You remember what happened last year during your football tailgate, right? You bought a cheapo grill at the suburban box-in-a-lot on the way to the game and it was a disaster. The grill lasted three games and could never get hot enough to sear a hotdog, let alone a steak. You trashed it in the Dumpster outside the stadium after the game and swore you would never do that again. It’s time to get serious.
If this was you last season, the tailgate-friendly Kamado Joe Jr. is your savior. It’s a 27.5-inch-tall ceramic charcoal grill, portable enough with 13.5 inches in diameter. Joe Jr. is sturdy as well, weighing in at 77 lbs., including the cast iron stand, and the stainless-steel hinge allows you to add charcoal as you cook. Keep track of your cooking with the temperature gauge on the shell, which can also help manage fuel use.
The Joe Jr. is just as adept at grilling as it is at smoking. Ever had smoked pork shoulder at a tailgate? You can get to the tailgate early and start smoking meat, then open the airflow grates and get the temperature up to grill burgers. We’re going all the way this year!
Kamado Joe Jr. (with cast iron stand)
$499
150 square inches of cooking area
Stainless steel hinged cooking grate allows you to add charcoal as you cook
Built-in temperature gauge
Fits: 7 burgers or 2 whole birds or 1 pork shoulder
