Do I need a PK Grill? Talk me into it!

[Huskee]

PK Grill lovers, explain to me why you love your PK Grill and why you think I would too.

I've never used one. From afar, the appeal looks to be that they're solid, tank-like, and last forever, and have that vintage "The same grill granpda bought" image. And the square shape may fit food more conveniently (theoretically) and be pretty easy to setup up 2 or 3 zones.

Can I get an 8-10hr smoke on it with a single chimney full of charcoal as on the kettle equipped with the SnS?

If I have a 22" kettle and a 26" kettle, will there be any point to me getting a PK? (Not counting MCS of course)

Any other thoughts, perspective and advice is welcome.

[Spinaker]

Hahaha, you know damn well there is no reason, other than MCS, to buy one. Your looking for someone to talk you out of it. Not talk you into it!

The afflicted often resort to such tactics.

[Huskee]

Hahaha, you know damn well there is no reason, other than MCS, to buy one. Your looking for someone to talk you out of it. Not talk you into it!

The afflicted often resort to such tactics.

Lol. Nah, I'm not really in the market for one. I'm honestly looking for someone to talk me into it, I wanna see what the fuss is about without actually asking "What is all the fuss about?" Now if they're coming out with a lager one, as in the rumor mill, then I might be interested.

[Mosca]

I dont have one, but I see this as an "either or" deal. If you have a kettle, you don't need a PK. If you have a PK, you don't need a kettle.

(Unless you want two grills, of course.)

[billg71]

If you had one you'd know.

[RonB]

I don't know that I've ever seen one, but what could it hurt if you have the space? It will be another option, and more space to cook AND you will get the joy of learning a new cooker.

Did this help?

[Huskee]

Absolutely valid points

[Spinaker]

Do I need one? No. Do I want one? Yes. Am I afflicted with MCS? Yes. Will I end up buying one regardless of redundancy? Yes.

[Mosca]

Well there you have it!

[Gator Lau]

I think you should get one. Then you can talk me (and others) into getting one because of all the reasons YOU like it. Maybe by then, I'll even know what one is.

[DWCowles]

Nah Huskee, you don't need it. Just save your money for the Aaron Franklin's stickburner coming out next year.

[JCBBQ]

DWCowles what's the ETA on that stickburner? Anything more specific than 2017? I'm waiting to see this before I decide on a stick burner for myself.

[DWCowles]

That's what Henrik said that Aaron Franklin told them when he attended his BBQ class.

[Henrik]

Yes, I can verify that. But the big question is: when? I have no idea. We'll have to watch out for any announcements coming from Franklin HQ I guess.

[jgg85234]

You could always explain to your wife that with your severe case of MCS, using up the patio space with the PK keeps you from buying something much more expensive such as a Komodo Kamado

Jim

[carolts]

So I do have a PK and I love it. I don't have a kettle, but did in the way distant past.

One of the comments in the review of the Primo Jr. (which I also have) mentions an advantage of the oval shape over the round kamado is that you can do 2-zone cooking more easily. I'm not sure why that's a problem of round kamados and not kettles, as I know you all swear by the 2-zone SNS setup. Perhaps it's because the fire grate area of a kamado is so much smaller than a kettle.

I only mention the above because it's dead simple to set up 2-zone in a PK in the same way it's dead simple on my Primo; fire on one side, meat on the other, with a regularly-shaped area for both. I use a simple bbq basket for the coals, although PK now sells their own version. I haven't used a water pan, but I also haven't done an 8 - 10 hour cook. I've maxed out at 6 and still had coals left. You can shut down the dampers enough to save briquets for the next cook. The hinged grate would make adding coals easy if necessary.

I do like the four sliding dampers that allow you to somewhat direct the smoke/heat. In 2-zone I open one under the coals and one over the meat. When I'm looking to sear, I open one under the coals and one over the coals, shutting the other side of the grill down. I rarely do a full load across the entire grill, but when I have for a hot cook I open all the dampers and let 'er rip. With the bottom vents, the ash falls through the bottom onto the shelf, much like a kettle without the ash bucket. Some have rigged ash catchers, but I've never felt the need. Oh, and the top is on a hinge.

One possible advantage, although I've not done it yet, is portability. The grill "capsule" lifts off the stand without tools. I've seen people set it on a couple of bricks for a travel cook.

One really nice thing: Aluminum doesn't rust. I live on the coast and that's a big deal for me.

YMMV

[Powersmoke_80]

I think the two zone problem on a round Kamado style is due to the high mass holding the heat it all evens out where a kettle is uninsulated and loses enough heat to have two zones.

[carolts]

That doesn't quite explain how I can get 2-zones on my Primo Oval, but could have a lot to do with it in a more round shape.

[bbqoaf]

I don't think you can risk not getting one, the consequences are too great!

[MBMorgan]

You don't need a PK ... you need four PK's ... in order to maintain BBQ symmetry and balance with the four Weber kettles in your siggy. You then graciously let your boss negotiate you back down to one ... which you can easily afford because you didn't have to spend any money on the other three.

[Bob's BBQ]

This is the type of awesome reasoning that will get me in trouble with the boss for sure!

[Nate]

Well if you are really looking for reasons:
1. Research and Development
2. Further your knowledge
3. To master so you can offer even more expert advice on it here in the Pit (tax write off?)
4. Your yard doesn't have enough lawn ornaments
5. And because the best time to buy something is when you don't need it... that way it isn't an act of desperation. lol.

[Huskee]

5 wonderful reasons! Tax writeoff is a good one.

[Meathead]

They have newly designed models coming out in January I think. Probably more $$$, but the design has several improvements.

[JCBBQ]

Hey Meathead, have you heard anything about a launch date for Aaron Franklin's off set that is supposed to come out next year?

[billg71]

Well that's interesting. Do you know more or are under an NDA? Inquiring minds want to know....

[billg71]

PK Grill lovers, explain to me why you love your PK Grill and why you think I would too.

I've never used one. From afar, the appeal looks to be that they're solid, tank-like, and last forever, and have that vintage "The same grill granpda bought" image. And the square shape may fit food more conveniently (theoretically) and be pretty easy to setup up 2 or 3 zones.

You hit the nail on the head with all the above, you're halfway there.

Can I get an 8-10hr smoke on it with a single chimney full of charcoal as on the kettle equipped with the SnS?

I doubt it, the vent adjustments on the PK are pretty basic. I guess with enough fiddling you could but if you have a kettle/SNS why bother? I never did. It's a grill, not a smoker.

If I have a 22" kettle and a 26" kettle, will there be any point to me getting a PK? (Not counting MCS of course)
Any other thoughts, perspective and advice is welcome.

I never had a 26" kettle, I had a 22 and a Performer but I still used the PK for quick cooks. The kettles grew into a Summit Charcoal(amazing how that happens) but I'll never abandon my PK. It's just so quick and easy to go out and light your charcoal, wait another 5 minutes for the grill to warm up and cook your steak or hamburger or whatever. And when reverse-searing(which is most of what I do on the PK) you have more area for searing than on the SNS. You can prop the charcoal grate up on a couple bricks and get an amazing sear in no time if you're inclined. Besides, it's the only thing I own that was born the same year I was and still works.

And it's just cool!

HTH,
Bill