If you have used a Kamado grill then you know the high temperatures that these units reach can hardly be replicated on your regular grill. Even so, it is hard to justify spending upwards of a thousand dollars on a home-use grill.

The Char-Griller E06614 AKORN isn’t quite the authentic Japanese Kamado but it is pretty close and a great purchase if you are on a budget. 

Char-Griller E06614 Charcoal Grill

The grill is very well built for a budget unit and works splendidly for grilling, smoking, and baking.

  • Cooking Area: 153 square inches
  • Weight: 37 pounds
  • Price Range:$$

Setting up the grill

All you need to assemble this Char-Griller Kamado is a large Philips screwdriver. The instructions are clear and precise although installing the handles may take a little more time than the other parts. 

Assembly shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes even for someone with a little DIY experience. This Kamado-style grill is easy to assemble as long as you follow the instructions.

Be sure to use a hand tool because using excessive torque to tighten the screws can compromise the grill’s structural integrity or cause the parts to break.

Premium Looks & Aesthetics

The Char-Griller looks exactly like you would expect a Kamado grill to look like except that it is red instead of the iconic green color. The grill features the traditional egg shape and three short legs.

The Char-Griller looks exactly like you would expect a Kamado grill to look like except that it is red instead of the iconic green color. The grill features the traditional egg shape and three short legs.

The other difference between this Char-Griller and an authentic Kamado grill is the construction material. Traditional Kamado grills are made from ceramic while this one sports durable 22-gauge steel construction.

The Char-Griller E06614 in Use

Kamado grills work similar to ovens rather than typical charcoal grills. The egg shape design cooks food through convection. This makes the Char-Griller not just good for grilling meat but also great for smoking meat, making pizza, and even baking bread.

  • This unit comes with an instructional manual that includes how to build a fire for high or low heat cooking, how to adjust the upper and lower dampers and everything else you need to know to operate the grill.
  • As a word of caution; this grill can take a long time to cool down if it gets too hot owing to its great insulation. You need to monitor the temperature carefully while the grill heats up and adjust the vents accordingly.
  • The great insulation also means that this grill maintains a relatively stable interior temperature despite outdoor temperature fluctuations. The grill will hold a steady temperature for many hours which is great for precise cooking and also means you don’t have to keep adding coal.
  • This grill can produce up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit so it works for high-temperature cooking and searing your steaks. The adjustable top and bottom dampers allow you to control the heat for whatever kind of cooking you choose..

Key Specifications

  • Category: Kamado-style charcoal grill & smoker
  • Dimensions: 20.5 x 21.5 x 25.3 inches
  • Weight: 37 pounds
  • Cooking Area: 153 square inches
  • Material: 22-gauge steel
  • Coal Loading: Front access door
  • Dampers: Adjustable top and bottom
  • Built-in thermometer: Yes
  • Color: Red

What did we like?

There are plenty of features that make this Kamado-style grill a great option.

Versatile Grill

This isn’t just a charcoal grill. You can also use it as a pizza oven and smoker. The egg shape grill generates convection heat which lends the unit a variety of cooking applications.

Durable Construction

The Char-grill is sturdy and durable. It is made from 22-gauge steel and includes cast iron cooking grates. The exterior powder-coated paint withstands reasonably high temperatures without losing its aesthetic appeal.

High Heat Output

The Kamado-style grill has a heat output of between 200 and 700 degrees Fahrenheit. The maximum heat output is more than you get on traditional charcoal grills and most gas grills.

You can control temperature by adjusting the top and bottom dampers making it a great little grill for precise cooking. The in-built temperature gauge is a nice addition that allows you to keep an eye on the interior temperature.

What did we not like?

There are no perfect appliances so there are a few faults with this Char-Griller. These aren’t necessarily deal-breakers but still worth thinking about before making a final purchase decision.

Small Cooking Space

The small size makes this grill portable but also limits the cooking area. You get 153 square-inches of primary cooking space which is about enough to cook for 4 people at a time. The small cooking area limits the number of people you can entertain and increases your cooking time.

Powerful for Novice Cooks

Up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit sounds good on paper but this may be too much heat for a novice cook. Kamado grills generally have a learning curve so don’t be surprised if you burn your pizza toppings the first couple of times you use the grill.

Final Thoughts

The best thing about the Char-Griller E06614 is that you can get the functionality of a traditional Kamado grill at a fraction of the cost. The grill is also very well built for a budget unit and works splendidly for grilling, smoking, and baking.

This Char-Griller also offers good temperature control for a charcoal grill which is useful for precise cooking and for estimating cooking times. All things considered, the Char-Griller Kamado is great value for money if you do not mind the rather limited primary cooking area.