First use of PBX

[hoovarmin]

It's been a long time since I used my PBC and I used to cook with it at least 4 times a week. I sold my Lang and ordered a PBX with a $200 off promo code. Last night I did a burn without any probes just to make sure all the styrofoam burned off. About an hour ago I lit it to hang a chicken and it spiked all the way up to 414 and is staying there with all three rebar in, bottom vent as closed as it can get. Not sure exactly how that happened, but all that is to say that now I face a learning curve on a new cooker that I once mastered in the smaller version.

[Duanessmokedmeats]

Lid leaking?
Try 2 towel wrapped bricks to help the lid seal.
Mine did that the first few times, now they have a natural seal and keep @250 to 270. Hotter if I take a bar or 2 out for chicken.

[hoovarmin]

Yes, there is no seal on my lid right now but I did coat the rim with some Pam before the burn last night to get that started. With my PBC the seal was so good that it took some effort to take it off once the cooker got rolling.

[UncleFester]

Yeah if the lid isn't leaking, I might suggest cutting the number of lit coals you are starting with in half and go from there.

[hoovarmin]

That's great advice

[HawkerXP]

You will get it under control. Build up some insulation and things will calm down.

PBX, PBX, PBX!

[hoovarmin]

It settled in at about 325 near the end of the cook. I'm planning on cooking at least 3 turkeys in it on Thanksgiving, so I'm going to be using the hell out of it between now and then to build that good seal.

[Finster]

And in short order, you will master this one too.
Enjoy the new cooker

[hoovarmin]

Thanks for the encouragement!

[smokenoob]

Use the force Dave!

[hoovarmin]

You are our only hope, Obi Wan Jerry!

[jfmorris]

Once you master it I can’t wait to see pics of this monster in action! And maybe, just maybe, I need to replace my ancient offset that sits unused most of the year with one of these…

[hoovarmin]

At this time in my life the PBX is just more practical than the Lang. Maybe when my kids get older and don't want to hang out with me for a season I'll get another stick burner?

[jfmorris]

hoovarmin my kids don't hang out with me often since they don't live here anymore, but on days like today, when I was feeding them brisket and ribs, I was glad to do it on a cooker (the kamado) that I could load with fuel (charcoal and wood chunks) and monitor remotely with my Thermoworks app all day long. The offset is too much work for my point in life, unless it's a shorter cook like ribs, maybe the Thanksgiving turkey. I am too busy to feed the fire every 20-30 minutes for hours on end...