Kamado Joe Classic Joe II 46cm Ceramic Charcoal BBQ – KJ23RHC

The Kamado Joe Classic Joe II is a premium 46cm ceramic charcoal barbecue designed for cooks who want considerably more versatility than a conventional charcoal grill. Its insulated ceramic body and adjustable airflow allow you to smoke slowly at 107°C, roast or bake with indirect heat, grill family meals and sear steaks at temperatures approaching 398°C.

• Premium 46cm ceramic charcoal barbecue for grilling, smoking, roasting and high-temperature searing
• 107°C–398°C cooking range for low-and-slow barbecue, everyday grilling and restaurant-style searing
• 2-Tier Divide & Conquer® Cooking System for preparing different foods at different heights and temperatures
• Air Lift™ Hinge and stainless-steel latch make the substantial ceramic dome easier and safer to operate
• Kontrol Tower™ Top Vent and slide-out ash drawer provide precise airflow control and simpler cleaning

The Classic II adds several significant usability upgrades over the entry-level Classic I, including Kamado Joe’s Air Lift™ Hinge, Kontrol Tower™ Top Vent, stainless-steel lid latch and double-thick wire-mesh fibreglass gasket. These features make the barbecue easier to handle and help maintain a dependable seal throughout longer cooking sessions.

Grill, smoke, roast and bake with charcoal

The Kamado Joe Classic II can perform several outdoor cooking roles from one compact footprint. Open the vents and build a hotter fire for steaks, burgers and kebabs, or reduce the airflow to maintain a lower temperature for ribs, brisket, pork shoulder and other slow-cooked dishes.

With the barbecue configured for indirect heat, the ceramic dome creates an oven-like cooking environment suitable for roasting chicken, baking bread and cooking pizza. This makes the Classic Joe II a genuine all-round outdoor cooker rather than simply a premium charcoal grill.

Thick ceramic construction for efficient heat retention

The substantial ceramic body absorbs, retains and radiates heat around the cooking chamber. Once the barbecue has reached the required temperature, small adjustments to the upper and lower vents regulate the oxygen reaching the charcoal.

This allows the Classic Joe II to maintain controlled cooking temperatures without the continuous charcoal replenishment and fire management often associated with thinner, conventional metal barbecues.

The insulated ceramic body also helps protect food from drying out during longer cooks by retaining heat and moisture inside the closed barbecue.

2-Tier Divide & Conquer® Cooking System

Kamado Joe’s Divide & Conquer® system replaces a single fixed cooking grate with two stainless-steel half-moon grates that can be positioned at different heights. This allows several foods to be prepared simultaneously using different cooking methods.

For example, one side can be positioned closer to the charcoal for direct grilling while the other is raised or protected for gentler indirect cooking. You can sear meat on one side while cooking vegetables, fish or other delicate foods on the opposite side.

The half-moon design is also compatible with a wide selection of optional Kamado Joe cooking surfaces, allowing stainless steel, cast iron, soapstone and griddle surfaces to be combined within the same barbecue.

Air Lift™ Hinge for easier dome control

A large ceramic barbecue dome is naturally heavy. Kamado Joe’s Air Lift™ Hinge counterbalances much of that weight, making the dome feel considerably lighter when it is opened or closed.

The hinge also helps prevent the lid from dropping unexpectedly and allows it to remain open at different positions. This is particularly useful during busy cooks when food must be checked, turned or moved between cooking zones.

Kontrol Tower™ Top Vent

The powder-coated aluminium Kontrol Tower™ Top Vent provides precise control over the airflow leaving the barbecue. Unlike a basic sliding vent, its design is intended to retain the selected airflow setting when the ceramic dome is opened and closed.

This helps the Classic Joe II return to its established cooking temperature after food has been checked and reduces the need to readjust the upper vent repeatedly during longer sessions.

Combined with the adjustable lower vent, the Kontrol Tower allows the barbecue to operate across a broad 107°C to 398°C temperature range.

AMP ceramic firebox

The Advanced Multi-Panel firebox is constructed from separate ceramic sections rather than one large ceramic ring. This segmented design allows the individual panels to expand and contract as the barbecue heats and cools.

The firebox holds the charcoal inside the ceramic base and directs airflow upwards through the fuel and into the cooking chamber.

Double-thick wire-mesh fibreglass gasket

A strong seal between the dome and base is essential for controlling the temperature of a kamado barbecue. The Classic Joe II uses a double-thick wire-mesh fibreglass gasket designed to withstand repeated exposure to high cooking temperatures.

The stainless-steel lid latch pulls the dome and base together when closed, helping reduce unwanted air entering the barbecue. This makes the fire more responsive to adjustments made through the upper and lower vents.

Patented slide-out ash drawer

Instead of requiring loose ash to be scraped directly from the bottom of the ceramic body, the Classic Joe II collects ash in a removable drawer. The drawer slides out through the lower vent opening, making routine cleaning faster and less disruptive.

The included ash tool can be used to move remaining ash and small pieces of charcoal towards the drawer before removal.

Built-in temperature gauge

The large thermometer mounted in the ceramic dome provides an immediate indication of the temperature inside the barbecue. Clearly marked smoking, roasting and searing ranges help new kamado users understand how the current temperature relates to different cooking methods.

For the most accurate internal food temperatures, especially during low-and-slow cooking, a separate digital meat probe is still recommended.

A practical size for family cooking

The 45.7cm cooking diameter provides approximately 0.16m² or 250in² of cooking space. It is suitable for everyday family meals while still offering enough capacity for larger cuts, whole chickens, several steaks or a selection of meat and vegetables.

