Do any of our Southern members have any personal firsthand experience with one of these?
I like their story and being a rugged reliable basics kind of guy the look of that thick cast body is most intriguing (If decidedly on the ummm...let's say less than attractive side).
What I'd like to know from anyone who has actually seen and used one IRL - Is the quality really that spectacular so as to justify a price point roughly equivalent to 2 MTs and a couple of cases of beer? It seems to me if they were really that spectacular I would have seen them around the competition circuit over the years or at least heard about them.
On the other hand, it could just be a matter of a great product but limited marketing. I'd love to see a side-by-side comparison and cookoff with a kettle.
They're just ugly IMO. I looked at getting one, but I can cook anything on a basic weber, that I can cook on that.
Quote from: Darko on July 29, 2016, 11:05:09 AM
They're just ugly IMO.
Not one to mince words - I like your style!
I have one sitting in the garage halfway restored. The aluminum shell is pretty cool. The two things I don't believe I will like is - the grate isn't recessed, so hotdogs or whatever can roll off pretty easily I would think, and it obviously won't be as convenient as a one touch for disposing of ash.
Mines really old though so maybe the grate is recessed now.
By not recessed do you mean the grate comes right plumb with the edge of the bowl? Am I imagining that right? In my mind that does indeed seem weird...
Correct. This should help
(http://i.imgur.com/aOp0weD.jpg?1)
I' m not from the South, but I own a PK grill. As I posted on an earlier thread, I like my PK grill. It holds heat very well (cast aluminum) and is easy to lock in temperatures. Also, it breaks down easily for transport and cleaning. It is a no- frills grill. The only drawback is the size, although vertical racks can be added to increase capacity.
I just noticed your locations in Canada, so I guess I am from the "South". Although, Windsor is actually south of Detroit.
Quote from: DarrenC on July 29, 2016, 11:58:52 AM
Quote from: Darko on July 29, 2016, 11:05:09 AM
They're just ugly IMO.
Not one to mince words - I like your style!
It is what it is. I don't disagree that it's a good cooker, but ......It just looks like crap, IMO, A Weber kettle just looks cool.
It seems to me if they were really that spectacular I would have seen them around the competition circuit over the years or at least heard about them.
Have you heard about SCA Steak Cooking??? The PK Grill in the hottest cooker going and does win many contests.
I dig the looks but they lost me on having to scoop out the ashes
Sent from my LGLS991 using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=91018)
Quote from: Old Dave on July 29, 2016, 11:13:01 PM
It seems to me if they were really that spectacular I would have seen them around the competition circuit over the years or at least heard about them.
Have you heard about SCA Steak Cooking??? The PK Grill in the hottest cooker going and does win many contests.
I actually just heard about the SCA when I learned about the PK grill. Realtively new circuit and I'm an old-school KCBS guy, so it wasn't around when I was competing. I can see where the PK would be an optimum tool if all you're doing is high heat direct grilling, but IMO (admittedly from appearances only) no way it beats the Weber design for slow cooking.
I watched CL for over a year before one came up a couple of weeks ago for a reasonable price. I wanted one for the history they have in the midwest. Haven't cooked on it yet. I also like the fact that you can break it down in seconds. I've seen several people use baskets to hold the charcoal in making it a bit easier to empty the ashes. I'll see how that works out.
I have done one slow cook on my PK grill and it worked very well. The cast aluminum holds heat well and the lid seals nicely. Also, the grate is hinged to add more charcoal.
Iconic cooker.
In my mind's eye I see one....
Hot summer day
Island on a large, American river somewhere
Boat-in access only (of course)
Tents
Awnings
Happy folks cooking on a PK Grill
if i found a deal on one, i would buy and try it.
I own one and I like it a lot. It is on the smaller side but you can buy two different size elevated racks that increase capacity. It is very miserly on fuel and I always use my charcoal at least twice when cooking on it. I just took mine cross country from MO to the beach in NC on vacation. It breaks down very easily for travel and is one of the things that the manufacturer promotes.
I've not tried cooking indirect yet but from everything I've read and the youtube video's I've watched, it does an excellent job at it. I use some cheap SS baskets off of Amazon for my charcoal which makes things a little easier. PK is supposed to be coming out with their own charcoal baskets sometime soon.
For some people the lack of a ash cleaner/basket system is a negative but I just bought a cheap baking pan to put on the lower shelf to catch ash and bought a cheap wisk broom/dust pan combo at walmart to clean out the ash in the bottom which takes no time at all.
It is kind of expensive but the price of any cooking grill is subjective dependent on what a person likes. I bought mine new and don't regret the purchase and this grill will definitely outlast me.
Wayne
I'm still kicking myself for passing on a PK for $75!
http://www.pkgrills.com/the-steak-cook-off-association-competition-bundle/