A new Kamado Joe Big Joe typically costs about $1,500-$2,800 before sales tax, depending mainly on the generation, retailer, and included accessories. The Big Joe I is the lower-priced option, while the Big Joe III costs more for its upgraded cart, cooking system, and features; delivery and assembly can add to the bill.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Joe I grill | $1,500 | $1,650 | $1,800 | New unit; price varies with stock and promotions |
| Big Joe II grill | $1,950 | $2,150 | $2,350 | New unit with upgraded cart and hinge |
| Big Joe III grill | $2,400 | $2,650 | $2,900 | New unit with premium cart and cooking system |
| Delivery and assembly | $0 | $100 | $300 | May be included, curbside, or separately charged |
| Basic first-season setup | $75 | $175 | $350 | Cover, charcoal, fire starters, and optional accessories |
What a Big Joe grill costs by generation
For a new grill, a practical budget is about $1,500-$1,800 for the Big Joe I, $1,950-$2,350 for the Big Joe II, and $2,400-$2,900 for the Big Joe III. Typical advertised prices can move outside these bands when a retailer runs a promotion, bundles accessories, or has limited inventory. Prices are before tax unless the seller says otherwise.
Most shoppers should budget roughly $2,150 for a Big Joe II or $2,650 for a Big Joe III, before delivery and tax. The Big Joe I generally suits a buyer prioritizing a lower purchase price; the newer models cost more for design and equipment changes rather than a larger cooking surface.
The Big Joe line uses a 24-inch cooking grate, with roughly 450 square inches of primary cooking area. That size can handle multiple large cuts or a full cook for a gathering, but it also makes the unit heavy and more expensive to ship than a smaller ceramic kamado. Assumptions: New grill, standard black finish, U.S. retail pricing, no sales tax, and no unusual delivery access.
How the grill, delivery, and accessories shape the quote
The price tag is only part of the first-year expense. A retailer may include shipping or curbside delivery, while another may charge separately for freight, threshold delivery, or assembly. The following ranges are planning estimates; a specific quote depends on the seller, location, and bundled equipment.
| Quote component | Typical price | What it covers | Cost note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Joe grill | $1,500-$2,900 | Generation I, II, or III | Model and sale timing drive most of the difference |
| Freight or local delivery | $0-$250 | Transport to home or driveway | Remote areas or special handling can cost more |
| Assembly or placement | $0-$150 | Cart assembly and basic setup | Some sellers include it; stairs may be extra |
| Cover | $50-$100 | Weather protection sized for Big Joe | Check whether a cover is included in a bundle |
| Cooking accessories | $50-$300 | Extra grates, stones, rotisserie, or tools | Optional pieces can be purchased over time |
| Sales tax | About 0%-10% | State and local tax on taxable items | Based on delivery location and local rules |
Delivery and accessory choices can change the out-the-door total by several hundred dollars. For example, a $2,150 Big Joe II with $150 delivery, a $70 cover, and 7% sales tax would land near $2,536, assuming tax applies to the grill and accessories. Ask whether the seller’s quote includes freight, assembly, and tax.
Labor is usually limited because the grill is a freestanding appliance rather than a built-in installation. If a retailer charges for assembly or placement, compare the service scope: assembling the cart is different from carrying the ceramic cooker through a narrow passage or up steps.
Generation, bundle, and condition make the largest price differences
The model generation is the clearest price driver. A Big Joe III usually costs several hundred dollars more than a Big Joe II and close to $1,000 more than some Big Joe I offers. The premium reflects features and included hardware, so buyers should compare the exact contents rather than judging solely by the generation number.
Retail bundles can make two apparently different prices difficult to compare. A package may include a cover, charcoal, cooking accessories, or delivery, while a lower sticker price may be for the grill alone. Assign a realistic value to each included item and compare the total package against buying the grill and only the accessories actually needed.
Condition matters in the used market. A lightly used Big Joe I might be listed around $800-$1,300, while a well-kept Big Joe II or III can be advertised for roughly $1,200-$2,000. These are private-sale estimates, not guaranteed resale values. Missing deflectors, cracked ceramics, damaged hinges, or a deteriorated gasket can reduce the value or require repairs.
Compare the same generation, condition, and included equipment before treating one quote as a bargain. Verify that the listing identifies the model, includes the ceramic firebox and cooking components, and describes any damage. Warranty coverage may not transfer to a second owner, so a used grill’s lower price should account for that risk.
How does the 24-inch Big Joe compare with Classic Joe?
The Big Joe’s larger grate is a major reason its price is higher than the Classic Joe. Depending on generation and retail promotion, a comparable Classic Joe commonly costs several hundred dollars less, with a planning difference of about $400-$800. Exact pricing shifts over time, and bundles can narrow or widen the gap.
The Big Joe’s roughly 450-square-inch main grate offers more room for multiple dishes or larger cooks. That extra capacity can be useful for frequent entertaining, but it also takes more patio space and requires more charcoal to heat than a smaller cooker. A buyer who rarely needs the additional cooking area may save by choosing a Classic Joe instead.
For comparisons, use both the grill price and expected use. If the Big Joe costs $600 more and the added grate area will be used regularly, the premium may be reasonable. If the larger footprint would sit mostly unused, the smaller model can deliver similar kamado cooking with a lower initial outlay.
