Akorn BBQ Grill Buyer's Guide: Steel Kamado Options

The Akorn line made kamado grilling accessible to people who weren’t ready to commit to a ceramic cooker at premium prices. If you’re researching the Kamado Grills category and the Akorn name keeps coming up, there’s a reason , the steel-bodied design delivers genuine kamado heat retention at a fraction of the weight of ceramic alternatives.

Not every product in this roundup is an Akorn unit, though. I’ve pulled in the kamado accessories and complementary cookers that buyers consistently compare side by side when they’re building out a backyard setup.

What to Look For in a Kamado Grill

Heat Retention and Construction Material

The defining characteristic of a kamado cooker is its ability to hold temperature for hours without constant attention. That performance comes almost entirely from the construction material. Ceramic absorbs and radiates heat differently than steel , ceramic builds more slowly but holds a plateau with extraordinary consistency. Triple-wall steel, like the Akorn’s design, heats faster and responds more quickly to vent adjustments.

Neither material is simply better. Ceramic kamados excel at long, low smokes where you want to set a temperature and walk away. Steel kamados , particularly well-insulated ones , handle both grilling and smoking capably and weigh significantly less. Understanding which session describes your typical cook shapes which material makes sense for your setup.

Cooking Area and Capacity

Kamado grills trade cooking area for thermal efficiency. A 15- or 16-inch diameter cooker feeds two to three people comfortably. An 18-inch model handles a family of four without crowding. Portable junior-size units cap out around 155 square inches , that’s enough for a spatchcocked chicken or a couple of racks of ribs if you’re creative with placement, but not enough for a full brisket flat.

Be honest about how you actually cook rather than how you imagine you’ll cook. Most suburban weekend cooks who go big on capacity end up fighting temperature stability because they’re running a large cooker at a fraction of its fuel load.

Grate Material and Cooking Surface Quality

The grate matters more than most buyers initially realize. Cast iron grates run hotter at the surface and deliver better sear marks, but they require seasoning and are susceptible to rust if left wet. Stainless grates are lower maintenance and resist corrosion, but they don’t hold surface heat the same way. For high-heat searing, cast iron is hard to argue against. For a versatile setup where the grill might sit between uses without being babied, stainless makes more practical sense.

Replacement grates are also worth factoring in from the start. If a manufacturer’s grate degrades or you want to upgrade the cooking surface, knowing whether compatible aftermarket options exist saves real frustration down the line. Exploring the full range of Kamado Grills options, including accessories, before committing to a primary cooker is worth the time.

Temperature Management and Vent Design

Both top and bottom vents control airflow through a kamado, and airflow is temperature. The learning curve people mention with kamados is almost entirely about vent discipline , especially at the start of a cook before the grill has stabilized. Tight-sealing vents that hold position without creeping are essential. A locking lid helps as well, because a well-seated lid is part of what creates the sealed environment that makes precise temperature management possible.

Top Picks

Char-Griller AKORN Jr. Portable Kamado Charcoal Grill and Smoker

The Char-Griller® AKORN® Jr. Portable Kamado Charcoal Grill and Smoker with Cast Iron Grates and Locking Lid with 155 Cooking Square Inches in Ash, Model E86714 is the answer to a specific question: can I get real kamado performance at a size that travels? The answer is yes, with clear-eyed expectations about capacity. At 155 square inches, you’re cooking for two , comfortably , or for four if you’re strategic about what you’re making.

The cast iron grates are the strongest element of this cooker. They hold surface heat well enough that sear quality on steaks and chops is genuinely competitive with full-size units. The locking lid is not a gimmick , it’s functional for transport and critical for temperature stability during a smoke session, where even a brief pressure drop can send your temperature swinging.

The learning curve is real and worth naming plainly. A smaller firebox means fuel and airflow management is less forgiving than on a larger cooker. Novice kamado cooks will overshoot their target temperature more than once before they develop a feel for this unit’s vent behavior. That’s not a flaw so much as the honest nature of a compact kamado.

Check current price on Amazon.

London Sunshine Ceramic Kamado Charcoal BBQ Grill and Smoker

The London Sunshine Ceramic Kamado Charcoal BBQ Grill and Smoker, Stainless Steel Grates -15” Ceramic with Tall Stand (GREEN) occupies an interesting position: ceramic construction at a price point that challenges the budget-steel category. If heat retention is the primary reason you’re considering a kamado at all, ceramic is the more technically correct choice, and this unit delivers on that core promise.

