Analysis by Valery Grin · · updated May 29, 2026
Char-Griller Akorn E16620
The full-size steel kamado at an honest price
From€276
Reference price on Amazon (June 2026) · subject to change
Usually payable in 4 instalments of ~€69 with Cofidis “Paga en 4” at Amazon checkout. Subject to Cofidis eligibility and terms · variable APR.
And what does running it cost? Work out your monthly cost →
As an Amazon Associate, mikamado.es earns from qualifying purchases. At no extra cost to you.
- Diameter
- 51 cm
- Diners
- 4-6
- Weight
- 43 kg
- Material
- Acero aislado de triple pared con interior porcelanizado
- Warranty
- 5 años limitada
- Real capacity
- Feeds 6–8 people · 16 burgers · 3 whole chickens
Quick answer
The Char-Griller Akorn E16620 is the cheapest way to cook full-size kamado style, and it doesn't hide what it is. It isn't ceramic: it's triple-walled insulated steel with a porcelain-coated interior and a cast-iron grate. The concession is less heat retention than dense ceramic; the payoff is fast lighting, a 51 cm diameter, just 43 kg and a wheeled cart from the factory. It suits frequently used gardens, a first serious grill, or anyone who moves their cooker often. If your aim is stable 12-hour smokes or 450 °C Neapolitan pizza, steel can't take what dense ceramic does, that's when real ceramic is the call.
Let's be clear: the Akorn isn't ceramic, it's insulated triple-wall steel with a cast-iron grate. The trade-off is less heat retention than dense ceramic; the reward is fast lighting, a wheeled cart and an unbeatable price.
It isn't ceramic and doesn't pretend to be: the cheapest way to cook kamado-style at full size, cart included.
Pros
- Insulated triple-wall steel: far better than a classic single-wall kettle
- Cast-iron grate as standard — proper grill marks from session one
- Cart with locking swivel casters and shelves included on this SKU
- Hits target temperature in about ten minutes, no ceramic-style wait
- Locking lid and indexed dual dampers for heat control
- Removable Easy Dump ash pan: quick post-session cleanup
Cons
- Not ceramic: heat retention noticeably lower than a ceramic kamado
- Steel struggles in strong wind and cold, burning more charcoal
- Lower temperature ceiling than ceramic — NY-style pizza, not Neapolitan
- Basic European spares network: in practice, third-party Amazon sellers
For you if…
Anyone who wants full-size kamado cooking without ceramic's price or weight: a frequently used garden, a first serious grill, or someone who moves the grill often. Lights in minutes and the wheeled cart comes factory-fitted.
Not for you if…
If your goal is stable 12-hour smokes or Neapolitan pizza at 450 °C, steel won't hold what dense ceramic holds. This calls for a real ceramic kamado like the Bono Media or The Bastard.
Specifications
| Diameter | 51 cm |
|---|---|
| Diners | 4-6 |
| Weight | 43 kg |
| Material | Acero aislado de triple pared con interior porcelanizado |
| Temperature | 90°C – 350°C |
| Warranty | 5 años limitada |
| Includes | , , , , |
How we make money (and why you can trust us)
- No manufacturer pays to appear here or to score better. Nobody buys their spot in a ranking.
- If you buy through our links, Amazon pays us a small commission that costs you nothing — you pay exactly the same.
- Every product is judged with the same published criteria — including the ones we dismissed, and why.
Buy on Amazon
€276
Usually payable in 4 instalments of ~€69 with Cofidis “Paga en 4” at Amazon checkout. Subject to Cofidis eligibility and terms · variable APR.
Buy on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, mikamado.es earns from qualifying purchases. At no extra cost to you.
Essentials to get started
As an Amazon Associate, mikamado.es earns from qualifying purchases. At no extra cost to you.
Big K Lumpwood charcoal 10 kg
Plain, effective lump charcoal: the steel Akorn performs just as well on simple fuel, no premium lump required.
€35
VANKEY Half-Moon Ceramic Heat Deflector (Kamado Joe Classic, single piece, 38×19×1.4 cm)
A universal half-moon deflector is the only "ceramic" accessory it truly needs for indirect smoking. No over-kitting.
€25
ThermoPro TP25 Bluetooth thermometer, 4 probes
A probe thermometer is key on a steel kamado: it reacts to airflow faster than ceramic, so close watching pays off.
€65
Onlyfire Universal Kamado Cover 30 inch
A cover is essential here: being steel, keeping it dry under cover is what prevents rust — its one weak spot.
€20
FAQ
Is the Char-Griller Akorn ceramic like a normal kamado?
No, and it matters: the Akorn is a triple-wall insulated steel kamado, not ceramic. It mimics the egg shape and airflow control, but the body is metal. That makes it far lighter and cheaper, and practically indestructible — it will not crack if knocked — at the cost of slightly less thermal inertia than a ceramic egg.
Does it hold steady temperature for smoking like a ceramic one?
Yes, surprisingly well: the triple-wall insulation holds 110-120 °C for hours, enough for ribs and chicken low-and-slow. The difference from ceramic is that it reacts faster to airflow changes — it cools and heats quicker — so it is slightly less forgiving on very long cooks, but nimbler for direct grilling.
What extra care does it need being steel?
The one weak spot versus ceramic is rust: keep it dry and under a cover, and check the base where damp ash collects. Do not expect the huge ceramic-accessory catalogue of a Kamado Joe — the Akorn is deliberately simpler — but it takes a universal deflector and pizza stone, and a good thermometer unlocks the rest.