Beyond Ordinary Grilling: Exploring Kamado Joe's Divide & Conquer® Cooking

At Kamado Joe, we're always striving to push the boundaries of outdoor cooking, and one of the ways we continue to do that is through innovation. As passionate grill aficionados ourselves, we understand the joy of crafting delicious dishes that bring people together. In this blog, we’ll explore one of our most exciting innovations - the Divide & Conquer System.

What is the Divide & Conquer System?

The Divide & Conquer System is a cooking setup designed for kamado grills. This product works with our Classic Joe series II and III, our Big Joe series II and III, and our Konnected Joe. It replaces the conventional grill grate with a dual-level rack, allowing for versatile configurations to accommodate various cooking techniques and diverse ingredients.

The Divide & Conquer system installed in a Kamado Joe grill. The lower tier holds a cast iron half-moon cooking grate. The upper tier holds a stainless steel half-moon cooking grate over a half-moon heat deflector.

Benefits of using the Divide & Conquer System

  • Versatility: The heart of Divide & Conquer System lies in its adaptability. Seamlessly switch between direct grilling, indirect cooking, baking, roasting, and smoking - all in one exceptional unit.
  • Multifaceted Cooking: Experience the joy of multi-level cooking. Sear steaks on one tier while slow-smoking ribs on another, all at the same time.
  • Temperature Control: The Divide & Conquer System allows you to cook at different temperatures all at the same time within the grill. Precisely position you charcoal, heat deflectors, and grates to achieve your desired cooking conditions.

How to use the Divide & Conquer System

  • Direct Grilling: Looking for sear marks? Opt for direct grilling by placing the grill grates on the lower tier without using the heat deflectors.
  • Indirect Cooking: Elevate your roasting and smoking game by positioning the heat deflectors and then the grill grates above.
  • Baking: For artisanal pizza or desserts, set the heat deflectors low and place a pizza stone or backing dish on the grill grates on the top level.
  • Two-Zone Cooking: Create two distinct temperature zones by configuring the grates on different tiers to prepare foods with varying heat requirements.

Recipes to Try with the Divide & Conquer System

The Karbon Steel half-moon pan set in use on a 2-tier Divide & Conquer rack. The solid pan is on a lower, hotter rack and holds 3 searing steaks. The perforated pan sits on the higher, cooler rack full of broccoli florets and other vegetables.

Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon and Vegetable Medley

Utilize the Divide & Conquer System and the Karbon Steel Half Moon Pans in this Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon and Vegetable Medley recipe!


New York Strip Steaks sear on the lower tier of a Divide & Conquer system while vegetables roast on the upper tier.

New York Strip Steak

Utilize the Divide and Conquer System and the Half-Moon Cast Iron Reversible Griddle with this New York Strip Steak recipe!

Check out our full collection of recipes to find more recipes to try on your Kamado Joe.


Setting Kamado Joe Apart: A Comparison

In the realm of kamado-style grills, Kamado Joe's Divide & Conquer System is unmatchable. Its design, cooking space, and unmatched adaptability distinguish it from the competition, making it a great choice for grill enthusiasts.

Kamado Joe Surfaces to use with the Divide & Conquer System

  • Soapstone: Grill delicate dishes with the Soapstone. The natural, porous nature of soapstone imparts a subtle smokiness and enhances the flavor of your food. From searing delicate dish to baking bread, the soapstone is the surface for the job.
  • Half-Moon Cast Iron Reversible Griddle: Whether it's sizzling bacon, creating the perfect hash browns, or searing marinated veggies, the half-moon griddle creates delicious results.
  • Karbon Steel Half-Moon Pan Set: Perfect for searing a steak closer to the heat and sautéing vegetables away from the heat, the Karbon Steel Half-Moon Pan Set works perfectly with the Divide & Conquer System.

Explore our complete line of surfaces to find more products to expand the versatility of your Kamado Joe.

Using the Divide & Conquer System, join us on a journey that redefines what's possible in kamado-style grilling, where innovation meets tradition, versatility meets expertise, and every meal becomes an adventure.