What To Know
- The Kamado Joe Junior boasts a traditional Japanese-style design with a thick ceramic body and a cast iron lid.
- The Kamado Joe Junior offers excellent heat retention, precise temperature control, and a wide range of accessories, making it a great choice for experienced grillers who value versatility.
- The Bastard Compact is a more compact and affordable option, suitable for smaller patios or those who prefer a simpler grilling experience.
In the world of grilling, two names stand tall: Kamado Joe Junior and Bastard Compact. Both these kamado grills offer exceptional performance, versatility, and durability. However, choosing the right one for your grilling needs can be a challenge. This comprehensive comparison will delve into the key features, pros, and cons of each grill, helping you make an informed decision.
Design and Construction
Kamado Joe Junior: The Kamado Joe Junior boasts a traditional Japanese-style design with a thick ceramic body and a cast iron lid. The ceramic construction provides excellent heat retention and insulation, while the cast iron lid ensures durability and longevity.
Bastard Compact: The Bastard Compact also features a ceramic body, but it has a more modern and sleek design. The ceramic body is reinforced with stainless steel bands, providing added strength and durability. The compact size makes it ideal for smaller patios or balconies.
Cooking Surface
Kamado Joe Junior: The Kamado Joe Junior offers a 13.5-inch cooking surface, which is sufficient for grilling for a small family or group of friends. It has a two-tiered cooking system, allowing you to cook at different temperatures simultaneously.
Bastard Compact: The Bastard Compact has a slightly larger cooking surface of 15 inches, providing more space for grilling. The single-tiered cooking system is simple and easy to use, making it suitable for beginners.
Heat Retention and Insulation
Kamado Joe Junior: The thick ceramic body of the Kamado Joe Junior excels in heat retention. It can maintain stable temperatures for hours, making it ideal for long cooks or smoking. The insulation also helps reduce heat loss, resulting in more efficient fuel consumption.
Bastard Compact: The Bastard Compact’s ceramic body and stainless steel bands provide excellent heat retention and insulation. However, it may not be as efficient as the Kamado Joe Junior in this aspect.
Temperature Control
Kamado Joe Junior: The Kamado Joe Junior’s top vent and bottom draft door allow for precise temperature control. The patented Kontrol Tower Top Vent provides a wide range of airflow adjustment, enabling you to fine-tune the temperature for different cooking techniques.
Bastard Compact: The Bastard Compact also has a top vent and bottom draft door for temperature control. However, it may not offer as much precision as the Kamado Joe Junior, especially at lower temperatures.
Versatility
Kamado Joe Junior: The Kamado Joe Junior is highly versatile, allowing you to grill, smoke, bake, and roast. It comes with a removable heat deflector, which allows for indirect cooking.
Bastard Compact: The Bastard Compact is also versatile, but it may be slightly less so than the Kamado Joe Junior. It can handle grilling, smoking, and baking, but roasting may be more challenging due to its smaller size.
Accessories and Warranty
Kamado Joe Junior: The Kamado Joe Junior comes with a range of accessories, including a heat deflector, grill grate, and ash tool. It also has a limited lifetime warranty on the ceramic body and a 5-year warranty on the metal components.
Bastard Compact: The Bastard Compact includes a heat deflector, grill grate, and ash pan. It has a limited lifetime warranty on the ceramic body and a 10-year warranty on the metal components.
Price
Kamado Joe Junior: The Kamado Joe Junior is priced at around $500-$600, making it a more affordable option.
Bastard Compact: The Bastard Compact is priced at around $600-$700, slightly more expensive than the Kamado Joe Junior.
Key Points: The Best Choice for Your Needs
Choosing between the Kamado Joe Junior and Bastard Compact ultimately depends on your individual grilling needs and preferences. The Kamado Joe Junior offers excellent heat retention, precise temperature control, and a wide range of accessories, making it a great choice for experienced grillers who value versatility. The Bastard Compact is a more compact and affordable option, suitable for smaller patios or those who prefer a simpler grilling experience. Both grills offer exceptional quality and durability, ensuring years of grilling enjoyment.
Questions We Hear a Lot
Q: Which grill has better temperature control?
A: The Kamado Joe Junior offers more precise temperature control due to its patented Kontrol Tower Top Vent.
Q: Is the Bastard Compact more durable?
A: Both the Kamado Joe Junior and Bastard Compact are highly durable, with lifetime warranties on their ceramic bodies.
Q: Can I use both grills for smoking?
A: Yes, both grills can be used for smoking with the addition of a heat deflector.
Q: Which grill is better for grilling large quantities of food?
A: The Bastard Compact has a slightly larger cooking surface, making it better suited for grilling large quantities of food.
Q: Is the Kamado Joe Junior more fuel-efficient?
A: The Kamado Joe Junior‘s excellent heat retention makes it more fuel-efficient than the Bastard Compact.
