$299 Char-Griller Kamado First Looks

JS-TX said:

I've made one of these out of expanded metal for my keg. I also used stainless hardware to fasten it together, however I'm going to work on a 2nd one soon and going to try to use stainless zip ties instead of bolts and washers. The biggest benefit IMO is keeping the lump closer together for more consistent burns, however the lump should be packed fairly tight. You won't be able to make different sizes, because you have limited room to work with, too tall and your diffuser will be sitting right on top of it. Too wide and you might not as well even use one.

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Excellent points and the stainless ties are a better way to go. Easier for sure. I'm thinking this thing should be about 6.5" height and 11"- 12" diameter. I think that would be optimal for this cooker. I don;t know how much lump would fit into those dims. but I will weigh it after I build it.

My guess is about 3.5-4.25 lbs.

bbqfred said:

So what is the consensus on this product? Seems like it's pretty good based on 24 pages of comments

Is it as good as a big green egg (or other ceramic) or a big steel keg? Or is it just another good cooker to add to my collection.

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I was looking at BGEs when I came across this one online in mid-December. I have never used a BGE but have had food that was cooked on them before. Just from a practical perspective, I can't see how there could be much, if any difference as far as the taste of the food. I see zero difference in terms of function. I think these are going to be a huge success for Char-Griller and for Lowes. Mines been sitting on my deck since December and I only bought the cover for it about two weeks ago. I don't see any signs of rust or wear. Worst case is the interior shell lasts about as long as a Weber kettle lid. From my observations thus far with a decent cover, proper seasoning of the grate, this thing will serve you well for many, many years. I did some of the mods. to insure a tight seal at the top daisywheel damper and the lower damper. I'm not seeing smoke escaping when I close it off. The ash pan seal is tight. I like the design of the new lid damper better then mine but with a stronger spring and washer that I added plus the gunk from a few cooks, it's tight.

The chargriller akorn has been taken off lowes site?

LostArrow said:

The chargriller akorn has been taken off lowes site?

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It appears you are correct.

Very strange indeed.
Wonder why that is?

Has anyone called Lowes or CG to find out why?

If nothing else the Char-Griller Kamado got picked up by Ace for their 2012 BBQ assortment. Possible with Ace rolling it out, Lowes is switching to a different model - or making Char-griller change the packaging/name some more.

Of course Ace also added the Big Joe, and already had the regular Kamado Joe - so potentially you could see 3 different brand/size/price-point Kamado style BBQs in a bigger Ace store. But they're all going to hit a higher retail that Lowe's was selling the Akorn for.

The one I picked up has the newer black cast top vent, black/silver paint, but it's got a different box(without any mention of Akorn). Has wood plank side tables, and handle. Black body, and improved top vent like the Lowes version, Wood side tables like the 'Big Red' Menards version had.

Bottom vent still has the noticable(and easily cured with sealant) air-gap. They're also still putting the hard to remove(without solvents) sticker on the inside of the lid too(upside down to boot). :mmph:

Dave

retired trucker said:

Just take a piece of expanded metal and make a cylinder out of it without a bottom and set in down on top of the fire grate. Put your lump into it and fire it up.

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Your idea was a good one. I have not tested it yet, but I made it.
I was at the Lowes near me to get some painting supplies and I thought I'd pick up the expanded metal and stainless cable ties if they had the items. They did. The expanded metal was $10 for a 2'x1' piece of medium gauge. The ties were $3.

I have a pair of heavy duty shears so I measured the 6" mark and cut it to two 2'X6" lengths. I cable tied with some overlap and used a 5 gal. bucket as a "form" while I wrapped it and cable tied the other side. Expanded metal is not the easiest stuff to work with:mmph: and gloves are a necessity unless you want your hands looking like pizza or hamburger.
Also, I tried to round the razor sharp points where I had cut, including the cable ties with my bench grinder and my drill with a grinding wheel on it.

I'll try it probably Sunday if it doesn't rain. I think it will distribute the heat a bit more broadly and evenly then the duct reducer which I believe had somewhat of a chimney effect. Although a decent diffuser would probably correct that. Bottom line, for sure it will serve my original intended purpose to allow for portion control of the lump and to contain it better.

