I bought my KJ in 2012 and have added many mods as they came available. When the KJ Jr came out I thought it would be great for camping,but was concerned about the weight and fragility. When I saw the Akorn JR on sale for $99 it was a no brainer. Since then it has been on every camping trip, including a 3 month trip to Alaska. I had 2 fiends order a Akorn Jr from the campground after sharing meals with them. Inspired by the JK divide and conquer system, I cut 3, 5/16 steel rods to fit on the stone brackets and cut 2 half moon deflector plates from granite tiles ($0.99 each) on my wet saw. While I was at it, I cliped the corners off another 12x12 tile for a pizza stone. Not bad for $3 of materials. The single half moon plate alows for a no touch roast/seare setup. A burnt sear can't be blamed on the grill. By the way, a 12 in dutch oven fits fits nicely on the stone taps allowing you to do all of your DO favorites with easy temp control. The dome provids heat to the lid so no need to add top coals. I liked it so much that I bought a second one for home use, the first one is a permanent resident in back seat of my truck so I can't forget to pack it for camping. As for durability, my first one is still going strong after 8 years and hunders of cooks(grilling, smoking, and baking) by keeping it covered rust has not been a problem
Thank you James. Having owned a KJC3, I purchased a KJ Junior 6 months ago, having strongly considered the Akorn (the Minimax was never a consideration, given price, verastility and brand loyalty to KJ). This video had validated my decision and also shown that in terms of quality, the KJ is where it is at. I agree though, the BGEMM looks great...but once you go red, it's hard to go green...would look weird on the patio 😂
Hey James just wanted to point something out real quick. If you look at the akorn jr. The grill grate has notches that when lined up with the tabs on the side allow the grate to sit about an inch further down closer to the coals. Just wanted to point that out since it can change the measurements. Great video btw! I watch them all.
I actually got an Acorn Jr. On sale on the H.Depot website for $99.98. It is my first entry into an Egg style grill, and I have been using natural charcoal and smoking wood. Learning alot about what I'm doing wrong and what I should try from this Channel! I think currently I cook with Bad Smoke and only direct heat. Throwing smoking wood on just before adding food. But I love it and so does the family. Thanks for the videos! Definatly going to get a full size Kumodo eventually.
I have to tell you that after this I think I’m going to buy the Akorn for my camper. If the only downsides are the high heat for searing (which I think I can learn to control) and the build quality (which like you said for the price works out fine), this seems like the right choice. Thanks James!
I've had an Akorn Jr since 2019 and use it exclusively for camping. I average about 4 weeks of camping a year and grill more or less looks like new other than the colour on the ash tray is faded a bit from the heat. With experience you can manage the heat for everything from low and slow to searing. For example when bringing the heat for a reverse sear, you can delay putting the grill back in so it doesn't get too hot. I don't see the grill wearing or rusting out any time soon so IMO and excellent grill for taking camping. Totally happy with it.
The lighter weight and non-ceramic construction of the Akorn Jr make it a great option for travel/camping; however, when it comes to full sized Kamado grills, I’d recommend and buy a Kamado Joe every time!
All kidding aside I have a Joe jr and two Big Joes. Bobby B. Made me an offer to switch from Green Eggs to KJ around 2012 and I have never looked back. Bought my kids one each and they live by them. Great videos.
I've been watching the price on the Joe Jr all summer and have seen it for sale at several different places for $ 298.00. Wal Mart is currently selling it for this price and in stock(In US).
Great to see a comparison so we know what's out there. Thanks! I got an Akorn for nearly free a couple of years ago, and, for me, it is the way to go. Your video didn't mention a few things that i thought might make a difference for future buyers: 1. How easy it is to empty the ashes (the bottom comes right off!) 2. The grill grate has two height settings! Super easy to change. 3. You can light it from the top, or the bottom. Bottom burning gives a different kind of burn, which i think you have mentioned before. Anyhow, nice job on the comparison, but I think the crazy price difference, and the head-to-head similarities make the Akorn a smidge or so ahead.
*** Acorn Jr *** There's is a shim on the lid of the acorn that can be removed that will line up the latch. And there is two positions for the grill so you can get it closer to the heat deflector. There is definitely a learning curve with cast iron.
The head-to-head videos are so useful. I'm actually surprised that the BGE can still charge what they do with all the competition out there in that form factor. It seems like the market would have driven the price down to be more competitive especially considering the additional equipment that comes with the KJ.
