Awesome comparison video Tom! I have the original Akorn and the Masterbuilt 1050. The Akorn will always be my favorite.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching Stacy!

Great video Tom , awesome comparison 👍👍

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for Watching and Supporting!

Watched it a few minutes ago with my coffee and Sunday morning cigar. Great video, Tom. I have the 980 but I'm eventually going to pick up the auto-kamado. With those two along with my Masterbuilt 30" electric smoker and my Weber Gensis II propane grill, I'll have all my bases covered.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching Garretto! Yes you will

I have watched so many grill reviews over the years. Most are hard to get through because I’m ADD and they drag it out a lot. Yours are very direct and hold my attention. I’ve been wanting to get a gravity grill for about a year. I just stumbled upon the char griller Akron today. That’s what lead me to your videos. You’ve answered all of my questions. I’m going with the akorn.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Brandon! Appreciate the feedback! Enjoy!

@mikecarter523

Жыл бұрын

I was think the same thing. He is direct no wasted time

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching Mike!

Had the 980 for several months, it did mostly great. Just ordered the auto k, I was missing the direct-over-charcoal cooking/searing. Can't wait to try it out.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching!

Awesome job Tom. Your one of the few true honest KZreadrs left! Cheers.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching Tommy! Right back at you, my friend!

Loving my Akorn, just cooked 21 pieces of Chicken on it last night and still had plenty of heat when I shut it down that I smoked some jalepeno beef sauasge on the upper rack. Thanks for getting it broke in and seasoned for me!

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching Curtis! Glad you are enjoying! Thanks for the Goodies!

Amazing... thanks for the great video!

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Got my Auto Kamado on an incredible deal!! Waiting for a cover before I assemble and use it. Thanks for the comparison 👍🏻

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Congrats on the Grill!

That auto Akorn is a compelling package for sure. I think if I could have just one I'd be torn between the Weber Summit kamado and that Akorn. Thanks for putting out great informative content sir.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching! Appreciate the feedback

Great review,Tom, I want both!!!! Lol

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching Robert! Lol……

Great review Tom. I found the disposable aluminum pans at Walmart that fit on top of the diffuser that comes with the auto-konado so I didn’t have to use the warming rack when I smoked my ribs. I put it under the main cast iron grates and it worked fine.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Yup, I’ve done that also

@MrVandoc

Жыл бұрын

So it balanced fine on the metal diffuser that came with the grill?

@gardeningandgrowing6357

Жыл бұрын

@@MrVandoc It does. No problem. I’ve done it numerous times. The pan is aluminum so it has some give in the middle.

Hey Tom, Great comparison review I had all but decided on the master built 800 then when I saw the auto Kamado I knew that was the one for me I did my first cook tonight and it perform perfectly I had seasoned it last night and I was surprised to see how little charcoal it had used I ran it at 375 for about an hour and then ramp it up to 600 just to see how fast he can get there and it really didn’t use much at all at this rate I think I can afford some B&B lump🙂 have a good one🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching John! Congrats on the new Kamado!

Good review Tom

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching James!

Nice review. I've not used a gravity fed, but am definitely partial to my Kamado

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching Jeff!

Tom ... this is a comparison I've been waiting for!! Since 90% of the time I'm just cooking for my wife and me I don't need the cooking capacity of the 980 ... I was looking at the Char Griller 560 which really brings the choice to a coin toss when it comes to cost and size when compared to the Auto Kamado. Excluding size do feel the relevant points you raise for the 980 (controller, heat distribution, reliability, smoke flavor, etc) apply to the 560? You can't really find a lot of info on the 560 any more because of the popularity of the newer and larger larger gravity fed cookers. I love the look and performance of the Auto Kamado but want to be sure I look at all the options. Love your reviews!!!

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching James! I would still rate the Kamado over the 560

Hey Tom! Great Challenge Vid! Just from the aspect of Fuel Consumption, and the reason why I never got one, the Gravity Pit is Out. The Auto-Kamado Wins! 👍 Just wish they would make a 22" version wish a Fold Down shelf and All Stainless Grates. 👍 Metal On! \🔥/

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ken! I agree!

