New PK360 Happiness

[mrteddyprincess]

Really excited to obtain this cooker. Did a test run tonight. Wow. What temp control! Looking forward to many, many cooks on this gem.

[ComfortablyNumb]

Welcome to the PK360 club. There are a couple of threads on adapting a fan to control temps. I'll see if I can find them.

[ComfortablyNumb]

Here you are:

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

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/grills-and-smokers/charcoal/448991-need-advice-to-keep-temps-going-longer-pk360

[jerrybell]

Nice. I really like the features of this cooker. I'm still trying to figure out how to justify to myself why I should get one. To be honest, if it was just me I'd probably already have one. I need to be confident I could tell my wife why I need it and keep a convincing look on my face.

Happy cooking.

[ComfortablyNumb]

1. It will last forever, solid aluminium won't rust or chip and need painting, you'll will it to your kids. 2. Sturdy, no flimsy legs here, a solid aluminium post. 3. Tables included. 3. Marine grade SS grates, no rusting. 4. Does everything, you'll never need another cooker. Okay, you might not be able to keep a straight face with that one, might have to practise it several times first....

[Polarbear777]

The only limitation is volume. You can get a lot in there but a bit deeper and you could drop a whole packer brisket without having to split it.

[au4stree]

It is perfect for a small family and as Polarbear777 mentioned, volume is your limiting factor on this one. I've had mine since Sept. 2018 and it has performed as advertised. I haul it to the inlaws, tailgates, etc. No matter which fuel I use, lump or briqs, it handles temps like a boss.

[Polarbear777]

I fire the 360 at least once a week often more.

Its a beast at holding temperature and a two zone master. It does however let a little water in the upper vents when they are closed, so unless you want to use a cover you’ll want to rig a solution (mine is in my avatar, but that was more work than necessary.).

[Polarbear777]

I think you’ll also appreciate the grate level thermometer. It’s always within 5-10 degrees of my electronic temp probes so if you want to run manually with no wires and just adjusting vents, you can still be dead on.

I liked the thermo at the grate so much I added a similar one to every cooker, kettles, PBC, etc. I have

[Polarbear777]

Have fun. I know I do.

[tbill87]

Polarbear777 I am a complete charcoal grill newbie and have a lot of what are probably grilling 101 type questions. In the setup above, what advantage are you creating by using the coal pan you have built as opposed to just having the coals sit in the bottom of the grill? Also, when you discuss cooking temp, are you just using the thermometer on the grill, or do you use another tool to measure the cooking temp? Thank you.

[Polarbear777]

Thermo on the grill is actually close to my electronic probes attached to the grill. I trust the electronics when cooking, but will use the dial in a pinch.

Coal basket lets me stack it high and narrow and keeps coals off the aluminum walls.

[tbill87]

Polarbear777 thanks for the reply. Do you recommend any electronics to monitor temp?

[JoeSousa]

Awesome. I have wanted a 360 every since they were released. I have an old PK I picked up used last summer but it got buried in the shed before winter and I haven't been able to fire it up yet. Maybe I have a project for the weekend...

[ComfortablyNumb]

Don't forget to 'season' it!

(I knew I couldn't post this with a straight face!)

[HawkerXP]

What a waste of bacon grease!

[ComfortablyNumb]

Hopefully this isn't necessary, but I suppose just in case, the posted video is utter nonsense by some YouTube idiot. Following his instructions will just give you a dirty grill. No need to season a new PK360, just start cooking with it.

[PBCDad]

That video really needs some more of those flippy spinny transitions between scenes, it was really lacking

[Larry Grover]

Congrats on the new purchase, I see your dog wants you to get something cooking in there! To season dump a couple lit chimney's & sprinkle several wood chunks all around, then crack the vents and let it run all night. In the morning the lid will be a beautiful copper color.

Those were the instructions from a PK website video - and the "instructor" was a world champ steak cooker. For some reason the video has since been taken down.

The PK is very versatile. For example I just bought some huge Persian skewers at a garage sale for $2.00. The PK lid removes easily so I'm thinking I'll convert it into a kabob grill. Or for my next cook I might go with 'Killer Hogs' PK360 pork steaks on youtube, but strong Santa Ana winds have shut down BBQ action for now.

[Attjack]

What a beautiful grill.

[DavidNorcross]

Congrats. They are great grills from everything I read. Enjoy!

[LA Pork Butt]

Let the fun begin!

[au4stree]

Awesome grill! Enjoy the many cooks to come. My first impression when I got mine was the quality, it's built like a tank.

[HawkerXP]

Nice lookin cooker! Enjoy!