$299 Char-Griller Kamado First Looks

ChetPunisher said:

Wondering if this would be a good upgrade from my CharGriller Smoking Pro?

Would like something to use during the winter months.

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IMHO yes.

I bought mine over a year ago and haven't touched my WSM or Weber kettles since. The Akorn is very efficient and nearly weather and wind proof. I've grilled and smoked year round with great results. The only unknown is longevity, again I've had mine 1 1/2 years with no problems.

The only mods I have made on mine are buying a Weber grill grate and 16" pizza pan as a diffuser.

Read through this thread, Search "jmseltzer" on the search bar at the bottom of this page, and look at the posts and videos on his forum http://www.kamadoguru.com/

Yep, lots of good info on Jim's site. I have my mod's on their. Like every other smoker/grill you have to learn yours. Took me awhile to get it to where I can set it and forget it, even overnight smokes and I don't use the maverick anymore. I still use the maverick in the winter time. The Acorn uses less coal than any other smoker I have used, even my smaller bullet. 20 hrs and still have 1/3 of a load left unburned. The swing out shelf/top rack is a nice feature. Here are 2 butts at 12 hours/250 degrees. For searing meat this thing is fantasic! Pizza too!

The red one is $275 at [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Char-Griller-06619-Kamado-Charcoal-Barbecue/dp/B005JX1L3I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377615245&sr=8-1&keywords=red+akorn"]Amazone[/ame]

But what they are selling has a good black top :mrgreen:

I had to replace the thermometer on my Pro, will I have to change it out of the Kamodo?

ChetPunisher said:

I had to replace the thermometer on my Pro, will I have to change it out of the Kamodo?

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IMO some form of digital probe is almost a must on the Akorn.. Most units the supplied thermo is way off.. Also the supplied thermo is slow to react, I think so much of bringing the Akorn is watching how fast the thermo rises and shutting down the vents accordingly.. Their is a re branded Remington Maverick ET 732 Remote thermo for like 45 bucks and that is a bargain.

ChetPunisher said:

Wondering if this would be a good upgrade from my CharGriller Smoking Pro?

Would like something to use during the winter months.

Click to expand...

As I stated in the other thread that was my primary reason for buying the Akorn.. The thing will chug all day with hardly any difference in fuel over summer.. Winter cooking is another reason to take the suggestion above and get some form of remote digital thermo.. You can sit in the house watching football while the cooker chugs along and you know what is happening out there..

I have the smokin pro as well.. As it being upgrade in some ways.. Its very versatile from pizzas, to grilling, to smoking.. I still love feeding splits in the smokin pro, but I gotta say most days the Akorn gets the nod.. Why? Very little tending, once you have your temps settled in, you sometimes wish something would happen so you have something to do that makes you look like you are actually doing something.

Additionally some folks are finding the Akorn cheaper than 299.. Some Krogers will run this time a year at 160 making it a no brainer.

Thanks guys. Is there one color better than another?

Red is best - its only [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Char-Griller-06619-Kamado-Charcoal-Barbecue/dp/B005JX1L3I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377644002&sr=8-1&keywords=red+akorn"]$260[/ame] at Amazon :mrgreen:

Any updates to longevity of these?