Great comparison/review Tom. It looks like fuel consumption and space (storage and cooking area) are the key decision factors. Unless I would be cooking a lot of food often, the Auto Kamado would be my choice. It would have been so easy to give the option to manual vent the Auto. I'm surprised they didn't accommodate that. By chance will the ash catcher/bottom vent on the Acorn fit the Auto Kamado? I have to imagine you vetted that already. Honestly, if someone wanted to try a Kamado style grill, the Acorn, Auto or Kettle Joe are the logical first step.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching Ted! Yup the ash catcher from the regular Akorn fits the auto kamado. Appreciate the feedback

Ok, Tom. My wife is not very happy with you. But, I will say, if not for your videos I would not be enjoying my new Auto Kamado! I love this thing. Just completed my first cook on it. LOVE IT!! I will be selling my pellet pit now. The smoke flavor and reliability of this Kamado is amazing. Again, I would not have purchased it if not for your many reviews of it. You convinced me, I needed it. My wife says I needed it like I needed a hole in my head. She is still upset, but she did like the meat that came off of it. :)

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching! Appreciate the feedback! Enjoy!

I have the Auto Komado and the 1050. The Akorn is by far the most efficient pit I have ever used in my life! I have found with the Komado I add more wood chunks to get more flavor.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Appreciate the feedback!

@edwardmiskotten2380

Жыл бұрын

I can’t find one. (Auto kamado).

Sorry if someone else already asked this but you speculated that the 980 might give a better smoke flavor since it burns more fuel. Have you noticed that in reality yet over time? Thanks for what you do, you're helping a lot of folks out there!

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Scott! Yes, I believe that to be true

Nice comparison. Was expecting a more one sided perspective given the price points. I plan to buy the auto kamado this spring.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! Enjoy!

Tom, thank you for the review helped a lot. I have a Weber with a slow n sear ,would you recommend the Akron auto or getting a spider venom for my Weber.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for Watching Joe! Either one will do a great job! The Weber is a 22” and the Akorn 18” so more room. The Akorn is a Kamado and much more efficient than the kettle

You mention how much more efficient the Komado is, will you be doing a comparison with the 980? I'd love to see some actuel numbers. I love my Masterbuilt 560, but it woofs down charcoal. I'm definitely interested in the Kamado, but would be interested to see run times for both full. Lump is a good deal more expensive than charcoal here. So fuel consumption would help me figure out which would be cheaper to operate in the long term.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching JR. it’s possible that I may. Although from using them both I can tell you that the from fuel efficiency the Kamado is at least 50-75% more efficient

I want both!!

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching David! Agreed

I would choose the auto kamado I think. Going to wait off on it just in case Chargriller decides to make a larger unit. If not, I still have the OG Akorn which works perfectly, I can wait. If one of the big two do some improvements or upgrades to the gravity fed grills, I might look at those as well. But as it sits, would pick the auto kamado.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching Troy! Appreciate the feedback!

I have the 980 and what is do is look for sales on charcoal and buy 100 lbs or so. I hit a sale at menards for ok Joe's charcoal on sale for $6 an 18lb bag and bought 6 bags and I get about 3 cooks per bag.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching!

That shelf on the left of the 980 looks bent upward. Going to guess due to thin metal when using the shelf to lift-up when moving the grill around. I don't think you'll run into that with the auto kamado. I think the Kamado will generally last longer.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching! Agreed

On the fence big time. I have had the og for 5 years and been happy. I think the extra space would be nice though.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching Nick!

Tom, on the auto Kamado which ceramic diverter fits? The Jr or?? I wanna buy the ceramic one but am not sure

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

Жыл бұрын

The one for the Akorn Joseph. The same size as the Auto Kamado. Thanks for watching

Nice comparison! Will a slow-n-sear fit in the Auto Kamado? I have a Weber 22 kettle and Have been eyeing this new Auto Kamado.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching! I havent tried, not sure why you would want to.

@spiritsofthedistilledkind3633

2 жыл бұрын

@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ I’m just so use to using one on my Weber I’m come accustom to always cooking with it, and it gives you a good two heat zone cooking space, not to mention it has the water trough.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Ok, you could definitely try to use the SNS

Ok Tom I have one for ya. I’m in love with my 980 but… I’m trying to transition from my gas bbq to charcoal. I’m considering the Auto Kamado over the Weber kettle. I’d like to get a non bias comparison on a low/slow and a hot/fast. I’m personally leaning toward the Auto Kamado.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

Жыл бұрын

Both can what you are asking for,, The Weber kettle will be cheaper, but will use more charcoal. The auto Kamado will dial itself in and do hot and fast with little effort and it won’t burn thriugh a lot of fuel, plus it’s double walled insulated so it will perform better in colder weather. The porcelain coated enamel of the Weber will make it last longer than the painted steel of the auto kamado. It’s really up to you to decide what you really want and what your needs really are. Good Luck!

