Akorn Jnr all the way Tom. It's brilliant. The SNS is very close behind and a wonderful cooker, but the Akorn is staggering value for money. I live in a cold part of Australia and the Akorn is just perfect for the climate.Thanks Tom. Well Done.
2023 was my first season with charcoal cooking in decades and I got the SNS Travel Kettle. The reason? Well for me, it just met so many of my desires with high quality grease and charcoal pans, top thermometer on cooking side, easy to rotate the cooking surface for searing, light weight, top vent over the food and more. I cooked on it many times over the summer and I've gotta say that I love this thing. It's pretty amazing and I'm thrilled with it. I cooked burgers, steaks, pork chops, and one of my all time favorites chicken thighs. They're so easy it's almost impossible to screw them up. Here's one of the best features you can close all vents and completely shut down the grill leaving coals for your next cook!! That also helps when trying to do very low n slow cooking. I did a temperature control tests to see if I could dial in a temp and I could. It took me a bit of time before I got it to hold at around 225-250 but that's because I dumped a full chimney in there and had to choke it back. Going to try the snake method for the next test and see if it's easier to dial in and maintain the temps. I'm wanting to slow smoke some ribs but that won't be until after the new year....too much holiday stuff going on. Some may not like the cost but this thing feels really well made and will likely last for many, many years. I'm super happy with my purchase but I would have liked a few other color options. Oh well.
I had my Jumbo Joe on the workbench to put a thermometer where it is on SnS, add an extra set of intake vents and drill a smoke hole and the SnS came up for sale. So I finally bought one after looking at them for two years. Thanks for all of the information.
Excellent comparison video, each one has its positive points and you did a great job identifying them. Obviously, propane is the way to go for tailgating convenience, but I'd think the kettles would be the best choice if using charcoal.
I love the Akorn Jr , I can set the temperature to 225 degrees fahrenheit to over 700 degrees fahrenheit for making pizza . The only drawback is cleaning the grill , it's a pain in the arse . Emptying the ash can it easy with a little practice . I bought my grill , heat defuser and cover to have a great working Kamado style grill and next I will add a set of casters to make it easier to move around . Great grill for the price . I use it more than my Full size Primo Round Kamado Grill . I like both and both work great , but for the price you can't best the Akorn Jr and you don't have to worry about ceramics breaking or cracking . Kamado's have a little learning curve to them but when you learn your grill it's the most , Tender , Moist , Juicy and Delicious food you can eat . Thank you , Tom for the video and comparison .
Interesting. The website says it weighs 22 lb for the jumbo joe 18 also, can you do a comparison of the Smokey Joe 14 premium versus the non-premium the way it Cooks? I'm curious about the air flow. I've seen mixed reviews
@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ thanks for replying my friend. I just purchased the Smokey Joe premium and I noticed Open then closing the side air flow. It scratches the sides. I wonder if that's going to rust over time
I'd love a Kamado and also the SNS. I have the Jumbo Joe (and have for about 3 years) and to be honest, it's my most versatile cooker. Amazing at hot & fast, but with the pizza pan deflector I made, the baskets, or the SNS, the thing just holds temp so well and does a phenomenal job. I just love it. I think it holds temp better than any of my 22"s.
I love my jumbo joe. Done everything from ribs, whole chicken, salmon, brats, to steak all cooked real nicely. And it only cost me 20 bucks for the grill, cant beat that.
We have a Jumbo Joe and as the name might suggest, it’s not quite compact. If we’re cramped for space I’m taking my Weber Go-Anywhere but if I can get away with it I’m bungeeing down my PK onto its PKTX folding stand. I’ve been a Weber guy for a long time and went to a KJ couple of years ago. Yes it holds temps but boy does it take some BTU’s to get it up to temp and get heat soaked! And although a brisket won’t fit, the PK is SO much better for smoking with. So no, I can’t recommend a miniature Kamado for traveling. The PK, on the other hand, is so stinking efficient, and I can’t think of a better grill for smoking some chicken, a pork butt or a slab of ribs on.
Akorn Jnr all the way Tom. It's brilliant. The SNS is very close behind and a wonderful cooker, but the Akorn is staggering value for money. I live in a cold part of Australia and the Akorn is just perfect for the climate.Thanks Tom. Well Done.
Thanks for Watching! Enjoy!
2023 was my first season with charcoal cooking in decades and I got the SNS Travel Kettle. The reason? Well for me, it just met so many of my desires with high quality grease and charcoal pans, top thermometer on cooking side, easy to rotate the cooking surface for searing, light weight, top vent over the food and more.
I cooked on it many times over the summer and I've gotta say that I love this thing. It's pretty amazing and I'm thrilled with it. I cooked burgers, steaks, pork chops, and one of my all time favorites chicken thighs. They're so easy it's almost impossible to screw them up.
Here's one of the best features you can close all vents and completely shut down the grill leaving coals for your next cook!! That also helps when trying to do very low n slow cooking.
I did a temperature control tests to see if I could dial in a temp and I could. It took me a bit of time before I got it to hold at around 225-250 but that's because I dumped a full chimney in there and had to choke it back. Going to try the snake method for the next test and see if it's easier to dial in and maintain the temps. I'm wanting to slow smoke some ribs but that won't be until after the new year....too much holiday stuff going on.
Some may not like the cost but this thing feels really well made and will likely last for many, many years. I'm super happy with my purchase but I would have liked a few other color options. Oh well.
