Looking for my second grill, PK 360?

[Skemo]

Hello All!

Long time lurker on this awesome site, first time poster. I've been cooking on a 22" Kettle for almost five years now. Added a slow and sear a few years back and I've done everything (with Meathead's guidance!) on it (ribs, pulled pork, the whole nine yards). Love the versatility/durability of the kettle. However, there are a few things that bother me, namely ash management (I have a kettle with the little tray, not the fancy performer one), having to bend down almost to the ground to adjust my intake, and not having any built in work space.

We recently bought our first house and am looking to upgrade my grill game. I had a momentary flirting with gas, but I think that charcoal is the way to go for me. Been doing a lot of deep diving and I really like what the PK 360 offers. My only concern with it (besides the price!) is I'm worried about out-growing it. I really do want to look at the investment as the charcoal grill to end all grills (but navigating this forum hasn't been great for that!). Right now I cook for my wife and I, and when I entertain (which is typically maybe 8-10 people).

Any experience here from other folks familiar with the 360? Do you find the grilling area ample? I would say I'm grilling/bbq-ing in equal measure. Thanks!!

[DWCowles]

Welcome Skemo I have the PK360 and l have only cook on it once so I really don’t have the experience to answer your question.

[TripleB]

I own a PK360 and love it. However, I love my 22" Weber Kettle too (you can see my Kettle covered in the back of the picture). To me the thing to remember is that they are both just grills. I have the SnS, Drip n Griddle and the Vortex for my Kettle. And I use them when needed. But I have to say that the PK360 is my favorite and drop dead gorgeous. Yes, I do appreciate looks. I have the iron wood shelfs.

Ash management in the PK360 is ok. I can empty my Kettle faster, but with the PK360 I have a bucket hanging over the back, pop the ash cap and use a brush to sweep the ash into the bucket. Nice and neat, but takes longer than just picking up my kettle and dumping it.

I don't really smoke on it. I have other equipment for that. I just grill on it. In the picture you can see 8 thighs being grilled. You could get on 16 pretty easy.

The one thing that I caution on the PK360 is that it sits on a pedestal and can tip over if bumped hard. So if you have young kids running around or a big dog that might crash into it chasing a ball, I'd be a bit concerned.

[EdF]

What about all those cooker reviews? Welcome!

[JeffJ]

Have you considered the Weber 26"? It is considerably larger than the 22 and the capacity is awesome. Plus, your SnS works just as well in the 26 as it does in the 22.

[JeffJ]

As for recommendations, a price range you are comfortable with would be helpful. If you are looking for the be-all end-all grill you may consider checking out a kamado like the Kamado Joe or the Weber Summit Charcoal Grill.

[Polarbear777]

The pk360 is very tight and very stable so you can do some fancy things with it. It does everything I could want except for large quantities.

Lots of info here :

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/grills-and-smokers/charcoal/460226-bbq-guru-pit-viper-fan-to-pk360-tutorial

[RonB]

Welcome to The Pit. I can't help because I don't have a PK. A larger Weber with better ash management might suit you well.

[Polarbear777]

You can do a 20# brisket but you need to split to fit.

Same size brisket fits easily on the 26” Weber. And you can add another level if needed.

For more than that you’re looking at a pit barrel WSM or something else bigger.

[Skemo]

Ahh good call here, 20# would be the most I would ever do I would think, thats cool that the PK can be outfitted with another level. would there be enough clearance on the 2nd level for a ~8-10 pound pork shoulder without worrying about touching the top of the lid?

[Larry Grover]

PK 360 has about the same grilling surface as the Weber 22". They are 360" and 362" so you have to figure out if you want the extra volume. I say be like Polar and get the PK and the 26" Weber and you'll be set. I think most everyone here has a small beater and a volume device. I like that the PK grilling surface is much higher and they are selling it now with wood shelves so it will be a studly piece when entertaining.

[Jon Solberg]

Get it! You wont regret it

[HawkerXP]

For us, adding the PBC to the Weber 22 covered all we need. But........MCS is always itching.

[Skemo]

Gotcha, thanks everyone! Think I'm between the 26" Kettle and the PK 360, $800 is about top of my price range and it must be something I can use for both smoking and grilling. Its cool that I can pop in my current SnS in the 26", but damn the PK looks sexy!!

[jfmorris]

Let me throw something out, since you say one thing you do not like in your current kettle is ash management and lack of a work space. Why not consider a Weber Performer Deluxe - its got the nice ash catcher and the blades that sweep things out for you, and the work area you are missing, and even gas assist. Your kettle accessories transfer over to it. Then, get a Pit Barrel Cooker with the money you save from buying the Performer rather than the PK 360. So now you have both a dedicated smoker and grill for the price of the PK 360.

I just feel that if you sometimes feel you don't have room on the 22 inch kettle, that the PK360, with less total area when grilling indirect, will be even worse. And my understanding is that ash management in the PK involves taking out a plug and sweeping ash into the hole, and catching it underneath. In other words, from what I've read and seen of the PK grills, while they are beautiful, they don't have the ash management of the newer kettles.

The 26" kettle is great, and adds some capacity and ash management, but does not solve your workspace issue. But then you could buy or build a nice outdoor table I supposed to make an outdoor kitchen.

I had 3 grills and some with little side tables when I got my Performer last summer, and since getting the Performer, its been my goto-grill, and I find myself using its table even when I am using the other grills. I find myself using its gas assist to light chimneys of charcoal for my other grills too. Of the 4 I have, the Performer is my goto-grill I would keep above all the others now (moderately sized offset smoker, Weber gas grill, another old style Weber kettle).

[TripleB]

Yeah... but Weber's are so old school and boring. PK360 is new and sexy.

[jfmorris]

Haha, you got a point TripleB. New and sexy is always good.

[JeffJ]

jfmorris makes a great point regarding the Performer. On Monday that was the grill I used, but Tuesday night's dinner required more space so I used the 26. The thing is, I still used the Performer on Tuesday. I used it's propane ignition to light the chimney for the 26 and I used its table. Sadly, the PBC sat covered and idle.

[Larry Grover]

I'm in if they come out with a 26" Performer and would ditch the PBC.