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tarheel1972 · 02-15-2011, 05:40 PM

I am relatively new to Airstreaming, full timing (and wintering) now for 5 months. However, I am not new to outdoor cooking. Before I owned a 29' chunk of aluminum, I owned this 29" cast aluminum cooker. Prolific in the 1950's, the Portable Kitchen has recently been revived. Awhile back, I saw one in a store, and was reminded of the one my neighbors owned when I was growing up. One day, as I drove my hulk-of-rust (steel cooker #3) to the dump, it dawned on me that I needed the Portable Kitchen. Three Amazon-clicks later . . . .

The PK is Wally B. inspired in every way. Simplicity, efficiency, shape, weight, and built to last (My grandchildren will be fighting over this one). By reflecting 93% of heat, cast aluminum cooks beautifully (lump charcoal only please!!!) and it slips into a trash bag for easy, clean travel onboard my AS.

Now I own two. One is in my back yard on the Carolina Coast thumbing its nose at the prevailing salted winds. The other is out in the hither-yonder, nestled beside my '72 Ambassador. They compliment each other in every way.

Here is my official nomination to make the Portable Kitchen the "official" Airstream outdoor cooker.

Portable Kitchen Cast Aluminum Grill and Smoker | Best Charcoal Barbecue Grills

Splitrock · 02-15-2011, 07:15 PM

Nice! Where ya winterin'?

Sphere Guy · 02-15-2011, 07:36 PM

My grandfather had one of these, he must have purchased it in the 70's at least and let me tell you, cooks great and lasts forever. My youngest brother inherited it and still has it today. Although I don't recall the brand name. But looks like the pics.

DanielB · 02-15-2011, 07:46 PM

And if you have a baby, a few mods and you have a mini airstream stroller.

tarheel1972 · 02-16-2011, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanielB

And if you have a baby, a few mods and you have a mini airstream stroller.

You are right. Air holes top and bottom.

Lily&Me · 02-16-2011, 06:17 AM

Very cool, and looks so lovely next to your trailer!

Maggie

tomp1937 · 02-16-2011, 06:33 AM

I sold aluminum in the '60's for Reynolds and won one of these in a sales contest. Never cooked better in anything else, but lost it in the '70's during a divorce. Still miss it, the cooker, not the first wife!

I think I'll retrace that part of my life, the cooker that is!

Melody Ranch · 02-16-2011, 07:55 AM

I cannot believe it....I have one of these sitting in the barn at my place down South. I will pull it out, clean it up, and plan to use it...coming out at the ABQ restoration Rally.

**GCinSC2** · 02-16-2011, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomp

I sold aluminum in the '60's for Reynolds and won one of these in a sales contest. Never cooked better in anything else, but lost it in the '70's during a divorce. Still miss it, the cooker, not the first wife!

I think I'll retrace that part of my life, the cooker that is!

OK, I'll add one:

Got a shotgun for my wife, Yup, best trade I ever made!

Great looking cooker too, I like it!

Can you attach some Tabasco lights on it, a nice wrap aroung window to watch the food cook, maybe rig up a ball hitch at one end and some brake lights at the other?

Oh O, I see a contest coming on that crazy idea!

markdoane · 02-16-2011, 06:49 PM

It just won't look right until you add some seams with rivets.
To really look cool you should do 13 panel end caps.

rock60 · 02-16-2011, 06:59 PM

needs some propane tanks

tarheel1972 · 02-16-2011, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Splitrock

Nice! Where ya winterin'?

Stone Mountain, GA

slowmover · 02-17-2011, 03:58 AM

I inherited mine a year or so ago, -- that my father bought ca. 1956 -- and reviewed the
Portable Kitchen PK 99740 Charcoal Grill on Epinions after reading a couple of reviews which showed lack of understanding.

As I wrote in the above I feel that a PK and a Dutch Oven are a marriage made in heaven. Think of the cooker as having the same virtues: heats up with minimal fuel, maintains heat with minimal fuel, and is easily adjusted for different tasks.

Mine came with a rolling folding cart that makes for easy packing back into the truck. But maybe the oem FIRESTONE tires are at their age limit?

tarheel1972 · 02-19-2011, 06:11 AM

PK's were originally made in Tyler, Texas. (they moved to Little Rock , Arkansas later.) The one in your photo, with a single vent on top, must be one on the very first.

Cool.

Getaways · 08-02-2011, 10:51 AM

Just found this thread.

Have a question/concern. I'm guessing that the cooking grate is also aluminum. This makes it a no-go for me. I do not cook on anything aluminum. No pots/pans/whatever.... Aluminum has been linked to Altizers so it makes this one a no go.

cojer · 08-02-2011, 11:21 AM

what is an altizer?

Gringo · 08-02-2011, 11:23 AM

I think it's what you get when you drink too much beer out of aluminum cans.

cojer · 08-02-2011, 11:25 AM

oh o.k.......i've had that!

ROBERT CROSS · 08-02-2011, 11:34 AM

What a kool looking grill!!!

Does "portable" mean it's easily broken down for storage?

Been looking for a Stream'n charcoal grill.

slowmover · 08-02-2011, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

What a kool looking grill!!!

Does "portable" mean it's easily broken down for storage?

Been looking for a Stream'n charcoal grill.

If you are referring to the PK, then, yes it will come apart for storage: the two pieces simply lift apart once the grill and the grate have been removed. But all of these are dirty after use. I simply move the item whole [once cooled] into a plastic lawn/leaf bag (canvas would be better) as I haven't yet built a box to move it plus charcoal and other tools; a crate I can leave in the truck. I figure weight at about 50-lbs total -- grill & stand -- so "portable" is relative to ones' idea of same. Newer ones may be lighter as the grate in this one is cast-iron. Also, mine is rounder, more ovoid than the current offerings (more room under the hood, possibly more grill area), and may weigh more.

I think that the crate/box lid may be built with a metal-lined cradle that I can use in lieu of the stand (such as on a heavy wood or concrete picnic table top).

I also don't separate the pieces as I nearly always have charcoal left over to use again. After shutting the vents the fire extinguishes, and, as the PK is well-made, no air gets in. I use very little charcoal, overall.

I also use a galvanized bucket under the lower vent to catch ashes and to clean the unit interior with a garden trowel (Sears Craftsman, ca. 1965; tools bring back memories). I mention these other items as I figure that people don't always consider the tools that are accessory to the equipment.

For someone using one or more Dutch Ovens, the "problems" are similar as to bulkiness, dirt, storage and tools. There are always smaller and lighter alternatives. I choose economy of operation, some weight/size, and longevity over them. This, for me, is a great outdoor stove/oven.

I think my next Dutch Ovens are also going to be aluminum -- as we used in Boy Scouts -- for I value being able to slide crates, etc, around in my 8' pickup bed on the plastic bedliner. The box/crate would be large and I imagine I can easily get it to over 100-lbs with the PK, Dutch Ovens, fuel, tools, misc, in a hurry. Some of our cast iron cookware also travels in the truck, so it may be included.

"Portable" is a loaded question. Cooking is the real pleasure of RV'ng in my book, so it isn't at all a burden. None of this goes in the trailer as you can see. I would do some measuring and kalkerlatin' about the back of the Suburb you have to see if one or more "boxes" will suit the PK oven (and other outdoor "fire equipment").

PK Review with Pics

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