The tall stand is a practical feature that often gets undervalued in reviews. Cooking height matters for back comfort during longer sessions, and easier ash management between cooks is a quality-of-life improvement that adds up. The stainless grates are low-maintenance and appropriate for a cooker likely to see varied weather exposure.

The honest caveat here is brand familiarity. Established kamado brands have developed dealer networks, warranty processes, and replacement part availability over years of production. An unknown brand offers no assurance on any of those fronts. If this unit develops a lid seal issue or a cracked firebox at 18 months, the path to resolution is unclear. For a buyer prioritizing low out-of-pocket entry into ceramic kamado cooking, it’s worth considering , but with realistic expectations about long-term support.

Check current price on Amazon.

Kamado Joe Classic Joe I Premium 18-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill and Smoker

The Kamado Joe Classic Joe™ I Premium 18-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill and Smoker in Red with Cart, Side Shelves, Grill Gripper, and Ash Tool. 250 Cooking Square Inches, 2 Tier Cooking System, Model KJ23RH is the premium choice in this roundup, and it earns that position with meaningful differences rather than badge premium alone. The two-tier cooking system lets you run different temperature zones simultaneously , high heat direct searing on one level while holding a roast at indirect temperature above it. That’s not a feature you get from a single-grate setup.

At 250 square inches, the 18-inch Classic Joe handles real-volume cooks. A full packer brisket is tight, but a rack of ribs, a whole chicken, or four ribeyes is well within comfortable operating range. The included cart and side shelves matter more than their listing suggests , a dedicated surface for tools and prep eliminates the round-trips to a table that slow down a cook.

Kamado Joe’s warranty support and established dealer network are practical advantages that don’t show up in spec comparisons but become relevant the moment anything goes wrong. For a backyard cook who wants a cooker they won’t outgrow and don’t want to replace in three years, this is the right answer.

Check current price on Amazon.

Round Grill Grate 19.5” for Akorn Kamado

The Round Grill Grate 19.5” for Akorn Kamado Ceramic Grill, Pit Boss K24, Louisiana Grills K24, Char-Griller 16620, Solid Rod Round Coookin Grate Grill Grid, Cast Iron is not a grill , it’s an upgrade path. If you own a compatible Akorn or Pit Boss K24 and the original grate has degraded, or you want to move to cast iron cooking surface performance, this is the most cost-effective lever you can pull on your existing cooker.

Cast iron at this diameter distributes heat across the cooking surface in a way that reduces hot spots and improves sear consistency. The installation process is not complicated , it’s a replacement drop-in , but compatibility matters. Verify your model against the listed compatible units before purchasing. An ill-fitting grate is a safety issue, not just a performance annoyance.

Check current price on Amazon.

Char-Griller 6201 AKORN Kamado Grill Smokin’ Stone

The Char-Griller 6201 AKORN Kamado Grill Smokin’ Stone, Ivory is the accessory that turns a direct-heat Akorn setup into a capable indirect smoker. The ceramic Smokin’ Stone sits between the charcoal basket and the cooking grate, deflecting heat away from the food and creating a convective cooking environment. Without it, you’re grilling. With it, you’re smoking , and the difference in results on ribs or a pork shoulder is substantial.

Char-Griller’s presence in the affordable grilling category is long-established, which matters here because the Smokin’ Stone is a proprietary accessory sized for Akorn models. Replacement availability and the brand’s general accessibility through major retailers gives this accessory a practical advantage over off-brand alternatives. If you already own an Akorn and haven’t added this piece, it’s the most impactful single addition you can make to expand what that cooker does.

Check current price on Amazon.

Buying Guide

Choosing Between Steel and Ceramic Construction

The construction debate in kamado cooking is genuine, and the answer depends on how you use a grill. Steel kamados , like the Akorn line , heat faster, weigh less, and cost less than ceramic alternatives. Ceramic kamados hold temperature more passively and lose heat more slowly after a cook. For high-heat grilling sessions that start and end in under an hour, steel performs comparably. For overnight smokes or multi-hour low-and-slow sessions, ceramic’s passive stability is a meaningful advantage.

Weight matters more than buyers typically anticipate. A ceramic kamado in the 18-inch class can exceed 200 pounds. If you’ll move the cooker seasonally or transport it, steel’s portability advantage is significant.

Sizing for Your Actual Cooking Habits

Buy for the cook you do most often, not the cook you imagine doing on the best weekend of the year. A junior portable unit is sufficient if your typical session is weeknight cooking for two. A full 18-inch model with multi-tier capability is the right investment if you regularly cook for four or more, or if you want to run simultaneous temperature zones. Oversizing creates real problems: large kamados run less efficiently at low fuel loads, and temperature management becomes harder when the cooker isn’t appropriately loaded.

