What I am doing wrong

[HC in SC]

is there a way to gerry-rig a type of water pan in thee PBC? Maybe that would help regulate the temp a little lower, but I'll agree with supergas6 - if it comes out tasting good, who cares about running over temp?

[Clarkgriswald]

That's what I now know. Temp was all over and it came out really good.

[supergas6]

Yes, pork butt is very forgiving.

I'll be honest, and this may be personal taste issue, I think the PBC is better when it runs hotter (i.e. 270-290) than the usual 225. This is because when running at the cooler temp, it takes longer, and the food gets a little too "smokey" for my test. But everyone may be different.

As Kathryn says, cooking at 225 takes longer than 270-290. Simple physics says so (ask Kathryn...). One nice thing about the PBC is that you can make a full packer of brisket (14-16 pounds is what I shoot for), start it at a "reasonable" time (like 6-7 am), and still have it ready for a 6pm dinner. Believe me, I used to stay up all night when I tried to make these on my Weber kettle with Smokenator + Guru at 225. And they come out a lot better now. Consistently great. I have never had a "bad" brisket on the PBC. Never.

So, with regards to the water pan, I would ask, "why?". Before buying the PBC, I posted on the forum and asks Meathead something like the following:

It cooks at a higher temp, not 225.
It does not use a water pan, which you recommend.
It seems to break all the rules
Yet the ALL the reviews are spectacular

He basically said, "Yup, it does seem to do a lot of things 'wrong', but the results are still great". I bit the bullet (almost two years ago now) and have never regretted it.

My belief: don't make the PBC something it is not, which is a "smoker". It is a cooker. A cooker that makes great food. I made 120 pounds of meat (brisket, pork butt, and ribs) on four PBCs last Saturday, and I cannot tell you how many times I heard "this is the best brisket" or "these are the best ribs I've ever had".

I have nothing against Green Eggers, they have a wonderful device. But when people hear I do BBQ, they always ask if I have an Egg. You couldn't pay me to cook on an Egg. The PBC is amazing.

[Clarkgriswald]

The PBC is pretty amazing. I was going to ask this before. The bottom vent on everyone's PB does the hole fully cover up when it's closed? Mine doesn't so I was wondering if that is normal.

[supergas6]

No, it doesn't, and, quite honestly, for a long time I just let mine hang all the way down (I am at sea level). I've opened up a little subsequently to achieve "1/4" open...