The Big Green Egg is for many people the first brand they think of when it comes to a kamado. That green ceramic barbecue stands in countless gardens and has a loyal following. Still, many buyers look for an alternative: because they want a different colour, want more included in the box, or simply want to compare first. In this guide you can read what to assess every kamado on, what to ask about each brand, and how the Keij Kamado models measure up. There is also a comparison checklist and a short quiz to see which Keij suits you best.
In short: you don't compare a kamado by brand name, but by ceramic, grill diameter, equipment and warranty. For each brand, add up what you still need to buy before you put prices side by side. Keij is the alternative we work through here: the Pro and Legend have a cordierite ceramic core, 50 to just over 350 °C, and as standard a stand, Divide & Conquer and cover (not with the Solo).
At a glance: today's prices
| Product | Today's price | |
|---|---|---|
| Keij Legend Large (21 inch) | €1,199 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Keij Kamado Pro Large (21 inch) | €879 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Keij Legend Compact (15 inch) | €449 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Keij Kamado Pro Compact (15 inch) | €399 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Keij Legend XL (23 inch) | €1,399 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Keij Legend Large Solo (21 inch) | €1,079 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
Why do people look for a Big Green Egg alternative?
Let's be honest from the start: the Big Green Egg is not famous for nothing. The brand has made the ceramic kamado big in the Netherlands, can be seen at many dealers and has its own line of accessories. Anyone who buys one knows what they're getting. Still, there are good reasons to look further:
- You want to compare. You buy a kamado for years. So it makes sense to put more than one brand side by side.
- You want a different colour. Green is the brand's trademark. If you want black, blue or another green, you end up with other brands.
- You want to know what's in the box. With one kamado the stand, cover and a zone system come included, with another you buy them separately. That makes a big difference in what you ultimately spend.
- Your budget. A brand with strong name recognition isn't automatically the best choice for your situation.
You can also compare the Big Green Egg itself here: the Big Green Egg brand page lists the kamados from MiniMax to XL and the accessories, with the current price at the retailer. In this article we mainly show what to look out for, so you can honestly put any model side by side with an alternative.
What do you compare a kamado on?
All ceramic kamados work in the same way. The thick ceramic holds the heat, and with an air vent at the bottom and a damper or valve on top you determine how much air flows past the coals. More air means hotter, less air means calmer. You can read how to cook with it in how to use a kamado? Because the principle is the same, the differences between brands lie in these points:
- Ceramic. Which ceramic does the brand use for the dome and fire box? Keij uses cordierite ceramic, a material that copes well with large temperature differences.
- Grill diameter. The size in inches doesn't tell the whole story, because every brand uses its own names such as Large or XL. The diameter of the grill tells you how much really fits on it.
- Temperature range. Can you go low enough for low & slow and high enough to sear and bake pizza?
- Standard equipment. Stand, side tables, a zone system for direct and indirect cooking, a cover and an ash drawer. What's included, and what do you buy separately?
- Warranty. On which parts, for how long and under which conditions?
- Weight. A 21 inch kamado quickly weighs around 90 kg. Important if it's going on a balcony or wooden deck.
Never compare the name of a size, always the diameter of the grill. A Large from one brand can be just as big as or smaller than a Large from another.
Keij next to every other brand: the comparison table
This table shows, for each point, what Keij's product information says. The right-hand column shows what to ask Big Green Egg or any other brand, so you compare like with like.
| Point | Keij Kamado | Ask every other brand |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic | Cordierite (dome and fire box) | Which ceramic? |
| Temperature | 50 to 350+ °C | Which range? |
| Sizes | 15, 21 and 23 inch | Grill diameter per size? |
| Grill | Ø 30 cm (15 inch), Ø 47 cm (21 inch Legend) | Ø in cm? |
| Stand | Included, except Solo | Included or separate? |
| Zone system | Divide & Conquer, except Solo | Included or separate? |
| Protective cover | Included, except Solo | Included or separate? |
| Side tables, ash drawer | Legend: yes | Included or separate? |
| Ceramic warranty | Legend: lifetime | Which parts, which conditions? |
| Colours | Legend: black, blue, green | Which colours? |
For the Legend, the lifetime warranty applies to the dome, lid, fire box and fire ring. For the Pro series, the product information doesn't mention a lifetime warranty; check the product page for that. If you want to see models side by side, use the comparison tool.
