Primo 774 Ceramic Charcoal Smoker Grill, Oval Junior review and price compare 2025

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Product overview

Brand	Primo
Power Source	Charcoal
Color	Black
Item Weight	95 Pounds
Item Dimensions LxWxH	21.5 x 21 x 24.5 inches
Fuel Type	Charcoal

product features

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Unique oval design for more flexible and versatile grilling and smoking
210 square inches of standard cooking surface; up to 360 square inches with rack extensions
Exterior features a premium-grade ceramic blend coated with a protective, lead-free, scratch-resistant porcelain glaze
Highest quality ceramic for increased efficiency and durability
Measures 24 by 22 by 16 inches; 20-year warranty for all ceramic parts; made in USA

product description

Size:Junior

Product Description

The Primo Oval Junior Smoker Charcoal Grill is a Medium-Large Size model with all the benefits of the original Oval ceramic benefits. Standard Grill Features: Cast-Iron Chimney Vent, Precision Thermometer, Easy Lift & Lock Hinge System, Soft-Close Felt Gasket, Quick-Clean Porcelain Cooking Grid, User Manual/ Recipe Book Grill Dimensions in inches (H by W by D): 24 by 22 by 16 - Cooking Surface: 210 Square Inches (with Rack Extensions: up to 360 Square Inches)

Amazon.com

The Primo Oval Junior charcoal smoker grill is the ultimate outdoor ceramic cooker, featuring 210 square inches of standard cooking surface (and up to 360 square inches with optional rack extensions). It also offers a cast iron chimney cap, easy-to-read thermometer, reversible cooking grates, stainless steel lower vent door. And Primo's unique oval design allows for greater flexibility and versatility. You'll be able to cook using both direct and indirect methods at the same time.

Primo's unique oval design allows for greater flexibility and versatility ().

The Primo grill lineup: Oval Junior, Oval XL, and Oval Kamado (from left to right; stands not included).

With a Primo grill, you'll be able to:

Cook a wide variety of foods, including steaks, chicken, pork, turkey, fish, pizzas, vegetables... you name it!
Grill and/or smoke while maintaining a consistent low temperature or high temperature
Evenly heat across the entire surface of the grill

The Primo Oval Junior measures 24 by 22 by 16 inches (HxWxD). The only ceramic grill manufactured in the USA and constructed to the highest specifications, Primo grills are backed with a 20-year warranty on the ceramic portion and 5 years for its metal parts.

Durable Handcrafted Ceramics

Primo's handcrafted ceramics are designed to provide the upmost strength while providing superior temperature control and maximum moisture retention. By curing the finish at temperatures exceeding 2400-degree F, the glaze is permanently bonded to the ceramic body for long lasting durability.

The exclusive ceramic formula delivers consistent temperature control. From its smallest to its biggest grills, Primo can provide smoke temperatures as low as 95 degrees F or exceed searing temperatures of 750 degrees F.

Primo's bands and stands feature a baked-on, powder-coated, high-gloss finish for durability and easy maintenance. The commercial grade porcelain is applied to the grilling racks here in the USA and are crafted for a lifetime of use.

Perfect 7mm grill spacing so food stays on the grill, not in the fire, while maximizing searing efficiency.

Maximum Cooking Versatility for the Outdoor Chef

Many restaurants use the intensity of direct grilling to seal in the juices to foods, then finish the cooking process over soft true indirect or convection grilling style.

Similarly, with Primo's two-zone design, you're not limited to just one cooking style. Using the divider plate, you can cook a steak with direct heat on one side and chicken with indirect heat on the other side. You'll be able prepare the perfect meal, whether via direct cooking, true indirect, convection, baking, direct and true indirect, convection and true indirect, baking and direct, backing and convection, and so on.

Primo's two-zone design provides maximum cooking versatility to get the same big-name restaurant result at home, and at a fraction of the cost.

Optimized Grilling Surface

With Primo's exclusive flush rack design, a backyard chef is able to maximize the use of the Oval's grilling surface. Reversible grilling racks allows for food to be grilled a different intensities.

Natural Lump Charcoal

Primo recommends using its Primo brand Natural Lump Charcoal for best results. Burning cleaner, hotter, and longer, natural lump charcoal produces less ash than briquette style charcoal. It's also quick and easy to light--unlike charcoal briquettes that require patience--and is a renewable fuel source. Other natural lump charcoals are also fine to use in your Primo.

What's in the Box

Primo 774 Oval Junior grill; cast-iron chimney vent; precision thermometer; easy lift and lock hinge system; soft-close felt gasket; quick-clean porcelain cooking grid; user manual; recipe book

product details

important information

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Questions about Primo 774 Ceramic Charcoal Smoker Grill, Oval Junior

Is possible to add an electric or gas starter to the Primo Joe

Answer: If I want a hot fire for steaks or pizza use the little fire starter cubes and it is ready in about 10-15 minutes. I also have a Looftlighter that works great if I want to hold its hand for 5 minutes. I also found the chimney to work well when I'm setting the smoker. I suspect an electric coal starter would also work, but if you are thinking about using this without coal, I have never seen anything for that function.

