Newbie with PBC

[David Parrish]

Thanks for the help!

You bet. Glad to

[mtford72]

Hi Clark - I put up a post yesterday on beef ribs here: http://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/for...ck-ribs-on-pbc
It includes a temperature graph for the cook. I've found that the key is getting that initial temperature spike - read the post on lighting the pbc. Then it will trail back down to the manufacturers target range of 270 - 310 and stay there for much of the cook. If you don't get the initial spike of over 370, it will fall back to the mid / low 200's - which could greatly change the duration of the cook. As all the manufacturers videos use time, things could go way off if preparing for guests, etc.
I strongly recommend that you have a digital thermometer in the PBC so that you can watch the ambient temp. The thermoworks TW362B works great for $20. Or go higher and get the chef alarm, that has a low alarm too which is handy for longer cooks. (I would buy two TW362B, one for ambient, one for meat. It's just easier in the long run!)
Hope that helps.

[Clarkgriswald]

You don't have to use a full basket. I've cooked with as few as 12 briquets. To begin, though, I recommend you use a full basket and cook something from one of Noah and Amber's videos. Pork Butt would be ideal. I say this because the PBC isn't a searing machine. It'll cook burgers, but it's not really designed to do it.

When you're done with the charcoal you can let it burn out and dump the ash, or you can snuff it out. I just let mine burn to ash, but I know some folks will move the charcoal to a small kettle cooker and close the vents. That'll save quite a bit of charcoal when you have a short cook. If you do this I recommend using the leftover charcoal in the kettle and not the PBC until you've learned how the PBC works. Once you've got a few cooks under your belt using fresh charcoal, and have a feel for the lighting process and how the PBC spikes initial temp then slowly dies down to 250F to 290F, then you can try re-using used charcoal.

Thanks for the help!

[David Parrish]

I do have a couple more questions for everyone. Since I am new to charcoal and the PBC, how much charcoal do I put in if I just want to cook some chicken breasts or burgers? Do I need a full basket?

How do I put the charcoal out when I am done cooking?

You don't have to use a full basket. I've cooked with as few as 12 briquets. To begin, though, I recommend you use a full basket and cook something from one of Noah and Amber's videos. Pork Butt would be ideal. I say this because the PBC isn't a searing machine. It'll cook burgers, but it's not really designed to do it.

When you're done with the charcoal you can let it burn out and dump the ash, or you can snuff it out. I just let mine burn to ash, but I know some folks will move the charcoal to a small kettle cooker and close the vents. That'll save quite a bit of charcoal when you have a short cook. If you do this I recommend using the leftover charcoal in the kettle and not the PBC until you've learned how the PBC works. Once you've got a few cooks under your belt using fresh charcoal, and have a feel for the lighting process and how the PBC spikes initial temp then slowly dies down to 250F to 290F, then you can try re-using used charcoal.

[Clarkgriswald]

There are many fans here of the Maverick RediChek ET 732 & 733, they're about $60-70 on Amazon and are wireless, dual probes, customizable alarms, yada yada. They're great FWIW.

And your signature lists your equipment, it's different than your avatar. If you're using an iPhone or iPad you apparently cannot access it. On a PC you can, or Pit Boss or I can do it for you if you'd like. We typically have everyone list their grills/smokers/thermometers, etc so when questions are posted we can see what you're cooking on/with and that helps members see your perspective. to see how to set it up, go here and check out tip #1.

Thanks Huskee. I got it in my sig now.

I do have a couple more questions for everyone. Since I am new to charcoal and the PBC, how much charcoal do I put in if I just want to cook some chicken breasts or burgers? Do I need a full basket?

How do I put the charcoal out when I am done cooking?

Thanks for your help everyone!!

[Huskee]

There are many fans here of the Maverick RediChek ET 732 & 733, they're about $60-70 on Amazon and are wireless, dual probes, customizable alarms, yada yada. They're great FWIW.

And your signature lists your equipment, it's different than your avatar. If you're using an iPhone or iPad you apparently cannot access it. On a PC you can, or Pit Boss or I can do it for you if you'd like. We typically have everyone list their grills/smokers/thermometers, etc so when questions are posted we can see what you're cooking on/with and that helps members see your perspective. to see how to set it up, go here and check out tip #1.

[fzxdoc]

Clark, read what Meathead has to say about a thermometer for your smoker. Here's the link: http://amazingribs.com/bbq_equipment...ws-and-ratings

I followed one of his gold recommendations and got a Maverick 733. I'm really happy with it.

http://amazingribs.com/bbq_equipment_reviews_ratings/thermometers/maverick-et-733-redi-check

Kathryn

[Beefchop]

I use a ThermoWorks Semipro BBQ kit. It comes with a high temperature flexible probe that you can weave and bend through one of the holes at the top where the rebar fits through. http://www.thermoworks.com/kits/?tw=AMAZINGRIBS. The probe part for monitoring cooker temps is WD-08467-64 and is easy to snake around the rebar or onto one of your hooks. The kit also comes with a needle probe (great for checking rib meat) and a regular probe that you can stick into a chicken breast, pork butt, etc. Thick. Three probes and one thermocouple meter. Recommended by Meathead. I usu. put two probes into my cooker and start by monitoring cooker temp and then switch it to the meat when I think it should be close to being done.

I monitored the cooker temperature at first, mainly out of curiosity, but it's not necessary if you light your fire the way Noah shows you in his videos. I used the chimney starter method and found that it was a little difficult to pour the coals onto the main coal bed. In hindsight, I should have gotten one of those propane weed torches or electric wands that blow hot air and started the coals that way.

That's what I'd recommend. You can get a weed torch or an electric Looftlighter for less than 70 bucks. Worth every penny!

[Clarkgriswald]

What is a good probe to just monitor the smoker temp? I could use a Thermopen to get meat temp.

[Clarkgriswald]

By signature you mean my avatar? If that's the case maybe it will be my first ribs.

[Clarkgriswald]

Why wait until Saturday? I had my first PBC chicken within 2 hours after getting it out of the box. LOL Hey I guess you got time to dry brine a chicken.

I wish I could cook Friday but they are talking 50mph wind gust where I live so I figure I should lay low until Saturday.

[Huskee]

Right on, pics of those ribs please!

Clark let's get to work on your signature. If you need help holler real loud.

[Ernest]

I have tried hanging food immediately after dumping the coals. Temp drops drastically. Do experiment with your PBC.

[Ernest]

Why wait until Saturday? I had my first PBC chicken within 2 hours after getting it out of the box. LOL Hey I guess you got time to dry brine a chicken.

[W.A.]

You are gonna like it. I did chicken first, but most everything is easy in it.