Here are some pics. also, since it was so warm and sunny yesterday, I sanded and stained the wooden side shelves with some leftover acrylic deck stain. The original finish was kind of humble and was not holding up well. Density524, I believe mine to be the same color as yours and certainly not the jet black of the Lowes edition. I have the stainless damper. With an earlier mod (rtf high temp. sealant)and some gunk buildup, it works fine although the black cast metal on the more models is definitely a design improvement.

Do you think Weber will come out with a Kamado? They essentially already manufacture the main components. Would be a great addition to their range.

Looks good Cropduster! Anxious to see how it works out for you. By the way, my local Kroger is selling the Acorn. It also has the wood shelves. Their price for it with a Kroger Card is $299. Don't understand why Lowes dropped It . My local Lowes had their Acorns on display as far from the other smokers (re: BGE and other Ceramics as they could and still be in the store. They had none on their outside display. Maybe has something to do with their contract with BGE? Just speculatin' here.

I've never seen a BGE in Lowes and I've been in quite a few of them lately.

retired trucker said:

Looks good Cropduster! Anxious to see how it works out for you. By the way, my local Kroger is selling the Acorn. It also has the wood shelves. Their price for it with a Kroger Card is $299. Don't understand why Lowes dropped It . My local Lowes had their Acorns on display as far from the other smokers (re: BGE and other Ceramics as they could and still be in the store. They had none on their outside display. Maybe has something to do with their contract with BGE? Just speculatin' here.

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Thanks retired trucker!
I'll post some follow up once i try it out. :loco:

It is still up on the Canadian site. I wonder if they bought a lot and have already burned through them.

I talked to a manager at Lowe's who said this was going to be a permanent addition to their inventory. Having said that, it's possible he didn't know what he was talking about though he sure seemed confident in his answer.

hogsfan said:

I talked to a manager at Lowe's who said this was going to be a permanent addition to their inventory. Having said that, it's possible he didn't know what he was talking about though he sure seemed confident in his answer.

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I was also told this at 2 of my local Lowe's stores. Also the Lowe's website used to have it listed twice, so I wonder if they are updating the site.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_131712-4976...br|0||p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=

"this item is no longer available on lowes.com"

I was told by the local store manager, and the customer service rep on the telephone that these were and will be available from the stores but they were not going to sell them via the internet any longer. They said there was an issue getting sufficient inventory to keep the store stocked and internet sales covered, so it will be an in store only item from now. Don't know how true this is, but it sounded logical when they told me.

lola

lola said:

I was told by the local store manager, and the customer service rep on the telephone that these were and will be available from the stores but they were not going to sell them via the internet any longer. They said there was an issue getting sufficient inventory to keep the store stocked and internet sales covered, so it will be an in store only item from now. Don't know how true this is, but it sounded logical when they told me.

lola

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Sounds about right, since on the website it only mentions that you cannot get it from the website. It doesnt mention not being able to get it in stores.

Trumpstylz said:

Sounds about right, since on the website it only mentions that you cannot get it from the website. It doesnt mention not being able to get it in stores.

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Agreed and also they are still selling the cover for it on the website so that seems to make sense.

powerpig said:

I've never seen a BGE in Lowes and I've been in quite a few of them lately.

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I haven't either. The closest thing to the BGE I've seen in Lowe's, is the Bayou Classic Cypress for $699. While it's cheaper than the BGE & Primo, I'm concerned about the quality of the product.

I'm thinking about buying a kamado, but not sure which one to buy. The Char-Griller may be the most practical & cheapest option. Think I'll wait a bit before I go out and buy another grill.

Saw a chargriller @ Kroger today.
Has wood shelves but otherwise the same as Lowes. $299
The cast iron grates are thin, not heavy enough to cook seafood or fragile veggies without a basket.
Otherwise a very well built cooker , wish my wife would buy me for my birthday in 3 weeks:loco:

LostArrow said:

Saw a chargriller @ Kroger today.
Has wood shelves but otherwise the same as Lowes. $299
The cast iron grates are thin, not heavy enough to cook seafood or fragile veggies without a basket.
Otherwise a very well built cooker , wish my wife would buy me for my birthday in 3 weeks:loco:

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If you have a Lowe's card you can get 5% off for just using it. I know 5% isn't much, but every little bit helps. Also, you can get a 10% off moving coupon from Lowe's. I believe the link may be somewhere on this site.

I'm waiting for my 10% coupon to show up in my e-mail. Then I may decide on what I'm going to get. The Bayou Cypress looks pretty cool, but I'm not sure if I want to take a chance with it. Even with Lowe's extended warranty.