PK Grill Review – Original PK300 Aaron Franklin Edition

The Unique PK300 Aaron Franklin Version Options

Let’s speak concerning the Aaron Franklin version. For many who don’t know, Aaron Franklin is a Barbecue Corridor-of-Fame pitmaster primarily based in Austin, Texas. Diners will wait in line for hours to eat at his restaurant. Just like the PK Grill, he’s an American success story. I extremely suggest studying his e book Franklin Barbecue to be taught extra.

Franklin has been a fan of the PK Grill for years, so it was solely pure that he would accomplice with the corporate to design a particular version grill that also maintains the standard options of the Unique PK300. Let’s discuss these distinctive options.

The Unique PK300AF Grill

The Unique PK300AF remains to be constructed of forged aluminum, utilizing the identical moldings because the Unique PK300. Nonetheless, it’s obtainable in stunning teal blue or coal black.

As quickly as I began unpacking my PK Grill from the field, I used to be impressed with the standard of the aluminum. It’s not like the skinny, rolled metallic that the majority grills are made out of. The partitions are thick and stable and constructed to carry constant warmth.

The decrease capsule of the grill comprises a metal grate for the charcoal together with a prime metal grate on your meals. The highest grate features a hinge about two-thirds down the grate. This lets you relaxation your charcoal chimney proper inside whereas lighting coals and likewise offers an quick access level for including extra coals for these longer cooks. 

Controlling the temperature on the grill may be very simple. There are 4 vents – two within the backside and two on the highest. The underside vents permit the air to return in and gasoline your fireplace, whereas the highest vents permit the air to flee.

Having vents on either side makes oblique cooking extra environment friendly. I’ll clarify that course of within the cooking part of this evaluation. 

One factor you’ll discover with all PK Grills is that the higher capsule is definitely the identical because the decrease capsule, so with an additional stand and grates, you possibly can primarily cook dinner on it, as effectively. The lid simply lifts proper off. 

Talking of that, as a result of the lid isn’t screwed into place, if I open it by grabbing the middle of the deal with or additional again, it should open with ease. Nonetheless, if I seize the deal with towards the entrance of the grill and attempt to carry it, the lid does go just a little cockeye. I feel that is primarily as a result of I’m quick, so I used to be pushing it backwards as a substitute of lifting it straight up. Simply one thing to remember for those who’re shorter or in case your children are utilizing the grill. 

The Unique PK300AF Cart

The Unique PK300AF sits on a rust-proof aluminum cart that’s actually transportable.

After I’m judging grills, after assessing the operate of the grill itself, I have a look at the wheels. So many grills these days are made with low-cost caster wheels that basically aren’t that maneuverable for something past a concrete slab. 

I dwell within the desert with rock panorama, and I take my grills out and in of my trailer to competitions. For a grill to be transportable, it has to have wheels that may stand up to quite a lot of surfaces. The wheels on the Unique PK300AF are thick, stable rubber with aluminum rims, they usually actually maintain up.

And whenever you lengthen the suitable shelf, you may carry the grill simply with the shelf deal with.

As soon as the grill is in place, the underside two ft are adjustable, so the grill will be stabilized on any floor. You simply have to present them a twist.

Storage on the Unique PK300AF

All Unique PK300 grills include a backside storage shelf, measuring about 385 sq. inches and one extendable forged aluminum shelf that gives about 170 sq. inches of area to retailer your prep components or completed dishes. 

The Franklin Version is exclusive, as a result of it comes with a second extendable shelf on the left aspect of the grill. Whereas it is a good characteristic, be aware that whenever you open the lid absolutely, half of the shelf will likely be coated by the lid, so that you’ll want to regulate accordingly.

That’s no downside although, as a result of the Franklin Version has different storage choices that the Unique doesn’t have.

Beneath the grill, there are two velocity racks. These are designed to carry sheet pans, so you may stack your components on the pans or hold cooked meals underneath the grill to assist hold it heat. 

The entrance of the grill additionally has a stomach bar to hold towels or tongs together with a 3-inch shelf that’s good for holding spices or a beverage.

Prepare dinner on a PK Grill

I’ve used my PK Grill to cook dinner at an SCA competitors and in my yard. Cooking on a PK Grill is as simple as lighting your charcoal and throwing in your meats and veggies. The benefit of its design is that it may be used to cook dinner sizzling and quick dishes like burgers and steaks or gradual and low meals like brisket and pork butt. 

Cooking on any grill comes all the way down to managing temperatures. Whereas the PK isn’t so simple as a gasoline or pellet grill, it’s as set it and neglect it that you may get from a charcoal grill. 

Direct Warmth

If you wish to cook dinner over direct warmth, you may fill your entire backside rack with a layer of coals. The quantity of coals you utilize and the way extensive you open the highest and backside vents will help you modify how excessive the warmth will get. 

The grill can also be massive sufficient to accommodate a 10-inch forged iron skillet for searing or making ready sides or sauces.

Two-Zone Cooking

For a two-zone cook dinner, you may place coals in a single aspect of the grill and depart the opposite aspect with out coals. This lets you grill a steak at 500F+ levels on one aspect, whereas letting it end cooking to your required temp on the opposite aspect. 

Or, you may cook dinner with the reverse sear technique. Smoke the meat first after which end it over the coals to type the crust. 

Oblique Warmth

For a brisket, I add coals to the suitable aspect and open the underside proper vent about midway whereas conserving the underside left vent closed. Then, I barely open the highest left vent whereas the highest proper vent stays closed. This permits me to keep up a grill temp of round 275F levels.

And since the grill grate has a hinge, I can add extra coals as wanted all through the cook dinner.

Monitoring Temperatures

To measure the temperature of the grill, you may have a few choices.

The left aspect of the Unique PK300AF has a detachable plug. The grill comes with a metallic disc that you simply put over the outlet, as soon as the plug is eliminated. Then, you merely insert the Tel-Tru Thermometer and safe it with a wingnut.

Another choice is to run a probe from a digital thermometer like a Thermoworks Smoke via one of many holes within the bottom of the grill. This fashion you may handle the grill temp and meat temp all through the cook dinner.