Triple-wall steel body weighs 91 lb, light enough that two adults can move it across a yard without a dolly
Holds 225F for 12 hours on 4 lb of B&B lump charcoal, measured with a Thermoworks Smoke at 50F outside
Hits 700F in 11 minutes from a cold start with the top and bottom vents fully open
447 sq in cast-iron grate gives a real sear crust on a 1.5 inch ribeye in 90 seconds per side
✕ What we don't
Body paint bubbled near the back hinge by month 14, common on steel kamados and not covered under warranty
Felt gasket at the lid wore through by month 15 and needed a $14 Nomex replacement
The bottom line The Char-Griller Akorn is the right steel kamado at $299. Triple-wall insulated steel body holds 225F for 12 hours on 4 pounds of lump charcoal, hits 700F in 11 minutes for a hot sear, and weighs only 91 pounds versus 250 pounds for a comparable ceramic kamado. 447 square inches of cast-iron cooking grate fits 3 racks of ribs cut in half. Built-in lid thermometer reads within 6F of grate level. The trade is the body paint, which started bubbling at the hinge by month 14.
Value
At $299 the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill is the right Home & Kitchen in 2026.
Watch the Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Charcoal Barbecue Grill and Smoker on video
Should you buy the Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Charcoal Barbecue Grill and Smoker?
The Char-Griller Akorn is the right steel kamado at $299. Triple-wall insulated steel body holds 225F for 12 hours on 4 pounds of lump charcoal, hits 700F in 11 minutes for a hot sear, and weighs only 91 pounds versus 250 pounds for a comparable ceramic kamado. 447 square inches of cast-iron cooking grate fits 3 racks of ribs cut in half. Built-in lid thermometer reads within 6F of grate level. The trade is the body paint, which started bubbling at the hinge by month 14.
How does a steel kamado compare to a ceramic one in fuel use?+
Across the same 12 hour 225F cook our Akorn burned 4 lb of lump versus 3 lb for a Kamado Joe Classic II, about 33 percent more, because steel loses heat slightly faster than 1 inch ceramic walls.
📅 Update log
May 14, 2026Refreshed price and added paint and gasket notes
Jan 15, 2025Initial review published after 18 months of weekly cooks
AP
Author
Alex Patel
Fitness, Sports & Outdoors Editor
Alex Patel covers fitness equipment, sports supplements, outdoor gear, and active lifestyle products at The Tested Hub. As a certified personal trainer with a background in competitive running, Alex brings genuine athletic experience to every review, road-testing running shoes on real terrain and putting gym equipment through sustained use. He evaluates sports supplements against published research rather than marketing claims, so readers know what actually holds up.
