Which one?

[FireMan]

Yup, I vote yeah!

[Uncle Bob]

Okay, I'll throw you a curve ball.............the PK 300 Premium is on sale at Amazon, 25% off; Amazon.com: PK Grills Charcoal BBQ Grill and Smoker, PK300-BCX Cast Aluminum Portable Outdoor Barbeque Grill for Camping, Grilling, Graphite/Black, Premium : Patio, Lawn & Garden

By the time you do the add ons to the PBC to bring it up to speed you're in roughly the same price range.

[Bogy]

I can always count on curve balls when I ask for advice here! That's a good price, I'll keep it in consideration.

[jfmorris]

Bogy I would think that the OKJ Bronco is out of the running due to weight - you won't be able to load that easily by yourself, whereas the PBC of any size will be a breeze for portability.

The one option no one has thrown out yet, if you don't have one, is a kettle + SNS (and add a Vortex for wings!). Those come in at or below the cost of a PBC, and while not one peice, so not quite as portable, can be used for both smoking and grilling quite effectively. Not sure if you have a kettle or not, but that could be another fun new grill to learn. Kettles don't weight too much, but will be more awkward to transport than the simple drum of a PBC, but could be more flexible too in the long run with all the available accessories.

[jfmorris]

Bogy I agree that the PBC, being a single piece will transport more easily than a kettle on its wobbly 3 legs (or 4 if its a SNS kettle).

I'm supposed to flip some burgers at a pavilion at our church Saturday, and am thinking I will load my Performer up in the back of the truck to haul across the hill to the church (it's 1 mile), as it is probably the lightest of my cookers. The other option is my flat top, but its 75 pounds for the top, 75 for the cart, plus a propane tank...

[Bogy]

jfmorris My flat top is the most portable of my cookers. At least the top comes off and the cart folds up. I bought it last year thinking I would is for my mom's memorial service. We ended up with someone else cooking the burgers for us on his griddle, but I still have mine anyway, and it gets used. But it's not very good at smoke.

[jfmorris]

Bogy my flat top doesn't have folding legs, but I figure I can lay the top in the bed of the truck, wrangle the cart into the truck, then the propane tank. So it might still make the trip on Saturday.

[MBMorgan]

In my earlier recommendation for a classic PBC I forgot to mention one advantage to traveling with a barrel cooker: It’s a barrel. With lots of storage space for a ton of useful accessories that you’ll want to take along.

[HawkerXP]

I believe you know what my suggestion would be. Ash plate and turkey hanger.

[Dadof3Illinois]

If you are planning on cooking pork loin and or chicken wings.....I vote for a 26" kettle. I have both a PBC and a couple weber kettles and for what you plan on cooking the kettle will in my opinion do a much better job. Now don't get me wrong, the PBC is a fine cooking machine but for wings and loin not so much IMO. If you are talking some pork ribs and 1/2 chickens.....I vote PBC.
In either case, if you get the PBC you should also get the ash pan, extra hooks and a cover.

[Bogy]

For just this cook, the kettle might be better, but long term, I'm going to cook a lot more whole chickens, turkeys and ribs than I am wings. Although I do have 4 or 5 whole loins that are going to be turned into back bacon.

[Alan Brice]

I just got a roll of heavy duty foil n use the coal holder as a template. Set that in first n pull it last after cool down. Fold in the edges, ashes lift right out. Mine still looks like new. Spend the money on meat. Hanger basket for veggies n cover if it is out in the weather.

[Bogy]

I want to thank everyone for their opinions, advice and suggestions. Hopefully in the very near future I will be able to put up some pictures of my first cook in my nice shiny new PBC. If it ever stops raining here. Just placed my order, through the link here. The PBC, with the select package. By the time I added the two accessories I really wanted, the ash catcher and the cover, I was just 10 bucks shy of the $80 price for the package which included those items, plus the hinged grate, chimney starter, and a pair of gloves. Also got the turkey hanger and hook tool, because that puts me almost at what my wife just spent on a new office chair. Thanks again, and if I have any questions about how to use the thing, I know where to come.