Thanks for Watching! Appreciate the feedback
I had my Jumbo Joe on the workbench to put a thermometer where it is on SnS, add an extra set of intake vents and drill a smoke hole and the SnS came up for sale. So I finally bought one after looking at them for two years. Thanks for all of the information.
Thanks for watching! Enjoy!
Great video. I have 2 of the 3. I have the full size Akorn also. Don't think you could go wrong with any one of these.
Thanks for watching! Agreed
Excellent comparison video, each one has its positive points and you did a great job identifying them. Obviously, propane is the way to go for tailgating convenience, but I'd think the kettles would be the best choice if using charcoal.
Thanks for Watching Ted!
Love when we get a Tom Horsman video longer than 10 minutes.
Thanks for watching! Appreciate you watching and commenting
I love the Akorn Jr , I can set the temperature to 225 degrees fahrenheit to over 700 degrees fahrenheit for making pizza . The only drawback is cleaning the grill , it's a pain in the arse . Emptying the ash can it easy with a little practice . I bought my grill , heat defuser and cover to have a great working Kamado style grill and next I will add a set of casters to make it easier to move around . Great grill for the price . I use it more than my Full size Primo Round Kamado Grill . I like both and both work great , but for the price you can't best the Akorn Jr and you don't have to worry about ceramics breaking or cracking . Kamado's have a little learning curve to them but when you learn your grill it's the most , Tender , Moist , Juicy and Delicious food you can eat . Thank you , Tom for the video and comparison .
Thanks for watching! Appreciate the feedback and support
Great review. We have used the Weber for many years as our portable grill and it’s been excellent
Thanks for Watching!
Interesting. The website says it weighs 22 lb for the jumbo joe 18 also, can you do a comparison of the Smokey Joe 14 premium versus the non-premium the way it Cooks? I'm curious about the air flow. I've seen mixed reviews
Thanks for Watching Kevin! It’s all about air flow… when you look at that you willl understand…
@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ thanks for replying my friend. I just purchased the Smokey Joe premium and I noticed Open then closing the side air flow. It scratches the sides. I wonder if that's going to rust over time
It could
I'd love a Kamado and also the SNS. I have the Jumbo Joe (and have for about 3 years) and to be honest, it's my most versatile cooker. Amazing at hot & fast, but with the pizza pan deflector I made, the baskets, or the SNS, the thing just holds temp so well and does a phenomenal job. I just love it. I think it holds temp better than any of my 22"s.
Thanks for watching Brandon! Appreciate the feedback! Enjoy
yeah could use aluminum pan...but basket is critical to keeping the charcoal level during the sear for an even sear.
Thanks for Watching!
Hey Tom
Do a review on the EVERDURE KILN PIZZA OVEN‼️‼️
Akorn Jr is my vote🎉
Merry Christmas🎄❄️
Merry Christmas! Thanks for Watching! Wish I had one
Great review, Tom, do you still have your auto Kamado?
Thanks for watching Robert, Yup if you look to the right you can see it, behind some other grills …….
I love my jumbo joe. Done everything from ribs, whole chicken, salmon, brats, to steak all cooked real nicely. And it only cost me 20 bucks for the grill, cant beat that.
Thanks for watching Matt! Appreciate the feedback
I have an Akorn and the jr love both of them !
Thanks for watching Gary!
I like all of them! The Kamado is the best plan(more versatile)
Thanks for Watching Eric! Agreed!
Good one
Thanks for watching!
The akorn is an awesome grill/smoker can’t beat it for a Kamado love that thing I have 2 of them
Thanks for watching Steve!
We have a Jumbo Joe and as the name might suggest, it’s not quite compact. If we’re cramped for space I’m taking my Weber Go-Anywhere but if I can get away with it I’m bungeeing down my PK onto its PKTX folding stand. I’ve been a Weber guy for a long time and went to a KJ couple of years ago. Yes it holds temps but boy does it take some BTU’s to get it up to temp and get heat soaked! And although a brisket won’t fit, the PK is SO much better for smoking with. So no, I can’t recommend a miniature Kamado for traveling. The PK, on the other hand, is so stinking efficient, and I can’t think of a better grill for smoking some chicken, a pork butt or a slab of ribs on.
Weber Jumbo Joe all day. It’s the best for traveling, camping and moving around.
Thanks for Watching! Appreciate the feedback
As long as it can cook my food I’m fine with any portable grill!👨🏽🍳
Thanks for watching
You don’t have the SNS ashtray in correctly. It’s supposed to lock in underneath those 3 tabs not sit on top of them
Thanks for Watching…….
Akorn is the best! SNS second
Thanks for Watching Jim! Appreciate the feedback
Love the PK Go
Thanks for Watching Randall!
Nice comparison! I love my JJ but would be happy to have any of them. BTW, I think Louis is at R Shack BBQ.
Thanks for watching Jim! You are correct
SNS is phenomenal!
Thanks for Watching!
Merry Christmas, Tom. 🎄
Thanks for Watching! Merry Christmas!
Great job Tom!
Thanks for watching!
AKORN JR!!!!
Thanks for Watching!
Weber grills are cheap,... junk. Thanks, but I would rather spend three additional Starbucks coffees for a better product.
Thanks for watching Jonathon! Lol
Picked up an Akorn Jr at Home Depot Monday for under $100. I couldn’t pass that up.
Thanks for watching Steven! Congrats!