I haven't bought a grill in a while, but I was looking at this one.

https://www.weber.com/US/en/grills/charcoal-grills/performer/performer-deluxe-charcoal-grill-22/15501001.html

Long story as to why but I've been using a Weber kettle for a couple years now and I really like it. I see no reason to go to $500 for the chintzy little table set up.

Go with this one and some accessories: https://www.weber.com/US/en/grills/charcoal-grills/original-kettle/original-kettle-premium-charcoal-grill-22/14401001.html

I still have my weber cart like this that's 25 years old. Replaced grates and fins once, but still very good shape. You may be able to find a used one, or a kettle without the cart if cost is an issue.
Weber is a great option for charcoal.

Akorn by Chargriller has been my-go to 10+ yrs. Limited in size, for a really big brisket, but so versatile in many ways, with outstanding results.

$500 seems a lot for a charcoal grill.

You should be able to get for $400 a Oklahoma Joe's Highland Offset Smoker 879 Sq Ft Grill/Offset Smoker.

BurnetAggie99 said:

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You should be able to get for $400 a Oklahoma Joe's Highland Offset Smoker 879 Sq Ft Grill/Offset Smoker.

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At 879 sq ft that smoker is bigger than my first apartment. How much charcoal does it take to get it up to temp?

Take a look at PK Grills. I can't recommend them enough for those wanting a charcoal grill. My dad still uses the one my grandfather bought in the 70's and I have been using one a few times a month for 5 years. They are heavy cast aluminum so rust isn't a problem and they hold heat well if you want to use it as a smoker.

Edit to add photo from a few months ago with pork butt.

If it were me, I'd save some money and go with a Weber Master Touch. If I wanted a tray, I would just build one like the Green Egg folks do

https://www.masterbuilt.com/products/gravity-series-560-digital-charcoal-grill-smoker?variant=30768323231859¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=Cj0KCQiAlMCOBhCZARIsANLid6bXH-YNU0OgsLhDPGg6AqYg40slewCfTh_knd30r3QP4TyoA-WF8pgaAqVOEALw_wcB

streetfighter2012 said:

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Take a look at PK Grills. I can't recommend them enough for those wanting a charcoal grill. My dad still uses the one my grandfather bought in the 70's and I have been using one a few times a month for 5 years. They are heavy cast aluminum so rust is t a problem and they hold heat well if you want to use it as a smoker.

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My dad had one he got around 1970, and passed it on to me the last year I was at TAMU. I took that thing everywhere I moved and finally the grates were unserviceable and the cart was done. Parts were unavailable at the time as the company had all but gone under due to fire and business issues and it had started to burn through (after 25+ years of regular use). For charcoal grill of approximately 305-310 square inches of cooking area on the primary rack, it cooks much bigger. Top and bottom vents on both ends, allows for a draft for offset cooking due to its shape. Really efficient grill.

Check out the website. Pretty neat history and story about getting "restarted". I did not realize they were back until yesterday when I was in a new ACE Hardware and saw one that was somewhat similar to the one we had and saw the PK on it. Went to the website today and liked what I saw. I already have a Weber Spirit E210 and a Lyfetime charcoal grill that is long enough to offset cook on, but am tempted to get the PK "Original" just to have one and give it to my son when he goes off to college.

PK Grill Line-up

I use a 55 gal barrel grill that I bought at HEB for $140. Love it, cooked a rack of ribs on it today and they were great. Atascosa Barrel Grill.

I'd hit up fb marketplace or craigslist for a primo xl. I found one in San Antonio with a 2k table on casters for 800. I use that thing 4 times a week when it doesn't make since to fire up the offset.

For value it's tough to beat the akorn, I burned through two over 6 years because I was bad about cleaning out the ash and it would eventually rust through. That being said the versitality of being able to smoke long and slow or high heat sear makes it the best option. I can go 30 hrs straight at 250 and some oak chunks and a load of lump charcoal they're so efficient.

I've got lots of toys for cooking in my backyard, but when I just want to cook over coals I always break out the $50 old Smokey.

As someone who's in the grill business, the right answer is the PK Grill for sure. Direct and indirect capability, good accessories, indestructible, etc. Originated in Tyler Texas in the 50's and company is based in Arkansas now. Unfortunately the new models are made in china but still a great product.

Got to thinking about op's question.

Realized that i've cooked more on one of these Aussie grills than any other type of grill.

I've used gas grills, offset smokers, webers, green eggs and old style 55 gal drum type setups.

I can cook better food on this type of charcoal grill.

So I prefer it. Its the cheapest, simplest, and ultimately the easiest to clean and deal with overall.

malenurse said:

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BurnetAggie99 said:

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You should be able to get for $400 a Oklahoma Joe's Highland Offset Smoker 879 Sq Ft Grill/Offset Smoker.

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At 879 sq ft that smoker is bigger than my first apartment. How much charcoal does it take to get it up to temp?

