Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Grill Series: The Budget-Friendly Ceramic Alternative

Introduction

The kamado-style grill has been gaining immense popularity among outdoor cooking enthusiasts due to its versatility and fuel efficiency. However, traditional ceramic kamados often come with premium price tags that put them out of reach for many backyard chefs. Enter the Char-Griller Akorn series—a line of kamado-style grills that aims to deliver the essential benefits of this ancient cooking design at a fraction of the cost of ceramic competitors. This comprehensive review examines how the Akorn series performs, where it excels, where it falls short, and which model might be right for different cooking needs.

The Akorn Series: Models and Key Differences

The Char-Griller Akorn series currently includes three main variants, each targeting slightly different user needs:

1. Char-Griller Akorn Kamado

The flagship model in the series offers the full kamado experience with:

314 square inches of primary cooking space
133 square inch warming rack
Cart-style design with side shelves
Built-in temperature gauge
Currently priced around $300

2. Char-Griller Akorn Jr.

The portable alternative in the lineup includes:

155 square inches of cooking area
Tabletop design with short legs
Simplified airflow controls
Built-in temperature gauge
Currently priced around $179

3. Char-Griller Akorn Auto Kamado

The expanded-capacity option features:

445 square inches of total cooking space
131-square-inch warming rack
Digital control panel
Improved gasket system
Currently priced around $449-$499

Akorn Kamado Grill Construction and Materials

The defining characteristic of the Akorn series—and what separates it from traditional kamados—is its construction material. Instead of thick ceramic, the Akorn employs:

Triple-wall steel construction with insulation between layers
Powder-coated exterior finish
Porcelain-coated steel interior
Cast iron cooking grates
EasyDump ash pan

This construction creates several immediate differences compared to ceramic kamados:

Advantages:

Significantly lighter (the standard Akorn weighs around 100 pounds versus 200+ pounds for ceramic counterparts)
More impact-resistant (less prone to cracking)
More affordable manufacturing process

Disadvantages:

Less thermal mass than ceramic
Potential for eventual rust if the coating is damaged
Shorter expected lifespan (8-10 years with proper care versus 20+ years for ceramic)
Less effective insulation in extreme temperatures

Cooking Performance

The true test of any kamado-style grill is its cooking versatility and temperature control. The Akorn series demonstrates impressive capabilities across different cooking scenarios:

Temperature Range and Control

The Akorn can reliably achieve temperatures from:

Low smoking ranges (225°F-250°F)
Mid-range roasting (300°F-400°F)
High-heat grilling and searing (500°F-700°F)

Temperature control is managed through top and bottom dampers that regulate airflow. While functional, these lack the precision engineering found in premium kamados, occasionally requiring more frequent adjustments during long cooks.

The gasket system—a critical component for oxygen control—uses felt material that performs adequately but typically requires replacement after 1-2 years of regular use, earlier than the fiberglass gaskets on premium models.

Heat Retention and Efficiency

The triple-wall insulated steel design achieves respectable heat retention, requiring approximately 15-20% more charcoal than ceramic models for equivalent cook times. During longer smoking sessions (8+ hours), users report the Akorn maintains stable temperatures with minimal adjustment, though not quite matching the “set and forget” reliability of higher-end ceramic units.

Fuel efficiency remains excellent compared to traditional grills, with users typically reporting 12-15 hour cooks using only 5-6 pounds of lump charcoal—impressive economy despite falling slightly short of ceramic competitors.

Cooking Versatility

Like traditional kamados, the Akorn series excels at multiple cooking techniques:

Low and Slow Smoking: The insulated design maintains stable low temperatures needed for proper barbecue. The standard Akorn’s 314 square inches can accommodate a pork butt, two racks of ribs (with a rib rack), or a medium brisket flat.

Roasting: Mid-range temperature stability works well for poultry and roasts, creating even heat circulation similar to convection cooking.

High-Heat Grilling: The Akorn reaches searing temperatures exceeding 650°F when fully opened, creating excellent crust development on steaks and chops.

Baking: With an added pizza stone (sold separately), the Akorn performs admirably for pizzas, breads, and other baked goods, though the smaller dome height of the standard model limits some applications.

Model-Specific Performance Notes

Each Akorn model presents distinct advantages and limitations:

Standard Akorn

The standard model strikes the best balance between cooking capacity and value. Its 314 square inches can handle family meals while maintaining the efficiency benefits of the kamado design. The included cart provides reasonable stability, though the plastic wheels lack the durability of competitors’ offerings.

Akorn Jr.

The portable Akorn Jr. delivers surprisingly similar temperature performance to its larger sibling despite its compact size. Its 155 square inches can handle cooking for 2-4 people, making it excellent for camping, tailgating, or small patios. However, the reduced cooking height limits certain applications like beer can chicken or standing rib roasts.

