Everybody loves grilled food and barbecue. There is no need for a special occasion to enjoy smoky sausages and pizza; the inviting sight of oozing natural juices on different steaks; and the mouthwatering goodness that comes out of fresh seafood.
One great thing about owning a premium quality charcoal grill and smoker is that you come up with premium quality food as well. When you own one like the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado E16620, possibilities are limitless. While there is a hype on barrel type smokers, this traditional looking grill takes the grilling game up several notches by incorporating smart features. And we are going to tell you everything about it!
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Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Kooker Review
The Char-Griller brand has a wide range of Kamado cookers, each one with its unique features for its built but all aims to deliver the best tasting meat and grilled food. Kamado Kooker showcases minimalism and quality build. Kamado is the Japanese terminology for wood or charcoal-fueled stove and that’s exactly what this cooker is.
The E16620 Akorn Kamado Kooker is built using a 22-gauge steel material and a triple walled insulation that keeps the temperature inside the cooker between 200 to 700 degrees Fahrenheit. On top of the cover is a built-in temperature gauge for easy monitoring. A stainless steel lock ensures that the grill is sealed tightly to keep the heat and smoky flavors in. The exterior has a powder coated finish and is available in Black, Blue and Red. It has a porcelain coated finish interior that makes it easy to clean and maintain. The grill space is made with cast iron – the best cooking surface for searing steaks.
Temperature adjustment is also made easy with two installed dampers at the top of the lid cover and at the bottom where the charcoal chamber is. The damper at the bottom has numbers which can serve as your own reminder for the previous settings used for your last grill sessions.
On both sides of the grill are two side shelves where you can place your spices, plates and food items. On the right shelf are utensil hooks to conveniently put and access your utensils. These shelves are foldable when not in use. There is also a removable warming rack set on top of the cast iron grilling space for food items that are best served hot. It also has a bottom shelf where you can place bulky items such as your charcoal starter and your charcoal bag.
The Akorn Kamado Kooker stands durably with its three tubular steel stands and plastic wheels with a locking caster. The charcoal chamber is deep and is easier to access and top up with charcoal or briquettes compared with barrel cookers. Clean up is also made easy with an easy-to-remove dump ash pan. The grill requires minimal setup and the package includes all the screws and the installation manual. The Char-Griller company offers a one-year service and repair warranty for the E16620 Akorn Kamado Kooker.
What’s in the Box?
- Lid Cover with Built-in Thermometer
- Cast iron cooker
- Two foldable side shelves
- Charcoal chamber
- Warming rack
- Ash pan
- Bottom shelf
- Tubular legs
- Plastic wheels with caster lock
- Screens
- Installation Manual
Cons:
- Perfect for grilling, searing steaks and baking
- Made with durable materials and built to last long
- Lockable lid with built-in thermometer
- Vast cooking space with additional warming rack
- Foldable side shelves with utensil hooks
- Three wheels made for easy transfers
Cons:
- User reports of melting bolts
- Replacement parts are not easy to find
Bottom line:
Cooking possibilities are endless with the Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Grill. It received praises and good reviews from home cooks and industry experts as well. With its triple layer insulation, it can keep a wide range of temperatures that can cater to a wide variety of food options. We love the fact that it is easy to access the charcoal chamber and top up charcoal whenever necessary. It is something that is difficult to do with other grills especially the barrel type. The design is also well thought of and executed. It provides ample working space when you cook with the side shelves. But with much consideration on possible space constraints that the brand made it foldable.
Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Grill Accessories
BBQ Stainless Steel 19.5 Inches Round Cooking Grate
Perfect for food items that do not require too much heat like grilled seafood and vegetable skewers. This is a complimentary accessory that will make grilling easier because you will just have to remove the whole grate instead of removing every item.
Onlyfire Pizza Stone Heat Deflector, 17 1/2-inch
You can turn your Akorn Kamado Kooker into a convection oven with this stone heat deflector from OnlyFire. It makes way for even heat distribution as it covers the area beneath the cast iron cooker or stainless steel grate. It is perfect for low and slow cooking. It also serves as a drip pan for easy cleanup.
IQ120 BBQ Temperature Regulator KitIQ120 BBQ Temperature Regulator Kit
The perfect ribs, steaks and barbecue must be prepared with precision. There’s no better way to achieve great results than installing a temperature regulator kit. It helps you monitor the actual temperature of your food and you can set alarms in case of temperature changes that may affect the food quality.
Pro-tips in Using the Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Kooker
Temperature Cheat Sheet
Char-Griller itself came out with this temperature guide to help newbies achieve the best possible results in their grill items:
- Smoking – 200 to 225 degrees Fahrenheit
- Chicken Tenders, Grilled Burgers and Ribs – 300 degrees Fahrenheit
- Poultry and Turkey Breast – 325 degrees Fahrenheit
- Roast Beef and Pork – 350 degrees Fahrenheit
- Searing Steaks – 450+ degrees Fahrenheit
These are subject to damper adjustments and usage of the standard accessories that come with the Kamado Kooker.
Conclusion
With 25 years of experience in manufacturing smokers and cookers, Char-Griller is already considered a bankable brand. The Akorn Kamado Kooker is an impressive piece of equipment that is truly value for money. No one who owns this griller and smoker would ever want to go out for high-priced ribs and steaks anymore. Everyone can now achieve the premium quality cooking right at their backyard. If you haven’t bought this grill yet, it’s about time to get your backyard smokin’.