Compare the complete setup, not the bare kamado
The biggest pitfall when comparing kamados is putting the price of the kamado itself side by side. A kamado without a stand can't be used safely, and without a cover or zone system you miss parts you'll almost certainly buy. So for each brand, add up what you need to be able to grill on the first evening.
What's in the box with a complete Keij Legend
- Dome and fire box in cordierite ceramic, grill in stainless steel
- Steel stand with large wheels
- HDPE side tables with accessory hooks
- Chip feeder for smoking wood and an ash drawer
- Divide & Conquer system for cooking in multiple zones
- Protective cover
The Pro series comes with a stand, Divide & Conquer and a protective cover; side tables, chip feeder and ash drawer are not mentioned there. Use this checklist when you put another brand next to Keij. Tick off what you've asked about.
- Grill diameter in cm, not just the name of the size
- Weight, and whether the floor or balcony can carry it
- Stand or table included, or available separately
- A zone system or heat deflector for indirect cooking included
- Protective cover included, or available separately
- Warranty: on which parts and under which conditions
- Which accessories fit this size, and where you buy them
Budget for a heat deflector separately
For pizza and low & slow you want a plate between the fire and your food. According to the product information, you combine Divide & Conquer with a plate setter for indirect cooking. A plate setter is not included as standard with any Keij model in the list, so include it in your comparison.
Keij Kamado as an alternative: the models
According to the product information, Keij Kamado is a Dutch brand. All models share the same ceramic core: a dome and fire box in cordierite ceramic, a stainless steel grill and a temperature range of 50 to just over 350 °C. There are two series: the Pro in 15 and 21 inch, black only, and the Legend in 15, 21 and 23 inch, in matt black, blue and green.
| Model | Size and weight | Included as standard |
|---|---|---|
| Pro Compact | 15 inch, 50 kg | Stand, D&C, cover |
| Pro Large | 21 inch, 91,5 kg | Stand with wheels, D&C, cover |
| Legend Compact | 15 inch, Ø 30 cm, 50 kg | Complete with side tables |
| Legend Large | 21 inch, Ø 47 cm, 89 kg | Complete with side tables |
| Legend XL | 23 inch, 95,5 kg | Complete with side tables |
| Legend Large Solo | 21 inch, Ø 47 cm, 89 kg | Kamado only |
D&C stands for Divide & Conquer. By "complete" we mean: stand with large wheels, side tables, chip feeder, Divide & Conquer, cover and ash drawer.
Keij Legend Large (21 inch)
The Legend Large is the family size and the most complete choice. With a 47 cm grill and a working height of around 90 cm, it is according to the product information intended for 4 to 6 people.
The Pro Large has the same size and the same ceramic core, with a stand, Divide & Conquer and cover. A logical alternative if you don't need side tables or a colour.
The two 15 inch models are intended for a terrace or balcony. If it's a balcony, do keep the weight of 50 kg in mind.
The XL is the largest Keij, for big gatherings. The Solo is the Legend Large without accessories, with the same ceramic and the same warranty: interesting for an outdoor kitchen. If you choose the Solo, do factor in a stand or table and a cover, such as the Platinum AeroCover kamado cover, Ø 94 cm.
Prefer not black? The Legend in colour
If you're looking for an alternative because you don't want a green or black kamado, the Legend is available in matt blue and matt green. The equipment is the same for every colour.
You can see all Keij models side by side in detail in Buying a Keij Kamado: Legend vs Pro.
Which Keij suits you?
Answer four questions about how and where you use the kamado. You'll then see which model comes closest to your wishes.
Which Keij Kamado comes closest to your wishes?
How many people do you usually cook for from the kamado?
- Two or three
- A family of four to six
- Regularly a full garden with guests
Where will the kamado have its permanent place?
- On a balcony or a small terrace
- Freestanding on the terrace, with space around it
- In an outdoor kitchen or on a dedicated table
What must be in the box at a minimum?
- A stand, zone system and cover is enough
- Also side tables, a chip feeder and an ash drawer
- Just the kamado itself, I already have the rest
Which colour ceramic would you like to see on your terrace?
- Blue or green, it may stand out
- Simply black, sober and timeless
- Doesn't matter, as long as the grill is large
A 15 inch Compact You cook for a small group or have little space. The Pro Compact and Legend Compact both weigh 50 kg; the Legend Compact has a 30 cm grill, side tables and three colours.
