PKGrill new to me! Lovin' it.

[dragoneggs]

I just stumbled on the country cooking forum and this has opened up a whole new area of TBN I now have monitor! :laughing:

Been BBQing forever I am sure like many of you. In short my BBQ journey goes something like this... I have had the classic Weber chargrill, got lazy and went through a few cheapo gas grills (never again), a little Hibachi style, and mini Weber (still have) mainly for camping or other portable ventures. And now I'm on my second Traeger as well as an awesome Vermont Casting Signature Series that I had for a long time but just put out to pasture due to no internal parts available. Oh well. It's actually sitting in my driveway waiting for its trip to the morgue (metal recycle place).

First Traeger was a Costco impulse buy. Used it a lot but only good for smoking (not hot enough). Ended up buying a bigger hotter Traeger again at Costco... and yeah another impulse buy. The salesman convinced me I could easily sell my well used Traeger at 60% of cost of new on Craigslist and he was right. Sold immediately. My Traeger. upgrade will heat up to 450deg but not quite enough for a good sear on a prime steak.

But that was okay because I had my fall back Vermont Casting. That thing would easily cook over 700deg if I wanted. After lots of researching and YouTube vids, decided to get the PK360 grill from PKGrills.com. Arkansas company that's been around since the early 50's I think.

Cast hand poured aluminum shell. Warranted for 20 years! I think this will be the last BBQ I will buy and I think it is the best combination smoker/griller I've ever used or seen. And it's portable!

I will still use my Traeger for unattended smoking but it is sure great to get back to old school bbq'ing for the best in flavor.

I did a search on PK grills here on TBN and came up with nothing so just wondering if anyone else has one and their thoughts. My first two weeks has been quite a honeymoon. :licking:

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I just stumbled on the country cooking forum and this has opened up a whole new area of TBN I now have monitor! :laughing:

Been BBQing forever I am sure like many of you. In short my BBQ journey goes something like this... I have had the classic Weber chargrill, got lazy and went through a few cheapo gas grills (never again), a little Hibachi style, and mini Weber (still have) mainly for camping or other portable ventures. And now I'm on my second Traeger as well as an awesome Vermont Casting Signature Series that I had for a long time but just put out to pasture due to no internal parts available. Oh well. It's actually sitting in my driveway waiting for its trip to the morgue (metal recycle place).

First Traeger was a Costco impulse buy. Used it a lot but only good for smoking (not hot enough). Ended up buying a bigger hotter Traeger again at Costco... and yeah another impulse buy. The salesman convinced me I could easily sell my well used Traeger at 60% of cost of new on Craigslist and he was right. Sold immediately. My Traeger. upgrade will heat up to 450deg but not quite enough for a good sear on a prime steak.

But that was okay because I had my fall back Vermont Casting. That thing would easily cook over 700deg if I wanted. After lots of researching and YouTube vids, decided to get the PK360 grill from PKGrills.com. Arkansas company that's been around since the early 50's I think.

Cast hand poured aluminum shell. Warranted for 20 years! I think this will be the last BBQ I will buy and I think it is the best combination smoker/griller I've ever used or seen. And it's portable!

I will still use my Traeger for unattended smoking but it is sure great to get back to old school bbq'ing for the best in flavor.

I did a search on PK grills here on TBN and came up with nothing so just wondering if anyone else has one and their thoughts. My first two weeks has been quite a honeymoon. :licking:

Are we talking primarily grilling as opposed to long smoking times for say a brisket or ribs?

 

[dragoneggs]

So far I have used the PK for grilling and that will be primarily the use. Done some shorter smokes. Vegetables and seafood. Long smokes will happen but I'm going to do ribs and compare to the Traeger. It's more work to maintain the temp so it will have to be much better tasting for the PK to get the nod on a long smoke.

 

[Ford850]

I've never seen one of those. I'm sort of stuck on the large Weber kettle now. At one time I only used it for occasional grilling but once I got comfortable with the many charcoal arrangements and venting techniques I haven't been looking for a better option. I use it for direct, indirect, short or all day smoking. I'm sure that would be the same with any of them, as the more you use them the better you get at using them. How do you like that PK compared to a weber kettle?

 

[Popgadget]

I’ve got to say that I really like the quality and features of the PK from looking at it.

Made me want one, but I’ve got a 36” Lynx Commercial series grill and a BBQ Guru Shotgun smoker already. It’s tough to beat the convenience of the gas grill, and the smoker takes care of long cooks, it will run almost 24 hours on one load of lump at 250 degrees. It does well on short runs or small loads as well, but I’ve done 3 full packer briskets in it at once.

