I found what I think it is a good deal for my area. Looks like near brand new Akorn + smoking stone + cover for $175.
The idea is that I can use it for cooking two items at different temps at the same time, learn better fire management on a cooker that is pretty close to set & forget, and have a cheap entry point into kamado cooking that meets my mobility criteria (see garage storage). I have realized after being here a while that I was awful at fire management with the PBC and Weber, which definitely hurt my results in retrospect, so there's more that I can learn and do.
The MB560 can be the set and forget option, whereas the Akorn can be if I want to spend a bit more time adjusting things, as I don't plan to run it with a temp controller. The ability to sear and smoke gives me a back-up in case the MB560 fails, and I think I can elevate my steak game with the ability to sear directly over the coals. And it will give me some experience if I ever want to upgrade to a more expensive kamado, so I know how the whole thing works. It also seems to work pretty well in winters, which would be ideal for my winter smokes. So, I think it checks all of the boxes.
I've read all of the stickies in the other kamado forum: https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/fo...mados-and-misc, Jim's SNSKamado posts, and the Kamado book of knowledge here : https://www.kamadoguru.com/topic/434...-of-knowledge/ .
Currently, the plan is to clean it up, follow the Taming procedures outlined here ( https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/fo...-savage-kamado ), see if anything needs sealed with the gasket sealant I have, and start with a pork butt or some ribeyes.
What I am missing? Any other recommendations for a hopefully new Akorn owner?
I've read about the Kick Ash Basket, but looking to avoid more accessories at this point until I see if it is really needed with the multiple cookers.
Yes, I will add pics when I pick it up.
The idea is that I can use it for cooking two items at different temps at the same time, learn better fire management on a cooker that is pretty close to set & forget, and have a cheap entry point into kamado cooking that meets my mobility criteria (see garage storage). I have realized after being here a while that I was awful at fire management with the PBC and Weber, which definitely hurt my results in retrospect, so there's more that I can learn and do.
The MB560 can be the set and forget option, whereas the Akorn can be if I want to spend a bit more time adjusting things, as I don't plan to run it with a temp controller. The ability to sear and smoke gives me a back-up in case the MB560 fails, and I think I can elevate my steak game with the ability to sear directly over the coals. And it will give me some experience if I ever want to upgrade to a more expensive kamado, so I know how the whole thing works. It also seems to work pretty well in winters, which would be ideal for my winter smokes. So, I think it checks all of the boxes.
I've read all of the stickies in the other kamado forum: https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/fo...mados-and-misc, Jim's SNSKamado posts, and the Kamado book of knowledge here : https://www.kamadoguru.com/topic/434...-of-knowledge/ .
Currently, the plan is to clean it up, follow the Taming procedures outlined here ( https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/fo...-savage-kamado ), see if anything needs sealed with the gasket sealant I have, and start with a pork butt or some ribeyes.
What I am missing? Any other recommendations for a hopefully new Akorn owner?
I've read about the Kick Ash Basket, but looking to avoid more accessories at this point until I see if it is really needed with the multiple cookers.
Yes, I will add pics when I pick it up.
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