The Keij Legend Large The all-rounder for a family: 47 cm grill, for 4 to 6 people, with side tables, chip feeder, ash drawer and lifetime ceramic warranty. Also available in matt blue and matt green.
The Keij Legend XL The largest Keij, 23 inch, for big gatherings and long smoking sessions. With the same complete equipment as the other Legends.
The Keij Legend Large Solo The same ceramic and warranty as the Legend Large, but without stand, side tables, Divide & Conquer or cover. Intended for an outdoor kitchen or your own stand.
The Keij Kamado Pro Large 21 inch in black, with a steel stand with wheels, Divide & Conquer and protective cover. For those who want the kamado itself without extras.
Not sure a kamado is the right barbecue for you? Read kamado or gas barbecue or try the selection guide.
Accessories: mind the size
Accessories for a kamado are designed for the internal dimensions of a specific model. So don't assume that a grill, plate or heat deflector from one brand will simply fit a kamado from another brand. Keij has its own cast iron grills and plates in 46,5 cm for 21 inch and 33 cm for 15 inch. You combine the half-round versions with Divide & Conquer.
Cast iron grill 21 inch
View →
Half-round plate 21 inch
View →
Half-round plate 15 inch
View →
Dutch Oven 3.5 litre
View →What you really need and what is merely handy is covered in kamado accessories: what do you really need? The full range is on the barbecue accessories page. Don't forget the charcoal too: large pieces, such as Marabu restaurant quality charcoal in pieces of 5 to 20 cm, burn predictably in any kamado.
Common mistakes when switching
Choosing by brand name
A well-known name says something about reputation, but nothing about which size and equipment suit you. Start with your own wishes: how many people do you cook for and where will it stand?
Comparing sizes by name
A Large isn't the same size at every brand. Compare the grill diameter in centimetres, and you'll know exactly how much fits on it.
Comparing the bare price
If the stand, cover or zone system is included with one brand but not with another, the cheapest kamado isn't always the cheapest setup.
Assuming accessories will fit
If you already have grills or a plate setter from another brand, check the diameter before you switch. What doesn't fit, you'll have to buy again.
Underestimating the weight
A 21 inch Keij weighs 89 to 91.5 kg, the XL 95.5 kg. Place it on a flat, sturdy surface and, if it's on a balcony, check what the floor can bear.
Already decided?
Before your first session, read how to use a kamado, and keep it in top condition for years with cleaning your kamado.
Are you also comparing with Kamado Joe or Boretti? Then read Kamado Joe alternative and buying Keij or Boretti? All available kamados are listed under kamado barbecues.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good alternative to a Big Green Egg?
Every ceramic kamado works on the same principle: thick ceramic that retains heat and two air vents that let you control the temperature. A good alternative is therefore compared on the ceramic, the grill grate diameter, what comes as standard in the box and the warranty. In this article we use the Keij Kamado as an alternative, with the Pro and Legend series in 15, 21 and 23 inch. You can compare the Big Green Egg itself on the Big Green Egg brand page.
Is a Keij Kamado just as good as a Big Green Egg?
We don't pit performance against each other, because we can't measure it fairly. You can see the current prices of both brands on the product pages. Other points you can compare: Keij has a dome and firebox made of cordierite ceramic, a temperature range of 50 to just over 350 °C, and the Legend comes with a lifetime warranty on the dome, lid, firebox and fire ring. Place these points alongside the product information for the Big Green Egg model you are considering.
Do Big Green Egg accessories fit a Keij Kamado?
Don't assume this automatically. Grates, plates and heat deflectors are matched to the internal dimensions of a specific model, and these differ by brand and by size. Keij has its own cast iron grates and plates of 46.5 cm for 21 inch and 33 cm for 15 inch. If in doubt, always measure the diameter before buying an accessory from another brand.
Which Keij size corresponds to a Big Green Egg Large?
Compare by grate diameter rather than by size name, because each brand uses its own naming. According to the product information, the Big Green Egg Large has a 46 cm grate. The 21 inch Keij Legend Large has a 47 cm grate and is intended for 4 to 6 people; the 15 inch Legend Compact has a 30 cm grate. The Legend Large is therefore the closest match.
What comes as standard with a Keij Kamado?
The Pro series includes a stand, the Divide & Conquer system for cooking in multiple zones and a protective cover. The complete Legend models also include HDPE side shelves with hooks, a chip feeder for smoking wood and an ash drawer. The Legend Large Solo is supplied without a stand, side shelves, Divide & Conquer or protective cover.
