Char-Griller AKORN Jr. vs Char-Griller Barrel Pro Charcoal Grill
vs
Quick take: The Char-Griller Barrel Pro Charcoal Grill costs $20 less; the Char-Griller Barrel Pro Charcoal Grill offers more cooking space (520 vs 155 sq in); the Char-Griller AKORN Jr. reaches a higher max temp (700 vs 400°F).
| Spec | Char-Griller AKORN Jr. | Char-Griller Barrel Pro Charcoal Grill |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$200 | ~$180 |
| Rating | — | 4.6★ (1,416) |
| Type | Kamado | Charcoal Grill |
| Cooking Area | 155 sq in | 520 sq in |
| Max Temp | 700°F | 400°F |
| Fuel Type | Charcoal | Charcoal |
| Build Material | Triple-Walled Insulated Steel | Powder-Coated Steel with Coated Cast Iron Grates |
| Hopper Capacity | — | — |
| Burners | — | — |
| WiFi / App | No | No |
| App control | No | No |
| Meat probe | No | No |
| PID controller | No | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | No |
| Dimensions | 25.2 x 20.5 x 20.1 in | 43.7 x 27.6 x 49.2 in |
| Weight | 36 lbs | 72.8 lbs |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years |
Pros & cons
Char-Griller AKORN Jr.
- ✓36 lbs makes it the only genuinely portable kamado — a ceramic MiniMax is roughly 90 lbs
- ✓Insulated double-wall construction holds low temperatures far better than a tabletop kettle of the same size
- ✓Cast iron grates and a stainless warming rack included at $199.99
- ✓EasyDump ash pan means cleanup without tipping the whole grill out
- ✓155 sq in is slightly more grate than a Weber Smokey Joe at three times the heat retention
- ✗155 sq in feeds two or three people and no more
- ✗Steel body dents and the paint chips; it will not look new after a few seasons of travel
- ✗No thermometer-driven control and no ash catcher beyond the pan — everything is manual damper work
- ✗5-year warranty, and the thin steel firebox is a known long-term wear point on the Akorn line
Char-Griller Barrel Pro Charcoal Grill
- ✓785 sq in total for $180 is the cheapest large charcoal surface Char-Griller sells
- ✓Dual dampers — intake and stack — give two-point airflow control, better than the single vent on most barrels at this price
- ✓Coated cast iron grates rather than plated wire at a $180 price point
- ✓Side shelf is standard, unlike on the Patio Pro and Wrangler
- ✓Adjustable charcoal tray lets you move the fire up for searing and down for indirect cooking
- ✗Walmart-exclusive, so no dealer network, no BBQGuys support, and parts availability tracks one retailer's stocking decisions
- ✗Rated only to 400°F, so searing is weak for the grate size
- ✗2 lb charcoal capacity against 785 sq in — you will refuel mid-cook on anything long
- ✗No side firebox port, so it cannot become an offset smoker the way the Classic can
- ✗73 lbs of thin steel on a light cart; it is not a windy-yard grill