I now have a PBJ already had a PBC

[Volofish]

I thought I would share a few thoughts on my new PBJ. I have a PBC and I don't claim to be an expert but have had a lot of PBC great cooks! I am married and have four kids but three of them are on their own and my last is headed to college in the fall so now most of the time its just two of us. I decided to get a Junior and see how it goes. If I had to do it all over again and I were to have just one I still would have the PBC. Sometimes I entertain or cook three butts for a church event. I want that capacity. BUT I do think I will be using the Jr at least 3/4 of the time now. It uses way less charcoal and so far I have had two cooks. I think the amount of charcoal used in the PBC is very reasonable, but the Junior is 1/2 that! One of my cooks with four chicken halves and another with two racks of ribs. I could easily have fit more ribs. My only disappointment was the bottom of the racks were a little more charred than normal, but I can just cut my racks in half which I sometimes do anyway. I think every PBC is a little different and you have to play with lighting procedures. I like to keep things minimal but I do find temperature control better with installing a gasket. I did that right from the start with the Junior. ONE tip that I didn't know with my research- put the lit charcoal into the basket before you put it in the barrel! With the PBC I can take the PBC chimney and navigate it into the barrel and pour into the basket. Quarters are too cramped for this in the Junior. I am happy that I now have both the results of my cooks are outstanding out of both!

[RonB]

Congrats on the new cooker.

[Volofish]

Thanks RonB. I like your profile picture. My third grill is a Weber kettle

[Soonerpop]

I always cut rib racks in half on my PBJ. You’ll be happy with it I think.

[dpearce]

I only have the PBC so can’t say much toward the junior. I’m open to get a vertical smoker and a replacement for a Weber I had for many years. All I can say is, if you have more seating than grills, you might want to re-think how much seating you have! If I found a junior at a cut rate it would be sitting right next to the PBC in a hot minute. .

[fzxdoc]

The only thing better than one PBC is two of them, whatever the size. Congrats on your purchase.

Kathryn

[RichieB]

I have the junior as it's me and my wife. But as I've said before when it comes to bbq, low and slow with smoke, I cook for one, me. Sometimes I wish I had more footprint. If needed, I go to the Kettle for the extra room. Enjoy!

[Donw]

Congratulations on your new cooker.

[barelfly]

more cookers is always a good thing! Enjoy and make sure to show us some of your cooks!

[mrichie1229]

Glad to hear the PBJ works just as well as the PBC. I love my PBC!

[captainlee]

Enjoy your new cooker !!!

[RobertC]

Congratulations! Our kids are also off to school or on their own so it's handy having a slightly smaller cooker that uses half the fuel!

[HawkerXP]

PBJ, PBC, PBX!

[Texas Larry]

I was headed down the preanit/butter/jelly rabbit hole 🙄.