I had used a bigger Kamado grill for years, but I managed to knock it over and pretty much destroy it. It was always bigger than what I really needed for my wife and me, and the Junior is just the right size. Very easy to bring up to temperature and to maintain that temperature. Very fuel efficient too. I bought the soapstone accessory, and for searing steaks, veggies or seafood it's a great addition.

If you're not cooking for a huge crowd, this is probably all the Kamado you will ever need.

I've been a green egg customer and fan for over a decade, this $300 grill made convinced me that Kamado Joe is a superior product. After using it for a few month, I'm confident this egg is the best value in its class bar none.

I love this grill! It is perfect for me since I do not have anyone to cook for other than myself. I can fit enough meats on it to feed me for a few days at least. It's easy to clean up and I can adjust the temp by simply opening or closing the air intake. Well worth the money!!!

I've bought overly large propane grills (non-Weber) in the past thinking it was such a "good deal" when they weren't Weber grills and just too big other than for large parties. Here's the thing, if you like to smoke OR grill x2-x3 a week with minimal cleaning and the biggest draw for me was the temperature control w/ the LEAST AMOUNT OF FUEL being used, ceramic type of charcoal grilling is the way to go:

1. It's better than propane.
Cooking w/ charcoal gives you that char-taste that you CAN NOT get from propane unless you buy special grilling meat injector fluid that mimics that charcoal taste

2. Excellent temperature control.
It's a pain in the ass to do this w/ a metal small charcoal grill (which I'd still take over a propane grill, btw).

3. FUEL CONSUMPTION (this is actually the #1 REASON WHY I bought this type of grill).
The more you grill, the more you'll save in fuel costs over time. I have a metal weber kettle grill (18") and it uses at minimum x2-x3 times more fuel (due to the heat dissipating via the metal). The ceramic is #1 in this area in conserving your fuel and heat. Go to BJ's or Costco and BUY the LUMP CHARCOAL, NOT the BRIQUETTES (that's for the metal charcoal grills) from there .

4. Convenience of cooking outside vs inside for certain foods.
To me, cooking pizza (oven needs to get to 500 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, which usually takes 1/2 hr or more minimum if you use a pizza stone). IF you use a GrillBlazer Grill SV Gun (which I bought, but it's a tad expensive, so try to get something similar if you want to save time) you'll save yourself like 15-20 minutes for the coals to get hot enough if you use a grill gun vs a charcoal chimney starter (which is fine too if you don't have the $). Also, it's heats up way hotter and quicker in my opinion (if you use a grill gun) than a conventional oven in your house. PLUS you'll more than likely NOT HAVE a FALSE ALARMS from the fire alarms in your house once the temperatures get hot enough and create that smoke.

5. Easy clean up.
Open the bottom and use the tool they provide you to scrap the ashes out. Done within 30-60 seconds. That's it!

I've bought 2 of these since I fell in love with this grill so much. I understand if you want to save money and look at cheap chinese brands here on Amazon or elsewhere, but think twice. If you're spending $100+ on something you'll think you'll be using for a long time: (1) Are you confident it behaves in the same way that a Green Egg or a Kamado Joe would? (2) if the ceramic CRACKS, will the company cover the warranty on it? It's totally up to whatever your budget allows.

FYI, if choose the more expensive shipping option if you buy this, because #1, I used the Amazon Prime Free Shipping method and the grill came CRACKED on the inside and outside (it was a small crack, but it's ENOUGH to cause problems when cooking). Your grill should have NO CRACKS, contact Kamado Joe immediately and take pics with your phone and ask them if the crack is manageable or should you send it back. And god forbid it's cracked and you have to send it back, it's going to be a pain in the ass. SAVE THE GREEN SHIPPING STRAPS, DO NOT THROW THEM OUT UNTIL YOU'VE INSPECTED THE GRILL FOR CRACKS. To avoid this problem, I choose Amazon's option for "Inside Entryway" SCHEDULED SHIPPING (just pay the $10 more), it's worth it and you'll save yourself A LOT of headache. I wish I did it the 1st time. There will be 2 guys to move your grill to wherever you want it.

Shipping was very up to date , the grill was very well packed, all the items were additionally wrapped and very secured.