Ordering a PBC. What additional items to Get?

[fuzzydaddy]

I'm close to ordering a PBC. When depends on if I get approval first or just ask for forgiveness . What additional items should I get?

Turkey hanger: I plan on ordering one of these. I know that when splitting chickens I can use meat hooks, but for whole chickens do you use the turkey hanger or meat hooks?

Cover: I may order one. Thoughts?

Extra set of 8 meat hooks: What items do you double-hook (briskets, ribs)?

Anything else? I appreciate your suggestions!

[AZRedneck]

Beer. Definately a box of beer. Or if you get approval from the finance officer, a kegerator. Heck, you're already gonna have to apologize later so get both and make it all worthwhile.

[fuzzydaddy]

I'm likely to overspend whatever is planned.

[Danjohnston949]

fuzzydaddy, I wish I could help you out for all the help you give others! I have never been close to one being used to my knowledge? I think You might want to appeal to fzxdoc (Kathryn) for help! Spinaker might have a suggestion or two but I am sure he is Preparing for the Eagles to Whip his "Undefeated" Vikings Today's? The Eagles QB was the QB for the NDSU Bison last year and currently has 2 Losses for a total of 3 counting College and Pro Ball!
I am sure better help is forthcoming!
Eat Well and Prosper! From a Backyard Cremator in Fargo ND, Dan

[fuzzydaddy]

Thanks Dan and always good to see/hear you!

[Voodoo]

Hinged grill grate. Love mine. And it fits in my 18" Weber too. Have not tried the turkey hanger simply because spatchcocked turkey off the PBC is the best ever and I just use hooks to hang the bird. For chicken, I split mine just as Noah demonstrates. Best chicken ever. Some don't like the ash pan, but I do. Much easier than picking that bad boy up and dumping it after every cook.
​​​​​Have fun. I think you'll like the PBC. I really recommend: don't get caught up with temp management, relax cause the end product tastes great, and try to cook everything you can think of in it. Some get the idea a PBC is just a good smoker for traditional BBQ. No way. Flank steak, tri tip, salmon, burgers, you name it. It will be good.

[fuzzydaddy]

Spatchcocked turkey sounds great and thanks for your recommendations.

[Mr. Bones]

It is gettin that time of year for some Turkey test runs, especially since I have additional cookers I've never done turkey on.

[Nate]

~Extra Hooks (Great if you serial hook)
~Extra hook grabber
~Hinged Grate
~Ash Pan (Not necessary but I like having it)
~Gloves (I like them)
~Turkey hanger

[fuzzydaddy]

I do like the looks of their gloves. I plan on doing some whole turkeys for my little 55+ community. What do you serial hook?

[Nate]

fuzzydaddy , I'm paranoid so I do a lot of stuff. I will with half chickens. I run 1 through the breast and another through the thigh. I also serial hook ribs.

[Jerod Broussard]

I have mine on blocks and I sweep out the ash into a large ash pan.

[DWCowles]

fuzzydaddy you have been working to hard I'm sure you meant a WSM. And you want have to buy all of that extra stuff.

[fuzzydaddy]

One smoker at a time or else I'll be building a dog house. I have a big area to fill up.

[DWCowles]

I'm just messing with you fuzzydaddy and someone else. Hope you enjoy your new adventure with the PBC and keep us updated with lots of pics.

[fuzzydaddy]

Thanks DWCowles. Life is good, well actually life is great!

[MBMorgan]

I'm close to ordering a PBC. When depends on if I get approval first or just ask for forgiveness . What additional items should I get?

Turkey hanger: I plan on ordering one of these. I know that when splitting chickens I can use meat hooks, but for whole chickens do you use the turkey hanger or meat hooks?

Cover: I may order one. Thoughts?

Extra set of 8 meat hooks: What items do you double-hook (briskets, ribs)?

Anything else? I appreciate your suggestions!

Turkey hanger? So far I either split or spatchcock almost everything (and use 2 hooks) or, if I cook a bird whole (typically duck) I use either 1 or 2 hooks depending on its size. I might try the hanger someday ... but so far haven't found the need (just a little MCS voice whispering in my ear).

Cover?: I got one and it works well. The only problem is that the elastic around the bottom failed after just a few months but I've had no problems with the cover wanting to blow off.

Extra set of 8 meat hooks?: I'd wait until you see if you need them. FWIW, I asked Pit Barrel Cooker Co. to consider offering an alternative set of hooks with the part that hooks over the rebar facing in the opposite direction from the current hooks to make it much easier to lift something like a butt directly upwards with two hook grabbers instead of the current somewhat awkward way it's done. I'll for sure order a second set if they start offering those.

I'll second other's suggestions for:

>Extra hook grabber
>Hinged Grate (I don't have one ... but you know how MCS works)
>Ash Pan (I like mine) ... and if you get one, have a small (clean!) metal paint scraper on hand to facilitate removing burnt-on drippings from it.

