Buy it. you won't regret it.

This grill is great for ribs. Good for shoulder and ok for brisket. I own one and have made a couple mods that are key. I welded and offset grate so the charcoal burns on 1/2 of the grill only and i use an Auber PID temperature controller. The temp controller is a must for long cooks. Once u loose control of the temperature on this cooker is is VERY hard to get it back.

John Beckham I too will be purchasing an Akorn in the near future. I've looked I to several Kamado style grills. I don't see enough added value from the BGE or Kamado Joe to justify the $1000+ price point. I wonder how much of what you're really paying for is prestige. The Akorn is much more reasonably priced and, from my research, will do everything I could want it to do.

Yeah man, a great purchase. BGE you're really just paying for the name.

I got my Akorn grill about a month ago and I love it. I’ve mostly been grilling chicken, burgers, sausages etc. I’m actually going to try smoking ribs tomorrow.

You don't? Why?

No need on any bbq, all it does is make more steam not any better smoke.

Soak chips, not chunks. Chips are thin and will be consumed quickly if you don't soak them. Chunks are thick and will burn slower. You can use dry chips but be prepared to keep adding them if you want the flavor from them

I agree. I've had one for about 4 years and I've got the TTT and I was able to maintain temps maaaaaybe twice.

Actually the water doesn't penetrate the wood more than about a 1/16" or so and evaporates very quickly.. Agree on the smoke ring. I don't see how your steaming the wood when you have a pan full of water letting off steam/

The steam keeps the meat from drying out

Thanks! Hmmm. Mine is real easy to take on and off. Maybe the new model is different?? Not sure.

1timby I've had it for a couple of years now and is it quite often. My wife knocked it or one time and you wouldn't know it. This thing is solid and still like new. YES I would recommend it.

Yes

Hinds15 It’s only 300 bucks. If it rusts, it rusts. Just get another in 5 years

I have an Akorn about 5 years old now and no rust to speak of other than a little on the bottom shelf down by the wheels. Clean it up with a wire brush on your drill, repaint it with a quality spray paint and you'll be good to go. It has been a superb grill for the money. My family and I have enjoyed so many meals on it. You just can't beat an Akorn. My kids tell me that it gets a little better every time I grill or smoke on it. Keep a good cover on it and this grill should last for many years. I invested in the $40ish Char Griller cover made specifically for this unit and I have found it does very well against water and rust damage. If you don't use it much during the winter season, put your cast iron grate inside and you should be in good shape. I leave a little of the char that builds up on the fire bowl and on the inside of the top dome and I don't have a problem with rust. In fact, I believe it might serve as a bit of heat insulation. The expensive kamados can't do anything an Akorn can't do.

@@lanesteele240 "if he dies, he dies"

No...the smoking plate/stone is extra

Youll want the stone to create indirect heat when smoking and bot burn/dry out your meat

Does it? For real honest question. I have an akorn and the food turns out awesome but it cooks way quIcker than i think it should

@@drunkass77 yeah man. If you put a probe on the grate and then watch the temp on the Akorn then you'll see at least a 50f difference.

@@beasthuntthat is a big difference. I thought i was cooking ribs at 250 but they'd be done after about 2 1/2 hours. I'll to try them at 200 on the temperature gauge and see how that goes

@@drunkass77 It's sizable, bro. I was mortified when I learned about it and did it.

lol - WHAT?

LMFAO!