Anyone have/used the Aaron Franklin PK Grill yet?

littlerascal56

GregW said:

@littlerascal56 the Yoder really looks good, I wonder how it would hold up to high heat cooking. With the heavy steel, it might not matter. A repaint every few years on the top wouldn't be difficult.

The Yoders are 11gauge steel on the shell, which is 1/8” plate.  I had a YS 640 pellet smoker, and did a lot of 500+ degree steak cooks.  After 3 years, I sprayed it with Rustoleum high heat black, and it looked brand new again.  The grates are stainless and heavy duty.  Even the welds look first class.  The China built smokers have terrible welds.  Guess they don’t have VoTech schools in China!

Canugghead

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

Canugghead said:

6baluts said:

Pretty good size charcoal grill is a Hastybake Gourmet. I have one in the herd and like it. I can run 2 rotis spits at once if that interests you.
I also have a PKO its about 15 yrs old and absolutely love the thing. I added a Burn Shop charcoal basket to it about 2 years ago. I just did a 12 hour burn on just 32 B&B briquets. Not bad for that little guy.

I recall another member (can't remember her name) also owns a HB and loves it.

Her name is DMW

Lol. Actually it’s @mEGG_My_Day

Ozzie_Isaac

JohnInCarolina said:

6baluts said:

Pretty good size charcoal grill is a Hastybake Gourmet. I have one in the herd and like it. I can run 2 rotis spits at once if that interests you.
I also have a PKO its about 15 yrs old and absolutely love the thing. I added a Burn Shop charcoal basket to it about 2 years ago. I just did a 12 hour burn on just 32 B&B briquets. Not bad for that little guy.

Just don’t order one from Amazon.  Years ago I ordered one and Amazon lost it!

Who is this responding?  I don't recall approving an avatar change.

texaswig

No . But I want to. They looks awesome.

JohnInCarolina

Ozzie_Isaac said:

JohnInCarolina said:

6baluts said:

Pretty good size charcoal grill is a Hastybake Gourmet. I have one in the herd and like it. I can run 2 rotis spits at once if that interests you.
I also have a PKO its about 15 yrs old and absolutely love the thing. I added a Burn Shop charcoal basket to it about 2 years ago. I just did a 12 hour burn on just 32 B&B briquets. Not bad for that little guy.

Just don’t order one from Amazon.  Years ago I ordered one and Amazon lost it!

Who is this responding?  I don't recall approving an avatar change.

Well that’s interesting, because I don’t recall needing your approval!  So there!  

< it’s much better over here on the dark side >

kl8ton

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

Ozzie_Isaac said:

GregW said:

I have a PK Original. The only advantage it has over a Weber is it won't rust.
The original doesn't come with a stainless cooking grid. The Franklin version doesn't specify if it has a stainless grid, if not it's an $84.99 upgrade.
As far as I know, the Original is made in the USA, the PK360 is foreign-made, presumably Chinese.
I'm not totally dissatisfied with my PK Original, but it is a pretty expensive grill for what it is. Would I buy it again? possibly, but what I really want is a charcoal grill with a lot more cooking area, much like the Weber Ranch. The Ranch looks really good when it's new, but I'm afraid it would become a $1700 rust bucket after a few years.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a large cooking area charcoal grill?

Look up Santa Maria Grills .... There are many different manufacturers, but that style sounds like what you are looking for.

Here is the style I am talking about:

https://jdfabrications.com/argentine-primal-grills/

I am all for costing people forum dollars but you went large on this one!

If you want a side burner with propane assisted starting. . . you just spend a few more bucks.

Local manufacturer:
https://kalamazoogourmet.com/products/k750-freestanding-gaucho-grill-with-sideburner/

Ozzie_Isaac

kl8ton said:

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

Ozzie_Isaac said:

GregW said:

I have a PK Original. The only advantage it has over a Weber is it won't rust.
The original doesn't come with a stainless cooking grid. The Franklin version doesn't specify if it has a stainless grid, if not it's an $84.99 upgrade.
As far as I know, the Original is made in the USA, the PK360 is foreign-made, presumably Chinese.
I'm not totally dissatisfied with my PK Original, but it is a pretty expensive grill for what it is. Would I buy it again? possibly, but what I really want is a charcoal grill with a lot more cooking area, much like the Weber Ranch. The Ranch looks really good when it's new, but I'm afraid it would become a $1700 rust bucket after a few years.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a large cooking area charcoal grill?