@josephgill2449

Жыл бұрын

Dusty Mitchell ... I have a Weber Kettle and LOVE it - except for the difficulty (for me) in regulating the low n slow temps :( I've searched high and low (no pun intended ;)) for a resolution, including the Slow n Sear, all for naught :( Definitely taking a close look at this Auto Kamado!! Thanks for your well-balanced review Tom!

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching Joseph! Appreciate the feedback

Hey Tom is there anyway you can drop the link to the brisket cook you did on the auto kamado? For some reason I cant find it. BTW I love the auto kamado.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching Chris!…….kzread.info/dash/bejne/a3V7ktJ6kZDTaJs.html

@chrismilanowski5301

2 жыл бұрын

@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ your the man thank you

Kamado gets my vote. Both very nice.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching Eric! Me too!

Any idea how long you can go low and slow on the Kamado Auto before you need to add charcoal? This would require you to remove the grates (and possibly the food) and diffuser plate while cooking. Thanks.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Easily 12 hours

@crazygawj

2 жыл бұрын

@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ Wow! Thank you sir!

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

It’s an awesome Kamado!

What happens if you lose power or are someplace that doesn't have electricity? Can you still cook? I remember you set up a battery with a converter to one of your grills. Is this possible w the kamado? (Let's name him "Otto"). Does the standard Akorn base w regular air vents fit on Otto?

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Steve! Yes the standard base with vents fits the Otto. Yes you can use a battery backup on Otto. I’ll do a video to show how

@tedz.

2 жыл бұрын

On a campout with a bunch of the guys, we cooked on my Z Grills pellet smoker and a friend's 980. It's a very primitive site, so there is no power. We used a power station to run both grills for the whole cook. As Tom showed on a previous video, once these get up to temp, the controller/fan/auger use very little power. The Z Grills used a bit more at the start because of the ignition rod, but once it's going, the auger and fan draw very little.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching Ted! Appreciate the feedback

What would you choose, the Auto komdo or a Weber 22 grill? How's the clean up on the auto?

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching Jim! Not really a fair comparison,,,, but I’d take the Auto Kamado over the 22. Clean up is easy on the Akorn

@JimNapaCA

2 жыл бұрын

@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ I'm having the temp control problem with my Weber. How's burgers and steaks do?

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Steak and Burgers are excellent Jim!

Did you paint the ash catcher for the 70th anniversary Weber kettle?

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Actually I swapped it with another Weber that had the black one. Like the way it looks better

I used to smoke on a big green egg Tom, and it made some good slow smoked brisket and pork butts I must say, I was leaning towards the 980, but you just sold Me on the auto Kamado, James

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching James! Congrats on the Auto Kamado!

@johnmbell4642

2 жыл бұрын

James I’ve had a vision Kamado for 15 years very similar to the green egg I recently purchased the auto kamado and I couldn’t be happier The things that bothered me the most with my old grill are fixed with the new going from a low temperature to a higher temperature, cleaning the ash out so much easier it’s not even funny my grill would take three or four hours to cool down enough to be able to cover it with the cover can’t tell you how many times it got rained on because it was too hot to cover before I went to bed or it rained. The outside of the Grill stays much cooler you can cover it within say an hour hour and a half depending on how hot you get the grill also the app on your phone shows you the internal temperature even after you shut off the grill so you can just check your phone and when the internal temperature drops below 200 the grill is definitely cool enough to cover The app works incredibly well love this grill john

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching John! Appreciate the feedback

I’ll tell ya what I want! I have the 980, but I want to add the auto kamado mainly for hot and fast. The 980 is a beast for low and slow and I’ve added the LSS mods from Luke but for searing the auto kamado wins hands down because flame kissed steaks are the best! The 980 will get to the temp for sure but it’s heat only, no flame under the meat! So everyone, be like Tom H and get both.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching Eric! Appreciate the feedback! I agree!

Enjoyed your presentation, Tom. Question:does the auto kamado function well in case you don't have electricity available? Will it still roll like a standard Akorn? Thank you

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Good question, it will not, however like I’ve shown on the Gravity series it can be run with a inexpensive cell phone battery backup as long as you have the proper cable. I’ll make a video to show how it works

Is that a new grill in that box on the masterbuilt in the back ground

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching Doug! Good eye!,, it a new grill accessory for the MB

What size turkey could you smoke on the auto kamado?

