PK Grills PK360 vs Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050
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Quick take: The PK Grills PK360 costs $100 less; the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 offers more cooking space (1,050 vs 360 sq in); the PK Grills PK360 reaches a higher max temp (750 vs 700°F).
| Spec | PK Grills PK360 | Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$900 | ~$1,000 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Charcoal Grill | Charcoal Grill |
| Cooking Area | 360 sq in | 1050 sq in |
| Max Temp | 750°F | 700°F |
| Fuel Type | Charcoal | Charcoal |
| Build Material | Cast Aluminum | Insulated Steel with Reversible Cast Iron Grates |
| Hopper Capacity | — | 15.9 lb |
| Burners | — | — |
| WiFi / App | No | Yes |
| App control | No | Yes |
| Meat probe | No | Yes |
| PID controller | No | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 54 x 24 x 43 in | 60.6 x 31.9 x 52.2 in |
| Weight | 90 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
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050
- ✓1,050 sq in over three tiers takes four pork butts or a dozen rack-of-ribs slabs without a second cooker
- ✓The full 225–700°F span means one cooker does overnight brisket and Saturday steaks
- ✓DigitalFan control on charcoal is the closest thing to a pellet grill's convenience with a real charcoal smoke profile
- ✓App tracks four meat probes and lets you change set temperature without walking outside
- ✓Reversible cast iron grates and a removable ash bucket are standard, not upgrades
- ✓At $1,000 it undercuts comparable-area premium pellet grills by several hundred dollars
- ✗The 15.9 lb hopper is actually smaller than the 600's 17.6 lb — more area to heat on less fuel, so long cooks need a hopper top-up
- ✗60.6 inches wide is a large footprint for a patio, and 196 lbs means it stays where you build it
- ✗Charcoal chute bridging and ash blockage are the known nuisance of this design and need periodic clearing
- ✗1-year warranty on a cooker where the fan, controller and gaskets are consumable parts
- ✗Still needs mains power, so it is a charcoal cooker that will not run off-grid