Wondering if anybody has had experience cooking on both? My PBC has started to rust out on the bottom and will need to be replaced soon. Pit Barrel is offering the PBX at a $100 markdown right now, bringing the differential between it and the PBC down to just a hundred bucks. Interested in any user experience/impressions with the PBX. Thanks a million!
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Not sure if Spinaker has tested one but I wouldn't hesitate on that deal.
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Sounds like it's time for Panhead John to jump in and explain the errors of your ways and expound on the OKJ Bronco which is $399 at Home Depot...Comment
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Allon thanks for thinking of me, but Iām gonna sit this one out. Pretty sure everyoneās sick of me touting the Bronco. š The PBC is a fine cooker also.
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I know that Spinaker has both and can comment. Sorry to hear that your barrel is rusting out. But the prospect of a new one sounds kind of exciting.Comment
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Perhaps it would be cheaper to place a "deflector plate" in the bottom, over the rusting out.
I don't think lining it with heavy-duty aluminum will work--but it may get you a few more cooks.
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I guess my question is how often did you max out your PBC classic? Itās got a lot of capacity and if youāre cooking for many on a regular basis the PBX might be nice. But if youāre cooking a chicken or two or a couple racks of ribs it might be a lot of charcoal to use on a regular basis. Iāve never used a PBX so Iām making an assumption that it eats more charcoalComment
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I have both. (Multiple of each actually
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When you say rusted out.......like is there surface rust or has it rusted all the way through? There is an ash pan to help prevent this from happening. Also, cleaning out ash after a cook is crucial, as moisture and ash create a very corrosive environment.
I would not say it is an upgrade to go to the PBX. The PBX is awesome, just like the regular PBC. That being said the only reason to go up in size if you need more capacity. So if you need the space, go after the PBX because that is a great deal. Otherwise stick with the PBC Classic unless you need the additional space. The PBX uses more fuel than the Classic, but it is a beast if you need to crank out a tons of food.Comment
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Spinaker Thanks for the info. My PBC has started rusting completely through in the bottom center, even thought I have used the ash pan since day 1 and do clean thoroughly the following day after each cook. The ash pan caused the problem, actually. Early on, I didnāt realize that storing it with the ash pan attached could trap moisture underneath, and thatās what initiated the corrosion. Once started, rust is like cancer. You and jhapka have both brought up good points and (conāt) ā¦ -
..clarified my decision. I do sometimes save unburned charcoal after a cook by carefully lifting out the basket and placing it in my WSC and closing the vents. I do hate wasting charcoal. Wouldnāt be able to do that with the PBX, and I donāt actually need the larger size. Guess Iāll stick with the Classic, maybe wait and see if they ever go on sale. For now the rusting is a small area in the center, and the ash pan still provides a solid base, so it will be OK for a while. Thanks, all!
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I suspect a good local welder could put a piece of steel cut to the size of the PBC down inside the barrel and spot weld it in place. Would add some weight though.Comment
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Allon lumbrjk @AlabamaSmoke Iāve made a final decision what to do about the PBC, thanks to everyone for their thoughts and ideas. This baby is 6 yrs old, and I think itās best to just use it until itās days are up and then get a new one. The lid handle is rusting, the charcoal basket is of course mainly rust at this point, and nuthinā lasts forever. Paid $300 new, so at $50/yr itās been awesome, canāt complain. Gonna keep an eye out for any sales but will keep using this one until itās kaput.
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The orange OKJ Bronco is $399.99 at Home Depot plus there having a big sale...
I don't know if the sale counts for the Bronco, but it might be worth a look...Comment
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Good to know yours lasted six years. I'm on year three and the bottom is starting to show some signs of wear.
I've often thought about what I would do should my PBC become unviable. I doubt I would go with the PBX; it's just too big for my needs.
I was dead-set on getting a Bronco, but now I'm not so sure. The Bronco has been shown to be a fine product, but I really do like the lightweight and simplicity of the PBC, especially as I've got my lighting procedure and temp management down.
With also having the Grilla Chimp and Weber Kettle, I am uncertain if I need (or even want) the added versatility of the Bronco.Comment
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My thoughts exactly, Michael_in_TX. The Bronco has been tempting, but I too just really like the ease of use and simplicity of the PBC. I keep it up against the wall of my house for storage but move it out 10-20 ft onto the patio for use, and itās great that itās lightweight and has few parts to deal with. I recently decided to let one of my cookers go for space reasons, and chose to give away a 22ā WSM and keep the PBC for just those reasons. Hope yours lasts a while. Mine did start (conāt) -
ā¦showing rust after a relatively short time, but as mentioned above it was due to storing it with the ash pan attached. I definitely recommend not doing that, it traps water underneath and starts the corrosion process. Iām surprised Pit Barrel doesnāt warn about that, at least not that Iāve seen. Mine was even kept covered, the water came from condensation here in a humid environment.
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