Struggled today with the PK360

[Old Glory]

Cooked a 5 lb boneless Prime Rib. Struggled to keep temps up. Started at 325 and that was goal temp but could not hold it. Kept having to add coals. Still struggled until I added a half chimney of briquettes. Dinner took an hour and a half longer than planed.

Roast came out great cooked to 130. Perfect med rare. Concerned about the temp though. Think it might be the Rockwood lump? I usually use Fogo.

[Larry Grover]

How much coal did you use? I would go fan-controlled on such an expensive roast, see the tutorial link below. Without a fan I'd say full chimney 3/4 lit & add more if necessary.

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/fo...pk360-tutorial

You'll see in my test results I did a solid 325 degrees for 5 hours with one chimney of KB.

[dshaffes]

Did you use the PK charcoal basket? I've found that it restricts airflow and is perfect for holding 250, but struggles at higher temps. I use the standard charcoal grate when I want to cook at higher temps (350) for a few hours. Also, I make sure to clean out ash before the cook so I have max airflow.

[Old Glory]

I did use the basket. I used a full chimney of coal then added another. I didn't clean out the ash I used the coal from last cook.

[droopie69]

The old coals burned up quicker and may have had extra moisture in. I will use old coals on a low n slow cook, but with my slow n sear, found I couldn't no matter what get it above 325 with more than 25% old coals.

[Old Glory]

Good to know. Thanks!

[Polarbear777]

To hit 300+ without my fan I drop a whole lit chimney on top of a unlit chimney. Then I keep bottom vent mostly open an top left vent about 1/2.

Though I usually use my fan cuz I’m lazy.

Helps to have a larger basket that is more optimized.

I talkedto the pk guys about making a better basket design and they haven’t done so. I showed them pics of mine.

I can sear or two zone or, with fan control run for 15-20 hours at 225 without adding coals.

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