Analysis by Valery Grin · · updated May 28, 2026
Char-Griller Akorn Jr.
The steel kamado you carry to the countryside or the beach
From€249
Reference price on Amazon (June 2026) · subject to change
Usually payable in 4 instalments of ~€63 with Cofidis “Paga en 4” at Amazon checkout. Subject to Cofidis eligibility and terms · variable APR.
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- Diameter
- 35 cm
- Diners
- 2-3
- Weight
- 14 kg
- Material
- Acero de triple pared con interior porcelanizado
- Warranty
- 5 años limitada
- Real capacity
- Feeds 3–4 people · 7 burgers · 1 whole chicken
Quick answer
The Char-Griller Akorn Jr. is the cheapest, most portable way to cook kamado style, with no pretence of being ceramic. It's triple-walled steel with a porcelain-coated interior and a cast-iron grate: the concession is less heat retention than a real kamado, the payoff is 14 kg, a 10-minute light-up and a 35 cm diameter you can carry anywhere. It's built for picnics, the country house, a camper van or a first budget, and for trying the format before investing in real ceramic. If you want stable 12-hour smokes or 450 °C Neapolitan pizza, steel can't take what dense ceramic does.
The Akorn Jr is not ceramic: it's triple-wall steel with a porcelain interior and a cast-iron grate. The trade-off is less heat retention than a real kamado; the reward is 14 kg, 10-minute lighting and an honest price.
It's not a ceramic kamado, but it's the cheapest, most portable way to cook kamado-style.
Pros
- Only 14 kg: one person carries it to the car boot or the beach
- Triple-wall steel with insulating chamber — better than a classic kettle
- Porcelain interior: doesn't rust if left outside under a cover
- Cast-iron grate as standard — proper grill marks from session one
- Hits target temperature in 10 minutes: no 30-minute wait like a ceramic kamado
- Sub-€300 price, the lowest in the kamado category
Cons
- Not ceramic: heat retention noticeably lower than a Joe Jr or MiniMax
- Thin steel struggles in strong wind and sub-zero temperatures
- 340 °C ceiling — limits pizza to NY-style, not Neapolitan
- Only 5-year warranty; European spares network is basically third-party Amazon sellers
For you if…
Picnics, country house, campervan, holiday flat or students on a first budget. Also to try the kamado format before committing to real ceramic — without spending what a Joe Jr costs.
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.
Specifications
| Diameter | 35 cm |
|---|---|
| Diners | 2-3 |
| Weight | 14 kg |
| Material | Acero de triple pared con interior porcelanizado |
| Temperature | 90°C – 340°C |
| Warranty | 5 años limitada |
| Includes | , , , , |
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Buy on Amazon
€249
Usually payable in 4 instalments of ~€63 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.
FAQ
Is the Char-Griller Akorn Jr. made of ceramic like a true kamado?
No. The Akorn Jr. is triple-walled steel with a porcelain-coated interior and a cast-iron grate, not ceramic. It holds heat slightly less than dense ceramic, but in exchange it weighs just 14 kg and lights far faster. It still smokes and grills with genuine temperature control.
How many people does the Akorn Jr. serve?
It is a small, portable kamado aimed at couples or small groups of up to three or four diners. Its compact surface and 14 kg weight make it ideal for tiny terraces, trips or as a second cooker. For large gatherings it falls short; there a 46 cm or larger kamado is the better call.
Can you do low & slow and smoking on the Akorn Jr.?
Yes. Although steel retains less heat than ceramic, the dual vents let you stabilise low temperatures for ribs or pulled pork. You will watch the coals a little more on long sessions and should shield it from wind, but the airflow control is real and enough to smoke at 110-130 °C.
Is the Akorn Jr. worth it versus an entry-level ceramic kamado?
It depends on your priority. If you value portability, fast start-up and low weight, the Akorn Jr. delivers without pretension. If you want maximum heat retention and stable baking over hours, real ceramic performs better. As a first kamado or travel cooker it is an honest, manageable entry point.