Answer: There is an optional electric starter or you can do an air lighter

Answer: No, there are many options for lighting the coals and I have used most of them. I find the chimney starter the best option for the money.

Answer: Not to my knowledge. The best solution is a device called a "Loof Lighter"(so?). It looks like a large curling iron and generates heat that lights the coals very fast.

AMAZON INFO PRIMO Oval Jr Cooking Surface: 210 Square ,PRIMOS WEB PAGE 310 square inches of cooking surface ¿WICH IS WRITE?

Answer: In the item description it says: 210 square inches of standard cooking surface; up to 360 square inches with rack extensions

Answer: 210 is right for the grill in standard form. There are optional extension grates the fit above the main cooking surface to expand total cooking area. We are a 2 person household, the standard grill has more than enough room for us.

Answer: I think the default set up is 210? But you can almost double it if you get the upper level extensions. One place I saw said 360 square inches with the 2 extensions. So the base size isn't _that_ big, thus 'junior', but can still do a good bit. :)

Answer: Don't know. Because I have a different model -- the Oval Junior. If you measure the grates you can calculate the are using the formula, a = pi * r1 *r2. On my Junior I usually use fire on one half (the left), and cook indirectly on the other side using a stacker rack which is small as you go up (to fit in the lid). So my hot side is 99 square inches, and my indirect side is 99 + 70 = 169 square inches, or 268 square inches total. I have found this adequate for cooking for four people, including cooking the vegetables. If you are lazy, calculate.com will do the calculations for you.

Does this grill come with the little ceramic feet?

Answer: Mine did. I've had it for many years though. I presume they still would, but you also can use any heat barrier/ceramic/brick

Answer: No, the feet are now sold separate from the grill. A $2 patio stone works just as well.

Answer: No. They will have to be purchased separately.

Answer: Yes it does

Could you cook a 15 lb Turkey in this grill?

Answer: Yes, you could even do (2) 14 pound turkeys.

Answer: If the lid closes . You would have to cook it long and slow,to not burn the outside.

Answer: Yes

Does this grill come with the legs?

Answer: The feet don't come with the grill.

Answer: I’m pretty sure that I purchased the feet separately. Depending what stand option you choose, you may not need them. I purchased a teek cart with my grill and needed the ceramic feet to lift the grill. A metal cart may not require them. Great grill!

Answer: No. They are sold separately. Please feel free to give me a buzz with questions.

Answer: Mine did not. I put it up on three pieces of fire brick in a bench I made for it. They offer a set of three as an accessory or a cart for more money.

Answer: No it doesn't. You can purchase spacers to allow you to place it on some other support that hopefully is not too flammable. I bought their stand which is REALLY well made. Enjoy

Answer: No, you have to buy a stand separately. I got the portable one and am happy with it.

Answer: No it’s the head unit only

Can anybody comment as to the packaging gotten any better? Amazon is great at replacing but I'd rather not go through that

Answer: No, the packaging is terrible. We sent back 2 grills because they both arrived broken. We ended up not buying it in the end because we are tired of dealing with it. They lost a sale. This was just last month.

Answer: Packaging and shipping were so bad that we returned the Primo and purchased it locally. Probably not a good mail order purchase.

Answer: Mine came in fine.. enjoying real bbq.. if there is no smoke in the meat.. there is no bbq.. bbq sauce compliments the smoke of the meat.. if there is no smoke there is no bbq

Does this use a lot of charcoal? I sometimes cook just for one. So im not cooking that much. Would waste charcoal to fire up bbq for just one small fi

Answer: It won't typically use all the charcoal when its used. When you are done grilling, be sure to shut the damper all the way and close the vent at the top. This will essentially "shut off" your charcoal grill. Next time you grill, you can assess the need to add more charcoal or just ignite your coals from your previous burn.

Adjust themonter ?

Answer: You cannot adjust the thermometer, you can control the temps by opening and closing the vents.

Answer: No, But should not rely on it anyway due to its location other than when grilling. Go with wireless with two leads. One for grill and one for meat.

Could you cook a 15 lb Turkey in this grill?

Answer: Yes, you could even do (2) 14 pound turkeys.

Answer: If the lid closes . You would have to cook it long and slow,to not burn the outside.

Answer: Yes

For warranty concerns, are you an authorized dealer? Does Primo warrant fully a ceramic grill purchased from your company?

Answer: Hello. We are an authorized Dealer and Primo will fully honor any grill purchased from us.