[GBA]

1/2 " wood dowel add the hook spend $0.75 compare to the cost of pbc price.

[lschweig]

I really like your idea of of producing hooks over the the rebar setting in the opposite direction as it is currently awkward to both set and remove the current hooks when inserting product..

[Nate]

I too like your hook idea. I have some S hooks i purchased at Lowes that I use for hanging baskets and that works well. Also good call on the paint scraper to clean off the ash pan. I have to do that as well.

[fzxdoc]

You've gotten some good suggestions here, fuzzydaddy . I'm really excited to hear that you're thinking of slipping a PBC onto the deck under the cover of darkness, presumably. Once she who checks the Visa statement gets a taste of your first PBC chicken, her concerns will go out the window.

I like having extra hooks for when I double serial hook ribs, brisket, and chuckies, depending on how many I have in the PBC at any one time. For sure when you need a couple of extra hooks, you won't have 'em if you don't order them to hold in reserve for that inevitable day. Once you see how much food you can cook in the PBC, you'll find you need a couple more at least.

I recommend having a split grate, although I'm not enthused about the design of the split grate that PBC has for sale, only because the opening is not as large as the Great Grate that many of us have made for ourselves. I like having half the grate open, as opposed to the smaller rectangular opening of the PBC split grate. That said, you've got to be careful positioning a homemade Great Grate so that it doesn't tip when you add food to it while some meat is hanging through the opening.

For sure you'll want an extra hook grabber.

I'm with those who like smoking chicken in longitudinal (sagittal) halves and spatchcocking turkeys. Having a spatchcocked 14 lb turkey table-ready in under 2 hours is pure poultry heaven. I bought the turkey hanger but have yet to use it. I do like using the little bar part that bridges the two rebars for adding a hanging sausage basket on, though.

I'm in the camp that doesn't like the ash catcher; I use a double layer of wide heavy duty Aluminum foil fit to the bottom of the barrel for each cook. (I use the inside rim of the lid to mark the circumference of the barrel onto the foil. I just lay the lid onto the squares of foil and fit them up around that inside lip to mark it.) The bottom of my PBC is still clean as a whistle. With the ash catcher, the grease rolls off of it and under it onto the barrel. Then you have to clean both the ash catcher and the bottom of the barrel. Yuck. I've set mine aside and gone back to the doubled aluminum foil and am much happier when it comes to cleanup.

A compact chimney is nice, especially that Char Broil Half Time one that I discussed here. Of course Weber cubes are nice for starting the chimney since there is no flying ash from pieces newspapers or old charcoal bags flying around when you lift the chimney to pour.

For ultimate peace of mind, hang two smoker probes with each PBC cook, one on the vent side and one on the side opposite. It will gentle you down when you see the temperature appear to be too high or too low and are tempted to fiddle with cracking the lid or stuffing foil into the rebar holes. Averaging the two temps tells you that the PBC is right where you want it to be for most, if not all, of the cook.

Let us know when you get your PBC, because I have every confidence in your ability to sweet talk one through the door.

Kathryn

[fuzzydaddy]

Thanks fzxdoc for sharing your PBC wisdom! I'll definitely post when I get it and also my first cook.

[Nate]

fuzzydaddy , Kathryn is right about the turkey hanger being a good bridge to make more room. I've used this trick based on her recommendation. Even though I have a hinged grate I am wanting to make my own half grate like hers. The hinged one doesn't allow as much room.

[Tim E]

Interesting note on the two hanging probes fzxdoc. What kind of variance are you typically seeing between the two?

[HawkerXP]

Ive only had mine a short time and I love it. Here is my input...

+I do have and use the ash catcher, it helps to prevent ash / coals dropping when I use the "rake" method to transfer the coal bin after a cook to my Weber to extinguish the fire.
+I double up on hooks for ribs and chicken so far.
+I plan to buy a grate and make my own split version.
+I also made my own version of the hook grabber.
+I love how nice the porcelain barrel looks so I extinguish after each cook and put the Black Beauty in my garage. No cover at this time.
+I may spring for the gloves and turkey hanger. I almost lost a chicken due to incorrect hook placement.
+I would definitely buy extra hooks if they sold the reverse hook type as mentioned by Mbmorgan

[fuzzydaddy]

Thanks a bunch! Mine will stay outside so I'm getting the cover for sure.

[lschweig]

I would also buy the reverse hooks as mentioned by the above!

[lschweig]

All good advice above and you are going to love your PBC.
Ash catcher-- I like mine. Occasionally you need to scrape off the sludge that sometimes develops from the drippings. I use a drywall taping knife. I have never had to scrape sludge off the bottom of the PBC. Sometimes the ash catcher becomes detached from the basket and that can be a slight PITA to reattach.
Gloves are less expensive from Amazon or Home Depot, but you don't get the PBC lettering on those.
Cover-- for me a must as I will cook during the winter and do not want to have to melt ice in the lid and then dump it. Plus it helps keep your PBC looking shiny and clean. Yes the elastic at the bottom fails fairly quickly, but that actually makes it easier the remove and put on. Also without the cover rain will get in through the rebar holes and possibly rust out the bottom of the PBC over time.
Extra grabbers-- probably. My dear wife has an expression "blind as a boy" and mine is "where the h*** is it" "I know I saw it".
Extra hooks-- I have not needed them as of yet as I have not needed to serial hook, but the grabber comment has already been applied.
Do watch Noah's videos as it gives you a good place to start as well as Katheryn's cook log.

[fuzzydaddy]

Thanks for your advice. I'm already watching Noah's videos and will be looking at Kathryn's cook log.

[TheGrizMan]

I've had the PBC for a month and a half now. A few cooks in. I'm interested in getting the Turkey hanger, ash tray, and cover, too. As far as the extra hook grabber... I'm not convinced you need to order one. It's super easy to make yourself (I am NO way a handyman when it comes to woodwork). In about 30 minutes, we made 4 grabbers with one wooden rod cut into 4 pieces and 4 eye hooks screwed into the ends. No more than $5 for the 4 completed hook grabbers. I can post pictures when I remember to take a picture of them. Enjoy the the new toy.

[Spinaker]

I am sure you have all the answers you need, but I would order more hooks. I think the hooks work fine for hanging birds but I have never done a Turkey in the PBC, so I cant speak too the need of the Turkey hanger.

Order more hooks, they grow legs and go missing. Its always nice to have extras on hand.

I don't bother with the ash catcher, just tip that sucker over and dump it out. It works fine with no harm done. If you really want an ash catcher, you can just use an old pizza pan on the bottom of the PBC.

I don't cover mine, its usually inside the garage or something while in storage. If its going to be outside full time, I guess I would get a cover.

Personally, I say don't scrape the inside, ever. Even if you have mold growing on the inside. BURN IT OUT. All of that build up on the inside helps to maintain steady temps and insulates the PBC. I know others here scrape the inside but I am against this method.

A Pit Mitt is a must for the PBC. Handling the hooks and hangers require gloves. Because you will lose that little wooden hook grabber thing. I actually use a piece of looped bailing wire to unhook from the re-bar.

Other than that, I cant think of anything else you need. The PBC is a great package right out of the box.

[Spinaker]

I didn't use it for 6 months after I got my KBQ. I keep it at my uncles place now. So when I go to visit its there for me to use. I still love the PBC. And the KBQ and the PBC are two very different smokers. But when they were both at my house together, the PBC collected dust. DWCowles

[DWCowles]

I know what you mean Spinaker my WSM only got used one time this year and none last year. The Lang and the RecTec gets all of the action. But I'm going to try and put it to work more next year.

[fuzzydaddy]

Much appreciated Spinaker!

[PBCDad]

Not sure if I can add much to the knowledge already given, but here's my experience so far:

I haven't needed more than 8 hooks but I don't cook for huge crowds. I've started double hooking some things (brisket, pork butts) but most are fine with just one (ribs, chicken, tri-tip, etc).

I did make a homemade Great Grate before the PBC one came out. Definitely nice for some things but the grate capacity on a PBC is pretty small, so you can't put much on there.

I have the turkey hanger and love it for turkey and chicken. I realize chicken probably cooks a little better and faster when you cut it up, but I don't carve it when done - just let everyone cut a piece off the whole chicken. And it looks pretty cool.

When I remember, I lay the aluminum foil down. Biggest advantage is I just wrap it up and throw it away, no messing with how accurately I can pour the ash into a cut up milk container. I don't have the ash catcher so can't speak to whether it is worth it.

I got the gloves, and I now use them exclusively - I don't bother with the hook thingy at all. Also necessary when things are hanging from both rebar. If I needed another hook thingy, I'd probably make one, nothing special about it.

I'm in Seattle and don't use a cover based on Meathead's article. I never have a problem with water getting inside, and the finish is still like new after a year and a half. If you have salty air coming in, you may have different criteria. I know that even if I got the cover, I would forget to put it on by the time the coals are burnt out and cooled off, so it would still get rained on.

I have the full sized Weber chimney, so I've switched to having the coal basket outside, pour the lit coals in, rearrange as needed, and then use a large crowbar to lift it into the barrel. If you'd rather not do that, I'd look at either the half size Weber chimney or the other one fzxdoc recommends, full chimney in the barrel is kind of a pain.

Hope this helps. I got a kettle + SnS, but I still use the PBC for any long smokes because it is so nice to have it finish quickly, and the flavor is great!

[fuzzydaddy]

Thank you PBCDad! Lots of great information to digest and make my decisions. I usually err on the side of buying more than I need :-)

[Gator Lau]

It's pretty much all been said. But I just started about 250 PBC cooks ago with the basic set. I only have added a cover. I already had Pitt Mitt gloves. Save some bucks until you see need.