Texas Star Grill Shop • Ceramic grill buying guide
Big Green Egg vs. Konnected Joe vs. Primo
Start with how you want to manage the fire, then choose the cooking space and package. Compare Large and XL EGGs, both Konnected Joe sizes, and Primo Oval L and XL without confusing a grill-only listing with a complete cart setup.
Three ways to choose a kamado
Manual control, digital help or an oval cooking layout?
Big Green Egg starts with familiar manual vent control and a choice of supports and accessories. Konnected Joe builds ignition, a fan and digital controls into the grill. Primo gives you an oval grid for a different food layout. The best fit depends on the setup you will use, not a brand-wide winner.
Compare the exact model and size
The areas below are the primary cooking surface. Optional raised racks can add capacity, but they do not create more side-by-side room on the main grid.
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| Model | Primary cooking area | Shape & controls | Linked Texas Star configuration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large Big Green Egg | 262 sq. in. 18.25-inch grid |
Round; manual vents | Grill only; support and cooking accessories selected separately |
| XL Big Green Egg | 452 sq. in. 24-inch grid |
Round; manual vents | Grill only; support and cooking accessories selected separately |
| Konnected Joe | 250 sq. in. 18-inch grid |
Round; digital control and Classic/manual mode | Cart, folding shelves, heat deflectors and one meat probe |
| Big Joe Konnected Joe | 450 sq. in. 24-inch grid |
Round; digital control and Classic/manual mode | Cart, folding shelves, heat deflectors and one meat probe |
| Primo Oval L All-In-One | 300 sq. in. 15 × 22-inch grid |
Oval; manual vents | Cradle stand, side tables, ash tool and grate lifter |
| Primo Oval XL | 400 sq. in. | Oval; manual vents | Grill head only; support and cooking accessories selected separately |
Primo lists 495 sq. in. for Large and 680 sq. in. for XL only when the optional rack systems are added. Those totals are not used in this primary-grid comparison. Current prices and availability are on the linked product pages.
Which one fits the way you cook?
Build the setup your way
Big Green Egg Large or XL
Choose the Large for a smaller round cooking surface, or the XL when you regularly want more foods spread out on the main grid. Both linked models start as grill-only configurations.
Choose it for: hands-on vent control and the freedom to select a Nest, table, prep surfaces and cooking accessories around your own setup.
Explore Big Green Egg →
Integrated ignition & controls
Konnected Joe or Big Joe
Automatic Fire Starter lights the charcoal, while the Kontrol Board, fan and app support temperature management. Classic mode retains manual operation. Both sizes include the 2-Tier Divide & Conquer cooking system.
Choose it for: built-in electronic help and an included cart, work surfaces and indirect-cooking hardware. Choose 18 or 24 inches for the meals you actually cook.
Explore Kamado Joe →
Arrange food on an oval grid
Primo Oval L or XL
The oval layout gives longer cuts and side-by-side foods a different arrangement from a round grid. Primo describes direct and indirect setups using the appropriate accessories.
Choose it for: the shape of the cooking space. The Oval L All-In-One already adds a stand and tables; the linked XL leaves the support setup for you to choose.
Explore Primo →Match the meal, not just the label
Large is not one standard size
Large EGG and 18-inch Konnected Joe are close by primary area. XL EGG and Big Joe Konnected Joe are close, too. Primo’s 300- and 400-square-inch oval grids fall between those round sizes.
Before buying: picture your largest regular cook, including pans, side dishes and any indirect zone. An extra rack can help, but rack clearance and access also matter.
Review the size comparison →Compare the complete setup
Check what comes with the grill.
For a fair comparison, make a list of the grill, stable support, side surfaces, indirect-cooking parts, cover, thermometer or probes, fuel, assembly and delivery. A grill-head price and an All-In-One package do not cover the same equipment.
- EGG: the linked Large and XL are grill-only. Check your chosen package for a Nest or table, Mates and a convEGGtor.
- Konnected Joe: both linked sizes include carts, shelves and heat deflectors. Plan power for the electronic features.
- Primo: the L All-In-One lists a stand, tables and tools. Confirm heat deflectors and their racks separately. The linked XL is head-only.
Measure the entire installed setup, lid travel and delivery route. Follow the exact model’s current instructions for clearances and support. Grid diameter is not an outdoor-kitchen cutout dimension.
A few questions before you choose
Is Konnected Joe a charcoal grill or an electric grill?
It cooks with charcoal. Electricity runs its ignition and electronic controls; it is not an electric heating-element cooker. Classic mode provides manual vent control, and Kamado Joe also describes manual lighting with fire starters. Plan power if you want to use the electric features.
Which models are closest in cooking size?
Compare the 262-square-inch Large EGG with the 250-square-inch Konnected Joe, and the 452-square-inch XL EGG with the 450-square-inch Big Joe Konnected Joe. Primo Oval L has 300 square inches and Oval XL has 400. Shape still matters when you arrange food.
Does every package include a stand and heat deflector?
No. The linked EGG models and Primo XL are grill-only. Both Konnected Joe packages list carts, shelves and heat deflectors. Primo Oval L All-In-One includes its stand, tables and tools, but indirect-cooking accessories need to be confirmed separately.
Can round kamados cook in more than one zone?
Yes. Kamado Joe’s Divide & Conquer system supports different cooking setups. Primo’s oval shape offers a different layout, not an exclusive claim to multi-zone cooking. Choose the required racks and heat deflectors for the setup you want.
Should I choose the biggest grill I can fit?
Choose enough room for your regular meals and the larger cooks you realistically plan. Consider food placement, lid access, the full stand or table footprint and the complete package. Digital assistance does not remove the need to load fuel, clean the grill and follow safe operating instructions.
Sources & comparison notes
Specifications and package descriptions checked November 11, 2026. This is a comparison of the named models and linked configurations, not every grill or package from these brands. Recommendations reflect cooking layout and listed equipment, not independent performance testing.
- Big Green Egg specifications: Large and XL.
- Kamado Joe specifications: Konnected Joe, Big Joe Konnected Joe and Classic vs. Automatic mode.
- Primo specifications: Oval Large, Oval XL and cooking configurations and quick-start guide.
- The linked Texas Star Grill Shop product pages define the merchant configurations. Check current package details before ordering.