Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker

There are three parts to the system, and they work together from lighting to the end of the cook.

Automatic Fire Starter (AFS)

A heating element sits inside the firebox under the charcoal. Press the AFS button and it runs for up to 15 minutes, switching itself off once the grill passes 88°C. No firelighters, chimney or torch needed, although you can still use them in Classic mode if you prefer.

Kontrol Board

The control panel on the front of the grill is where you choose the cook mode, set the pit temperature, set meat probe targets and timers, and see a 24-hour temperature graph of the cook. It works on its own, so if the WiFi drops or you never pair a phone, the grill carries on running the cook you set.

Kontrol Fan

In Automatic mode the bottom vent stays fully closed and the fan becomes the air supply. When the pit reaches your set temperature the fan stops; when it drops below, the fan starts again. That on-off airflow is what keeps a low-and-slow cook steady for hours without you touching a vent.

In Classic mode, give each vent change 10–15 minutes to take effect before adjusting again. Ceramic holds heat well, so it's easier to creep up to a target temperature than to bring an overshot fire back down.

The free Kamado Joe app connects to the grill over WiFi, with Bluetooth used for pairing. From the app you can set and change the pit temperature and timers, monitor meat probes and follow recipes. The Kontrol Board monitors up to three meat probes at once; one is included, so add more if you regularly cook a brisket and a pork butt side by side.

The grill needs a 2.4 GHz WiFi network. If your router broadcasts 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz under one name, give the 2.4 GHz band its own network name so the grill can pair.

The Divide & Conquer rack holds two half-moon stainless steel grates and two half-moon ceramic heat deflectors at different heights. That gives you a range of setups from one cooker:

• Fully indirect: both deflectors on the lower tier for smoking and low-and-slow cooking
• Two-zone: one deflector in, one side open over the coals, so you can roast chicken thighs on one side and sear on the other
• Fully direct: grates down low over the fire for steaks, chops and skewers
• Two levels: grates on different tiers to fit more food or keep sides away from the heat

The 46 cm grate gives 0.16 m² of cooking space. As a guide, that's room for about 13 burgers, 4 whole chickens or 2 racks of ribs laid flat. A Kamado Joe rib rack stands racks on their edge when you need to fit more. For most families and small gatherings it's plenty; if you regularly cook for a crowd, the Big Joe Konnected Joe has a 61 cm cooking surface.

Use lump charcoal. It lights well from the AFS element, burns cleanly and leaves less ash than briquettes, which matters in a kamado where airflow is everything. Add a few smoking wood chunks on top of the coals for smoke flavour on longer cooks.

Before each Automatic cook, scrape last session's ash out of the firebox and ash drawer while the grill is cold. Old ash can stop the element lighting the fresh charcoal properly.

• Ceramic dome and base with an AMP (Advanced Multi-Panel) firebox made of 5 ceramic pieces, designed to handle heat expansion
• Stainless steel firebox ring and stainless steel cooking grates
• Wire mesh fibreglass gasket to seal the dome against the base
• Air Lift hinge that takes much of the weight of the ceramic dome as you open it
• Kontrol Tower top vent that holds its setting when you open and close the dome
• Dome thermometer as a backup read on pit temperature
• Cart with 4 swivel castors (2 locking) and two folding side shelves

The digital system runs from a standard 220–240 V earthed power point and draws 475–590 W. Kamado Joe specifies an RCD-protected circuit (30 mA). If you use an extension lead, it must be an earthed, outdoor-rated lead with at least the same electrical rating as the grill.

Keep the controller out of the rain: don't use the grill during an electrical storm, unplug it when not in use, and never hose down the electrical parts. The grill is for outdoor use only and isn't intended for commercial use. If you don't have power near your cooking area, the Kamado Joe Classic Joe II gives you the same cooking space without the electronics.

The cart needs assembling and the grill lifts into it. At 98 kg it's a two-person job; lift by the rear and side handles only, never by the hinge, front handle or side shelf tabs.

• Once or twice a year, run a clean burn at around 315°C for 15–20 minutes with the vents open and the cooking system and deflectors in place. Then brush the grates and use a soft brush on the ceramics and deflectors.
• Only remove ash when it's completely cold.
• Let the dome cool fully before putting a cover on.
• Unplug the grill before cleaning.

Warranty applies to domestic use, starts from the date of purchase and requires product registration with Kamado Joe. Normal wear such as chips, scratches and cosmetic changes isn't covered. This warranty is in addition to your rights under Australian Consumer Law.

You're welcome to come and see it at our showroom before you buy. Delivery is available, with the cost calculated at checkout.