If you’re looking for a charcoal grill that holds heat like no other and keeps constant temps, then the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado 16620 could be your best friend.

Contents

DESIGN + VERSATILITY | Kamado-Style Cooking

What’s special about the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado 16620 grill? This charcoal grill is designed for Kamado-style cooking, a 3,000-year-old cooking technique invented by the Japanese. This style of cooking traditionally uses ceramic cookware that holds and disperses heat exceptionally well, although the Akorn doesn’t have ceramic inside – just steel. What’s great about Kamados is the ability to sear at high heat or enjoy a low and slow roast. Kamados can be used as grills, roasters, smokers, and pizza ovens and their versatility are nearly endless.

The cooking surface of the Char-Griller Akorn is 314 square inches of primary cooking space with a warming rack…

The design of the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado 16620 is one of the top options for charcoal grills on the market. The cooking surface of the Char-Griller Akorn is 314 square inches of primary cooking space with a warming rack of 133 square inches for a total of 447 square inches of warm cooking space.

Char-Griller AKORN Kamado 16620 Review Insulated Walls

The body is constructed of 22 gauge steel and the exterior finish is powder coated steel that’s baked on for a durable finish like the Weber Grill. Although traditional Kamados are made with a heavy stone or ceramic body, the interior of the Akorn is made with thick porcelain coated steel that holds heat very similar to stone or ceramics. But, it’s important to note that this is NOT a traditional Kamado, but a heavy steel grill that conducts and distributes heat very similar to a traditional Kamado.

SAFETY + DURABILITY | Made of Solid Steel

One huge safety plus with the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado 16620 is the insulation capability. This grill insulates so well that the outside of the grill can be cool to the touch while the inside of the grill is at searing temperatures. This is possible due to the triple-walled steel design that is made to hold in heat. If you have little ones (or careless individuals) that are prone to accidents, this safe design feature of the Akorn is a huge plus that other charcoal grills won’t have.

This grill insulates so well that the outside of the grill can be cool to the touch…

As far as cooking safety goes with the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado, it’s about the same as other charcoal grills. There’s always a risk of fires and flare-ups with any kind of grill, and the Akorn doesn’t have any fancy safety features that dampen those risks. There are a couple of benefits to the Char-Griller Akorn that gives it a foot up over its ceramic Kamado cousins. The Akorn is made of heavy 22 gauge stainless steel, making heat distribution very similar to ceramic, but also making it lighter and more durable. This means that if it were to get tipped over or dropped, it won’t crack or break. Steel, no matter how heavy, is also lighter to cart around than true ceramic grills, making it safer to move about your yard.

Char-Griller AKORN Kamado 16620 Review

However, tipping this puppy over is not a likely scenario, either. The cart that the Char-Griller Akorn  Kamado sits on is constructed of tubular steel (heavy duty) with rubber wheels and locking caster wheels in front. But, it’s important to note that this heavy steel grill may be a little top-heavy due to its beefed-up design (pun intended).

The cart that the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado sits on is constructed of tubular steel…

Durability is one of the top features of the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado. The outside of this grill is very similar to the coating on the all-famous Weber Kettle, with a baked-on porcelain finish that will stand up to the toughest elements. Underneath the porcelain finish is steel, steel, and more steel. And it’s not wimpy steel, we’re talking 22 gauge heavy-duty steel that’ll hold heat like no other. The legs that hold all this steel are made of steel too and will do a great job of supporting and holding this grill for decades. Good luck cracking this Akorn.

PERFORMANCE | Easy But Effective

Ease-of-Use

There are a few features that make the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado super easy to use, for both beginners and seasoned grillers alike. An easy dump ash pan is built into the body of the Akorn. It’s simple to remove and keeps ashes enclosed so they aren’t constantly being blown around by the wind. There are also two side tables (seriously useful) that are easily foldable when you aren’t using them or for storing your Akorn. A stainless steel heat gauge is built right into the body of the Akorn and is supposed to keep an eye on the interior temperature of your grill, although we always recommend a separate grilling thermometer for more accurate readings.

Char-Griller AKORN Kamado 16620 Review Ash Removal System

Easy ash removal system

An easy dump ash pan is built into the body of the Akorn.

Two side shelves up the convenience factor as they are easy to fold away when you’re not using them or when you need to store your Akorn in tight spaces. There are also utensil hooks that hang off of the shelves but are kind of flimsy and the shelves need to be pulled out in order to use them. If you like to cart your grill around your yard, this will be made easier with your Char-Griller Akorn Kamado due to two large 8-inch rubber front wheels (and a rear locking caster wheel).

Char-Griller AKORN Kamado 16620 Review Folding Side Shelf

Folding side tables

One feature, although useful, does make it a little harder to use at times. The cast iron grill grates are awesome for even heat distribution, but cooking with cast iron can sometimes be tricky. It’s important to season and prep your cast iron grates so that they don’t stick to anything and everything you cook on them, which can be extremely frustrating at times. As long as you properly care for and season them, there should be no problem at all. Caring for those grates are pretty much the only maintenance that your Char-Griller Akorn Kamado will need.