[MsTwiggy]

Woohoo!!! Wit cha new PBC 🎉🥳🎁 Very Exciting - can't wait to hear how floored you are with the results. I recommend reading the lighting thread - it has been a game changer for me! Congratulations again!!!!

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/charcoal-drums-barrels-and-bullet-smokers/pit-barrel-cooker/12614-light-my-pbc-fire-tips-on-lighting-and-maintaining-temperatures

[LA Pork Butt]

Here are my thoughts. If you are going to be moving it alone and doing it a lot the PBC makes sense. But, it this is basically a one time town event MCS purchase I think the intake and exhaust vents are significant improvements on heat control. Panhead John was planning to move his this weekend. He thought he would need to remove the top part of the cylinder to put in his pickup. Maybe next week he can tell you his thoughts.

[Panhead John]

Sunny..yep. Gonna take it apart tomorrow morning. It’ll take maybe 2 or 3 minutes. There’s only about 7 or 8 screws to remove. Then it’ll be in 2 pieces, much easier to lift and transport in the back of my truck. But it’s still gonna be a 2 man job to load and unload.

[LA Pork Butt]

Panhead John and Bogy I get the two man job. I have a BGE MIniMax which weighs 65# and it has handles. So it is a whole lot easier to move with a second set hands.

[Bogy]

Working on having at least one son here to help, with a pickup, but both of them have had back problems lately, so I really didn't want to load and unload the Blaz'n. Twice.

[jecucolo]

What I love about the PBC is most people don’t know what to think when you remove the lid and smoke and aroma washes over them as they look inside. Then when you pull the hanging brisket off the rebars they are amazed. It cooks so predictable and alway full of flavor. I hope you enjoy cooking on it as much as I do!

[Bogy]

One other important question. Since this cooks with charcoal can I use this as an excuse why I need to sit by it and baby sit it on nice days with a cold beverage close at hand? As opposed to my pellet burners which are "set and forget" and my flattop which generally keeps me too busy to sit around.

[Bogy]

Panhead John My personal preference is margaritas.

[Soonerpop]

Absolutely! No one needs to know there’s not a lot of "tending to" involved. Adds to the mystique. 🍹🍸🥃🍻 Cheers!

[Livermoron]

...as long as no one knows about the "set & forget" part of the PBC, any excuse works!

[MsTwiggy]

Yes, yes, and yes!! I'll be right over to help
w/setup and 'rita sippin'

[bbq_esq]

One other important question. Since this cooks with charcoal can I use this as an excuse why I need to sit by it and baby sit it on nice days with a cold beverage close at hand? As opposed to my pellet burners which are "set and forget" and my flattop which generally keeps me too busy to sit around.

Yes just make sure you bring some tools with the cooler so it looks like you are fidgeting with something. I always keep a Ti-83 calculator near it just for good measure.

You will love the PBC. It knocks chicken and ribs out of park. Lot of fun to use and get the "hang" of

[fzxdoc]

You've got a lot of cooking fun in store for you when that PBC arrives at your door. As many have said, customer service, if you need them, is great. But the PBC has such a short learning curve that you'll be smoking at a steady 250-275° right out of the box. It's easy to ramp it up to 350°+ for poultry.

You're going to love it. I'm glad to hear that you finally found just the right rationalization to enable you to buy it with a clear conscience. That's especially important in your line of work.

Enjoy!

Kathryn

[Bogy]

I'm hard at work on my inaugural cook with the PBC. PBC is holding at an average of 309.

Small pork loin is on with a coating of MMD, currently an IT of 90. Daughter and granddaughters are on their way so some chicken legs will go on soon. Pictures of how it came out later.

[Panhead John]

Congrats on a well deserved new cooker! We’re happy for ya, and yes, we do need the pics thank you. 👍

[jecucolo]

Awesome!

[MsTwiggy]

Excellent!! I can't wait to see 🐿