PK Grills PK360 vs PK Grills PK300AF Franklin Edition
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Quick take: The PK Grills PK300AF Franklin Edition costs $100 less; the PK Grills PK360 offers more cooking space (360 vs 316 sq in).
| Spec | PK Grills PK360 | PK Grills PK300AF Franklin Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$900 | ~$800 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Charcoal Grill | Charcoal Grill |
| Cooking Area | 360 sq in | 316 sq in |
| Max Temp | 750°F | — |
| Fuel Type | Charcoal | Charcoal |
| Build Material | Cast Aluminum | Cast Aluminum |
| Hopper Capacity | — | — |
| Burners | — | — |
| WiFi / App | No | No |
| App control | No | No |
| Meat probe | No | No |
| PID controller | No | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 54 x 24 x 43 in | 22.35 x 14.13 in cooking surface |
| Weight | 90 lbs | 60 lbs |
| Warranty | Lifetime (capsule) | 20 years |
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
PK Grills PK300AF Franklin Edition
- ✓Cast aluminum does not rust, which is why 1950s PKs are still cooking — this is the only charcoal grill class where that is literally true
- ✓Four independent vents, two top and two bottom, give finer airflow control than any kettle's single pair
- ✓20-year warranty, the longest in the catalog outside ceramic kamados
- ✓The improved lid seal is the concrete change over the PK300 and it is the part that governs low-and-slow stability
- ✓60 lbs and the capsule lifts off the cart, so it travels in a trunk
- ✓Rectangular capsule gives a real hot end and cool end, unlike a round kettle where the zones are wedges
- ✗$800 for 316 sq in is a lot of money per square inch next to a $229 Weber kettle
- ✗Aluminum conducts heat away fast; it recovers quickly but does not hold heat like ceramic on a long cook
- ✗No built-in thermometer at grate level — the capsule has a lid port and that is it
- ✗The Franklin name adds $100 over a PK300 whose cooking capsule is the same