Kamado Joe identifies the Classic size as its all-round family option and recommends it for most households, including families of approximately two to five people. Buyers who regularly cook for larger groups or need space for several large cuts at once may be better served by the 61cm Big Joe.

Cart, locking wheels and folding side shelves

The Classic Joe II is supplied with a wheeled cart that raises the barbecue to a comfortable working height. Locking castors help keep the heavy ceramic grill secure once it has been positioned.

Two folding side shelves provide space for utensils, ingredients, trays and seasoning while cooking. They can be folded down when the barbecue is being stored or when additional clearance is required.

At approximately 103.3kg, the Classic Joe II should be moved carefully and positioned on a firm, level and stable surface.

Expand your Kamado Joe cooking system

The Classic Joe II is compatible with a broad selection of optional Classic Joe accessories. Popular additions include the JoeTisserie™ rotisserie, DōJoe® pizza oven insert, cast-iron cooking surfaces, soapstone, griddles and additional cooking racks.

The JoeTisserie converts the grill into a charcoal rotisserie, while the DōJoe holds the dome at the correct opening and creates a dedicated pizza-oven configuration. These accessories are sold separately unless specifically included in the selected bundle.

No mains electricity or gas required

The Classic Joe II is a manually controlled charcoal barbecue and does not need a gas bottle, electrical connection, Wi-Fi or smartphone app. Temperature is regulated by controlling the amount of air flowing through the lower vent, charcoal bed and Kontrol Tower.

This traditional approach provides direct control over the fire while the ceramic construction makes maintaining an established temperature more manageable than on a conventional open charcoal barbecue.

Buy the Kamado Joe Classic Joe II in Ireland and Northern Ireland

Shop the Kamado Joe Classic Joe II ceramic charcoal barbecue from northXsouth, an independent family-run retailer based in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland. We supply Kamado Joe barbecues and accessories to customers throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Our team can provide practical advice on choosing between the Classic Joe I, Classic Joe II, Classic Joe III and Big Joe ranges, as well as suitable charcoal, covers, cooking surfaces and accessories.

Technical specifications

Manufacturer’s limited warranty

• Limited lifetime warranty on key ceramic parts for the original registered purchaser
• 5-year warranty on qualifying metal and cast-iron parts
• 3-year warranty on electronic components, heat deflectors and pizza stones
• 2-year warranty on miscellaneous components, including the thermometer and gasket

Frequently asked questions

What can you cook on the Kamado Joe Classic II?
The Classic Joe II can grill, smoke, roast, bake and sear. Typical foods include steaks, burgers, chicken, ribs, pulled pork, brisket, vegetables, bread and pizza.

What is the cooking diameter of the Classic Joe II?
The stainless-steel cooking surface has a diameter of approximately 45.7cm or 18 inches, providing around 0.16m² or 250in² of cooking space.

How many people can the Kamado Joe Classic II cook for?
It is Kamado Joe’s main all-round family size and is generally suited to households of approximately two to five people. Its actual capacity depends on the food being prepared and the arrangement of the two-tier cooking system.

What is the difference between the Classic Joe I and Classic Joe II?
The Classic Joe II adds Kamado Joe’s Air Lift™ Hinge, Kontrol Tower™ Top Vent, double-thick wire-mesh fibreglass gasket and stainless-steel lid latch. These upgrades improve dome handling, airflow control and sealing.

What is the difference between the Classic Joe II and Classic Joe III?
The Classic Joe III adds a three-tier Divide & Conquer® system, SlōRoller™ smoking insert and an upgraded cart. The Classic II retains the same practical 46cm grill size but is generally the stronger value choice for buyers who do not require the additional Series III smoking features.

Can you smoke food on the Classic Joe II?
Yes. Close the dome and restrict the airflow through the upper and lower vents to maintain a low cooking temperature. Heat deflectors can then be used to protect the food from direct heat and create an indirect smoking environment.

Can the Classic Joe II sear steaks?
Yes. The barbecue reaches temperatures of up to approximately 398°C. Positioning a cooking grate closer to the charcoal provides intense direct heat for searing steaks, burgers and chops.

Does the Classic Joe II require electricity?
No. It is a traditional manually controlled charcoal barbecue. The fire is lit manually and its temperature is regulated using the upper and lower air vents.

Can you cook directly and indirectly at the same time?
Yes. The two half-moon grates and Divide & Conquer® rack can be arranged at different heights. One side can be used for direct grilling while the other is configured for gentler indirect cooking.

Is the Kamado Joe Classic II difficult to clean?
Routine cleaning is relatively straightforward. Most ash falls into the removable drawer at the base of the barbecue, while the included ash tool can be used to move remaining ash towards the drawer.

Can the Kamado Joe Classic II be left outside?
The grill is designed for outdoor use, but Kamado Joe recommends protecting it with a correctly fitted cover when it is not being used. It should be placed on a stable surface and allowed to cool before covering.

Is a cover included?
A cover is not normally included with the standard Classic Joe II unless it is specifically listed as part of a northXsouth promotional bundle.

Are the JoeTisserie and DōJoe included?
No. The JoeTisserie rotisserie and DōJoe pizza oven insert are optional Classic Joe accessories and are sold separately unless explicitly included in the selected bundle.

Is the Classic Joe II suitable for a large party?
It can comfortably handle family meals and moderate entertaining. Buyers who regularly cook for large groups, several racks of ribs or multiple large joints simultaneously should consider the larger 61cm Big Joe.

Product specifications and included components may be updated by the manufacturer. Please refer to the supplied product documentation before assembly and use.