Welcome to the EGGhead Forum - a great place to visit and packed with tips and EGGspert advice! You can also join the conversation and get more information and amazing kamado recipes by following Big Green Egg to Experience our World of Flavor™ at:
Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest  |  Youtube  |  Vimeo
Share your photos by tagging us and using the hashtag #BigGreenEgg.

Want to see how the EGG is made? Click to Watch

Looking for someone that has any information on an Acorn cooker

Jupiter Jim
Jupiter Jim Posts: 3,351
in EggHead Forum

Have a friend that just doesn't have the funds for a BGE and is thinking of getting an Acorn.

Trust me I have been working him to go green but he just doesn't have the funds.


I'm only hungry when I'm awake!

Okeechobee FL. Winter

West Jefferson NC Summer

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • piney
    piney Posts: 1,478
    Don't know I aint never cooked acorns
    Lenoir, N.C.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • theyolksonyou
    theyolksonyou Posts: 18,459
    Know three people that are owners. They don't cook like us though. One says he can't keep it below 325. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hans61
    Hans61 Posts: 3,901
    What about KJ? Save what like 300$ or so cause the main accessories aren't a la carte
    “There are three rules that I live by: never get less than twelve hours sleep; never play cards with a guy who has the same first name as a city; and never get involved with a woman with a tattoo of a dagger on her body.”
    Coach Finstock Teen Wolf
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hans61
    Hans61 Posts: 3,901
    Tell him just to save up - the best things are worth waiting for :-)
    “There are three rules that I live by: never get less than twelve hours sleep; never play cards with a guy who has the same first name as a city; and never get involved with a woman with a tattoo of a dagger on her body.”
    Coach Finstock Teen Wolf
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jupiter Jim
    Jupiter Jim Posts: 3,351
    piney said:
    Don't know I aint never cooked acorns
    I haven't either piney!

    I'm only hungry when I'm awake!

    Okeechobee FL. Winter

    West Jefferson NC Summer

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jupiter Jim
    Jupiter Jim Posts: 3,351
    Hans61 said:
    Tell him just to save up - the best things are worth waiting for :-)
    I think his wife is wanting to get him one for Christmas so no time to wait.

    I'm only hungry when I'm awake!

    Okeechobee FL. Winter

    West Jefferson NC Summer

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jupiter Jim
    Jupiter Jim Posts: 3,351
    theyolksonyou said:
    Know three people that are owners. They don't cook like us though. One says he can't keep it below 325. 
    How about the other two can they keep it at 250?

    I'm only hungry when I'm awake!

    Okeechobee FL. Winter

    West Jefferson NC Summer

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jaydub58
    jaydub58 Posts: 2,167
    Depending on what size your friend might need, maybe he should check out a Kamado Joe Jr.  A pretty good cooker in the  $400 range.
    John in the Willamette Valley of Oregon
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Foghorn
    Foghorn Posts: 10,227
    I've bought several as gifts for friends and cooked on them many times.  They are excellent cookers.  I can dial them in at 240 or any higher temp.  They are not as well made as eggs.  I'd recommend keeping it below 600 degrees or so because at higher temps you can melt some of the plastic parts on the lid.  He'll need to buy a ceramic heat blocking stone that they sell online.  It's $40.  They're not eggs, but for the price they are a good value.

    XXL BGE, Karebecue, Klose BYC, Chargiller Akorn Kamado, Weber Smokey Mountain, Grand Turbo gasser, Weber Smoky Joe, and the wheelbarrow that my grandfather used to cook steaks from his cattle

    San Antonio, TX

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hans61
    Hans61 Posts: 3,901
    Have her put the cost of an akorn in a new savings account - ( she can give him the account sheet and a Christmas envelope with the stated intent of the account ) then add a hundred or two a month till there's enough cash flow to make it happen.

    I haven't cooked on a akorn. Here's a good write up

    http://amazingribs.com/bbq_equipment_reviews_ratings/grill-smoker-egg-or-kamado-style-combination-grill-smoker-pizza-oven/char-griller-kamado-akorn-grill

    “There are three rules that I live by: never get less than twelve hours sleep; never play cards with a guy who has the same first name as a city; and never get involved with a woman with a tattoo of a dagger on her body.”
    Coach Finstock Teen Wolf
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jupiter Jim
    Jupiter Jim Posts: 3,351
    Foghorn said:
    I've bought several as gifts for friends and cooked on them many times.  They are excellent cookers.  I can dial them in at 240 or any higher temp.  They are not as well made as eggs.  I'd recommend keeping it below 600 degrees or so because at higher temps you can melt some of the plastic parts on the lid.  He'll need to buy a ceramic heat blocking stone that they sell online.  It's $40.  They're not eggs, but for the price they are a good value.
    Thanks for the info I will pass it along.

    I'm only hungry when I'm awake!

