Common questions about Kamado Classic Joe™ BBQ Grill - Series II
Is the expanded cooking area something I actually get?
Only with the expander and extra grates, which are separate items. Out of the box you cook on 1,612.9 cm² across both tiers, which handles ribs and roasts fine. The 4,258.1 cm² figure is what the frame can hold once you stack extra levels into it.
How much charcoal does a long smoke actually use?
Less than a kettle, and the firebox tops out at 2.7 kg anyway. Fill it, light a small spot rather than the whole bed, and a low-and-slow session will still leave usable lump behind for the next cook. Wasting fuel here usually means the vents were open too far.
Can I leave it outside uncovered?
The ceramic will not rust, but the aluminium band, the cart and the paintwork all cop it in coastal air and hard sun. A cover matters more here than on a steel barbecue for another reason: a soaked firebox is slow to dry and makes your first light miserable.