Look up Santa Maria Grills .... There are many different manufacturers, but that style sounds like what you are looking for.

Here is the style I am talking about:

https://jdfabrications.com/argentine-primal-grills/

I am all for costing people forum dollars but you went large on this one!

If you want a side burner with propane assisted starting. . . you just spend a few more bucks.

Local manufacturer:
https://kalamazoogourmet.com/products/k750-freestanding-gaucho-grill-with-sideburner/

Nice!  I ordered 3.  Needed some gift ideas for XMas.

kl8ton

Ozzie_Isaac said:

kl8ton said:

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

Ozzie_Isaac said:

GregW said:

I have a PK Original. The only advantage it has over a Weber is it won't rust.
The original doesn't come with a stainless cooking grid. The Franklin version doesn't specify if it has a stainless grid, if not it's an $84.99 upgrade.
As far as I know, the Original is made in the USA, the PK360 is foreign-made, presumably Chinese.
I'm not totally dissatisfied with my PK Original, but it is a pretty expensive grill for what it is. Would I buy it again? possibly, but what I really want is a charcoal grill with a lot more cooking area, much like the Weber Ranch. The Ranch looks really good when it's new, but I'm afraid it would become a $1700 rust bucket after a few years.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a large cooking area charcoal grill?

Look up Santa Maria Grills .... There are many different manufacturers, but that style sounds like what you are looking for.

Here is the style I am talking about:

https://jdfabrications.com/argentine-primal-grills/

I am all for costing people forum dollars but you went large on this one!

If you want a side burner with propane assisted starting. . . you just spend a few more bucks.

Local manufacturer:
https://kalamazoogourmet.com/products/k750-freestanding-gaucho-grill-with-sideburner/

Nice!  I ordered 3.  Needed some gift ideas for XMas.

They sell a Kamado too:

https://kalamazoogourmet.com/products/shokunin-kamado-grill/


I haven't purchased one yet because I want to put a smokeware cap and a kickash basket in it straight away. . . and those companies haven't made products for the shokunin yet.

Ozzie_Isaac

kl8ton said:

Ozzie_Isaac said:

kl8ton said:

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

Ozzie_Isaac said:

GregW said:

I have a PK Original. The only advantage it has over a Weber is it won't rust.
The original doesn't come with a stainless cooking grid. The Franklin version doesn't specify if it has a stainless grid, if not it's an $84.99 upgrade.
As far as I know, the Original is made in the USA, the PK360 is foreign-made, presumably Chinese.
I'm not totally dissatisfied with my PK Original, but it is a pretty expensive grill for what it is. Would I buy it again? possibly, but what I really want is a charcoal grill with a lot more cooking area, much like the Weber Ranch. The Ranch looks really good when it's new, but I'm afraid it would become a $1700 rust bucket after a few years.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a large cooking area charcoal grill?

Look up Santa Maria Grills .... There are many different manufacturers, but that style sounds like what you are looking for.

Here is the style I am talking about:

https://jdfabrications.com/argentine-primal-grills/

I am all for costing people forum dollars but you went large on this one!

If you want a side burner with propane assisted starting. . . you just spend a few more bucks.

Local manufacturer:
https://kalamazoogourmet.com/products/k750-freestanding-gaucho-grill-with-sideburner/

Nice!  I ordered 3.  Needed some gift ideas for XMas.

They sell a Kamado too:

https://kalamazoogourmet.com/products/shokunin-kamado-grill/


I haven't purchased one yet because I want to put a smokeware cap and a kickash basket in it straight away. . . and those companies haven't made products for the shokunin yet.