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching Steven! Haven’t tried, so I don’t know

Loved mine until I started getting erp code. Now it’s stuck on erp code and nothing helps it from char grillers web site. I asked for a new temp sensor but no response other than check this check that! Edit: did get a response to my email just didn’t show up as unread. Weird.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching Daniel! I haven't had that issue......yet

@DanielBenfield

2 жыл бұрын

@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ hopefully you never do. Awesome grill otherwise

Great video! Can you use the auto kamado as a grill without using the fan?

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for Watching Brent! Yes, especially with the original Akorn charcoal grate with vent

@brentroberts8632

11 ай бұрын

Sounds good! One more question…is the auto kamado better than the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560?

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

11 ай бұрын

2 different setups Brent. 560 will give you more room

@brentroberts8632

11 ай бұрын

@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ room isn’t a big issue…I enjoy smoking and grilling…just trying to find the right/best one to get. My wife will kill me if I add too many more grills/smokers. Auto kamado or Masterbuilt gravity which is the overall best in the grill master’s opinion

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

11 ай бұрын

@brentroberts8632 Brent, either one will work just fine. Enjoy!

Is it hard to reduce the temp in the auto kamado?

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching Michael! All Kamado struggle in lowering the temp especially from like 700 to 225. I’ve done it , you just need to leave the lid open, but that also feed more oxygen, which doesn’t help. I’m not aware of any cooking techniques that call for high heat and then low heat. If you need that get yourself a gas grill

Plan to try the new CC Apex???

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching, the camp chef apex…. I have seen it, looks pretty darn cool

Plan to try the new Apex??!

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching! Haven’t seen it

I liked the auto komado when it work but after three cooks it broke and am having a hard time with customer service.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Wow, let us know how it turns out

@nicholasdemarest4254

2 жыл бұрын

Well after a week of back and forth emails they said I should have the parts in 14 days. If this model was listed on there site to buy parts I would just buy a couple spares.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the update, what specifically is the issues?

@nicholasdemarest4254

2 жыл бұрын

Every time you open the lid you get a probe error. I don't know if the wire was to tight but installed it per assembly instructions. Also not sure if the fan is bad or not but the probe reads right when the lid is closed. So decided to try and use the grill and got up to temp, put food on and temps just fell and fan wasn't blowing.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

I’ve heard of others having the same issue, it’s a bad probe

If you had to choose one 🤣. There's always room for one more in the land of grills.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Jim! Always Room!

I have two friends with the 980 or a model just like it, I just got the Auto Kamado as it was on sale for $220. They both have their place for sure (capacity is one big difference, the other is amount of fuel) but at about the 8min park you mention smoke flavor and how more wood, more smoke, more flavor. I can not recall the source, but there was some pretty scientific testing done that your food really only abosorbs a small amount of smoke, and once that layer of food has pretty much been smoked any additional smoke really does not change it any further. I have pretty much confirmed this in my own testing with a box smoker, having a slight haze of smoke you can barely see, vs a chimney that was sending out enough smoke to look like a diesel dragster. In the separate cooks, the food came out pretty much the same.

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Appreciate the feedback, very interesting

while scanning the land of grills,,, it looks to me like you have thinned the heard a little bit... have you sold off some members lately Tom??? 😁😁😁

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Some were transferred to the basement and 3 have been sold off. Good eye

I got my Auto Komado on clearance last fall from Walmart for $225!!!! Excellent cooker!!! I cook on it all the time and I have 7 different cookers

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching Dale! Enjoy!

You know what would also makes storage easier? Not having 55 grills. ;)

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Scotty! Wha!!!!!!

So have you tried running straight wood in the Auto Kamado instead of lump , and if you have what was the run time, would it burn longer than say 16 hrs , i got mine 3 days ago seasoned it and did a first cook, and it tuned out good, second cook was a disaster , i used cowboy lump and 1 hickory split in there about 12 inches long and the taste was foul terrible on a chuck roast and the vegetables i smoked you could not eat , cooking on this is way different than an offset, the offset does not put such an intense flavor of smoke , and it was burning clean , at times for some reason it would seem to get dirty thick smoke, but I attributed that to the fan ramping up to keep temp , but it was smoky , so i am not exactly sure what I did wrong , I think it might be applying what i know about running a offset and trying to do that with a Kamado , i even went to the point of shutting the fan door to restrict some air flow

@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for Watching George! Have not tried straight wood, I also leave the fan door closed, especially when it’s warmer out and I’m doing low and slow, better temp control in my opinion