My KK’s aren’t exactly portable, so am contemplating a PK Classic or 360. Some details:
Will be cooking for 6 adults and planning at least one low n’ slow in addition to some 2-zone.
Need something that will fit in the back of my CR-V with one seat folded down while leaving room for bags. There will be another car with more people and bags.
The winning grill should be sufficiently user friendly that my wife will want to use it - she’ll cook with charcoal, but the KK’s scare her. So...this is for her. That’s my story and I’m sticking with it.
Yes, the beach rental comes with a gasser, but let’s not go there...
Large Big Green Egg, Weber Performer Deluxe, Weber Smokey Joe Silver, Fireboard Drive, 3 DigiQs, lots of Thermapens, and too much other stuff to mention.
John "JR"
Minnesota/ United States of America
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The 360 has more capacity (360 vs 310) It also has more dome room for large stuff like hams and turkeys. But how many of those are you going to be cooking this summer?
The 360 has more self space and a choice of materials. It also sits higher, which is a huge plus, as far as I am concerned.
Both can be used with out the stand, with means they are both pack well.
Honestly, it comes down to the extra space, 304 stainless grates, bigger side tables and a new design. If those are worth the extra $439.00. Then I think you will have your answer. I will own of these at some point, and probably the 360............
Spinaker The Original can be used without the cart? When I was deciding which to purchase I thought it would be sitting on the bottom intake vents if sitting on the ground. Even if air can get in, how would you adjust them? Also, looking at the assembly instructions the cart does not fold up. To get it into a small car you'd have to undo at least four bolts that hold the frame together. The wheels are held on the axle by tapping on caps, not sure they made to be taken apart.
Pequod Since you asked, after much consideration I went with the 360, even though I liked the look of the Original and did not need a lot of cooking area, I don't entertain much, which means it is just my wife and myself, and a lot of times I'm the only one eating meat. The deciding factors were the air intake. It seemed to adjust them you had to get low and reach under the kettle to adjust them. That, and the potential for ash or a coal falling through made, at least to me, the lower shelf useless. With the 360 all it takes is a twist of the black knobs you see when facing it, and there is no way for ash or coals to fall out. Another factor was the swing of the lid. The Original swings to the side, which I didn't like as you can only work from the other side. The 360 swings to the back, so you can work from both sides of the grill. Having shelves on both sides is nice as well, and the grill can be used without them. Also it is clear you can use the grill without the stand, they even show that in one of their videos. Unless I am corrected, I can't see how you can use the Original without the cart, or at least some bricks to get it off the ground or a non-combustible table. And since I could be taking the unit to my house in town, I felt the 360 was much more portable. The shelves come off easily, three easy to twist knobs hold each shelf in place. The kettle is secure to the stand, but easily lifts off. Then the pipe lifts off the base, so the disassembled stand takes up less space than an assembled cart. However I can tell you with the utmost certainty none of this matters, because your wife is going to be using it. What she likes is what is most important. I suggest showing her both units, watch the videos PK has put together, go over the instruction manuals. Then, no matter what you think, pick the one she likes. Frankly I don't think you can go wrong with either, likely you will be leaving it in your will. My guess is the Original will appeal to your heart because it is so cute, but the 360 to your head due to its design.
No the 360 can be used as a freestanding grill. I misspoke there. But you can take the 360 off the stand for transport. I have a friend that does this when he tailgates.
Hi, my name is Darrell. I'm an OTR truck driver for over 25 years. During my off time I love doing backyard cooks. I have a 48" Lang Deluxe smoker, Rec-Tec pellet smoker,1 Weber Genesis 330, 1 Weber Performer (blue), 2 Weber kettles (1 black and 1 Copper), 1 26" Weber kettle, a WSM, 8 Maverick Redi Chek thermometers, a PartyQ, 2 SnS, Grill Grates, Cast Iron grates, 1 ThermoPop (orange) and 2 ThermoPens (pink and orange) and planning on adding more cooking accessories. Now I have an Anova sous vide, the Dragon blower and 2 Chef alarms from Thermoworks.
I'll be writing a tutorial on how to install the fan, probably this Wednesday I'll have time to take pics & post it up.
Polar has a different setup, I just couldn't find what he used so I ended up with different parts. We both have the Pit Viper with their Weber attachment. I went with a Fireboard controller, Polar has that and the Guru controller. Not sure which is best but I'm happy with FB.
Not sure how easy the classic cart is to break down. The 360 shelves are easily removed. You may want to consider a fireproof pad to put under the grill if it's going to mounted on a flammable surface. I saw them at Home Depot and I think PK sells them too.
I would probably only cook on a non-flammable surface, such as ground, bricks, a concrete or metal table, etc. I wouldn't be comfortable with a pad on a wood table.
I do have a picture of the whole setup in action. The front is easy, the fan is mounted to a 1.5" x 1.25" coupler. It fits the rubber intake handle like a (tight) glove. Sealing off the back of the intake tube is more complex so I'll get that up later.
Last edited by Larry Grover; February 25, 2018, 10:17 PM.
Coupler comes with 2 clamps but only one is needed. Its clamped to the Weber attachment, you can easily clamp it all the way to the base of the Pit Viper. However, the leg needs to be exposed for cooling.
Last edited by Larry Grover; February 25, 2018, 10:45 PM.
I left mine press-fit, but added a rain shield to the fan. Blocking the back is extra felt gasket wrapped around a bolt. Stuffed electronics in a deck box and added a shield for the top vents so I can run without messing with it in any weather.
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