Good call.  Can't grill or smoke without those.

kl8ton

Ozzie_Isaac said:

kl8ton said:

Ozzie_Isaac said:

kl8ton said:

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

Ozzie_Isaac said:

GregW said:

I have a PK Original. The only advantage it has over a Weber is it won't rust.
The original doesn't come with a stainless cooking grid. The Franklin version doesn't specify if it has a stainless grid, if not it's an $84.99 upgrade.
As far as I know, the Original is made in the USA, the PK360 is foreign-made, presumably Chinese.
I'm not totally dissatisfied with my PK Original, but it is a pretty expensive grill for what it is. Would I buy it again? possibly, but what I really want is a charcoal grill with a lot more cooking area, much like the Weber Ranch. The Ranch looks really good when it's new, but I'm afraid it would become a $1700 rust bucket after a few years.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a large cooking area charcoal grill?

Look up Santa Maria Grills .... There are many different manufacturers, but that style sounds like what you are looking for.

Here is the style I am talking about:

https://jdfabrications.com/argentine-primal-grills/

I am all for costing people forum dollars but you went large on this one!

If you want a side burner with propane assisted starting. . . you just spend a few more bucks.

Local manufacturer:
https://kalamazoogourmet.com/products/k750-freestanding-gaucho-grill-with-sideburner/

Nice!  I ordered 3.  Needed some gift ideas for XMas.

They sell a Kamado too:

https://kalamazoogourmet.com/products/shokunin-kamado-grill/


I haven't purchased one yet because I want to put a smokeware cap and a kickash basket in it straight away. . . and those companies haven't made products for the shokunin yet.

Good call.  Can't grill or smoke without those.

Clicking "Agree" 

TEXASBGE2018

kl8ton said:

Ozzie_Isaac said:

kl8ton said:

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

Ozzie_Isaac said:

GregW said:

I have a PK Original. The only advantage it has over a Weber is it won't rust.
The original doesn't come with a stainless cooking grid. The Franklin version doesn't specify if it has a stainless grid, if not it's an $84.99 upgrade.
As far as I know, the Original is made in the USA, the PK360 is foreign-made, presumably Chinese.
I'm not totally dissatisfied with my PK Original, but it is a pretty expensive grill for what it is. Would I buy it again? possibly, but what I really want is a charcoal grill with a lot more cooking area, much like the Weber Ranch. The Ranch looks really good when it's new, but I'm afraid it would become a $1700 rust bucket after a few years.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a large cooking area charcoal grill?

Look up Santa Maria Grills .... There are many different manufacturers, but that style sounds like what you are looking for.

Here is the style I am talking about:

https://jdfabrications.com/argentine-primal-grills/

I am all for costing people forum dollars but you went large on this one!

If you want a side burner with propane assisted starting. . . you just spend a few more bucks.

Local manufacturer:
https://kalamazoogourmet.com/products/k750-freestanding-gaucho-grill-with-sideburner/

Nice!  I ordered 3.  Needed some gift ideas for XMas.

They sell a Kamado too:

https://kalamazoogourmet.com/products/shokunin-kamado-grill/


I haven't purchased one yet because I want to put a smokeware cap and a kickash basket in it straight away. . . and those companies haven't made products for the shokunin yet.

Anyone have any sales info on Kalamazoo? I'm guessing they don't sell but a few dozen grills a year. No way there is a large market for something that overpriced. The kind of people that can afford this kinda thing aren't likely cooking their own food. I'm pretty sure Tom Brady or Jeff Bezos aren't standing around a grill on Friday night with their pals cooking on a $34k grill drinking PBR. And their private chefs likely aren't either.

lousubcap

@GregW - regarding Santa Maria Grills, give this site a look:
https://lonestargrillz.com/collections/grills/products/santa-maria-grill?variant=8149287043176  FWIW-

Ozzie_Isaac

lousubcap said:

@GregW - regarding Santa Maria Grills, give this site a look:
https://lonestargrillz.com/collections/grills/products/santa-maria-grill?variant=8149287043176  FWIW-

Nice find!  Those look nice.  Not 304 stainless nice, but should work.

billyray

I've had the PK360 for several years and really enjoy the 2 zone cooking. They are solidly built aluminum and will outlast me. This was the eye of the rib, cap removed for latter.