I suppose BGE is capitalizing on the name recognition. I know some people who are not tuned to the BBQ world, but that had heard the name BIG Green Egg, They think that is the brand to buy.
@@wesleydrew9242 unfortunately, yes. However, it commonly goes on sale for 300, which I think is a good price as well. I'm sure we'll see more sales as the summer season wraps up.
I have both the Akorn Jr and the Joe Jr. There’s nothing the more expensive JJ can do the Akorn Jr can’t. That said, as you mentioned, the Akorn Jr is made of metal so it has to be taken care of more meticulously than the JJ. Other than that, the Akorn Jr is a VERY capable mini-Kamado.
I bought two cheap kamado’s, both arrived broken, so the day before going on the road I bought a Joe Jnr - love it, did two pulled pork’s, loads of steaks, chickens etc - now it’s at home and complements my Classic3 I am very happy with the Joe Jnr, very solid bit of kit and great quality - kinda relieved you settled on it too! 😀
My KJJr is the best purchase I’ve made in recent memory. Got it 4 years ago for my bday. Perfect for city living and cooking for me and my fiancé + a few friends when I’m feeling like hosting
I did a job for someone that moved and they said I can have there grill. It was a big acorn and I love it. I'm cooking all summer on it again like last summer
Sorry to hear all the setbacks you encounter currently. Never feel guilty towards your viewers regarding this. We all respect your personal life and totally understand that should always come first. Hoop things will swing your way soon and best wishes for your dad 🙏🏽
Well gotta get the ash collector now. When I got my Jr, I got the Ceramic Grill Store Woo ring which lets you pull the grate and the deflector out at one time. I set it on a piece of sheet metal.
In my humble opinion, the Weber Jumbo Joe blows all 3 of these out of the water. A few inexpensive mods (you can use a quality stainless drip pan as a heat deflector) turns it into a very good smoker with so much more room (you can use all of the 17.5 inch grill grate). Fully loaded with all the tools and accessories (lighters, small chimney, thermometers, extra grates, tongs, spatula, grill brush, stainless skewers, stainless drip pan, etc.), it weighs about 27 pounds. So it smokes great and sears great (easily gets to 600 degrees). Have not tried pizza on it, but maybe I should.
I absolutely love the Akorn JR. It's inexpensive lightweight and not made of ceramic so it won't crack if it gets knocked over in the bed of a truck or stored away and a camper. For a year it was my only grill because I lived in an apartment and had a small balcony. When I bought a house I got a regular acorn auto Kamado because I loved the acorn Jr so much.
I wish you had included the Weber Smokey Joe. For camping, tailgating, and picnics, it's hard to beat for the weight. I've having a hard time seeing the value for the mini kamados given their weight. For on the go, weight is important. If weight isn't a factor, then stepping up to a larger size seems to make more sense.
I have one of ash baskets. It's one of the best extra items I bought for my Kamado. Thanks for another nice video today. I learn alot of useful things from watching them .
head shaker - james has the BGE minimax listed at $753 in this video. "mal-wart" currently has a sale on the kj big joe 1 at $719. WOW, just wow. mal-wart also has the kj junior on sale right now for $298 and the kj classic 1 for $480. with price and performance, the kj is gonna win all day long at those "fire sale" prices.
Yes! I love seeing content for the mini kamados! I got the junior to accompany my classic 3 and LOVE it. With several accessories for the classic 3 being around the $350 mark, spending $500 on the junior isn't too bad. I can cook fast and efficient dinners while my classic 3 is doing long full day cooks. I also feel like the junior will pay for itself in the long run with how little charcoal is needed.
As always, great video! I have a Primo Oval Jr as my mini kamado. It's not portable but it does have versatility and the shape allows for two zone grilling.
Cool clips of the Fundy Trail parkway. We are lucky to ride this road in summer and snowmobile on them in winter. Great comparison between all grills. Have a fire extinguisher handy 😅.
