Should I get a PBC?

[Allon]

I'm not new to cooking. But my experience smoking food is somewhat limited. I've used wood chips in my charcoal grill many times but never for hours on end.

I've been looking around Amazing Ribs for a few weeks now and I've determined three things:

1) This is an amazing site with outstanding members.
2) My current equipment just doesn't cut it. Repairs cost almost as much as a new one! (Revoace GBC1793W combo charcoal\propane).
3) I need inexpensive and easy way to start out.

That's why I came here. The PBC seems to fill the checklist on price and ease of use.

Is a PBC the way for me to go?
I don't know what I don't know.
Anything special I should be aware of?
What are the must have accessories?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[MBMorgan]

The PBC is complete as-is. There are several useful accessories that you may eventually want, depending on what you like to cook. The biggest issue with the PBC is that, because it's a barrel, it requires a fair amount of strength and dexterity to move it around and to maneuver stuff into and out of it. Cooking on it is simplicity itself ... and, in my experience, the results always seem to be great.

[Allon]

The fact that it comes complete is very attractive to me. The accessories seem to be relatively inexpensive compared to other manufacturers.

As far as moving it, once it's set, that's where it's staying. Getting things in and out is somewhat concerning, but not a deal breaker.

And after all is said and done, it's all about the food (and the people who enjoy it).

[Alan Brice]

Well, I am a PBC owner. Others on this site tout the bronco. If I take the guts out of the 30 gallon barrel, it weighs appx 28 pounds.
The PBC will put some serious smoke flavor on anything you care to cook. Set it n forget it.
Just watch your temps. If you are here, you already have a good way to do that. I am quite satisfied with what it will produce.
Plenty of experience to tap into on this site.
No hokey assed wheels to deal with. Maneuvers just fine if you pull the guts.
You will do that for every cook anyway.

[Allon]

Wow. Your like a fortune teller. The very next post is from the Bronco side of this discussion.

Great flavor and easy to use, what more do you need.
Thank you for your input.

[Panhead John]

"No hokey assed wheels to deal with." Hey! I happen to think my Bronco’s wheels are pretty! 😂

[Sid P]

No you shouldn’t. Not because there’s anything wrong with the PBC, but because the Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco has far surpassed it. The only reason to pick a PBC over the Bronco is if maneuverability is important to you, as the Bronco weighs about twice as much - about 130 pounds.

[Allon]

My only issue with the Bronco for me is the price. I just can't justify spending more than $300 to $450 at this juncture. I do like the orange one!

I appreciate your time and effort on my behalf.

[rickgregory]

Allon - the Bronco is $450 in a few places. The larger Pro is... $650-750 I think?

[hogdog6]

I have both a bronco pro and a PBC, PBC way easier, I can put as much in it as I can the big guy. PBC price 👍. I bought the bronco to complete with and it works. But at home my little barrel is what I go to. Just my humble opinion.

[Dadof3Illinois]

I really like my PBC and it cooks some awesome ribs and chicken but IMO I would recommend a weber kettle as a starting point. The 22 and 26" weber kettles are some of the most versatile cookers on the market today!!! I love both the 22 & 26, plus there are an endless amount of accessories on the market for them, especially the 22". You can cook low and slow for hours, hot and fast both direct and indirect.
The PBC does a great job of smoking/cooking meat but where it struggles is trying to grill on it.

[Dadof3Illinois]

IdahoJim I see nice Master touch kettles under $100 often. If that 26" was in decent shape you stole it!!

[Allon]

Yes. $300 to $450 is correct. I have looked around my area for anything used. Most look like they've seen better days. If I'm going to invest, I want to invest with as much wisdom as I can muster.
I would rather commit more money to a good new one than and excellent used one that continues to cause irritation every time I use it. (not that new is always foolproof)

I'll continue to scan for used for a time, while focused on either PBC, Bronco or a kettle.

[CRO]

I agree.
I have both a PBC and 22" Weber with a SNS. I use the Weber for Butts and Brisket and the PBC for ribs and chicken.

[smokin fool]

Hey, why not....look for a used on Craig’s list and see if it floats your boat.
If it doesn’t re-list and recoup some of your money then go a different route.

[Allon]

I've got my eyes open and looking around. Does sound like a good plan.

Thank you every much.

[RlsRls]

I started 40 years ago with relatively cheap gassers but would burn them out often. (cook out 52 weeks/year here in Boston!) Went with Weber kettles for years and eventually moved to a Kamado from Broil King ,lasted almost 15 years . My opinion? If you do a lot of weekend long cooks (which I don't), then perhaps a PBC would be best. However, I found the kamado to be great at both syles of cooking. It can get rip roaring hot for steaks , pizza, burgers etc.. but also has great heat retention for long cooks with minimum fuel for ribs ,Chicken, pulled pork etc.. I now own a PK360. I never have, and doubt I will ever go with motorized fans etc, for overnight cooks, but now with my new PK, I feel I can continue to do both hot and fast cooks, as well as moderately long smokes! The PK 360 has marine grade S/S grates and an aluminum shell which will probably out last me! My two cents. (maybe 23 cents!)

