Let's Talk BBQ

Outdoor Cooking Equipment => Grills & Smokers => Kamado Style Cookers => Topic started by: Savannahsmoker on February 18, 2017, 12:00:04 PM

Title: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: Savannahsmoker on February 18, 2017, 12:00:04 PM
Hoping someone has laid hands on the Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill and give us some info. 
I am interested if the quality of build is as good or better than Char Griller.
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh471/Savannahsmoker/Charbroil/81OwSerlvnL._SL1500__zpsk6rcbzzl.jpg) (http://s547.photobucket.com/user/Savannahsmoker/media/Charbroil/81OwSerlvnL._SL1500__zpsk6rcbzzl.jpg.html)

(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh471/Savannahsmoker/Charbroil/91swydHL4QL._SL1500__zpsbmnucay2.jpg) (http://s547.photobucket.com/user/Savannahsmoker/media/Charbroil/91swydHL4QL._SL1500__zpsbmnucay2.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: tomcrete1 on February 18, 2017, 12:33:20 PM
I've been lookin and I haven't found it yet  :-X
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: Savannahsmoker on February 18, 2017, 02:13:10 PM
Thanks Tom.
Maybe I will order one from Amazon to check it out and if I don't like it do a return. :D
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: tomcrete1 on February 18, 2017, 03:58:03 PM
Thanks Tom.
Maybe I will order one from Amazon to check it out and if I don't like it do a return. :D

 :thumbup:
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: TMB on February 18, 2017, 04:01:43 PM
Amazon is about the only place you can get one right now
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: muebe on February 18, 2017, 04:37:08 PM
Amazon is great about returning stuff. They credit back your account as soon as you ship it. Before they even get.

Art the design looks good. Will look forward to your experience with it
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: Savannahsmoker on February 18, 2017, 07:34:34 PM
Amazon is great about returning stuff. They credit back your account as soon as you ship it. Before they even get.

Art the design looks good. Will look forward to your experience with it
That was as maybe. :)
Anyway the only thing I did not like about the Char Griller Akorn was was air leak in the bottom pan which Char Broil is solid.
My concern is how thick is the metal sides in case I tip it over like I did with the Akorn.

PS. My Akorn I gave to our neighbors is still working fine, at use a couple times a week.
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: smokeasaurus on February 18, 2017, 07:47:11 PM
I think the air intake is sweet. I have seen quite a bit of UDS with a similar type of air intake......
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: Savannahsmoker on February 18, 2017, 08:31:10 PM
I think the air intake is sweet. I have seen quite a bit of UDS with a similar type of air intake......
X2.
Only thing would be making an adapter to fit my Rock's Stoker 5 CFM fan to it but I am sure it is durable.
My Stoker ran the Akorn at 215 all night once I sealed the bottom.
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: N. Ontario Smoker on February 18, 2017, 11:48:05 PM
I see it on  sale at Menards for $310 after $38.39 rebate. Go to Menards....In their search type in char broil kamander charcoal grill (exactly or it won't work) and click......then check off the 75 items char broil on left..........It's on the second page about 1/2 way down.
   Just judging by the weight it is almost 30 lbs more than the Akorn which could be a good sign of the quality.
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: tomcrete1 on February 19, 2017, 12:04:23 AM
I see it on  sale at Menards for $310 after $38.39 rebate. Go to Menards....In their search type in char broil kamander charcoal grill (exactly or it won't work) and click......then check off the 75 items char broil on left..........It's on the second page about 1/2 way down.
   Just judging by the weight it is almost 30 lbs more than the Akorn which could be a good sign of the quality.

I hope they have it in the store! I'm going tomorrow to look for the new one :D
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: Savannahsmoker on February 19, 2017, 08:09:16 AM
I see it on  sale at Menards for $310 after $38.39 rebate. Go to Menards....In their search type in char broil kamander charcoal grill (exactly or it won't work) and click......then check off the 75 items char broil on left..........It's on the second page about 1/2 way down.
   Just judging by the weight it is almost 30 lbs more than the Akorn which could be a good sign of the quality.

I hope they have it in the store! I'm going tomorrow to look for the new one :D
Good fnd and thanks.  Here is what Amazon states:
Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Assembled dimensions: 43.8" wide x 27.1" deep x 45.8" high. Weighs 117.5 lbs
327 Square inch cooking area with 142 Square inch secondary cooking area
Shipping Weight   128 pounds

Char-Griller 16620 Akorn Kamado
Item Dimensions   21.6 x 28.7 x 24.8 inches
314 square inches of primary cooking space, warming rack 133 square inches for a total of 447 square inches
Item Weight   90 pounds
Shipping Weight   98 pounds

As you said heavier, that could be in the shelf design but hoping it is maybe thicker gage steel.
Also, a larger cooking area in the Char Broil.

