Char-Griller E36714 AKORN Jr. Kamado, Orange $135.1

FatBeard

Nov 5, 2022

156 Posts

Joined Sep 2018

Nov 5, 2022

156 Posts

Not a bad deal, but I got one at Walmart for $35 on clearance (red version) a few years back and see them consistently at $75-100 at the end of every season. The grate will rust, the built in thermometer is not reliable and broke on mine within a few months of owning it, but it is a perfect portable smoker for tailgating and camping. Ive cooked as many as 200 wings at an nfl tailgate and smoked countless porkbutts on it. Imo this is much better than the Joe Jr, Vision cadet, or BGE given its significantly lighter weight and doesnt hold temps for a really long time. This means it burns more fuel but will cool down for transport much quicker than its ceramic counterparts. Hope this helps!

2

doriginaldigitaltim

Nov 5, 2022

740 Posts

Joined Oct 2013

Nov 5, 2022

doriginaldigitaltim

Nov 5, 2022

740 Posts

Quote from The_Fatbeard

:

Not a bad deal, but I got one at Walmart for $35 on clearance (red version) a few years back and see them consistently at $75-100 at the end of every season. The grate will rust, the built in thermometer is not reliable and broke on mine within a few months of owning it, but it is a perfect portable smoker for tailgating and camping. Ive cooked as many as 200 wings at an nfl tailgate and smoked countless porkbutts on it. Imo this is much better than the Joe Jr, Vision cadet, or BGE given its significantly lighter weight and doesnt hold temps for a really long time. This means it burns more fuel but will cool down for transport much quicker than its ceramic counterparts. Hope this helps!

I replaced the grates with weber, because the stock are coated with a substance that flakes off.

I use lump charcoal and close the inlet to 1", the exhaust on #1. I light the center of the charcoal. It will hold temps well all day for slow cooks 200-250F.

It's not the best for low temps, but it does work. An electric smoker is nearly the same price and much easier to use.

I oil the hinges and use covers. It's held up for 7 years.

I always let the charcoal go thermal nuclear after I'm done cooking...600-700F to burn clean the grill.

JMBauer74

Original Poster

Nov 5, 2022

7,769 Posts

Joined Sep 2016

Nov 5, 2022

JMBauer74

Original Poster

Nov 5, 2022

7,769 Posts

Quote from doriginaldigitaltim

:

I replaced the grates with weber, because the stock are coated with a substance that flakes off.

I use lump charcoal and close the inlet to 1", the exhaust on #1. I light the center of the charcoal. It will hold temps well all day for slow cooks 200-250F.

It's not the best for low temps, but it does work. An electric smoker is nearly the same price and much easier to use.

I oil the hinges and use covers. It's held up for 7 years.

I always let the charcoal go thermal nuclear after I'm done cooking...600-700F to burn clean the grill.

Electric smokers are easier to use, but the flavor profile you're going to get off the kamado is just so much better. I have both, but the kamado is my go to as long as I have time to let it heat properly.

1

doriginaldigitaltim

Nov 6, 2022

740 Posts

Joined Oct 2013

Nov 6, 2022

doriginaldigitaltim

Nov 6, 2022

740 Posts

Quote from JMBauer74

:

Electric smokers are easier to use, but the flavor profile you're going to get off the kamado is just so much better. I have both, but the kamado is my go to as long as I have time to let it heat properly.

Yes..me too. I'll make a day out of it when I have the time.

1

topflight05

Nov 6, 2022

1,228 Posts

Joined Dec 2008

Nov 6, 2022

topflight05

Nov 6, 2022

1,228 Posts

Quote from JMBauer74

:

Electric smokers are easier to use, but the flavor profile you're going to get off the kamado is just so much better. I have both, but the kamado is my go to as long as I have time to let it heat properly.