I have a kj classic 2 with all the trimmings but I love my akorn Jr a lot more. However, I didn't love the cast iron grate so I got a stainless grate for under $30 dollars from aliexpress. I also use the charcoal cast iron grate from my kj2 classic on top of the soap stone combined with a very shallow stainless drip tray (also from Ali) to do double indirect. BTW the biggest gap I found was around the bottom vent. I rtx'd that and now it holds very well at 265 and above. I don't bother trying 250 as it is just too easy to snuff fire
yeah that akorn rusted out rings true, i was buying a used grill and someone was willing to give me for free their regular sized akorn grill and the bottom was completely rusted out. im gonna use tinfoil to try to salvage it and use it for like a year hopefully
I just got the Acorn Jr. last week. Love it! P.S. I’m new to this channel and was confused based on the scenery in the beginning with you sounding like you’re from MINISODA! Then I realized you must be Canadian! 😂
Heyo, what's up James, you're THE father of RU-vid, anyways definitely agree Lil' Joe Junior takes the cake for best Mini Kamado. Also, there's been a lot of RU-vidr colabs, but none of them beat your colab with @EatMoreVegans, you should consider another one. Homies love it. -Love you daddy of smoking BBQ's
Keep an eye out at Walmart every year or so. I picked up my acorn about four years ago for $99. It has performed out in the field quite often very well.
@@SmokingDadBBQ I won the jackpot today! I was looking on Home Depot website and the Kamado Joe Jr is $299.99!!! It will be here Tuesday!! Cant wait to cook up all the good things I see you cooking!!
Hi James, I wonder how would Golden's cast iron 14" cooker do in this comparison? I'm curious if you're ever going to review any of their products. Great video as always 👍
Now, if one really wants portability, low weight, and small size, my BGE Mini (no Max), with its 10" grid makes a great.....mini.....grill, and at about 35 lbs.
Yup, the Mini is truly hard to beat! I have both and I have to say I use the mini more than my Max (or Large, for that matter.) Poor Jr just sits there unused most of the time unless I'm doing pizzas.
great video as usual! A bit of a shame you don't have a Monolith Icon to go up against these, would have been great to hear your thoughts on the removable lid. between the 3 my choice would be between the akorn (weight and price if I take it out alot) and joe jr (quality and efficiency if I keep it at home mostly). thanks again
Save your money and get the original big Joe and get some of the upgrades for it. James has a great video comparing The series 1 to the series 3 and the upgrades he recommends. In the end he went series 1 because he could buy the series 1 with the upgrades and a Joe jr and still have money left over. That was the route I went and couldn’t be happier. I take my jr tailgating and camping and use it at home when there are just two of us
Just a clarification. I know the price still is more, not denying that one bit. But the mini Max on the BGE Canadian website, comes with an ash tool and conveggator and grill gripper. In your video more than you once it was pointed out that BGE does not include it in the purchase compared to the other two brands . I didn't see anywhere on the BGE website where you could buy mini Max without those three accessories. Thanks for putting in the time to do these comparison videos.
I’ve got an Akorn Jr and I’m not a fan of the deflector plate. I feel that it leaves a much larger gap in the side than the Joe Jr and the MM. Are the deflector plates from those two units able to fit the Akorn Jr?!Are there any other accessories from Joe Jr and MM that fits the Akorn Junior?
I waited for my BKJ3 that was "misplaced" during shipment and found the KJjr for $300 from Memorial Day to Father's Day. What a steal! Your KJ rankings video sold me on the big and jr. Thank you!
James, my first of your vids and enjoyed it, thanks. Im gonna opt for the Akorn as it will be going with us on the travel trailer. What did you buy for a gasket? Im gonna put one on.
Thank you for this comparison. I noticed that before the cook the Akorn's grate was significantly dirtier than the other two, do you think that may have contributed to the burnt taste?
its either air flow or charcoal. start with one issue at a time (air flow). make sure your bottom firebox is centred and the gap is alined with the front door so that the air is coming in. make sure charcoal isnt touching the bottom heat deflector and then move on to the charcoal brand if that doesn't fix it but for most people its an airflow issue
James, you’re supposed to be on vacation! But thank again for another great vid!😅 And I knew the KJ Jr was going to win, but your objectivity is admirable throughout the process 😁
When you say you take off the heat deflector and go store it safely where do you put it? I know not on the concrete and we don’t have an outdoor kitchen.
I honestly think the only real difference is how much it hurts your wallet. I’ll take the Acorn Jr. since your average carnivore won’t notice the small differences
I can not see spending that much money for a ceramic one over a dual wall one. If something is cheaper and does the exact same thing. Logic would tell you to buy the cheaper one. Buying just for visual or just to say you have the expensive one. Makes no sense to me. Thanks for the review.
I mean no blame, but it seems from this video like MM is not capable of doing long runs. That is not true. I love my MM for being able to keep 300 F for 6 hours with just tiny amount of charcoal. I cook pulled pork and lamb leg on MM easily.
It's like a phone.... apple didn't invent the iphone, but they made it the best. In this case. green egg invented the komodo..... and Komodoe joe perfected it.