Answer: Bought mine off Amazon. Can't remember the exact dealer that shipped to me, but filled out registration card. I did have an issue about 5 years later. They sent me a complete shell and hardware , felt already installed. New hardware to re-install the bands. I stripped one of the hinge bolts and they even sent me a new hinge. The catch..??.. I did have to pay shipping on the shell. $150.

Answer: No I am not a dealer, I was just a customer

Is this easy or laborious to clean?

Can this grill withstand cooking in below zero weather?

Answer: Mine arrived cracked and so did the second one. If you can get one that is not cracked I think you could cook below zero if you are that crazy Good Luck

Answer: I've cooked close to zero (10 or so)without any problems... Both high heat and low and slow. Never below zero.

Answer: Yes - we used ours at Christmas when it was about 5

Answer: I live in Florida.

What is the difference between primo 775 large vs 774 junior?. it is clear the 774 one has 210 sq in (24x22), but i am not clear about the 775 one...

Answer: The Primo 775 Large Oval Grill features 300 square inches of cooking space and a 15" x 22" cooking grid. The Primo 774 Junior Oval Grill features 210 square inches of cooking space and a 13.5" x 18.5" cooking grid.

Answer: The large is what you want if your cooking a lot of food. It will handle a 14 pound brisket no problem. The 774 junior is much smaller. I use mine for racks of ribs, but I have 4 different ceramic grills. Get the large if it is you first primo and you can afford it. The junior can travel if that’s what you are looking to do.

Product reviews of Primo 774 Ceramic Charcoal Smoker Grill, Oval Junior

pjnola : Precision control

My father decided I should have a big green egg, and wrote me a nice big check to buy it (Thanks!). But it turned out that his very generous donation wasn't enough to cover the cost of a BGE, so I did a little research and found the Primo.

The BGE is widely considered the premier ceramic grill, and I admit I was a little worried that I might be buying an inferior knock-off. But now that I'vs had the Primo for a while, it turns out I needn't have worried. The Primo gives you great quality and precision. Want to smoke a Boston butt at 200 degrees for 16 hours? This will do it. Want to sear a steak at 600 degrees? The Primo will do that, too. And the check that was too small for the BGE got me the Primo, a bunch of accessories, and the lumber and casters to build a nice, sturdy table.

TomTom : smokes are all wonderfully done with this Kamado

I received my Primo Oval JR April and have been grilling 3/4 times weeks since then. Slow cooks, quick high temp sears, smokes are all wonderfully done with this Kamado. Lots and lots and lots of accessories are needed but are reasons why Primo is a great alternative compared to the BGE. If your feeding a large group of 6+ i would say use a propane grill and not an oval XL. Much easier but for a small group, this is the way to go for great flavor.

THINGS NEEDED
-Temp probe with remote screen
-High temp grilling gloves, leather NOT silicon
-reflector plates
-reflector plate holders/drip rack holder
-BBQ dragon
-Coal hook

Darryl Pope : Fantastic.

This is the first grill of this style I bought. It is awesome. I was worried about how long it use to take to get a grill ready to cook, with the hard lump charcoal it is ready in 10 minutes. I have smoked a brisket, grilled steaks, smoked chicken, and smoked and grilled fish - all of it was great. Never going back to a gas grill again. Looking forward to smoking some ribs soon. These are becoming popular now and I see why. It's pricy but worth it?

Fabian Law : it's my favorite thing to cook on

it's my favorite thing to cook on. everything tastes better. all I had to do is figure out the vent and daisy wheel for temp control.

Don Y. : Warranty Is a joke

After two years a portion of the ceramic bottom piece seperated allowing the top to fall off and break into 50 pieces. Primo charged me $250 shipping for ceramic upper and lower pieces.
This is a reoccurring issue with Primo. I know three people that had the same issue.
I would be very cautious about your primo as the top could fall and hurt somebody.

Barbara Cox : Love this Grill!

I have had my primo for 5 years now. I bought it at a BBQ store(about a 2 hour drive), but I buy all of my accessories here on amazon because it is easier. I had a bit of a learning curve, but after two times got the hang of it. The food was amazing. I bought a looft lighter, and the thing is ready to go in 5 minutes. I have replaced the gasket once because I walked away and left the vents open and it got up to about 500-600 degrees and flamed up and melted it in one spot, easy fix. A had a few screws started to rust on my second year and they set me new ones I just e-mailed them and sent pictures of the ones I needed. I am a multi tasker and I am usually cooking 3 other things besides my meat, so I did invest in the digital-Q 4cpm fan. It inserts where the intake vent is and you just set the temp. and a tiny fan goes on and off to keep it at the set temp.....works great. I don't have the luxury of sitting around a grill for 8-12 hours making sure it is at 225. I believe there is even a wireless version you can check and adjust while at work. That is serious multi-tasking....getting paid while smoking dinner! You will smell, like a danger campfire when done but the food just can't be beat. Pizza is delicious in this also, get the pizza stone! Smoked mac and cheese, and baked beans are awesome on this grill as well. Wood lasts forever. It takes a long time for the temp. To go down because it is so insulated so you have to watch it, it just creeps down. I got the metal stand with the two side tables, which workA well and takes up little,space when the sides are folded down. Make sure you cover it when not in use, water can get inside if it rains hard. Get yourself some pit gloves, and you are all set!

buyer1969z : Awesome grill/smoker

Love my oval XL. Made in USA and have had it for 6 years and still love it.

