Jr, once you learn vent control, you can settle into a roasting temperature and get better results. For smoking, the small chamber can work in your favor. You are not heating a huge empty space. A small load of charcoal and a few chunks of wood can give you good smoke flavor without wasting fuel. According to Serious Eats, the Kamado Joe Jr. is a strong compact charcoal grill with useful versatility for its size.

How Good Is the Temperature Control?

Temperature control is one of the Joe Jr’s strongest selling points. This is where it separates itself from cheaper portable charcoal grills. With the vents set right, you can run the Joe Jr low for smoking or hot for searing. The ceramic body helps smooth out temperature swings. That does not mean you set it and ignore it forever, but it does mean the grill is less jumpy than thin metal cookers. For beginners, the learning curve is real. The common mistake is opening the vents too much, overshooting the temperature, and then fighting to bring it back down. Ceramic grills hold heat so well that once they get too hot, cooling them down takes patience. The better method is to bring the grill up slowly. Start closing the vents before you hit your target temperature. Let the cooker settle. Then make small changes. That one habit will save a lot of frustration.

How Much Charcoal Does the Kamado Joe Joe Jr Use?

The Joe Jr is very efficient with charcoal. That is one of the main reasons people like small ceramic grills. Because the ceramic body holds heat so well, you do not need to burn a mountain of lump charcoal for a small meal. For weeknight cooking, that matters. Charcoal is not as cheap as it used to be, and wasting fuel gets old fast. If you are cooking a couple of steaks or chicken pieces, you can use a smaller amount of lump charcoal and still get strong heat. For low-and-slow cooking, the grill can hold steady for hours when set up correctly. That fuel efficiency is one reason the Joe Jr can make sense even though the upfront price is higher than a basic portable grill. You are paying for better heat retention and better control.

Is the Kamado Joe Joe Jr Really Portable?

The Joe Jr is portable in size, but not lightweight. This is probably the biggest thing buyers misunderstand. Yes, it is smaller than a full-size kamado. Yes, it can be moved. Yes, it can work for an RV setup, camping spot, or tailgate if you have help and the right vehicle. But this is still a ceramic grill. It is not something most people want to carry across a park by themselves. If your idea of portable means “pick it up with one hand and walk,” this is not that grill. The best way to think about it is this: the Joe Jr is transportable, not ultralight. It is good for short moves, patio storage, and taking along when you have room. It is not a backpack grill.

Setup and First-Use Advice

The first few cooks on the Joe Jr should be simple. Do not start with brisket. Do not start with a complicated overnight smoke. Start with food that teaches you how the grill behaves. Good first cooks include:

• Burgers
• Chicken thighs
• Pork chops
• Sausages
• Steaks

These foods let you learn how fast the grill heats up, how the vents respond, and how much charcoal you really need. Once you understand that, ribs and longer cooks become much easier. Use lump charcoal, avoid lighter fluid, and give the grill time to stabilize. Ceramic cookers reward patience. If you rush the fire, you usually end up chasing temperature.

What Is the Best Foods for the Kamado Joe Joe Jr?

The Joe Jr is best with foods that fit its small grate and benefit from charcoal flavor.

• Steaks: Excellent choice because the grill can get hot and sear well.
• Chicken thighs: Great for learning temperature control and getting crispy skin.
• Burgers: Easy weeknight cook with better flavor than gas.
• Pork chops: Fast, flavorful, and a good match for high heat.
• Ribs: Possible, but you may need to cut or arrange them carefully.
• Pizza: Works well with the right setup and heat control.
• Vegetables: Good for small side dishes while meat rests.

For huge briskets, large turkeys, or big party cooks, this is not the best tool. You can force some foods to fit, but forcing food to fit a small grill is rarely fun.

How Do Kamado Joe Joe Jr and Weber Smokey Joe Compare?