[Allon]

Thank you for your post. Kamado looks good as well. Again, price is a concern.

Thanks again.

[Sid P]

Allon They’re almost always on sale somewhere. Today the orange one is $399.99 at Home Depot:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/OKLAHOMA-JOE-S-Bronco-Drum-Charcoal-Grill-and-Smoker-in-Orange-with-Cover-pack-284-sq-in-Cooking-Surface-22202159/320821163?mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-BNG-D28I-028_022_GRILLS-NA-MULTI-NA-PLALIA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-PLA&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-BNG-D28I-028_022_GRILLS-NA-MULTI-NA-PLALIA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-PLA-71700000090522246-58700007651936523-92700069177391135&msclkid=44d2478ae16d1734e2002545e4734e91&gclid=44d2478ae16d1734e2002545e4734e91&gclsrc=3p.ds

[Sid P]

The first one that came up for $759.68 on Amazon is the Pro model, which is bigger.

[Allon]

Thank you for clearing that up. (Both of you).
I'm off to scout the Bronco just a little closer...

[PNWsmoke]

And miltary discount 10 % if nobody mentioned it.

[Eric2662]

I say get the PBC! Its a fantastic cooker. Real set it and forget it type. It cooks at a higher temp than the traditional 225 and the food still comes out juicy and delicious. As far as must have accessories the hinged grate is quite useful in my opinion.

But as Dadof3Illinois pointed out, it's not Ideal for grilling or searing. I have 2 PBC cookers the original and I just bought the PBC junior. Beyond not being a great choice for searing steaks, I love my PBC.
Good Luck on what eve cooker you chose!

[Allon]

Thank you. I'm not really very concerned about searing. My charcoal grill will take care of that.
That hinged grate seems logical.
Being disabled and handicapped, easy to use is very important.
Thank you again.

[Finster]

YES....DEFINITELY
for all the reasons already noted.
added bonus...no assembly.
ready to cook out of the box.

[Allon]

Good point.

Thank you

[Murdy]

Definitely check out used:

https://newlondon.craigslist.org/grd/d/pawcatuck-pit-barrel-smokerexcellent/7503552748.html

https://maine.craigslist.org/for/d/camden-pit-barrel-cooker/7503853881.html

I have a Bronco, they were on sale for under $300 a few months ago. They're similar cookers. I love mine.

[Allon]

Checking that out.

Thank you.

[PNWsmoke]

Got mine last summer for 40 bucks on offerup.
It is a great cooker.

[Steve R.]

Aren't PBCs going for $399.99 now? The basic Bronco is $449.99 most everywhere except Home Depot, which has it right now for $399.00. The Bronco also comes with wheels for easy mobility, and a decent sized side shelf.

[Jfrosty27]

AND it can be configured for hot and fast grilling.

[Allon]

Another good point. Now that they are the same price... I have some more research to do. I never looked deeply into the Bronco. It WAS more than I wanted to spend.

Thank you.

[tenphases]

The big boy pbx is only 450

[hoovarmin]

Without a doubt you should get one. I've had mine for 3-4 years now and still cook in it, even though I have a big giant pricey Kamado. It's just a fantastic cooker. I'm not knocking the Bronco cause I've never used one and I'm sure they are great. But I love to pick mine up and put it in the back of my truck and take it with me camping or out to the gun club or the fish camp. It's so portable and it makes some damn good bbq.

[Allon]

I'm leaning toward the PBC at this point but I don't know enough about the Bronco yet.

That orange Bronco is pretty enticing. Might complete with all those brand new griddle owners.

But... Looks aside, I have a lot of research ahead of me.

Thank you

[Huskee]

They are remarkably portable and have such a big capacity for being lightweight and portable. Store all the stuff and even the charcoal bag(s) inside it. Love that aspect of the PBC.

[Greygoose]

I have a PBC and I have cooked ribs ,chicken , butts, and chuck roasts,,,,not all at the same time ,,,,
I puts out some great Q and I just folllow the PBC guide lines for lighting the coals and let her go,,,,
There is a PBC sticky on this site with a lot of valuable info,,,,
check it out and you will have a great understanding of the great lil cooker,,,,
I don’t fiddle with it ,,,I have an offset smoker for that,,,,LOL

[Allon]

As mentioned earlier, ease of use is pretty darn important.
Thank you for the information. I'll be sure to check it over.

[jfmorris]

With the PBC and Bronco both being $399 (if you get the orange one at Home Depot), I think there are some advantages to the Bronco. First - if you care about temperature control, it has full control of intake and exhaust vents. It has wheels to roll it around on. It is probably easier to use as a charcoal grill, with the option it has to setup the diffuser/charcoal basket upside down and get the charcoal higher to the cooking grate. And if you do want to use the cooking grate, I feel it is closer to the top - the cooking grate on the PBC is way down in there, which I've always felt makes it hard to get down in there with tongs to flip food or get it on and off the grate. The PBC has to be that way I supposed since it has a flat lid - the Bronco's hinged lid has a lot of headspace.

[Allon]

An important consideration to be sure.

I have a feeling there is no clearcut advantage to either side. I need to do more research.

Thank you.