Kamado BBQ comparison
What’s the difference between Gusto and all the other brands?
We’re often asked this one, so we’ve put together a simple blog comparing the Gusto to three other leading brands. The features and materials used on any kamado grill are usually very similar, so choosing between them can be a challenge. One key thing to look out for is what accessories come as standard. Like buying a car, some of the accessories are vital, others are optional extras. Without further ado:
The main contenders:
BIG GREEN EGG
Well-recognised for it’s green colour, and ‘egg’ name. The oldest of the main brands, Green Egg has been around since 1974.
KAMADO JOE
Kamado Joe were established in 2009 and since have become a challenger to Big Green Egg’s dominance. They made their mark by developing an endless range of accessories.
PRIMO
Not so well-known in the UK, but a key player in America, where all the big brands started. Great quality, however a smaller range of accessories.
GRILLO
Grillo Gusto has been designed specifically to complement the Grillo outdoor kitchen range in colour and style. It comes with a cover and a pack of the most popular accessories.
The detail
Finding correct and comparable details is surprisingly difficult. Each brand has optional extras which will affect the data shown below, so unless we’ve noted to otherwise, the data given is for the most basic option available for that particular barbeque. Without further ado, the main details and differences:
Note: All details and prices on the table are from 2026.
Prices and sizes
Scroll / swipe
| Feature | Grillo Gusto | Big Green Egg Large | Kamado Joe Classic II | Primo Kamado Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Kitchen-integrated A kamado BBQ designed for seamless integration into Grillo outdoor kitchens. | The original The oldest and best-known brand, recognised for its distinctive colour and shape. | The innovator Established in 2009, Kamado Joe made its mark through an extensive accessory range. | American made Less familiar in the UK, but a respected US brand with a smaller accessory range. |
| List price, standalone Prices RRP. Updated 07/2026. | £1,380 | £1,495 | £1,399 | £1,399 |
| Integrated Grillo base Marine-grade aluminium and sintered stone base. Ceramic feet supplied for BBQs other than Gusto. | £495 | £495 | £495 | £495 |
| Main grid diameter | 46.7cm | 46cm | 45.7cm | 47cm |
| Main one-level cooking area | 1,715cm² | 1,688cm² | 1,613cm² | 1,739cm² |
| Colour | Grey | Green | Red | Black |
| Weight, grill only | 83kg | 73kg | 97.3kg Weight for 'built-in' version | 68kg |
| Essential accessories Multi-level cooking, heat deflectors, ash tool, BBQ cover | ✓ Accessories included in price | £383 See Included equipment for price breakdown | £70 Accessories included in price except for £70 grill cover | £285 See Included equipment for price breakdown |
| Total integrated price Price includes BBQ, Grillo base, and essential accessories | £1,875 | £2,373 | £1,964 | £2,179 |
Included equipment
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| Feature | Grillo Gusto | Big Green Egg Large | Kamado Joe Classic II | Primo Kamado Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-size grate, stainless steel | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ Porcelain-coated steel |
| Two half-moon grates, stainless steel | ✓ | £80 (for 2) Included in £260 EGGspander kit, see below | ✓ | ✕ |
| Multi-level cooking system | ✓ | £260 kit EGGspander kits, £260–£544 | ✓ | £75 |
| Two half-moon heat deflectors | ✓ | ✓ Single-piece ConvEGGtor included, without basket. Half deflectors £40 each – require ConvEGGtor basket. | ✓ | £115 |
| Ash tool / system | ✓ | £30 tool £30 ash tool. £45 optional ash pan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pan / accessory holder | ✓ | £100£100 ConvEGGtor basket. Included in £260 EGGspander kit | ✓ | ✕ |
| Pizza stone | ✓ | £80 | £30 | £70 |
| Cover | ✓ Slim-fit double-zipped cover, storm-secure | £93 'Egg Cover B', fits Large or XL eggs | £70 Fitted 'Heavy-duty Grill Cover' with adjustable straps | £95 'All-in-One' grill cover, fits all Primo grills |
| Grid lifter tool | ✓ | £23 | ✓ | ✓ |
Construction
Scroll / swipe
| Feature | Grillo Gusto | Big Green Egg Large | Kamado Joe Classic II | Primo Kamado Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| External ironmongery | Stainless-steel | Powder-coated steel | Powder-coated steel | Powder-coated steel |
| Hinge | Spring | Spring | Gas | Spring |
| Gasket / seal | Wire-mesh fibreglass | Felt | Wire-mesh fibreglass | Felt |
| Top vent | Cast iron | Cast iron | Cast aluminium | Cast aluminium |
| Important notes | Specs are for Vantage kitchens. For Element kitchens, total price is £1,450 inc. base and exc. Pro Pack and Cover. These can be bought separately from Grillo Storehouse. | See important notes on Advice for Non-Grillo BBQs. |
See important notes on Advice for Non-Grillo BBQs. Kamado Joe's international spec incorrectly displays a 61cm cooking surface, instead of 46cm. |
See important notes on Advice for Non-Grillo BBQs. There are significant weight discrepancies in Primo specifications. |
Don’t overcomplicate it!
A kamado grill is simply a ceramic oven with a fire in. The features and materials used across all the main brands are usually very similar, sometimes even coming from the same manufacturer. So choosing between them can be as simple as getting one in a colour and style you like, at a price you’re happy with. Does that sound over-simplified? Unless you’re after some very specific features, it really can be that straightforward. And remember, any kamado barbeque will last longer if you use it regularly. So get grilling, and enjoy!
Glossary & notes
- Cooking area – the area available for cooking with just a single full-size grate in place.
- Full-size grate – a single round grate, often hinged. As opposed to two half-moon grates.
- Base / stand – most brands’ cheapest stand option is a simple cart. Grillo only offers a steel and porcelain base, finished to the same standard as the outdoor kitchen.
- Multi-level rack holder – a rack holder for supporting half-moon grates and deflectors. Whilst a rack holder can technically allow you to double the cooking space, the gap between the two grates is quite small and so of limited usefulness. Therefore the rack holder is most often used for split level cooking or cooking with heat deflectors.
- Total with Gusto base instead of cart – the Grillo Short Square base may be used for other brands as well as for Gusto. Please contact us to find out which barbeques would work.
- Grill expander – a grate with tall legs for placing on another grate. Allows you to expand your cooking space.
- Ring accessory holder – a ring that can be mounted in the rack-holder. For holding cast iron cookware or deflector plates.
- Ironmongery – the structural metalwork around the barbeque – bands, hinge, bolts, nuts etc.
Ready to start building?
Head to our online shop to browse the pre-designed Vantage layouts, or to build your own!
