Need advice on new grill purchase

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Jmack

Assistant Cook
Joined
Jan 15, 2013
Messages
2
Hello i am new to this forum and wanted some opinions on a new grill. I have been using a char broil commercial gas grill and a brinkman smoke n grill. The gas grill finally got worn out last year so i got rid of it. The two grills i am looking at are a weber performer or a chargriller akorn kamado style grill. I like to do all different types of grilling plus i would like to be able to do some smoking. I have a propane smoker but i prefer the flavor of food smoked with charcoal/wood. Im leaning toward the Akorn mainly because of being able to use it for a smoker and a grill but im not sure if it will be good as a primary grill for everything. I plan on using whichever i buy for all my grilling needs. I have used alot of different grills but never a kamado style. There seems to be alot of experienced grillers on here so any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
Chargriller kamodo
Ive had my inexpensive Kamodo ($300) for nine months & have cooked a lot of meals on it.
The cooker is an insulated steel kamodo.
It has an interior fire sleeve that protects the wall of the cooker from direct heat & the sleeve & the interior wall of the cooker are porceloin coated.
It's built onto a cart with wheels & 2 side shelves.
It has a 20 inch cast iron main grate & a 14 in upper grate.
It will cook a lot, 40 lbs of butt, or 5 whole chickens , a whole brisket & a butt, or 8 racks BB ribs.
It's a good smoker , will run 15 hours without refueling..
It " likes " to run about 250 - 290 F , their is a fine line trying to run 225F between keeping the temp there & the fire going out. The insulated cookers require so little fire torun 200-225Fthat the fire may not be self sustaining.
It's a good grill gets plenty hot to sear & cook quickly.
You can smoke then sear on it ( my favorite way of cooking steaks, burgers & chops) but takes a little gymnastics , not as easy as my Horizonal cooker.
I took the insides out to clean & inspect the firebox sleeve & interior & no signs rust, chipping of porceloin etc. only problems I've had we're a couple bolts loosing & replaced with locking nuts & burned up a gasket with a grease fire, took 2 minutes to replace & they sent me one free.
I like this cooker & I'll probably use a lot in cold weather.
I could easily use as my only cooker if space or other considerations kept me from having specialized cookers.
 
Thanks for the comments guys. I ended up purchasing the chargriller Kamado, I haven't had a chance to use it yet but am looking forward to it.
 
Thanks for the comments guys. I ended up purchasing the chargriller Kamado, I haven't had a chance to use it yet but am looking forward to it.

J, you might want to check out this forum. Broil King Keg Forum - Index
I don't know if the Chargriller has it's own forum but a few guys at the Big Steel Keg forum have either the same grill or that Akorn grill as second grills I believe. The BSK forum can help you with getting started and learning some creative grilling.
Good luck with your new grill!
 
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