# Char-Griller AKORN Kamado vs Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Char-Griller AKORN Kamado (Char-Griller) and Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared (Char-Broil) among charcoal grills. Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared is the cheaper of the two at $199.99.

## Side by side

| Spec | Char-Griller AKORN Kamado | Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $399.99 | $199.99 |
| Brand | Char-Griller | Char-Broil |
| Released | — | 2015 |
| Type | kamado | kettle |
| Primary cooking area sqin | 325 | 360 |
| Material | Triple-walled insulated steel with cast iron cooking grates | Porcelain-coated steel with TRU-Infrared porcelain grate |
| Hinged cooking grate | No | No |
| Ash catcher | Yes | Yes |
| Built in thermometer | Yes | Yes |
| Diameter or size (in) | 20 in | 22.5 in |

## Key differences

- Type: Char-Griller AKORN Kamado kamado vs Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared kettle
- Primary cooking area sqin: Char-Griller AKORN Kamado 325 vs Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared 360
- Material: Char-Griller AKORN Kamado Triple-walled insulated steel with cast iron cooking grates vs Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared Porcelain-coated steel with TRU-Infrared porcelain grate
- Diameter or size (in): Char-Griller AKORN Kamado 20 in vs Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared 22.5 in

## What reviewers say

**Char-Griller AKORN Kamado** — One whitelisted tester — Reviewed (USA Today) — hands-on tested this exact model (Char-Griller E16620 Akorn) and named it Best Value: it cooks just as well as a more expensive kamado and is very easy to clean, but struggles to hold low smoking temperatures and may not last as long as pricier ceramic kamados. (1 sourced review.)

**Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared** — One whitelisted hands-on tester survived verification — Reviewed (USA Today), whose chef-tester ran the Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared through a live cook-off against seven rivals and ranked it near the bottom. It praised the TRU-Infrared grate's sear and the hinged lid, but flagged a wobbly build, a v-shaped grate that traps grease and burnt bits, grates with no hinges (forcing hands into a dangerously hot spot when adding coals), and a handle-less ash bucket, concluding better grills exist for the price. (1 sourced review.)

## Sources

- Char-Griller AKORN Kamado: https://www.chargriller.com/products/akorn-graphite-16620 (chargriller.com, verified 2026-06-19)
- Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared: https://www.charbroil.com/products/kettleman-tru-infrared-charcoal-grill-black-16301878 (charbroil.com, verified 2026-06-19)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/charcoal-grills/char-griller-akorn-kamado-vs-char-broil-kettleman/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Char-Griller AKORN Kamado ($399.99) vs Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared ($199.99) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/charcoal-grills/char-griller-akorn-kamado-vs-char-broil-kettleman/
License: CC BY 4.0.