Don Clay : Good Grill but product is mis-represented on Amazon

I received the grill in a very basic single ply cardboard box sitting on a piece of foam and a cardboard collar over the top of the grill stack. I was amazed that the grill was not broken, beyond that there were several issues with the packing material as screws were scattered around the box, screws were missing altogether the lid was not attached and the main issue was that the site indicated that the grill ships with 4 ceramic feet but I was told by Primo that they no longer include the ceramic feet (what would you expect for $800?) and were sold separately.

Additionally the instructions are crap indicating wrong wrench sizes for assembly, not addressing installation of several components of the grill. I contacted customer service by email twice (no response) and by phone at Primo and was basically told too bad we don't include the feet and we are not to concerned with your other issues.

jimmy the bull : great vendor

i talked to the vendor, his company is a-one. very helpful, kind, and caring.
i recieved the grill in perfect condition today.
the vendor wanted me to call him, to make sure i was satified.

Yellowjacket : A quality product which produces great results.

I was a little hesitant to spend so much on a BBQ, but the first rib roast I cooked made a believer out of me. Cooked perfectly; tender, flavorful, and juicy, like I've never been able to produce in my conventional oven. Wish I had one of these twenty years ago. I contacted Primo a couple of times for some information, they were great, responding with real answers by email the next day. I chose Primo because the ceramics are made in USA, which restricts the kind of materials they could use in the manufacture. Other brands, made overseas might not be held to as high a standard. I look forward to a beautiful relationship with my Primo ceramic grill for many years to come.

pjnola : Precision control

David C. Johnston : Am I missing something?

There may be something I don't understand, but I can't get it up to heat. Tops out about 250 to 300 F and goes up and down in temp with various openings of flue and chimney. I have looked at YouTube videos. If anyone knows what I am doing wrong, please email me at charlestonlegal@gmail.com.

brian Boeckman : The Most Versatile BBQ Vessel

I got my Primo Jr. for xmas last year and I've loved everything I've cooked on it. Perfect steaks, juicy burgers, and even my first attempt at slow smoking a boston butt for pulled pork came out stellar. I used to have a small weber, but have since thrown it in the garbage. This thing holds temperature like a champ, and its easy to create a hot and cool zone for searing/finishing meats. I can't speak for a green egg comparison as I've never used one, but the Primo definitely does everything you could ever want to do on a grill. I built my own table for it as the primo brand ones were a bit pricey. Due to its shape (its not as deep as most kamado style grills) it has a tendency to tip over with the lid open, so investing in some sort of table/cart is a must.

John Hess : Mixed Feelings on warranty, reliability and durability

I've owned an Oval Junior for three years. I did not buy it on Amazon. I live in South Carolina and grill sits outside, but covered all year. But here's the rub...Since owning I've seen many things I don't like. They include ....Metal handle gets extremely hot when cooking or in hot sun. When using an ash took there is not a straight pass through, such that the only way to properly remove all ash is to lift out the interior ceramic heat box, which is pain. Never had to do this with a Green Egg. Biggest ding by far has to do with part's replacement. Since buying had to replace the following: The cooking grates because of peeling and rusting, the metal chimney cap because of rusting, the seal because of decay, the thermometer due to fogging, not-to-mention the cracked interior ceramic heat shell (multiple hairline cracks) and the cover that is ripping.. Primo has never agreed to replace any parts under warranty, so in three years have purchased over $400 in replacement parts for a grill used sparingly. In a cruel sense of irony, to avoid the new chimney also rusting out I've purchased a Green Egg ceramic cap to use on the Primo when sitting idle. Having previously owned a Green Egg, I'm thinking about selling this Primo and taking that path again. Nothing about it particularly stands out as being better and Primo wont support buyers with part's replacement they way it's competitors do...

that dude : exceded expectations

I pride myself in what I can do on the grill. I have a friend with a kamado who loves it but was a gas grill guy before his kamado so I wasn't to fast to trust his opinion.
I do not regret spending the money on the primo. The way it holds a temperature and smokes meats are incredible. The primo has more attachments and cool stuff than the egg or others that I researched before buying.

you can compare the product price from Costco, wayfair, bestbuy, lowes, target, homedepot, Walmart, ebay, amazon to find the best price for you