Weber Master-Touch 22 vs PK Grills PK360
Quick take: The Weber Master-Touch 22 costs $565 less; the Weber Master-Touch 22 offers more cooking space (363 vs 360 sq in); the PK Grills PK360 reaches a higher max temp (750 vs 700°F).
| Spec | Weber Master-Touch 22 | PK Grills PK360 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $235 | $800 |
| Rating | 4.8★ (6,700) | 4.7★ (700) |
| Type | Charcoal Grill | Charcoal Grill |
| Cooking Area | 363 sq in | 360 sq in |
| Max Temp | 700°F | 750°F |
| Fuel Type | Charcoal | Charcoal |
| Build Material | Porcelain-Enameled Steel | 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 | 30 x 25 x 42 in | 54 x 24 x 43 in |
| Weight | 32 lbs | 90 lbs |
| Warranty | 10 years | Lifetime (capsule) |
Pros & cons
Weber Master-Touch 22
- ✓It's incredibly versatile - direct high-heat searing, two-zone grilling, and even low-and-slow smoking with the Snake method all work great in one inexpensive grill
- ✓The hinged Gourmet BBQ System grate lets you add charcoal mid-cook and drop in accessories like a sear grate, pizza stone, or wok
- ✓The One-Touch cleaning system sweeps ash into a sealed catcher, making cleanup faster and tidier than basic kettles
- ✓Porcelain-enameled steel bowl and lid resist rust and hold heat well, and routinely last 10-15+ years
- ✓At ~$235 with a built-in thermometer and Tuck-Away lid holder it's an outstanding value in charcoal
- ✓It reaches blazing searing temps that no pellet grill can touch, giving real charcoal flavor and crust
- ✓It's light and portable at 32 lbs, easy to move around the yard or take to a campsite
- ✓Weber's 10-year warranty and universal parts availability mean you can keep it running indefinitely
- ✗Charcoal cooking has a learning curve - managing vents and fuel for steady temps takes practice versus push-button gas or pellets
- ✗There's no app, probe, or automation, so long smokes require hands-on vent adjustments and refueling
- ✗363 sq in is modest, so cooking for a big crowd means batching or stepping up to the 26-inch model
- ✗Holding low temps for a long brisket is doable but fiddly compared to a dedicated smoker, with temps prone to drifting
- ✗Ash and charcoal handling is messier than gas or pellets, and you deal with lighting and disposal every cook
- ✗The lid thermometer is approximate, so serious cooks add a separate probe
- ✗Wind can swing temperatures noticeably, requiring vent babysitting on gusty days
- ✗It needs a chimney starter and charcoal on hand, adding small ongoing fuel costs and prep steps
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