Where Does Your PBC Settle In At And Run Fairly Steady?

[lschweig]

Hey all you PBC users.

Since correcting my out of round PBC barrel and using my lid clamps my barrel temp has been falling during the cook and I know that I will need to open the now lower vent a little to maintain fairly steady temps.

So if you could either advise me as to where your PBC settles in or advise me as to your "normal" desired PBC temp is for a normal not poultry cook.

Thanks in advance.

[Jerod Broussard]

I like 325 to 400. Closer to 400 the better.

lschweig I thought the NOT above was meant to be HOT as in "hot poultry cook"

I like a 250 if I am full of briskets. A whatever temp (250-300) if pork butts are in. Ribs 250-275 but I don't fret if it wants to run over 275

[AZRedneck]

You cook brisket that high?

[lschweig]

For non poultry products? Holy crap.

[AZRedneck]

That makes more sense.

[PappyBBQ]

Mine likes 270

[Nate]

My cooker usually settles in 260-290 range and probably averages around 275 (setup for multi protein cook). If I'm doing just birds then I set it up to run hotter...

I prefer poultry to cook at minimum of 325-350 if possible.....

That being said... Many times I am cooking more than one type of protein at a time (especially at local backyard comps) and the bird still comes out great! If I can then I will crack the lid towards the end to crisp up the skin.

[windquest2]

It depends on how you build the fire...see Kathryn's post on how to build it.

[FireMan]

Definetly see fzxdoc's post on building the fire. You will be amazed at how precise things work out

[Bob's BBQ]

Never checked temps on mine. I just light it per the old instructions with lighter fluid, wait 12 minutes and find that my cook times are very close to what Noah has in his recipes.

[Spinaker]

275 F Average

[johnec00]

I have found that mine runs about 170º - 180º above ambient. Since ambient around here is frequently around 90º, that means the cooker's going to be around 265º or so. If I want it a little higher, I've added two 3/4" holes just below the rim that 1/2" pipe plugs screw in to. For chicken, I have to crack the lid with a match stick to get around 350º. I just use the PBC's lighting procedure with 2.2 pounds KBB (~40 briquettes) in the chimney and 4.4 pounds in the basket.

[Obi-Dan]

Like many of the others posted mine usually settle in around 275.

[fzxdoc]

Yup, my PBC luuuuves to rock and roll at 275 or so. It can hold that temp for 5-6 hours at least during long cooks. The only reason why it starts to fluctuate then is that's when I lift the lid and start to check the meat for wrapping/doneness. Once I start lid lifting, the temp stability sometimes falters. It's sort of like waking a sleeping baby--the result is still fun but more interactive.

Kathryn

[Al S.]

Where do you take your reading? At the re-bar, lid, or more toward the middle of the barrel which is closer to where the food actually is cooking? I have a temp indicator I installed in the lid and it averages around 275, more on a hot day.
Al S.

[lschweig]

About 8-10" below the rebar and as close to center as possible.