We may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases to cover data analysis costs. Rankings are based solely on our PatioRank Score algorithm. Full disclosure
Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch vs Char-Griller AKORN Kamado
Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch vs Char-Griller AKORN Kamado, compared side by side using critic reviews, Reddit opinions, and Amazon data.
Quick answer: Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch wins (93 vs 79). The charcoal grill every other grill gets compared to. Wirecutter top pick since 2017.
Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch
12 critics · 85 Reddit · 12,688 Amazon
Char-Griller AKORN Kamado
5 critics · 30 Reddit · 3,808 Amazon
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Weber Original | Char-Griller AKORN |
|---|---|---|
| PatioRank Score | 93/100 | 79/100 |
| Critic Score | 95/100 | 72/100 |
| Reddit Score | 92/100 | 80/100 |
| Amazon Rating | 4.7★ | 4.6★ |
| Reviews | 12,688 | 3,808 |
| Price | $219 | $399 |
Pros & Cons
Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch
- + Best bang-for-buck grill on the market
- + Insanely versatile - direct grill, smoke, reverse sear, bake
- + Lasts decades with zero maintenance
- + Massive aftermarket accessories (Slow N Sear, Vortex)
- − Built-in thermometer is basically decorative
- − Three-leg design wobbles on uneven ground
- − Charcoal temp management has a learning curve
Char-Griller AKORN Kamado
- + Best budget kamado by far - real kamado results at $400
- + Surprisingly good heat retention despite steel construction
- + Way lighter than ceramic kamados - actually moveable
- + Great for both high-heat searing and low-and-slow
- − Steel rusts over time, especially in humid climates
- − Paint chips within 1-2 years for many users
- − Gaskets need more frequent replacement than ceramic
What Reddit Says
Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch
"My dad's Weber Kettle is from 1994 and still going strong. I bought my own last year. There's a reason everyone recommends this thing."
"If you're new to grilling, get a Kettle. Learn fire management. Everything else is just convenience tax."
Char-Griller AKORN Kamado
"The Akorn is 80% of a Kamado Joe for 20% of the price. If you're not sure kamado cooking is for you, this is how you find out without dropping $2K."
"Year 3 with my Akorn. Some rust on the bottom, paint is rough, but it still holds 225 for 10 hours. At $400 I've already gotten my money's worth twice over."
Verdict
The Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch takes this comparison with a PatioRank Score of 93/100. The charcoal grill every other grill gets compared to. Wirecutter top pick since 2017.