    Okeechobee FL. Winter

    West Jefferson NC Summer

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 19,166
    My BIL has one and can put out some good grub on it. The durability is the issue. His is a couple years old and he says he'll probably get another year out of it. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jupiter Jim
    Jupiter Jim Posts: 3,351
    DoubleEgger said:
    My BIL has one and can put out some good grub on it. The durability is the issue. His is a couple years old and he says he'll probably get another year out of it. 

    Thanks

    I'm only hungry when I'm awake!

    Okeechobee FL. Winter

    West Jefferson NC Summer

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • The Cen-Tex Smoker
    The Cen-Tex Smoker Posts: 23,179
    Jupiter Jim said:

    Have a friend that just doesn't have the funds for a BGE and is thinking of getting an Acorn.

    Trust me I have been working him to go green but he just doesn't have the funds.


    Have a buddy with one- it's great. It won't last a lifetime like a bge (they rust out eventually) but he will get years of good use out of it if he takes care of it. 
    Keepin' It Weird in The ATX FBTX
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • theyolksonyou
    theyolksonyou Posts: 18,459
    Jupiter Jim said:
    theyolksonyou said:
    Know three people that are owners. They don't cook like us though. One says he can't keep it below 325. 
    How about the other two can they keep it at 250?

    They don't cook enough, or talk about it enough, for me to judge. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lo_Gear
    Lo_Gear Posts: 108
    I started out with a akorn. I was very pleased with it. I also had no trouble holding 225-250 and had many successful cooks on it. I kept mine covered and ended up giving it to he mother in law when I got the bge and it still looks pretty close to being new after many cooks and a new owner that seems to be taking care of it as well as I did. I bought mine because I thought it would keep me from wanting a egg, it didn't lol, it's definitely a good starter though.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hans61
    Hans61 Posts: 3,901
    Lo_Gear said:
    I started out with a akorn. I was very pleased with it. I also had no trouble holding 225-250 and had many successful cooks on it. I kept mine covered and ended up giving it to he mother in law when I got the bge and it still looks pretty close to being new after many cooks and a new owner that seems to be taking care of it as well as I did. I bought mine because I thought it would keep me from wanting a egg, it didn't lol, it's definitely a good starter though.
    And maybe that's the crux of it. Will work in the interim but won't satisfy the want of bge. So long run it'll be more $ spent if it's bought and a egg follows
    “There are three rules that I live by: never get less than twelve hours sleep; never play cards with a guy who has the same first name as a city; and never get involved with a woman with a tattoo of a dagger on her body.”
    Coach Finstock Teen Wolf
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • saluki2007
    saluki2007 Posts: 6,354
    My brother has one and likes it. As everyone mentioned, it's not an egg. But it is a great grill for the price. 
    Large and Small BGE
    Central, IL

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HeavyG
    HeavyG Posts: 10,380
    Akorn kamados are fine cookers. There is no reason for your pal to think he would be buying an inferior cooker.


    There is a subforum just for Akorn users over on the kamadoguru forum he might want to check out for any specifics. Overall though they cook just as well as any other kamado - https://www.kamadoguru.com/forum/18-char-griller-akorn-kamado-king-griller/


    “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.” ― Philip K. Diçk




    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • StillH2OEgger
    StillH2OEgger Posts: 3,896
    Easy for me to spend other people's money, but if it were me I would wait to get one of the more dependable models and/or what I really wanted. One of the big attractions of a BGE for me was that I won't need to replace it in 10 years.
    Stillwater, MN
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bgebrent
    bgebrent Posts: 19,636
    No knowledge brother.  @HeavyG seems to be familiar.
    Sandy Springs & Dawsonville Ga
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tikigriller
    tikigriller Posts: 1,389
    FWIW--  I originally wanted a pellet grill. Did all my research and wanted a Yoder. Couldn't get myself to pull the trigger on $1500, so I found the Green Mountain Grill which was $799. I regretted it from day one of getting it. Could tell I was going to regret the lack of quality and feel of durability. 

    Now that mistake took took me to the Egg, which took me to a Blackstone, which has ended up in all of my toys, and now I have more cooking stuff than I ever thought I would own. 

    So going cheap on price in the beginning, absolutely has cost me more money in the long run!!!  And now I am getting close to a Need for another Egg!!!!

    ***I have never cooked or even looked at an Acorn, so this is not saying it is of poor quality, I would not know, but the older I get, the more I realize, you really do  get what you pay for. 
    Just bought an Egg?  Here is what you get to look forward to now:

    Plate Setter, FlameBoss 200, Spider, PSWOO-CI, Additional Rig Shelf for dome cooking, Thermapen, iGrill2, Cast Iron, Blackstone, Cooking Accessories for the Blackstone, Cover for the Egg and the Blackstone, shopping for Rub like a fine wine or IPA, and a new fascination with lump and what brand is the best-all to be debated every Friday Night.  Next desires-Joetisceriie, Adjustable Rig, Grillmates, table and more eggs