Akorn Auto-Kamado

The auto-kamado variant addresses the main limitation of charcoal grilling —temperature contol—by offering a digital controller to control cooking temperatures. This feature is unique among kamado style grills and many users report its ease of use and is a welcome addition to the lineup.

Durability and Longevity Considerations

Perhaps the most significant tradeoff for the Akorn’s affordability comes in long-term durability. With proper care and maintenance, users report:

5-8 years of reliable service for grills with regular use and proper storage
Eventual rust development at stress points and connections
Gasket degradation requiring replacement every 1-2 years
Hinge wear after 3-4 years of frequent use

These durability concerns must be weighed against the price differential—the Akorn typically costs 25-33% of comparable ceramic kamados, making replacement after 5-7 years financially reasonable compared to the higher initial investment of ceramic alternatives.

Key preventative measures to maximize lifespan include:

Using a quality cover (sold separately)
Regular cleaning and inspection of the ash pan
Protecting from prolonged exposure to rain and snow
Periodically checking and tightening hardware

Accessories and Expandability

The Akorn accepts many third-party kamado accessories, though some require adaptation due to its non-standard dimensions compared to ceramic competitors. Compatible accessories include:

Pizza stones
Heat deflectors for indirect cooking
Rib racks
Grill grates
Temperature controllers (with some modifications)

Char-Griller offers fewer proprietary accessories than competitors like Kamado Joe or Big Green Egg, limiting “out of the box” expandability somewhat, though enterprising users have adapted many third-party solutions.

Specific Shortcomings

While the Akorn delivers impressive value, several consistent shortcomings appear in user experiences and should be considered:

Temperature Gauge Accuracy: The included dome thermometer typically reads 25-50°F different from actual grate temperature. Most serious users replace this with aftermarket gauges or digital probes.

Ash Management: The bottom-mounted ash pan, while convenient, doesn’t create a perfect seal and can allow ash to escape during cleaning. This contrasts with the more sophisticated ash removal systems in premium kamados.

Gasket Quality: The factory gasket material degrades more quickly than those on premium models, often requiring replacement after 1-2 seasons of regular use.

Hinge Mechanism: The spring-assisted hinge works adequately when new but typically shows wear and reduced tension after several seasons, making lid management less convenient over time.

Secondary Cooking Rack: The included warming rack uses thinner steel than the main grates and typically shows earlier signs of rust or deterioration.

Value Proposition

The most compelling aspect of the Akorn series remains its exceptional value proposition. When comparing the cooking performance to price ratio:

The standard Akorn ($300-$399) delivers approximately 75-80% of the cooking performance of ceramic kamados costing $900+
The Akorn Jr. ($149-$179) offers portable kamado cooking at roughly 25% the cost of comparable portable ceramic options
The Akorn Auto-Kamado ($449-$499) provides large-capacity kamado cooking at about 30-35% the price of ceramic alternatives with similar capacity

For many backyard cooks, this value equation makes the Akorn an extremely attractive entry point into kamado-style cooking without requiring a significant investment.

Ideal Use Cases

The Akorn series is particularly well-suited for:

First-time kamado users wanting to explore the cooking style without committing to premium prices
Budget-conscious grillers seeking versatility across multiple cooking techniques
Those with space limitations who benefit from the slightly smaller footprint
Grillers who need portability that appreciate the lighter weight compared to ceramic
Occasional users who don’t need multi-decade durability

Conversely, the Akorn may not be ideal for:

“Buy it for life” purchasers willing to invest in longer-term durability
Competition barbecue teams needing the absolute temperature stability of ceramic
Those cooking in extreme cold climates where the insulation differences become more pronounced

Conclusion

The Char-Griller Akorn series successfully democratizes kamado-style cooking by offering remarkable performance at breakthrough price points. While making understandable compromises in materials and long-term durability, these grills deliver the essential benefits of kamado cooking—versatility, efficiency, and flavor development—at a fraction of traditional costs.

For most backyard cooks, the standard Akorn represents the optimal balance of capacity, performance, and value, while the Jr. and auto-kamado models serve specific niches for portability and larger capacity, respectively. When properly maintained and with realistic expectations regarding lifespan, the Akorn series provides perhaps the best performance-to-price ratio in today’s outdoor cooking market.

Pros:

Exceptional value for kamado-style cooking
Versatile temperature range from 225°F to 700°F
Significantly lighter than ceramic alternatives
Good fuel efficiency
Less fragile than ceramic kamados

Cons:

Shorter expected lifespan than ceramic models
Requires more frequent adjustment during long cooks
Stock temperature gauge lacks accuracy
Limited proprietary accessory options
Gasket requires earlier replacement than premium models

For those looking to explore the versatility of kamado cooking without investing in ceramic, the Char-Griller Akorn series offers a compelling entry point that delivers impressive results across various cooking styles while being kind to your budget.