I love my Pit Barrel Cooker. I have purchased some accessories from the company to improve it, including the ash pan, cover, hinged grill grate and the turkey hanger. The only things I didn't like about it were the ability to control the temperature without a lot of fiddling, and the immobility. I researched the Auber and the Heatermeter but didn't feel comfortable how to properly attach them without cutting additional holes in the barrel. I finally found what I was looking for that allowed me to install a temperature control system that easily attaches to the bottom vent. The DigiQDX2 by BBQ Guru offers an adaptor (model XL Grill Dome Adaptor) that fits nicely inside the barrel and covers the bottom vent with the adaptor port extending through to the outside . I bent it a little by hand so that it conforms to the radius of the barrel then put the bottom lip of the adaptor inside the barrel which sits in the small groove where the bottom of the barrel and side wall come together. I only had to drill one small hole in the adaptor where the existing damper plate screw goes and then used the screw and nut that came with the PBC and it pulled up nice and tight. I then put some heat resistant tape over the entire thing to help seal it. This has been a great improvement and has given me really good temperature control with minimal effort. Lastly, I bought a plant mover which helps me wheel it around the patio without straining. Pictures are attached.
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Nice and clean ... and yet another chink in my resolve not to mod mine ... -
I'm in the same boat so I can keep mine portable for RV use, The Digi Q works so well on the Weber with SNS that I'm tempted, but I have resolved myself to using Noah's way of cooking on it and am happy with the results.Comment
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BigBear , that looks interesting. I've been tempted for a long time to install an Auber or DigiQ on my PBC.
I am afraid that installing an Auber or DigiQ at the vent level will result in the stirring up of ash, which would then circulate over the meat as it cooks. Have you had a problem with this, or not?
Thanks in advance!
KathrynComment
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I had the same concerns too Kathryn but that hasn't been the case so far. I have done a pork butt, a brisket and some baby back ribs since the mod with no notice of ash deposit. From the User Guide: When there is sufficient fuel in the pit, the blower will gently puff the fire, feeding it little bursts of oxygen. A sentence later in the Guide: When the pit starts to run out of fuel, the blower will run almost all of the time. I guess that is when you get potentially stir up some ash. It didn't happen on the rib cook since it was a short cook. On the longer cooks I did have to add additional charcoal before the end of the cook but I didn't notice any ash on the surface or detect any acrid taste. I will keep an eye out for this and update you if I notice this becoming a problem.Comment
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That is slick looking, especially with that super shiny barrel.Comment
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I've been looking into mobility for my newly aquired PBC. Specifically, drum dollies. How much was the Pot Mover? I've seen the drum dollies for $50-75. All steel though. That looks like plastic?Comment
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I guess if you're worried about the possibility of heat damage (even though the PBC is on its stand on the pot mover), you could always put a large tile or paver on the pot mover on which to rest the PBC stand.Comment
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Three cooks in and no signs of damage to the plant dolly so far.Comment
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BigBear THANK YOU FOR THIS POST! I've been considering the DigiQ for some time now, and my birthday is coming up. Installed out of the box, without drilling the hole that you made and no heat resistant tape, how do you think it would work? I'm nervous about having to make any mods myself, so I'm curious how it works on its own and how challenging the mods were when you decided to improve the installation. Thanks so much!Comment
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mikebarish I think the DigiQ DX2 would work just fine without drilling the hole, or adding tape. I think you'll find that they are easy additions after you see all of the pieces though. Good luck!
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BigBear Oh, one more question: what is that small attachment that is holding the DigiQ unit that you have mounted on the side of the PBC? Looks great! Thank you!Comment
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mikebarish, I think you are asking about the Magnetic Gooseneck Mount that the BBQGuru has available for the Digi Q Dx-2,
I have two of them it makes it easier to move the control from Grill to Grill!
From a Backyard Cremator in Fargo ND, Dan -
Thanks so much, Danjohnston949! Pretty snazzy looking! Appreciate the info! -
Mike, πππππ On Yhe Magnetic Mount for BBQGURU DigiQ DX-2!
From a Backyard Cremator in Fargo ND , Dan
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MSU Spartans this is the set up with the BBQ guru (I'm not home to take a pic of mine). It is pretty straight forward. Great idea using the plant moverBigBear I'll be stealing that one!Comment
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I'm a gadget guy for sure and that beautiful install made me go "oh oh ohhh" in true Tim Taylor style. Nice job BigBear and I can see how better temp control would make cook times more predictable. For me though the appeal of the PBC was the simplicity of use and the honest to freaking gosh outrageous caveman food it makes... lol I've never had a problem maintaining consistent cook temps after the fire settles in but yes how you build the fire pretty much determines what cook temp you end up with and can be a hit or miss deal if you're looking for a certain temp. I'm ok with just adjusting cook times accordingly but look forward to following how this works out for you and others.Comment
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