PK Grills PK360 vs Char-Griller Gravity Fed 980
Quick take: The Char-Griller Gravity Fed 980 costs $203 less; the Char-Griller Gravity Fed 980 offers more cooking space (980 vs 360 sq in); the PK Grills PK360 reaches a higher max temp (750 vs 700°F).
| Spec | PK Grills PK360 | Char-Griller Gravity Fed 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $800 | $597 |
| Rating | 4.7★ (700) | 4.4★ (1,900) |
| Type | Charcoal Grill | Charcoal Grill |
| Cooking Area | 360 sq in | 980 sq in |
| Max Temp | 750°F | 700°F |
| Fuel Type | Charcoal | Charcoal |
| Build Material | Cast Aluminum | Powder-Coated Steel |
| Hopper Capacity | — | 16 lb charcoal |
| Burners | — | — |
| WiFi / App | No | Yes |
| App control | No | Yes |
| Meat probe | No | Yes |
| PID controller | No | Yes |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 54 x 24 x 43 in | 65 x 34 x 51 in |
| Weight | 90 lbs | 200 lbs |
| Warranty | Lifetime (capsule) | 1 year |
Pros & cons
PK Grills PK360
- ✓The thick cast-aluminum capsule is rustproof and basically indestructible - these grills are heirloom pieces that get passed down
- ✓The four-vent design gives unusually precise airflow and temperature control, making both hot searing and low-and-slow smoking easy
- ✓The capsule shape creates a natural two-zone setup, so you can sear over direct heat and smoke on the cool side simultaneously
- ✓Cast aluminum heats evenly and retains heat well while staying cooler to the touch on the outside than steel
- ✓It excels at both grilling and smoking, making it a true do-it-all charcoal cooker in a compact footprint
- ✓360 sq in is nearly 40% more cooking area than a Large Big Green Egg, useful for the price and size
- ✓It's relatively light at 90 lbs for its capability, and the capsule lifts off the stand for tailgating or transport
- ✓Marine-grade stainless grates and a passionate owner community give it a premium, well-supported feel
- ✗At ~$800 it's expensive for a charcoal grill, costing far more than a Weber kettle of similar size
- ✗360 sq in is on the smaller side, so big-crowd cooks require batching
- ✗Cast aluminum doesn't retain heat as massively as a ceramic kamado, so very long overnight smokes need more fuel tending
- ✗It has no thermometer built into the lid on the base model, so you supply your own probe
- ✗The narrow capsule shape can make fitting large items like a full packer brisket a tight squeeze
- ✗Charcoal management and the usual lighting/ash cleanup apply, with the inherent learning curve
- ✗It's a niche brand without big-box presence, so most buyers order online sight-unseen
- ✗The open-cart design offers no enclosed storage and limited prep shelf space
Char-Griller Gravity Fed 980
- ✓Real charcoal flavor with pellet-grill convenience - the fan and controller hold your set temp automatically while gravity feeds the fire
- ✓The 200-700°F range out-sears any pellet grill and reaches temp in about 20 minutes from lighting one fire starter
- ✓980 sq in total (680 primary) is enormous for the price - multiple briskets and rib racks fit at once
- ✓The triple-insulated lid and body hold temps steadier in wind and cold than the thin-walled Masterbuilt 800
- ✓A 16 lb hopper of briquettes runs 8+ hours unattended - genuine overnight-cook capability on charcoal
- ✓At ~$600 it undercuts the Masterbuilt 1050 while r/grilling threads frequently rate its body construction higher
- ✓WiFi/Bluetooth app control with included probes covers remote monitoring and temp changes from the couch
- ✓Porcelain-coated cast iron grates put real sear marks on steaks and clean up easily
- ✗Like all gravity smokers, the fan, controller, and temp sensors are electronic failure points, and the 1-year warranty is short
- ✗The Char-Griller app is the weakest link per owners - laggy connections and occasional dropped sessions mid-cook
- ✗The hopper and ash areas need diligent cleaning; grease and moisture buildup can jam the charcoal feed or corrode the switches
- ✗It needs a powered outlet for the fan, so it's not a true off-grid charcoal cooker
- ✗The powder-coated steel will rust at hinge points and the firebox without a cover and touch-up paint
- ✗At 200 lbs with a wide 65-inch footprint it's a beast to position and not remotely portable
- ✗Smoke flavor runs lighter than an offset unless you layer wood chunks into the hopper
- ✗QC is hit-or-miss - misaligned doors and leaky gaskets show up in owner threads, usually fixed with lava lock tape