    Livermore, California
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CountryBoy
    CountryBoy Posts: 102
    The Akorn isn't a bad cooker for the money. I started out with one and still use it along side the lg bge. Just don't expect it to last long at all if you don't keep it covered or cook at high temps! I always store mine in the garage except one time it was too hot to move inside prior to a storm. The whole bottom shell filled with water and began to rust. The construction is kind of cheap but it serves its purpose in the kamado world. It has a removeable ash pan with a gasket. Any real greasy foods can cause that gasket to get torched fairly quickly. The gaskets are a fine woven type that are held on by a few rivets. It's a good intro cooker to see if you like charcoal cooking or smoking if ya ask me. I never regretted my purchase other than should have bought the egg first and I never would have owned it! 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sctdg
    sctdg Posts: 301
    I have had an Acorn since Aug. of 2013 . Bought my Egg a few months later . I use both of them . Acorn is more for quick cooks and Egg is mainly for the long low and slows . I use a TipTop heat control on both and have no problems keeping a 225-250 temp on Acorn . Using a plate holder keeps TipTop secured to Acorn and utilizing sleeve from Smokeware cap on Egg keeps temp controller secured . Both Egg and Acorn stay right where I set them . I never remove Acorn's lower ash tray to clean it out since I bought Ash Vac .Lower tray on Acorn can be a problem (lower gasket leakage)but it is not an issue if you leave it alone and clean out ash with vac .  Acorn came from BJ's prebuilt with smoking stone and cover for $235 .Could not pass it up and wanted to retire my offset .  As far as I'm concerned I love them both ,just used Acorn last night for a couple of quick pork chops direct .
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Toxarch
    Toxarch Posts: 1,900
    Buy once, cry once.
    Look at the Kamado Joe Roadshow at Costco. Hard to beat those prices and they come with a bunch of accessories. Like someone else mentioned, the Joe Jr is a great size grill for most people. You aren't going to fit a brisket or turkey on it, but it could be a great 1st or 2nd grill.
    Aledo, Texas
    Large BGE
    KJ Jr.

    Exodus 12:9 KJV
    Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 19,166
    This reminds me of a saying I use quite often. A new Ferarri for $100k is a great deal.... If you've got a $100k. 

    The guy doesn't have the cash for an egg. I'd much rather see the guy cooking and honing skills on an Akorn rather than sitting on the sidelines hoping to buy an egg someday. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HeavyG
    HeavyG Posts: 10,380
    Toxarch said:
    Buy once, cry once.
    Look at the Kamado Joe Roadshow at Costco. Hard to beat those prices and they come with a bunch of accessories. Like someone else mentioned, the Joe Jr is a great size grill for most people. You aren't going to fit a brisket or turkey on it, but it could be a great 1st or 2nd grill.
    CharGriller makes an Akorn Jr. It was out of production for a year or two but they started making them again a few months ago. It is about the same size as a MiniMax or KJ Jr.

    The neat thing about the Akorn Jr. tho is it weighs less than 40 pounds and it only costs about $150. If I was into the tailgating thing I'd rather deal with the Akorn Jr. than lugging around a MiniMax which weighs twice as much.

    https://www.amazon.com/Char-Griller-Akorn-Kamado-Kooker-Charcoal/dp/B00EBWBFQQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1478611757&sr=8-4&keywords=akorn+grill


    “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.” ― Philip K. Diçk




    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jeponline
    jeponline Posts: 290
    NakedWhiz has a very thorough review of the Akorn.  A buddy of mine has one and we've actually used it quite successfully at an amateur bbq competition.  It holds the temperature well and it is incredibly easy to move because it is so much lighter than any ceramic cooker.  That being said, I saved my money for an extra 6 months to be able to buy the egg and I am very happy with my decision.

    http://www.nakedwhiz.com/productreviews/akorn/akorn-1.htm

    Large BGE
    Huntsville, AL
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SaintJohnsEgger
    SaintJohnsEgger Posts: 1,826
    tikigriller said:
    FWIW--  I originally wanted a pellet grill. Did all my research and wanted a Yoder. Couldn't get myself to pull the trigger on $1500, so I found the Green Mountain Grill which was $799. I regretted it from day one of getting it. Could tell I was going to regret the lack of quality and feel of durability. 

    Now that mistake took took me to the Egg, which took me to a Blackstone, which has ended up in all of my toys, and now I have more cooking stuff than I ever thought I would own. 

    So going cheap on price in the beginning, absolutely has cost me more money in the long run!!!  And now I am getting close to a Need for another Egg!!!!

    ***I have never cooked or even looked at an Acorn, so this is not saying it is of poor quality, I would not know, but the older I get, the more I realize, you really do  get what you pay for. 
    Kind of like my journey. I had a gasser and a Weber kettle and wanted a pellet grill. I had settled on  the Green Mountain Grill but before I could buy it I took another look at the BGE and that is what I now have. 

    @Jupiter Jim : just help a pal out with a cash donation for Christmas and then maybe he can get an egg.

    Marshall in Beautiful Fruit Cove, FL.
    MiniMax 04/17
    Unofficial BGE MiniMax Evangelist
    Facebook Big Green Egg MiniMax Owners Group


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories