Temps UNDER the PBC?

[abandonedbrain]

Hey, all.

I'm in a precarious spot. I have a Ducane gasser, and a Weber 22.5 kettle. I'm looking to move up in capabilities, and am contemplating either the SnS add-on or the PBC. I'm leaning heavily toward the PBC and moving my kettle to my new outbuilding to use for quick steaks and burgers only. The PBC would augment the Ducane at the house.

My question is: how hot does the PBC get UNDER the cooker? I have a fairly nice lawn next to my fairly nice deck. I have a "work board" which I use currently under my kettle, about 42"x42", 1" particle board covered with old, heavy laminate, which can take SOME heat. If it gets to 300F under the PBC, though, that might be too much for it.

I see that the clearance under the PBC is pretty short (looks to be maybe 3"). What's everyone else doing for the issue of guarding your deck or lawn from damage?

[Jerod Broussard]

First of all welcome to the Pit!

I've not measured the temp nor cooked on any deciduous matter with mine.

I would contact Noah to see if he has any idea.

[Max Good]

It gets hot enough to damage your lawn and deck. Noah advises to use a protective barrier if you must place it on any surface that can be damaged by heat. I have mine on our brick patio. Also be mindful of using charcoal that burns hot like Kingsford Professional. Noah recommends Kingsford Blue Bag.

[Histrix]

Just get three or four bricks and place them around the bottom rim of the PBC. The air gap underneath the drum will protect things from damage.

[Nate]

abandonedbrain , First up I would highly advise against the idea of just putting 3 or 4 bricks around the bottom rim. As you know you already have a gap with the stand the PBC comes with and putting a few bricks down to try to set the stand on could create a very unstable situation.

A few things I have seen (BUT NOT TRIED MYSELF)...

People using and/or modifying rolling planter stands or dollies for barrels. They may put some sort of material down to help shield against heat.

The other thing thing I have seen is people have put some flat pavers down and create a square level surface for the PBC in their yard or on their patios. I know it wouldn't be "protecting" your yard but maybe you could give up and dedicate a little space for it.

[AdamJG]

I have a durable rubber mock brick paver under mine and it's not damaged or melted...so I wouldn't say it's dangerously hot, but while tailgating I've put it directly on grass (wasn't my grass) and it left a nice yellowish brown spot but didn't burn it or cause a fire. Moral of the story, hot enough to kill your nice lawn, but not hot enough to be terribly concerned. Get a nice looking paver and you'll b good to go. It's a great cooker, you'll love it.

[abandonedbrain]

Hey, thanks all! Good points, all of them. Well, the bricks... But I took a good long look at the area next to my deck where I normally put my kettle, on grass, and mulled it over a bit. It's a weird transitional area to walk from the deck to a mulched/patio-blocked walkway, and I'm always complaining to myself about having to get off the mower to grab the push mower for such a small area. I think it might be time to rip that grass out and create a patio area for the grills to move to. That would also give me some extra walking space on the deck. So Nate wins, but in fairness none of you knew the exact layout of the area.

Plus, if I put in the extra work to pretty that area up and make it permanent, maybe wifey won't notice the PBC moving in...

[Nate]

We like pictures! Post some when you are done.

[freddh]

Oh she'll notice alright, but once she has a taste of what comes out of the PBC, she'll surely change her tune. Probably "what took you so long?". Hahaha

[Spinaker]

Go to Home Depot and buy four concrete pavers, I think they are about $1.78 a piece. That all you need. I had mine on the deck with that set up. No problems.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/12-in-x-12-in-Pewter-Concrete-Step-Stone-71200/100333077

[RonB]

Guest - thanx - I was going to look those pavers up and post the same thing. And they are very mobile - you can put them out just for the cook, or leave them out.

[MadChemist]

+1 on Spinaker 's post.

[JPP]

I can attest... Temps under the PBC... Are hot enough to kill grass! If I pulled that stunt this year, I'd burn down the entire neighborhood! I've not mowed the gras in nearly two months!