Kamado Joe vs AKORN: Which Grill/Smoker Hybrid Ups Your BBQ Game?

Kamado Joe Classic II and Joe Jr.

As with other Kamado Joes, the Classic II and Joe Junior have an egg-shaped chamber made entirely of heavy ceramic, plus a thermometer embedded in the domed lids. These grills come in a bold and blazing red color that catches everyone’s eyes. Believe me; neither of these two Kamado Joes was made to stay inconspicuous in a corner!

The Kamado Joe Classic II comes complete with a heavy-duty rolling cast iron cart with casters. Despite weighing 250 pounds, you can push this goliath from one area to another. Each side of the Classic II also has a sturdy foldable shelf with hooks for you to keep utensils nearby.

But when it comes to portability, it is difficult for the Classic II to beat the Kamado Joe Junior. At 75.6 pounds, the Joe Junior is still heavy but you can lift it easily with the help of a friend. Albeit tedious, you can also make the grill much lighter by removing the interior parts.

A powder-coated cast iron stand also goes with your purchase for times you want to secure its position. What I like about the stand is that it keeps sufficient distance between the grill and the ground. This is important because the bottom tends to get scorching hot after cooking for an extended period.

Char-Griller AKORN and AKORN Jr.

To be honest, I expected the Char-Griller AKORN and AKORN Jr. to come up short in this regard, but the durable and conscientious design turned out to be my favorite thing about them.

The Char-Griller AKORN and AKORN Junior are egg-shaped with a hinged lid like most kamado grills. But unlike traditional kamados, these AKORNs aren’t made of ceramic.

The body and lid of each model feature a dual-layer of 22-gauge steel; thereby, creating a heat insulator that is as efficient as a ceramic kamado. Yup, 22-gauge steel is thinner and lighter than ceramic, but it is more durable and less expensive.

Having hyperactive canines roving the backyard is a worrisome thought if you have a ceramic kamado grill. But with an AKORN, you don’t have to worry if a clumsy, gigantic dog would knock it over. You just set the grill back and dust it off. The bumpy, powder-coated exterior doesn’t scratch that much and even if it did, I bet you won’t even notice.

Combined with the interior porcelain finish, you’ll get a cooker that will carry its heat a long time – perfect for slow cooking. More importantly, the double-walled construction ensures the exterior remains cool enough to the touch; thus, making the grill safe when children or pets are around.

Moreover, the Char-Griller AKORN has two large wheels and one locking caster at the front. The AKORN Junior, on the other hand, sits on a metal tripod to support its own weight.

Aesthetically, AKORN could have made a better stand, but I guess that’s how they got the price down. Nevertheless, it is doing the job exceptionally well. Having a small footprint also makes it easy for you to store the AKORN Junior in the garage.

Kamado Joe Classic II and Joe Jr.

Weighing 19 pounds, you’d think lifting the lid of the Classic II feels like you’re one-handedly carrying a Shiba Inu. Despite its actual weight, lifting the ceramic lid takes only about four to five pounds, thanks to the spring-loaded and counterbalanced hinge.

Better known as the Air-Lift Hinge, it reduces 96% of the weight of the ceramic lid. Even if you have arthritic hands, I’m pretty sure you can lift the heavy lid up and down in a cinch. This impressive innovation really sets the Kamado Joe Classic II apart from its competitors.

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Finally, one of the most important upgrades of the Classic II is the fiberglass mesh gasket, which gives you ten times the life of standard felt gaskets.

Apparently, the Kamado Joe Junior doesn’t have the fiberglass mesh gasket, but the felt gasket works well nonetheless. Taking a look at the back of the Junior, you will see a hinge with steel bolts. Since the lid is so light, you don’t need a hinge with a spring mechanism.

But if there is one thing these two Kamado Joes share in common, it is the ability of the lid to stay up for a while and come down gradually. Unlike other brands, the lid of these Kamado Joes won’t fall down abruptly which could otherwise cause a fracture.

Char-Griller AKORN and AKORN Jr.

The Char-Griller AKORN uses a fiberglass gasket to prevent leaks between the lid and the base. Upon closer inspection on the lid, I noticed the gasket has some sort of rivet or studs tacked in intervals.

Additionally, there is a gasket on the bottom edge of the base where it connects to the ash pan. The AKOR Junior also has two gaskets, both of which are placed in the same manner as the standard model.

Since there isn’t much weight on the lid, you’ll have to secure it to the body using the latch to achieve a better seal. However, the lid and hinge for both models don’t seem well-made. There were instances when the lid gets chafed against the rivets. If this happens frequently, holes could quickly form in the gasket.