Imho 135 on sale for this and 199 on sale for Kamado joe jr, perhaps thanksgiving again, I suggest waiting for that. The 65 difference is reasonable because the joe jr is way easier to maintain temp and leave in the elements. I have both and started off with the akorn jr for 5 years. Upgraded to joe jr this year and wish I learned from that first… screwing up a brisket isn't cheap. Side note, my personal preference is to use my offset smoker first, then Kamado, then pellet grill if I'm in a bind. I get most flavor from the offset smoker.

1

JMBauer74

Original Poster

Nov 6, 2022

7,769 Posts

Joined Sep 2016

Nov 6, 2022

JMBauer74

Original Poster

Nov 6, 2022

7,769 Posts

Quote from topflight05

:

Imho 135 on sale for this and 199 on sale for Kamado joe jr, perhaps thanksgiving again, I suggest waiting for that. The 65 difference is reasonable because the joe jr is way easier to maintain temp and leave in the elements. I have both and started off with the akorn jr for 5 years. Upgraded to joe jr this year and wish I learned from that first… screwing up a brisket isn't cheap. Side note, my personal preference is to use my offset smoker first, then Kamado, then pellet grill if I'm in a bind. I get most flavor from the offset smoker.

You can just use a smoker box inside your kamado and save some time. Main thing is getting your heat up initially so you can sear your meat and lock in the flavor, then you can lower the temp and let your meat cook while it smokes. If you want a stronger smoke flavor, add extra pepper to your meat and it will draw in more smoke flavor.

diskcopy

Pro

Nov 6, 2022

290 Posts

Joined Aug 2017

Nov 6, 2022

diskcopy

Pro

Nov 6, 2022

290 Posts

Just in time I was about to get a Slow N' Sear for my Weber kettle 26" Thanks Friend!

rbarkus

Nov 6, 2022

1,003 Posts

Joined Apr 2007

Nov 6, 2022

rbarkus

Nov 6, 2022

1,003 Posts

Quote from doriginaldigitaltim

:

I replaced the grates with weber, because the stock are coated with a substance that flakes off.

I use lump charcoal and close the inlet to 1", the exhaust on #1. I light the center of the charcoal. It will hold temps well all day for slow cooks 200-250F.

It's not the best for low temps, but it does work. An electric smoker is nearly the same price and much easier to use.

I oil the hinges and use covers. It's held up for 7 years.

I always let the charcoal go thermal nuclear after I'm done cooking...600-700F to burn clean the grill.

My Kamado Jr. grate has never rusted. I keep it well-greased/oiled. Usually there is enough fat on the grill surface after a cook unless one raises the temp to "clean" the cooker.

2

doriginaldigitaltim

Nov 7, 2022

740 Posts

Joined Oct 2013

Nov 7, 2022

doriginaldigitaltim

Nov 7, 2022

740 Posts

Quote from rbarkus

:

My Kamado Jr. grate has never rusted. I keep it well-greased/oiled. Usually there is enough fat on the grill surface after a cook unless one raises the temp to "clean" the cooker.

My Jr is still like new, but my larger Akorn grate came rusted NIB and the coating is flaking off. I bought the larger akorn this year. The Jr is prob 7 years old.

It had nothing to do with cleaning the grill. My grate was rusted garbage new.

Last edited by doriginaldigitaltim November 6, 2022 at 06:51 PM.

Santa_Claus

Apr 1, 2023

9,570 Posts

Joined Sep 2007

Apr 1, 2023

Santa_Claus

Apr 1, 2023

9,570 Posts

Quote from doriginaldigitaltim

:

I replaced the grates with weber, because the stock are coated with a substance that flakes off.

I use lump charcoal and close the inlet to 1", the exhaust on #1. I light the center of the charcoal. It will hold temps well all day for slow cooks 200-250F.

It's not the best for low temps, but it does work. An electric smoker is nearly the same price and much easier to use.

I oil the hinges and use covers. It's held up for 7 years.

I always let the charcoal go thermal nuclear after I'm done cooking...600-700F to burn clean the grill.

What are the weber part numbers for the replacement or links?

Char-Griller E36714 AKORN Jr. Kamado, Orange $135.1

$135

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