Detailed Comparison: Old vs. New Jumbo Joe - Photos O'Plenty

[mcgolden]

I recall seeing a pic of the two side by side, but I just picked up a new JJ through a Target clearance.  Since I have both the old and the new now, I thought I would do a quick photo comparison for the crew.

Side by side the old JJ towers over the new.  The bowl is quite a bit deeper.





The old had two side vents, which are above the charcoal grate, while the new has one larger vent on the bottom.  I think the consensus is that the bottom vent creates better air flow.  Also, because of the way the vents are set up, the old has no ash tray and the new has a removable ash tray.



Here's where you'll see a bit of difference.  The distance from the charcoal grate to the cooking grate is a good bit higher on the old due to the deeper bowl.

Old



New



On the old the vents are riveted...



on the new screw on (not a fan).



Finally, the cooking grates are not the same size.  On the old JJ, the grate was a little bigger.  On the new, it's the same size as the typical 18", making it easier to get replacements.  I actually like that fact regarding the new.  Also, this means the new will fit my 18" Craycorts which I intend to use in this guy.

This picture shows the new grate underneath the old JJ grate, both in the old JJ.  Notice that a new grate sits too low in the old JJ.



So now that I have my new JJ as a cooker, I think I'll leave my old JJ as an un-used looker.  For the new one, I've got a wood handle on order from Brian (by the way, he made the handle for the old) and a Weber lid temp gauge from Stu ("G").  So thanks for that! 

Hope you guys enjoyed the comparison.

[1911Ron]

That clears up a few questions that some have had, thanks!

[MacEggs]

Thanks for this!!  I just picked up an old one yesterday.  M code.

It needs a ton of elbow grease to make it look good again, but I'm up to the challenge. 

[Hogsy]

Thanks for the comparison, I like the old ones better but I've not seen the new ones in the flesh
I like the fact the old ones have no bottom vent mainly because I tend to use mine camping. And usually on a hot summers day in the bush. To me there's less chance of hot ash or coals escaping from from the kettle and starting a fire. The last time I used it I cooked 4kg/9lb leg of lamb on a 40c/104f day. I had no problems with it holding temp at 180c/350f for a couple of hours using half a chimney worth of fuel

I do like the fact that the new style uses the same size grate as an 18 as the hinged grates are handy for adding fuel or smoking wood

[mcgolden]

That picture makes me hungy!

[SixZeroFour]

Excellent post and comparison, thanks Mitch!

[mhiszem]

Great comparison now I need a JJ


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[charred]

Compared to the SJP, the new JJ seems like a cheap knock-off.

I bought the SJP a couple of years ago. Last year was the first time I fond- er, handled a JJ and was disappointed.

HOWEVER, when I saw one at Target last week for $30, and saw that the 18" grate did indeed fit, I plucked down the $30. 

[coldkettle]

Thanks for the write up.  Good info.

I love the smell of a evening cook...

[argentflame]

Cool. Very nice comparison.

[Fishawn]

Nice post! I don't have either, but like the older one better on looks alone.

[Heyjude]

Compared to the SJP, the new JJ seems like a cheap knock-off.

I agree.. Don;t care for the looks of it either. Its like an ugly space ship turd..
Probably cooks OK?

Mostly I like the old one cause they made them in RED!!




WANTED.. RED JUMBO JOE... 

[mcgolden]

I like the look of the old much better too.  I just bought the new one because it was on clearance and also because it'll help me fight the urge to fire up the old, which had never been useda  still have the box, so it's basically a NIB but with a better handle on it (Brian's).  Still have the old handle sitting in the box though. 

So now I have my 18" cooker for travel.  I might get a chance to cook on the new one this weekend.  If I do, I'll report back and let everyone know how it worked.