AKORN is trying to cut down costs as much as possible, so I am not that surprised.

Kamado Joe Classic II and Joe Jr.

One of the things that sold me on the Kamado Joe Classic II is the innovative and rust-resistant Kontrol Tower Vent. Why?

First of all, it doesn’t shift when you raise the lid, which is often a problem in other kamado-style grills. So, no more leaks that waste precious heat and aroma! The Kontrol Tower also doubles as a rain guard so you can cook outdoors no matter the weather.

Likewise, you will find a stainless steel draft door at the bottom that you can slide in various positions. While the top vent allows you to regulate the heat by 25-degree intervals, the bottom vent is adjustable on a macro scale.

By adjusting the bottom and top vents, you can calibrate the amount of air that circulates into the firebox with more precision, which is especially important for slow and low-temperature cooking.

There are also two vents for the Kamado Joe Junior. The top vent is cast iron, which is different from the Classic II, but it works great for a small grill.

Char-Griller AKORN and AKORN Jr.

The AKORN grills also have two vents, although nothing special. Let me start with the top vent, which is a simple rotating metal cap. It has four wedge-shaped gaps in it and a protruding tab that allows you to adjust these openings.

There are also indicators to make it easier for you to reproduce various vent settings. The same goes for the bottom vent, which is part of the removable ash pan held up against the base by two latches.

Unlike the Kamado Joes, the top vent for the AKORNs is attached permanently to the dome. The manufacturer probably did this on purpose so that the temperature does not exceed 700°F.

The upper vent closes tightly enough to douse the fire when you’re finished cooking. My only gripe is that it is not watertight. As such, water could get inside the cooker when it rains. So, I highly recommend you get a cover for your cooker.

Kamado Joe

Another stand-out innovation of the Classic II is the firebox. While most kamado grills feature a one-piece firebox that cracks under thermal stress, the new and improved design of the Classic II takes the extreme heat, literally!

Referred to as the patented Advanced Multi-Panel FireBox, it consists of five interlocking ceramic pieces. This clever and intuitive design prevents cracking by allowing the firebox to naturally expand and contract.

Since the seams isolate the expansion and contraction, you can crank the heat up to cook that steak perfectly without having to worry that you might shell out money for replacement parts in the long run.

So, kudos to the team behind the firebox design of the Kamado Joe Classic II!

Meanwhile, the Kamado Joe Junior uses a simpler ceramic firebox with holes drilled in the sides to help maintain proper airflow. While there isn’t much to complain about, you really can’t expect the firebox to be on the same level as the one used in the Classic II.

Char-Griller Akorn

The firebox is supposedly the “third” wall of steel that the manufacturer is boasting about.

One complaint I have about the AKORN firebox is that it moves a little even after you put the cooking grate on top of it.

I’m not sure if this is a good thing, but it limits the amount of air that can go up through the fire.

In light of the 700° temperature limit, this should help keep the fire from getting out of control.

Kamado Joe

Made with 304 stainless steel, the cooking grid of the Kamado Joe Classic II is built to last. While 18 inches might not be enough to cook for a basketball team, Kamado Joe has come up with a way to achieve maximum versatility.
Introducing the patented Divide & Conquer® Flexible Cooking System.

This ingenious design allows you to split the racks and set them up at staggered heights, so different foods can be cooked and served at almost the same time. You can put the vegetables up on the higher rack for moderate heat, while the meat stays close to the fire.

If you need to smoke the food and keep it out of the flame, you only need to insert the heat deflector. But, wait! That’s not even the best part.

You can mix and match a range of optional grilling and cooking surfaces by purchasing Kamado Joe accessories. As such, you can transform your Classic II into the ultimate grill capable of cooking virtually anything!

As for the Kamado Junior, many folks wonder if it is too small. At 13.5 inches, I believe it is a perfect choice for a two- or three-person household. You can fit a whole chicken on the grid or four New York strips.

Char-Griller

One of the reasons why the Char-Grill AKORN is a big hit is the equipment that comes with it. I am referring to no other than the 8.3-pound cast iron cooking surface, which sits between the lid and the base. Approximately, the cast iron grid yields 314 sq. inches of cooking space.

However, you’ll want to remove the circular insert at the center when adding smoking chips or replenishing the firebox with coals. On the bright side, the grill comes with a grid lifter, so you could pick the piping hot grate.

