Char-Griller AKORN Jr. vs Char-Griller Super Pro Charcoal Grill
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Quick take: The Char-Griller AKORN Jr. costs $30 less; the Char-Griller Super Pro Charcoal Grill offers more cooking space (580 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 Super Pro Charcoal Grill |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$200 | ~$230 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Kamado | Charcoal Grill |
| Cooking Area | 155 sq in | 580 sq in |
| Max Temp | 700°F | 400°F |
| Fuel Type | Charcoal | Charcoal |
| Build Material | Triple-Walled Insulated Steel | Powder-Coated Steel with 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 31.5 x 50.4 in |
| Weight | 36 lbs | 77.4 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 Super Pro Charcoal Grill
- ✓850 sq in total cooking area at $230 — nothing else in the US market comes close on surface per dollar
- ✓The side firebox port means a $230 grill becomes an offset smoker for about $330 all in
- ✓Cast iron grates rather than plated wire, unusual below $250
- ✓Crank-adjustable charcoal pan gives real sear-height control at a price where most grills have a fixed grate
- ✓EasyDump ash pan pulls out the front instead of requiring the grill to be tipped
- ✗Rated to 400°F only — this grills and smokes but it does not sear
- ✗77 lbs of thin steel over 850 sq in; it loses heat in wind and cold and eats charcoal doing it
- ✗2 lb charcoal capacity against 580 sq in of primary grate means refueling on anything long
- ✗Assembly is long and the panel fit is loose; sealing the lid and doors is part of the job
- ✗No side shelf and no usable thermometer as shipped