Hope they had it also so you can give us a up close hands down opinion. :)
Wonder is Char Griller is making them for Char Broil???
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: smokeasaurus on February 19, 2017, 10:47:28 AM
Every once in a while Char-Broil hits a home run (Kettleman,CB940X) and it looks like they cleared the bases on this one  :thumbup:
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: Savannahsmoker on February 19, 2017, 11:22:04 AM
Every once in a while Char-Broil hits a home run (Kettleman,CB940X) and it looks like they cleared the bases on this one  :thumbup:
I do hope so.

Another item that concerns me is what prevents ash from falling into to air inlet at the botttom?
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh471/Savannahsmoker/Charbroil/91swydHL4QL._SL1500__zpsbmnucay2.jpg) (http://s547.photobucket.com/user/Savannahsmoker/media/Charbroil/91swydHL4QL._SL1500__zpsbmnucay2.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: HighOnSmoke on February 19, 2017, 12:35:52 PM
Isn't that ash pan at the bottom designed to prevent that? Looks like it has openings for air on the sides of the pan but it shouldn't mess with the intake unless it isn't emptied after each cook and falls over the sides.
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: smokeasaurus on February 19, 2017, 12:47:48 PM
Also using lump would help with low ash production if the vents are too close to the bottom............
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: Savannahsmoker on February 19, 2017, 12:54:27 PM
Isn't that ash pan at the bottom designed to prevent that? Looks like it has openings for air on the sides of the pan but it shouldn't mess with the intake unless it isn't emptied after each cook and falls over the sides.
Thinking the same thing Mike but of course not sure until it is seen.

Also using lump would help with low ash production if the vents are too close to the bottom............
Agree with the lump thought but for a slow long cook briquettes burn cooler and more consistent but with more ash.
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: abcbarbecue on February 19, 2017, 01:22:45 PM
I'm just guessing, but I bet that bottom piece that redirects the airflow to the intake vent in the table either comes off for periodic cleanup or has a door or something you can open to clean it out.

If it doesn't then that's a design failure on their part.
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: N. Ontario Smoker on February 19, 2017, 10:00:50 PM
The ash pan comes out from the top not the bottom on this model. Any small bit of ash that gets by the pan just gets swept into
the removable screw cup on the bottom. Also useful if water accidentally gets inside. The air exhaust is on the side by the screw cup so no ash should get in there.
 (http://media6000.dropshots.com/photos/1361189/20170219/214717.jpg)

The porcelain grill has a cutout to add more charcoal easily. I'll probably be selling my Akorn to buy this one.
(http://media6000.dropshots.com/photos/1361189/20170219/214714.jpg)
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: Savannahsmoker on February 19, 2017, 10:16:57 PM
Thanks for posting the pictures and I now see how the air flows into the ash pan under the charcoal.
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: smokeasaurus on February 19, 2017, 11:53:42 PM
This is looking to be quite superior to the Akorn...............
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: Savannahsmoker on February 20, 2017, 12:07:22 PM
This is looking to be quite superior to the Akorn...............
I agree and here a picture of the bottom drain or what ever Char Broil.
Thinking this has the potential to leak in air.
Also this might be an ideal place to install the fan for my Rock's Stoker or an BBQ Grue and others.
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: Savannahsmoker on February 21, 2017, 09:25:45 PM
This is looking to be quite superior to the Akorn...............
I agree and here a picture of the bottom drain or what ever Char Broil.
Thinking this has the potential to leak in air.
Also this might be an ideal place to install the fan for my Rock's Stoker or an BBQ Guru and others.
Oops forget to post the picture
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh471/Savannahsmoker/Charbroil/5669716cv18d_zpsluwahmxo.jpg) (http://s547.photobucket.com/user/Savannahsmoker/media/Charbroil/5669716cv18d_zpsluwahmxo.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: bdejong11129 on July 04, 2017, 05:00:48 PM
Since there are not a lot of reviews or information about this grill yet I thought I would post my first impressions and my thoughts after using this grill.

For the benefit of everyone I would recommend to steer clear of this one! The single major flaw is the intake and the plastic tube that connects to it. The fit of these plastic parts was so poor on mine that it leaked enough air to never allow for control of the temperatures. Even fully closed the temps would continue to rise out of control.

I ended up having to seal it with high temp sealer. It was night and day how much control I then had. However, if I want to grill some steaks and get the grill to searing temperatures I would be very concerned about how the plastic would hold up. When I stoked it up to search off some steaks the bottom of the grill was very hot where the plastic vent pipe connects to the bottom of the grill.  I ended up using my trusty Weber kettle grill the next night.

I contacted CharBroil but their customer support was the worst. The person even argued with me over the serial number. I read it exactly as it was on the label and she told me that was not a serial number.  I had to send a picture of it to them!

Bottom line, learn from me and save the 300.00.

I think with the other options that are available this one is not worth the price or the time. 
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: Savannahsmoker on July 04, 2017, 11:57:56 PM
Thanks for taking one for the time
"Bottom line, learn from me and save the 300.00. "

Thanks and I pass on this CharBoil.
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: jayhendricks on July 18, 2017, 11:42:09 AM
I've had the Kamander for a few months but just had the chance to try it out over July 4th holiday.