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I lol'd.

https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-daily-post/the-worlds-largest-bbq-smoker-is-for-sale-in-brenham/

XXXVII said:

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I haven't bought a grill in a while, but I was looking at this one.

https://www.weber.com/US/en/grills/charcoal-grills/performer/performer-deluxe-charcoal-grill-22/15501001.html

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I went with the 26" Weber kettle and it's plenty big for brisket. Can also fit 2-3 racks of ribs. The local Ace Hardware sometimes have them on the showroom floor if you want to take a look at one.

streetfighter2012 said:

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Take a look at PK Grills. I can't recommend them enough for those wanting a charcoal grill. My dad still uses the one my grandfather bought in the 70's and I have been using one a few times a month for 5 years. They are heavy cast aluminum so rust is t a problem and they hold heat well if you want to use it as a smoker.

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Well I think y'all have convinced me on the PK grill. Now should I get the cheaper Orignal PK for $400 or the NEW Original PK for $500?

I'd get the new one or splurge for the Aaron Franklin model.

Did you see the PK-TX.

I'll go back and look again, but I was thinking the PK-TX was pretty sweet for the portability. It is the model in the pic just above.

I cook on a PK Grill about 4 times a week. Can't beat it. $400. My grill is only 15 years old but I doubt I'll ever have to buy another grill. Maybe I'll have to replace the wheels at some point. When the original cooking grid and charcoal grate wear out spend another $85 + $75 and upgrade to stainless steel and you're probably good for another decade plus.

https://www.pkgrills.com/the-original-pk-grill-smoker-classic-silver/

Look around for a used BGE/knockoff. Paid $400 for mine, inclided a noce table, electric starter, pizza stone, rib rack and sme other stuff.

It ain't even January 3rd and you got me looking at $400 grills right out the gate.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1283444212168362/?ref=facebook_story_share


Don't know where you are located, but this popped up in my general vicinity.

I just got my New Original PK Grill. It's very nice. The manual recommends using a charcoal chimney for lighting the charcoals. Are those all pretty much the same, or is there one y'all recommend?

Get a stainless one other wise you'll be replacing the $20 HEB/academy specials every 6mo

EFE said:

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Get a stainless one other wise you'll be replacing the $20 HEB/academy specials every 6mo

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And conical grate inside. Works better than flat.

I went with the Weber Rapidfire one since it seems to be the best I can find right now.

Will the PK grill grates rust easily? With my other charcoal grills I'd always end up having to replace the grates due to rust. How do y'all maintain the grates to prevent rust?

TarponChaser said:

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Long story as to why but I've been using a Weber kettle for a couple years now and I really like it. I see no reason to go to $500 for the chintzy little table set up.

Go with this one and some accessories: https://www.weber.com/US/en/grills/charcoal-grills/original-kettle/original-kettle-premium-charcoal-grill-22/14401001.html

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Also have been using a simple Weber Kettle grill. Use it more than both my gas and Trager. Replace the grate every coupd of years and lasts a long time

Stainless steel grates on Pk. Unless you leave acidic marinades or sauces on them they won't rust.

Always do a good burn off and you should be fine.

Draggin' this one out of the recent BBQ/Grill Ash Pit......

PK Originals had been just short of $450 for a while and just shot up to $499.99 or $500. I went lookin' and found the Original for $369 on Amazon and Walmart. Contacted PK directly, and they verified that if you bought from Amazon and Walmart and noted in the sale that the grill sale was fulfilled by Amazon and Walmart that it should be the real deal. Ordered mine from Amazon (fulfilled by Amazon) for $369. Got it a couple days ago and assembled (relative term, because assembly is largely the cart and takes 10 minutes) it today. Fired it up to burn the oils off, using Mesquite to finish off the "seasoning". For those that don't know, the capsule is cast aluminum so no need to coat with oils like a steel grill.

It's the real deal at that price, but it is the original. The Original that my Dad had, and I learned on. The Made in the USA version, made back in the late 60's/70's. The "silver" version, meaning no dark graphite coating which was something that came many years after the early 70's.
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The PK Original is in fact a USA product. The other PK grills are evidently great, but made in China. The cart is a quality aluminum, and the fasteners are stainless with slotted screw fasteners for torque. This is the real deal. I found a neighbor that had one sitting in the same place for 20+ years uncovered and it was in good shape but did not want to sell. I was going to restore it, but he did not want to sell.

If you want one, order it now from Amazon or Walmart and you can get it for a drive out price of $400 while they last. The PK rep I spoke with was surprised they were still out there at that price.

I learned on this grill/smoker (it is a small smoker with the vent arrangement) back in the early 70's/80's from my Dad cause it is all we had. And it was great for a regular sized family. I will teach my son using the same version I learned on and know he knows the history, seems actually interested.

Just wanted to pass this along, because things are going up, and this is a great opportunity to get a PK Original at a good price.

Have fun......

Buccees is selling a heavy steel barrel design charcoal grill for $299. Was thinking about getting one myself.

I have a Weber smokey mountain and love it. Have it set up to where I can use it as a grill or smoker.