The Weber Smokey Joe is cheaper and lighter, but the Joe Jr is the better cooking machine. The Weber Smokey Joe is a good little charcoal grill for simple grilling. It is affordable, easy to move, and fine for burgers, hot dogs, and quick cooks. The Kamado Joe Joe Jr is more expensive and much heavier, but it gives you better heat retention, better fuel efficiency, and more cooking options. You can smoke, roast, bake, and sear with more control. Choose the Weber if you want cheap and simple. Choose the Joe Jr if you want serious charcoal performance in a small size.

How Do Kamado Joe Joe Jr and Big Green Egg MiniMax Compare?

The Joe Jr and Big Green Egg MiniMax are both premium compact ceramic grills. They are aimed at similar buyers: people who want kamado cooking in a smaller package. Both can grill hot, hold heat well, and cook far better than cheap portable grills. The difference often comes down to price, included accessories, local dealer support, and brand preference. If the Joe Jr costs less and includes what you need, it is hard to ignore. If you already love Big Green Egg products or have a dealer nearby, the MiniMax may appeal to you.

How Do Kamado Joe Joe Jr and Full-Size Kamado Compare?

A full-size kamado is better for families and entertaining, while the Joe Jr is better for smaller cooks. A bigger kamado gives you more grate space, more room for indirect cooking, and more flexibility with larger cuts. If you cook for groups, the larger grill is easier to live with. The Joe Jr is easier to heat for small meals, uses less charcoal, and takes up less space. For one or two people, that can be a blessing. Do not buy the Joe Jr expecting it to replace a big backyard cooker for every situation. Buy it because you want a small, efficient, high-performance charcoal grill.

Kamado Joe Joe Jr Comparison Table

What Are the Pros and Cons of Kamado Joe Joe Jr 13.5-Inch Portable Ceramic Charcoal Grill?

Pros

• Excellent heat retention: The ceramic body helps hold steady temperatures.
• Strong charcoal flavor: Great choice for buyers who care about real fire-cooked taste.
• Fuel efficient: Uses less charcoal than many thin metal grills.
• Versatile: Can grill, smoke, roast, bake, and sear.
• Small footprint: Easier to fit on patios and small outdoor spaces.
• Quality feel: More serious than most portable charcoal grills.

Cons

• Limited cooking space: Not ideal for large families or big cookouts.
• Heavy for portable use: Compact does not mean easy to carry far.
• Learning curve: Beginners need to learn vent control.
• Higher price: Costs more than basic portable charcoal grills.
• Slow to cool down: Ceramic holds heat, which is good for cooking but slow after use.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

The most common mistake is using too much charcoal and too much air. A kamado grill does not need to be run wide open for most cooks.

• Opening both vents too far
• Overshooting the target temperature
• Trying to cool the grill down too quickly
• Using lighter fluid instead of proper fire starters
• Opening the lid too often
• Trying a long smoke before learning basic airflow

Start simple. Learn how the grill reacts. Once you understand the fire, the Joe Jr becomes much easier to use.

Who Should Buy the Kamado Joe Joe Jr?

Buy the Kamado Joe Joe Jr if you want a small charcoal grill that cooks like a serious backyard cooker. It is a good fit for:

• Couples
• Small families
• Apartment patio cooks where charcoal is allowed
• RV owners
• Charcoal lovers with limited space
• Grillers who want better heat control than a cheap portable grill
• People who cook smaller meals most of the time

This is also a smart second grill for someone who already owns a larger cooker but does not want to fire it up for two steaks or a few pieces of chicken.

Who Should Skip the Kamado Joe Joe Jr?

Skip the Joe Jr if you need room, speed, or lightweight portability more than flavor and control. This is not the best choice for:

• Large families
• People who host big cookouts
• Buyers who want a cheap grill
• Anyone who needs a one-hand portable cooker
• People who do not want to learn charcoal airflow
• Anyone who mostly cooks large briskets or big rib racks

If convenience matters more than flavor, a small gas grill may suit you better. If space matters more than compact size, buy a larger charcoal grill.