If you’re uncertain, start with a mid-size unit. Kamados are long-term investments, and choosing a size you’ll actually use produces better results than buying capacity you won’t.

Accessories That Expand Capability

A heat deflector , like the Char-Griller Smokin’ Stone , is the single most impactful accessory for any kamado setup. Without indirect heat capability, you’re running a very efficient charcoal grill. With it, you’re running a smoker, a convection oven, and a pizza cooker. Treat a heat deflector as part of the base cost of any kamado purchase, not an optional add-on.

Replacement grates are the second accessory worth planning for. Cast iron grates upgrade surface heat retention and sear quality on steel kamados. Knowing before you buy whether quality replacement options exist for a given model is worth a five-minute search that can save real frustration later.

Exploring the broader Kamado Grills accessory ecosystem before finalizing your primary purchase helps ensure you’re building a complete setup rather than a standalone cooker that needs retrofitting.

Brand Support and Parts Availability

A kamado grill is not a disposable purchase. The gasket seals, hinge hardware, and firebox components all wear over years of use. Established brands , Kamado Joe, Char-Griller , have replacement parts available through dealers and direct channels. Unknown or new-to-market brands may not. When evaluating a kamado from an unfamiliar manufacturer, search for replacement gaskets and fireboxes before you buy. If you can’t find them for sale, that tells you something important about the purchase you’re considering.

Warranty terms are a related signal. A two- to three-year warranty with a responsive support process is meaningfully different from a nominal warranty with no clear service path.

Fuel Management and Temperature Discipline

Every new kamado owner overshoots their target temperature at least once, usually on the first smoke. Kamados build heat faster than conventional charcoal grills, and they hold it longer , which means overshoot is expensive to correct. The discipline is to start with less charcoal than you think you need, bring the temperature up slowly with vents partially open, and lock in your target before adding food.

A quality instant-read thermometer and a reliable leave-in probe are not optional accessories for serious kamado cooking. The dome thermometer included on most units measures air temperature at the top of the dome, which can differ from grate-level temperature by 20 to 30 degrees depending on fire position and deflector placement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an Akorn kamado and a ceramic kamado?

The Akorn uses triple-wall steel construction rather than ceramic, which makes it lighter and less expensive. Ceramic kamados retain heat more passively and lose temperature more slowly after the fire dies down, which benefits long low-and-slow cooks. Steel kamados heat faster and respond more quickly to vent changes. For most weekend cooks, both perform well , the choice comes down to weight, portability, and budget.

Is the Char-Griller AKORN Jr. large enough for a family meal?

At 155 square inches, the AKORN Jr. is best suited for cooking for two. A small spatchcocked chicken, two racks of baby back ribs cut in half, or four burgers fit comfortably. Cooking for four consistently is manageable but requires planning around what you’re making. If you regularly cook for a family, a full-size 18-inch model like the Kamado Joe Classic Joe I provides more practical cooking area without sacrificing temperature control.

Do I need the Char-Griller Smokin’ Stone if I already own an Akorn grill?

Yes, if smoking is part of your plan. Without a heat deflector, the Akorn operates as a direct-heat charcoal grill , efficient and capable, but not a smoker. The Char-Griller 6201 AKORN Kamado Grill Smokin’ Stone creates the indirect heat environment that makes long smokes possible. It’s the accessory that most dramatically expands what the cooker can do and should be considered part of the initial purchase for anyone planning to smoke.

Will the 19.5-inch replacement grate fit my Akorn grill?

The Round Grill Grate 19.5” is listed as compatible with the Akorn Kamado Ceramic Grill, Pit Boss K24, Louisiana Grills K24, and Char-Griller 16620. Verify your specific model number against the compatibility list before purchasing. Grate diameter tolerances on kamados are tight, and a grate that doesn’t seat correctly creates both a cooking problem and a safety concern. When in doubt, measure the interior diameter of your cooking bowl before ordering.

How steep is the learning curve for temperature management on a kamado grill?

Most cooks get reliable results within two to three sessions. The core skill is recognizing that kamados build heat faster than conventional grills and hold it longer , which means the window to correct an overshoot is narrow. Starting with less charcoal than seems necessary, opening vents gradually, and waiting for temperature to stabilize before adding food are the three habits that flatten the curve fastest. A leave-in probe thermometer makes the early sessions significantly less stressful.