Delivery access and placement can add $50-$300
A Big Joe is a heavy ceramic cooker, so delivery conditions affect what sellers can offer. Standard freight may end at the driveway or curb. Room-of-choice delivery, careful movement through a side gate, or placement on a patio can increase the charge, especially when the route includes stairs, tight turns, or long distances from the truck.
Assembly itself may be free with a local retailer, or about $50-$150 if charged separately. Extra labor for difficult placement is often quoted individually. Ask whether the crew handles the ceramic cooker and cart together or requires the buyer to arrange additional help. A delivery appointment with limited access may also require advance coordination.
Confirm the delivery endpoint before accepting a low advertised price. Measure gates and paths, check the patio location, and disclose steps or uneven surfaces. The grill should be placed on a stable, level, heat-safe surface with clearance from structures and combustible materials.
When labor is billed hourly, a simple assembly or placement estimate might use one or two workers for one to two hours at about $50-$100 per worker-hour. This is only a budgeting illustration; retailers may use a flat fee, and difficult access can change the crew size and duration.
Regional freight and sales tax change the final total
The same advertised grill price may produce different totals across the United States. Local dealer competition, inventory, and freight routes influence the pre-tax quote. As a broad planning estimate, an urban market with several dealers may price near the national middle, while a remote location can see delivery charges 10%-25% higher than a nearby metro-area delivery.
Regional differences are not fixed percentage rules. A promotion can outweigh a local price premium, and some stores discount display models or bundled inventory. Compare the delivered price for the same model and included equipment rather than assuming a particular state or region is always cheaper.
Sales tax can add approximately 0%-10%, depending on the destination and applicable state and local rules. For a $2,500 purchase, that could mean $0-$250 in tax. Whether delivery or accessories are taxable depends on local rules and how the seller invoices them, so the checkout total is the most useful figure for budgeting.
Use a delivered, tax-inclusive quote to compare dealers across state lines or online stores. Check whether the seller can deliver to the address, whether the quoted freight includes liftgate service, and how warranty support works if the retailer is far from home.
Three sample Big Joe budgets for different purchases
These examples show how a retail price turns into a more complete budget. They are illustrative estimates, not specific retailer offers; tax rates, included components, and delivery charges vary by address and promotion.
| Purchase scenario | Grill price | Other charges | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Joe I, local pickup | $1,650 | $70 cover, $116 tax at 6.7% | $1,836 |
| Big Joe II, delivered and assembled | $2,150 | $150 delivery, $75 setup, $70 cover, $165 tax at 6.7% | $2,610 |
| Big Joe III, premium bundle | $2,650 | $200 delivery, $250 accessories, $217 tax at 7% | $3,317 |
The local-pickup example assumes no delivery fee and tax on the grill and cover. The Big Joe II example assumes tax applies to the grill, delivery, setup, and cover. The Big Joe III example assumes a premium accessory bundle and a 7% tax rate on the taxable subtotal. Actual tax treatment differs by location.
A realistic out-the-door budget ranges from about $1,800 for a basic Big Joe I purchase to more than $3,000 for a delivered Big Joe III bundle. Buyers can substitute their local tax rate and retailer quote into the examples to estimate a closer total.
Which Big Joe add-ons are worth including upfront?
A cover, charcoal, and fire starters are common initial purchases, but they do not all need to be bought as a bundle. A properly sized cover often costs about $50-$100. A charcoal starter or lighter can cost $15-$40, while a bag of suitable lump charcoal commonly runs about $20-$40, depending on brand and bag size.
Cooking upgrades can cost more. A replacement or additional grate may run roughly $50-$150, a heat deflector or accessory component about $50-$200, and a rotisserie kit around $200-$400. Prices depend on the exact Big Joe generation and whether an accessory is proprietary or compatible with multiple models. Confirm fit before purchase.
Compare bundle pricing against separate item prices, but avoid paying for accessories that duplicate included equipment. The Big Joe already comes with core cooking components, and a buyer can add specialty pieces after determining which cooking methods are used most often. A bundle discount is useful only when its contents are wanted and correctly sized.
Buying essential protection first and specialty equipment later can keep the initial bill lower. A cover and fuel are practical starting expenses; less frequently used cooking accessories can wait until the grill’s setup and cooking habits are clear.
When a used Big Joe saves money and when it does not
Used Big Joe listings can reduce the purchase price, but inspection is important because ceramic repairs are not comparable to replacing a small metal part. Check the exterior shell, firebox, fire ring, hinge, gasket, draft door, cart, and included grates. Hairline crazing in a ceramic glaze may be cosmetic, while a structural crack or missing internal component can make a low listing expensive.
Allow about $50-$200 for common wear items such as a gasket or small hardware, depending on parts and labor. A damaged ceramic component can cost several hundred dollars to replace, and shipping a large replacement part can add further expense. Ask the seller for clear photos and the model generation, then price any missing components before agreeing on a total.
A used grill is most attractive when its ceramic parts are sound, its accessories are complete, and the savings remain substantial after repairs. Compare the private-sale price with discounted new inventory and factor in possible warranty differences. A new grill may cost more upfront but provide clearer warranty terms and retailer support.