 

[mark02tj]

Interesting that they use aluminium for the cookbox. I just bought an MHP propane grill that is also aluminium. Lifetime warranty on it. That PK looks like a nice charcoal grill. I'm sure you're going to enjoy it.

 

[Molalla1]

So far I have used the PK for grilling and that will be primarily the use. Done some shorter smokes. Vegetables and seafood. Long smokes will happen but I'm going to do ribs and compare to the Traeger. It's more work to maintain the temp so it will have to be much better tasting for the PK to get the nod on a long smoke.

Nice dragon! How are the steaks from it?

 

[coobie]

Good purchase dragon eggs.I like you started with a weber kettle grill (charcoal).Purchased a big green grill about 15 years ago and burn lump charcoal it,s built like a tank.This year we purchased a Yoder ys480 with competition cart wood pellet smoker for brisket, turkeys and such.Love it so far.

 

[dragoneggs]

Nice dragon! How are the steaks from it?

First try tenderloins turned out great... so nice to be back to charcoal (lump in this case). Using Royal Oak Lump from HD.



I bought the optional grill grates. They do a great job searing and keeping any flame ups from happening.



I also like the side tables with hanging rods.



You can see my mini Weber that I use to place my chimney when lighting and storing. I have found that it is great place to use the chimney so I don't get ash on the cooking surface and any hot coals are captured vs. falling on the grill or wood deck!

 

[Molalla1]

Oh boy . . . might have to try one of these! :licking:

 

[dragoneggs]

I've never seen one of those. I'm sort of stuck on the large Weber kettle now. At one time I only used it for occasional grilling but once I got comfortable with the many charcoal arrangements and venting techniques I haven't been looking for a better option. I use it for direct, indirect, short or all day smoking. I'm sure that would be the same with any of them, as the more you use them the better you get at using them. How do you like that PK compared to a weber kettle?

It's been awhile since I had my Weber Kettle grill... I don't even remember the diameter but I think it was the 22in. Theoretically a little more surface area but I think I like the rounded rectangle of the PK (360sq in). The PK cast aluminum capsule definitely retains the heat far better, temp doesn't drop as fast and recovers faster as well.

The indirect heating/venting feature is awesome. There are two intake valves on the bottom left/right sides that can be independently throttled by nobs sticking out the front, as well as two exhaust vents on the left/right top of the unit. No needing to reach down low and underneath the grill to adjust. The knobs themselves are hollow allowing the air in... (genius).

All in all I would say the PK360 is in another class but also in price.

 

[dragoneggs]

Oh boy . . . might have to try one of these! :licking:

I hate to tell you this but right now it is $100 off and free shipping. Also discount on some awesome accessories.

The New PK36 Grill & Smoker | PK Grills

 

[Ford850]

The thick body would definitely help in cold weather, once it was warm.

 

[Molalla1]

dragon, don't hate to tell me that! I'm on it. Thank you. Sooo, you recommend the optional grill grates?

 

[dragoneggs]

dragon, don't hate to tell me that! I'm on it. Thank you. Sooo, you recommend the optional grill grates?

Absolutely... if you are a steak guy!

 

[Molalla1]

Absolutely... if you are a steak guy!

Yep and yep! Great info dragon.

 

[dragoneggs]

dragon, don't hate to tell me that! I'm on it. Thank you. Sooo, you recommend the optional grill grates?

I bought the grates, the cover, and the charcoal basket. Hemmed and hawed on the basket but it is heavy duty. Honestly haven't used it yet but it could be real handy if you are indirect heating or want to move your heat around. Oh... also the grill grate brush that fits in between the slots. The grate itself comes with a 'fingered' spatula that allows you to get under and lift... cool.

 

[Molalla1]

I bought the grates, the cover, and the charcoal basket. Hemmed and hawed on the basket but it is heavy duty. Honestly haven't used it yet but it could be real handy if you are indirect heating or want to move your heat around. Oh... also the grill grate brush that fits in between the slots. The grate itself comes with a 'fingered' spatula that allows you to get under and lift... cool.

I'm close to pressing the button on this one, just going to tell the wife after I press it . . . :laughing: always want a cover too.

 

[dragoneggs]

I'm close to pressing the button on this one, just going to tell the wife after I press it . . . :laughing: always want a cover too.

Which color... silver or charcoal? That was my hardest decision. The silver is the classic but I went with charcoal.

 

[Molalla1]

Same here . . . charcoal. When you use them I believe the silver will, shall we say lose it's color.