Kamado Joe Joe Jr. vs Char-Griller Akorn Kamado
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Quick take: The Char-Griller Akorn Kamado costs $31 less; the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado offers more cooking space (314 vs 148 sq in); the Kamado Joe Joe Jr. reaches a higher max temp (750 vs 700°F).
| Spec | Kamado Joe Joe Jr. | Char-Griller Akorn Kamado |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$430 | ~$399 |
| Rating | 5★ (985) | 4.7★ (761) |
| Type | Kamado | Kamado |
| Cooking Area | 148 sq in | 314 sq in |
| Max Temp | 750°F | 700°F |
| Fuel Type | Charcoal | Charcoal |
| Build Material | Ceramic | Powder-Coated Steel |
| 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 | Yes |
| Dimensions | 20 x 21 x 27 in | 31 x 45 x 47 in |
| Weight | 68 lbs | 97 lbs |
| Warranty | Lifetime (ceramic) | Limited (parts vary) |
Pros & cons
Kamado Joe Joe Jr.
- ✓It packs full kamado versatility - searing, smoking, baking - into a portable 68 lb package you can take camping or tailgating
- ✓The thick ceramic body delivers the same excellent heat retention and fuel efficiency as full-size kamados
- ✓At ~$499 it's an affordable entry into the ceramic kamado world and the Kamado Joe ecosystem
- ✓It includes the heat deflector plate, so you can do indirect cooking and low-and-slow right out of the box
- ✓It hits high searing temps and holds steady low temps just like its big siblings, with great flavor and moisture
- ✓The compact 148 sq in is perfect for couples, small families, or cooking a few steaks without firing up a big grill
- ✓The cast-iron vent and hinged grate give precise air control and let you add charcoal mid-cook
- ✓Lifetime ceramic warranty and the wide Kamado Joe accessory ecosystem back it
- ✗148 sq in is small - it's really a 2-4 person cooker and can't handle a full brisket or a crowd
- ✗The narrow opening makes maneuvering racks of ribs or large roasts awkward
- ✗It's portable but still 68 lbs of ceramic, so it's heavier and more fragile to transport than it sounds
- ✗Charcoal capacity is limited, so very long overnight smokes require refueling more often than a big kamado
- ✗Temperature recovery after opening the small dome can be touchy given the limited thermal mass
- ✗No built-in lid thermometer accuracy you'd fully trust, so a separate probe is recommended
- ✗The included basic stand is low and minimal - many buyers add a higher cart or table for comfort
- ✗The same kamado learning curve, ash cleanup, and slow cooldown all apply in miniature
Char-Griller Akorn Kamado
- ✓At ~$350 it delivers most of the kamado experience for a quarter of a ceramic Egg's price - the best budget on-ramp to kamado cooking
- ✓Triple-wall insulated steel gives surprisingly good heat retention and fuel efficiency, close to ceramic for the money
- ✓Because it's steel, it's far lighter (97 lbs) than ceramic kamados and won't crack if it tips over
- ✓314 sq in of cast-iron grate plus a warming rack gives more usable space than a Large Egg costing three times as much
- ✓It holds low-and-slow temps well once dialed and easily reaches high searing heat too
- ✓The easy-dump ash pan makes cleanup much simpler than scooping ash out of a ceramic kamado
- ✓The locking lid and built-in thermometer add convenience at the budget price
- ✓A huge owner community shares mods (gasket upgrades, etc.) that make it perform even closer to ceramic
- ✗Steel doesn't retain heat as well as ceramic, so it's more sensitive to wind and ambient temperature swings
- ✗The thin steel can rust over time, especially at the bottom and around the firebox, shortening its lifespan versus ceramic
- ✗The stock felt gasket wears out and many owners replace it to fix air leaks and temp control
- ✗It can't hold temps for marathon overnight cooks quite as effortlessly as a thick ceramic kamado
- ✗Build quality and longevity are clearly budget - expect maybe 3-6 years versus a ceramic kamado's lifetime
- ✗The warranty is limited and shorter than the lifetime ceramic coverage of premium kamados
- ✗Paint can chip and the metal can warp with repeated high-heat cooks
- ✗The accessory ecosystem is far smaller than Big Green Egg or Kamado Joe