Is Kamado Joe Joe Jr 13.5-Inch Portable Ceramic Charcoal Grill a Good Value for the Money?

The Joe Jr is not cheap, but it can be a good value if you use it often. The value comes from performance, not size. If you compare it only by square inches, it looks expensive. A basic charcoal grill gives you more space for less money. But square inches do not tell the whole story. The Joe Jr gives you ceramic heat retention, better fuel efficiency, better temperature control, and more cooking flexibility. If those things matter to you, the price makes more sense. If you only grill hot dogs twice a year, save your money. If you cook outside often and want better results from charcoal, this grill is worth considering.

What Are the Best Accessories to Consider?

You do not need every accessory on day one. Start with the basics and add only what helps the way you cook.

• Good lump charcoal: This matters more than fancy gadgets.
• Natural fire starters: Avoid lighter fluid in ceramic grills.
• Heat-resistant gloves: Helpful when handling vents or hot parts.
• Instant-read thermometer: More important than guessing meat doneness.
• Cover: Useful if the grill stays outside.
• Ash tool: Helps with cleanup.

Do not overspend before you know your cooking style. A good thermometer and good charcoal will help more than most accessories.

Related Grill Reviews You Should Compare

• Weber Smokey Joe Review
• Best Charcoal Grills
• Kamado Grill Buying Guide

Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Kamado Joe Joe Jr?

The Kamado Joe Joe Jr is a strong buy for small-household charcoal cooks who want serious flavor, excellent heat retention, and real kamado versatility. It is not the grill I would choose for big family cookouts. It is not the grill I would recommend to someone who wants the lightest portable option. And it is not the cheapest way to cook burgers over charcoal. But for the right buyer, this little ceramic grill is impressive. It can sear steaks, roast chicken, smoke smaller cuts, bake pizza, and do it all while using less charcoal than many basic grills. If you cook for one to three people and want a compact charcoal grill that feels like a serious cooker, the Kamado Joe Joe Jr is one of the best choices in its class. Overall rating: 4.6 out of 5 Go to Amazon for price

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kamado Joe Joe Jr good for beginners?

Yes, the Kamado Joe Joe Jr can be good for beginners, but there is a learning curve. New charcoal users need to learn how the top and bottom vents control heat. Once you understand airflow, the grill becomes much easier to manage.

Can the Kamado Joe Joe Jr cook a brisket?

Yes, but only a small or trimmed brisket. The cooking surface is compact, so a full-size packer brisket is not realistic without trimming or forcing the fit. For brisket lovers, a larger grill is usually better.

How long does charcoal last in the Joe Jr?

Charcoal can last several hours in the Joe Jr when the vents are managed correctly. Ceramic heat retention helps the grill use fuel efficiently, especially during low-and-slow cooking.

Is the Kamado Joe Joe Jr really portable?

It is portable in size, but it is not lightweight. The ceramic body makes it heavy. It works well for patios, RV setups, and short moves, but it is not the kind of grill most people want to carry a long distance.

Is the Kamado Joe Joe Jr better than a Weber Smokey Joe?

It depends on what you want. The Weber Smokey Joe is cheaper and lighter. The Kamado Joe Joe Jr offers better heat retention, better temperature control, and more cooking versatility.

Is the Kamado Joe Joe Jr better than a gas grill?

The Joe Jr gives better charcoal flavor, while a gas grill is faster and easier. Choose the Joe Jr for flavor and fire control. Choose gas if convenience is your top priority.

How many people can the Kamado Joe Joe Jr cook for?

The Joe Jr is best for one to three people. You can cook for more in batches, but the small grate becomes limiting for larger meals.

What is the best thing to cook first on the Joe Jr?

Start with burgers, chicken thighs, pork chops, or steaks. These foods help you learn the grill without risking an expensive long cook.