Char-Griller E6714 AKORN Jr. Portable Kamado Charcoal Grill Review

Char-Griller AKORN Jr. is one the most affordable ways to get into kamado grilling. This is partially due to it’s size as it’s smaller than most models which is also why it’s advertised as portable (we will get into that later).

Cooking

Char-Griller AKORN Jr. Has 155 square inches of cooking area. Despite its smaller size it’s still large enough to cook for 2-3 people.

It has cast iron cooking grates and dual damper control – one at the top and the other one at bottom (similar to Joe Kamado Joe Big Joe grills). This system makes air flow management simple and effective.

For a budget priced kamado charcoal grill this one works exceptionally well. It warms up fast, hold heat well and is very fuel efficient. From slow smoking to searing this grill does it all very well. Perhaps not quite as well as more expensive models however this one doesn’t disappoint in any way. Quite the opposite – you will likely be impressed by the way this one cooks considering how affordable it’s.

Portability

Char-Griller AKORN Jr. weighs 33 pounds and measures 20 inches wide by 20 inches deep by 26 inches high – essentially it’s not that big and not too heavy. It also has two handles (one on each side) for carrying. As you can see not only is it advertised as a portable charcoal grill but it really is. Perfect for tailgating or camping.

Quality

Char-Griller AKORN Jr. is mostly made of steel (it has triple-wall steel construction) whereas premium kamado grills are typically made of ceramic. It’s true that the ceramic construction does retain heat better but the difference isn’t that significant.

There’s also an upside for steel construction – it’s a lot more durable as ceramics are prone to cracking. For example if you accidentally tip the grill and it falls over it’s not unlikely that it will crack and become useless if made of ceramic however this is unlikely to be an issue with a steel grill. Sure, the latter can get dented however in most cases that won’t influence the performance much.

With that being said the overall quality is good for the money however Char-Griller AKORN Jr. is not as well made as more expensive kamado grills (which makes sense). Another thing to note is that some consumers have also reported issues with quality control but those doesn’t seem to be too common.

Assembly

Instructions are detailed enough and easy to follow. For those reasons Char-Griller AKORN Jr. is rather simple to assemble. Expect the whole process to last 30 to 60 minutes.

Features

Char-Griller AKORN Jr. charcoal kamado grill has built-in thermometer and Easy Dump™ Ash Pan (essentially the whole bottom part of this grill comes off which makes dumping ashes very simple).

Verdict

For the money Char-Griller AKORN Jr. is an outstanding kamado charcoal grill. Of course it’s not a Kamado Joe Big Joe but for something that’s affordable and portable it works well.

Char-Griller E6714 AKORN Jr. Portable Kamado Charcoal Grill Specifications:

• Cooking surface diameter: 14 inches
• Cooking space: 155 square inches
• Construction type: Triple-wall steel
• Cooking grates: Cast iron
• Hinged Lid: ✓
• Dual Dampers: ✓
• Heat Gauge: ✓
• Easy Dump™ Ash Pan: ✓
• Side tables: ✗
• Warming rack: ✗
• Grill dimensions (W x D x H): 20’’ x 20’’ x 26’’ (inches)
• Grill weight: 33 pounds / 220 kilograms