I had two boston butts and decided to pick up some ribs for a tasty mid-smoke treat. and I had never done ribs before, so It was more of an experiment.

I started the charcoal and a few logs around 630a, once the fire got going and i closed it, I quickly realized my first mistake. WAY TOO MUCH Charcoal. I was used to using a trailer grill/smoker and piling up the wood/charcoal, and man was that a mistake. It was at 550 degrees, so I emptied it all and let it cool down, got the grill down to about 175 and then put on about 5 coals, and two chunks of hickory, got the heat back up to 275 consistently and then put the meat on.

Over the course of the day I added a couple of coals here or there, but mostly just wood chunks.
Attached picture is with the drip pan still in there, however, I took it out about halfway through - just to be able to get the coal/chunks in easier. Once it was gone, it make it much easier. I'm not knowledgeable enough of how it might have affected the cook time/smoke/flavor though. However, I don't know that it's a good expectation to smoke (and be able to add wood) while keeping the drip pan on there.

Put the butts and ribs on around 830a - 1030a ribs came off and wrapped in foil, then back on, then unwrapped and back on around 1130. at 1230 the ribs came off and were very tender. Next time I'd leave them on about 30 min longer i believe.

I barely adjusted the top damper, past 1.5-2, and kept the bottom damper about the same if not lower. It pulled smoke really well.
Was easy to stay at 250-275 pretty much the whole time - except when I got fidgety and wanted to sneak a peak of course.

The butts stalled out around 150 at 130p for about an hour. I needed them off in 3 hours so I got the heat up to about 290-300 for the last few hours, pulled them off and wrapped them around 5 when they hit 197, and pulled them even though I wanted to get them up to 205 if I could.

Meat was tender - bone slipped right out. I wish I could have gotten the heat up a little longer - but I wasn't disappointed at all. Had plenty of pork for the party, and have been eating on it for a week! I think if I hadn't have had the mishap with the grill getting too hot and losing an hour and a half of cook time - I'd have no regrets.

I'm looking forward to the next one, it's as easy as it gets.
And now that i have done ribs, I can feel comfortable with that option as well!


[attachment removed after 6 months]
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: TMB on July 18, 2017, 11:52:43 AM
I've had the Kamander for a few months but just had the chance to try it out over July 4th holiday.

I had two boston butts and decided to pick up some ribs for a tasty mid-smoke treat. and I had never done ribs before, so It was more of an experiment.

I started the charcoal and a few logs around 630a, once the fire got going and i closed it, I quickly realized my first mistake. WAY TOO MUCH Charcoal. I was used to using a trailer grill/smoker and piling up the wood/charcoal, and man was that a mistake. It was at 550 degrees, so I emptied it all and let it cool down, got the grill down to about 175 and then put on about 5 coals, and two chunks of hickory, got the heat back up to 275 consistently and then put the meat on.

Over the course of the day I added a couple of coals here or there, but mostly just wood chunks.
Attached picture is with the drip pan still in there, however, I took it out about halfway through - just to be able to get the coal/chunks in easier. Once it was gone, it make it much easier. I'm not knowledgeable enough of how it might have affected the cook time/smoke/flavor though. However, I don't know that it's a good expectation to smoke (and be able to add wood) while keeping the drip pan on there.

Put the butts and ribs on around 830a - 1030a ribs came off and wrapped in foil, then back on, then unwrapped and back on around 1130. at 1230 the ribs came off and were very tender. Next time I'd leave them on about 30 min longer i believe.

I barely adjusted the top damper, past 1.5-2, and kept the bottom damper about the same if not lower. It pulled smoke really well.
Was easy to stay at 250-275 pretty much the whole time - except when I got fidgety and wanted to sneak a peak of course.

The butts stalled out around 150 at 130p for about an hour. I needed them off in 3 hours so I got the heat up to about 290-300 for the last few hours, pulled them off and wrapped them around 5 when they hit 197, and pulled them even though I wanted to get them up to 205 if I could.

Meat was tender - bone slipped right out. I wish I could have gotten the heat up a little longer - but I wasn't disappointed at all. Had plenty of pork for the party, and have been eating on it for a week! I think if I hadn't have had the mishap with the grill getting too hot and losing an hour and a half of cook time - I'd have no regrets.

I'm looking forward to the next one, it's as easy as it gets.
And now that i have done ribs, I can feel comfortable with that option as well!
Glad it woprked out for you :thumbup:

I know others are having issues with this unit.   Was looking into getting one but will wait a little longer

Really looking forward to your next post ;)    OBTW,  food looks guuuuuuud!
Title: Re: Char Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
Post by: tomcrete1 on July 19, 2017, 09:45:44 AM
Nicely Done!  Have you tried any high heat cooks on it?  Just curious..