Common questions about Kamado Classic Joe™ BBQ Grill - Series I
What am I giving up choosing Series I over the newer models?
The hinge and the top vent. Series I uses a cast iron vent you reset after opening the dome, and the lid carries its full weight, so lifting takes a proper hand. Cooking results are the same ceramic and the same 1,613 cm² across both tiers.
Will a full brisket fit?
A trimmed one will, laid diagonally across the 45.7 cm grate. A big packer brisket straight from the butcher usually needs the point folded up or the flat trimmed back. Plenty of people cook them rolled or cut in half on this size and nobody complains.
How often will I be feeding it charcoal on a long cook?
Rarely. Thick ceramic means the fire burns slowly at smoking temperatures, so most long cooks run on a single load. Load the firebox properly before you light it rather than topping up mid-cook, because opening the dome on a settled fire is what upsets the temperature.