Komado Joe. Better customer service.
https://www.youtube.com/user/KamadoJoeGrills
Big Green Egg pure hype. No better than one in the link below IMHO. Both of the above are fancy flower pot cookers susceptible to flying shrapnel from the mower.
https://www.amazon.com/Char-Griller-16620-Kamado-Charcoal-Barbecue/dp/B00GJEPTJS
My Iphone and the Macbook Pro I'm typing this on has never given me any issues. I believe both are made in China.
Read my post again. One flying object from a mower, and you will be overcome with instant regret. I own two Acorn's and they are just fine. Granted you get what you pay for.There's a reason why Akorn is cheap. You really want a smoker with a painted finish? Watch how quickly it starts to rush after the temp gets above 450 degrees. And when your learning on a smoker, that will happen many times. The Akorn Kamado has known longevity problems like any painted steel grill. A BG Egg, Kamado Joe, Primo Gill or a stainless steel smoker will be around years longer than any Akorn smoker. You pay for what you get.