The standard AKORN also includes a chrome-plated steel warming rack with 133 sq. inches of cooking space. When installed, it sits five inches above the cooking grid. Likewise, it pivots to one side should you need to access the main cooking surface.

The same applies to the AKORN Jr. It uses a cast iron cooking grid with a round and removable center. The only difference is that its total grilling space is almost half the size of its bigger brother.

Kamado Joe

Another thing that sold me on the Kamado Joe Classic II is the included accessories, which I didn’t have to initially spend additional bucks.

The best part is that Kamado Joe offers an extensive line of accessories for the Classic II to make outdoor cooking even more versatile and enjoyable for you.

One of my favorites is the Kamado Joe Classic Joe Half Moon Cast Iron Reversible Griddle, as it retains savory juices and adds beautiful marks on your steak. You may also want to consider getting the Joetisserie accessory, especially if you enjoy spit-roasting.

Unfortunately, the Junior doesn’t get that much love at all. One of the complaints of this grill is the lack of compatible accessories. Perhaps you could use a few gizmos from third-party companies, but it certainly needs some tinkering and creativity.

Nevertheless, you will receive the following parts and accessories of each purchase of the Kamado Joe Junior:

Char-Griller AKORN

Both models comprise similar parts, except that the AKORN Junior doesn’t have a warming rack and has a tripod stand, instead of casters.

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While these two products are advertised as a grill and smoker combo, they actually lack the accessories that make them as such. You will have to purchase the Smokin’ Stone to obtain the added benefit of a smoker and convection oven.

I haven’t seen rusts forming yet, but a number of people talked about rust problems, especially if you live a few miles away from the beach or if it fogs frequently in your area.

So, if you are concerned about these, you’ll have to get your AKORN a cover.

Kamado Joe

One of my biggest pet peeves is receiving damaged goods after getting so hyped about my purchase, especially when it cost me an arm and a leg. Thankfully, the Kamado Joe Classic II and Joe Jr. arrived at my doorstep in sturdy packaging.

Both products are packed on a sturdy wooden platform enclosed by heavy-duty cardboard. All of the parts are nestled securely, as well. While the packaging is sturdy, I like that you can take it apart in a jiffy.

I was able to unpack each accessory and carried them all to the spot where I planned to set up the grill. Otherwise, I might likely damage the ceramic chamber and its components if I struggle.

Lighting up these Kamado Joes is also a breeze. Pour enough coals in the firebox, place two or three fire starters, and light them up. Open each vent a little bit and you’re ready to rock and roll within 15 minutes.

Both models retain heat exceptionally well. You don’t need to replenish as much charcoal or wood to keep any of the grills within the ideal temperature range.

Since the Joe Jr. is smaller than the Classic II, it tends to get hot quicker. So make sure to look at the built-in thermometer from time to time.

Char-Griller AKORN

My AKORN grills arrived in excellent condition. All the parts were present. The fasteners were wrapped in a blister pack, and they were identified so you’ll know which is which. All the parts lined up and everything mounted the way it should.

Unfortunately for other consumers, they complained about how their boxes looked like they got dragged by a donkey. I am guessing the company isn’t paying too much attention to the packaging because of two reasons: to cut down costs and the sheer confidence that these metal babies will stay in one piece even if they were to go around the earth twice.

Either way, I think it would have been better if the AKORN grills were enclosed in a sturdier box.

The AKORN took me an hour to assemble, but the AKORN Junior was quicker. However, you can’t start cooking immediately. You’ll need to season the cast iron cooking grids first.

If there is one thing unreliable about these AKORNs, it is no other than the thermometer, which has been off by up to 200°F. If the temperature goes far beyond the desired level, it will take a while to cool down.

Kamado Joe

Nobody likes cleaning out ash off their grill, but you’ll have to deal with it anyway. Thankfully, this chore is slightly tolerable with the Kamado Joe Classic II and Junior.

The goal is to burn out all the accumulated grease and old food residue sticking on the stainless steel grates and ceramic components. When the grill is cool to the touch, scraping the cinders off is going to be a cinch.

Since not all ash falls down into the pull-out collection tray, it helps that the manufacturer included an ash poker tool to clean out those hard-to-reach areas.

Char-Griller AKORN

Cleaning the AKORN grills is not a difficult process if you season the cast iron grid before and after cooking. There is also a removable ash pan at the bottom of the grills.

The ash pan then lowers about half an inch and becomes suspended by the disk that slots into the bracket on the base. Pull the pan forward, and you can lower it away from the cooker.