# Kamado Joe Classic Joe III vs Napoleon Premium 22" Charcoal Kettle NK22K: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Kamado Joe Classic Joe III (Kamado Joe) and Napoleon Premium 22" Charcoal Kettle NK22K (Napoleon) among charcoal grills. Napoleon Premium 22" Charcoal Kettle NK22K is the cheaper of the two at $249.

## Side by side

| Spec | Kamado Joe Classic Joe III | Napoleon Premium 22" Charcoal Kettle NK22K |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $2199.99 | $249 |
| Brand | Kamado Joe | Napoleon |
| Released | 2019 | — |
| Type | kamado | kettle |
| Primary cooking area sqin | 250 | 360 |
| Material | Thick-walled ceramic dome with 304 stainless steel grates and hardware | Porcelain-enameled steel bowl and lid, stainless steel cooking grids |
| Hinged cooking grate | No | Yes |
| Ash catcher | No | No |
| Built in thermometer | Yes | Yes |
| Diameter or size (in) | 18 in | 21.5 in |

## Key differences

- Type: Kamado Joe Classic Joe III kamado vs Napoleon Premium 22" Charcoal Kettle NK22K kettle
- Primary cooking area sqin: Kamado Joe Classic Joe III 250 vs Napoleon Premium 22" Charcoal Kettle NK22K 360
- Material: Kamado Joe Classic Joe III Thick-walled ceramic dome with 304 stainless steel grates and hardware vs Napoleon Premium 22" Charcoal Kettle NK22K Porcelain-enameled steel bowl and lid, stainless steel cooking grids
- Hinged cooking grate: Kamado Joe Classic Joe III No vs Napoleon Premium 22" Charcoal Kettle NK22K Yes
- Diameter or size (in): Kamado Joe Classic Joe III 18 in vs Napoleon Premium 22" Charcoal Kettle NK22K 21.5 in

## What reviewers say

**Kamado Joe Classic Joe III** — Only one whitelisted tester — Reviewed (USA Today), reviewed by professional chef Lindsay D. Mattison — produced a hands-on write-up of this exact model, listing it among the kamado grills the team tested. She was unimpressed: she praised the generous bundled accessories, an easy-to-remove ash drawer, and the locking lid with a burp release, but flagged a heavy lid that won't stay open, a screenless draft door as a safety risk, and side shelves that don't sit flat. No measured numbers were reported for this model. (1 sourced review.)

**Napoleon Premium 22" Charcoal Kettle NK22K** — One whitelisted tester, Reviewed (USA Today), hands-on tested this Napoleon 22in charcoal kettle and named it Best Overall charcoal grill, praising even heat distribution, strong heat retention, sturdy four-leg stability, easy vent airflow control, and roomy capacity (12-13 burgers), with no cons found. Note Reviewed tested the prior NK22K-LEG-2 leg generation, and the review was last updated April 2024. (1 sourced review.)

## Sources

- Kamado Joe Classic Joe III: https://www.kamadojoe.com/products/classic-joe-iii-standalone (kamadojoe.com, verified 2026-06-19)
- Napoleon Premium 22" Charcoal Kettle NK22K: https://www.napoleon.com/en/us/grills/products/charcoal-grills/charcoal-premium-series/premium-22-charcoal-kettle-nk22k-leg-3 (napoleon.com, verified 2026-06-19)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/charcoal-grills/kamado-joe-classic-iii-vs-napoleon-premium-charcoal-kettle-22/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Kamado Joe Classic Joe III ($2199.99) vs Napoleon Premium 22" Charcoal Kettle NK22K ($249) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/charcoal-grills/kamado-joe-classic-iii-vs-napoleon-premium-charcoal-kettle-22/
License: CC BY 4.0.