Best Features

Now comes the fun part…the features! What makes the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado such a well-designed charcoal grill? Its heavy-duty construction and design. If you’re looking for a charcoal grill that holds heat like no other and keeps constant temps, then the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado could be your best friend. This grill is perfect for high heat grilling or a long, slow smoke. The triple wall insulation helps hold in the heat and creates an even and constant temp. 22 gauge steel goes into the body of the Akorn causing the heat to be evenly and constantly distributed which reduces heat fluctuations and creates perfectly cooked meat.

This grill is perfect for high heat grilling or a long, slow smoke.

The lid of the Akorn locks to trap in even more heat as well. It does include a top and bottom adjustable dampers to control airflow so that you can get precise temperature control while cooking or smoking. Both the dampers are indexed with numbers so you can note the position of each damper and adjust with precision. Although the Akorn comes with a built-in thermometer, we always recommend finding a separate grilling thermometer to get the perfect temperature for your feast.

Char-Griller AKORN Kamado 16620 Review Adjustable Top Damper

As for the cooking arena…the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado has 314 inches of primary cooking space as well as 133 square inches on the removable warming rack for a total of 447 square inches of hot space. Also, many charcoal grills we’ve reviewed don’t have warming racks like the Akorn. The Akorn is perfect for cooking large cuts of meat, but can also fire up burgers, hot dogs, chickens, turkeys, and even has a pizza stone insert (or you can use your own pizza stone by placing it directly on the grill grates). On average, the Akorn can serve about 6-10 people with its cooking space.

Char-Griller AKORN Kamado 16620 Review Warming Rack

Removable warming rack

The cooking grate is made of cast iron steel, perfect for holding and maintaining constant and even temperatures. Cast iron needs to be “seasoned” and cleaned to stay effective, but the payoff is totally worth it. Other great features are the easy dump ash pan, two folding black metal shelves, grilling tool hooks, and the quality materials and design. The powder coated porcelain exterior finish will hold up to the elements for decades and the porcelain coated steel interior will hold up to heavy grilling use. Almost the entire Char-Griller Akorn Kamado is made of steel and is virtually indestructible.

PRICE + LONGEVITY | Kamado-Style for Lower Price

Longevity

Due to the almost indestructible design and build of the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado, it’s sure to last quite a while as long as you treat it well and maintain it properly. The 22 gauge steel shell holds heat similar to a traditional Kamado, but won’t crack or damage like true ceramic or stone grills. The exterior is powder coated steel that won’t rust easily. And, the base of the Akorn is made of heavy steel legs that are sure to support this heavy-duty grill for decades.

Price

If you’re looking for a Kamado grill but don’t want to sacrifice the chunk of change attached to a traditional Kamado, the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado is seriously a great option. Although it isn’t made of ceramic stone like the traditional Kamado, the 22 gauge steel body of the Akorn holds and distributes heat almost exactly like a true Kamado and will give you almost identical results for a fraction of the price. The Kamado design of the Char-Griller Akorn also makes it fuel efficient so you can use less charcoal when cooking. Also, the versatility of this grill makes the price well worth it.

It…will give you almost identical results for a fraction of the price.

As far as customer support goes, Char-Griller has your back. They don’t have 24/7 customer support, but are available 8-6:30 Monday through Friday and are very helpful for any problems you might have with your Akorn. The user manual is available online for easy access and there is a 5-year warranty for Char-Griller Grills as long as you have a receipt (proof of purchase) and register your grill.

PROS

  • Designed for Kamado-style cooking
  • Durable, triple-walled steel design
  • Easy ash removal tray
  • Removable warming tray and folding side tables

CONS

  • Thermometer isn’t as accurate as separate grilling thermometers
  • Cast iron grates are awesome for superior cooking but require maintenance

THE BOTTOM LINE | Affordable Kamado Cooking

The superior design and heavy build of the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado make it a versatile and quality grill. Because it’s made of heavy-duty steel, it holds heat very similar to a traditional Kamado, making it perfect for both high heat searing and long, slow smoking. The triple walled design traps in the heat (as well as the lockable lid), making the Akorn perfect for smoking, baking, roasting, and even cooking pizzas. Has a built-in temperature gauge, easy ash-removal container, and foldable side tables for extra convenience. The exterior is coated with a baked on powder enamel to fight rust and stand up to the elements.

Perhaps the greatest feature of the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado is its ability to provide reliable and perfect cooking temperatures each and every time you fire it up. It costs a fraction of the price of traditional Kamados but produces almost the same results. The constant steady heat makes this a grill you can rely on because the temperatures won’t fluctuate wildly like it can with other charcoal grills. And, because it’s a charcoal grill, you’ll get that perfect “grilled” flavor every time without the expensiveness of gas, wood, or pellets. If you’re looking for a high quality, reliable, and consistent grill, the Char-Griller Akorn 20” Kamado could be your new best friend.