Pit Barrel Question

[JeffJ]

On Sunday I am making a pot of baked beans. The last time I did this I cooked the bacon indirect in the Performer and then chopped it up and added to a cast iron pot that had the beans and other goodies. I put the lid on the kettle and let it cook for a half hour or so.

I'd like to do this in the PBC, but here's my problem: I want to use the cast iron pot like a dutch oven cooking in an oven. The issue is the pot is too tall to fit the PBC lid back on. I'd set the pot directly on the coals but the charcoal basket has that handle which means it won't sit flat. I guess I could see if I can squeeze it into the 14.5 WSM using the bottom grate for the pot (cook the bacon on the top grate with the bowl removed to simulate a PBC cook). But, since I'll also be cooking ribs on the patio and the PBC is on the patio, I'd rather use it then carry the WSM from the garage to the patio.

Anyone have any suggestions for a work-around?

[customtrim]

I don't have l PBC but can't you hang it from the hooks

[fzxdoc]

To carry customtrim 's idea a step further, put a rebar piece or some other sturdy piece of metal across the 2 existing rebars and hang your Dutch Oven from that. That way it will be centered in the barrel.

Kathryn

[Spinaker]

Great idea!

[JeffJ]

It never occurred to me to hang the pot. Very clever solution. I'm thinking maybe run a rebar through diagonally so I can center it. Fortunately, this pot has the type of handle that makes this possible.

Thanks for the tips.

[fzxdoc]

If you run the rebar diagonally, your PBC will most likely run pretty hot, JeffJ . If that's what you're looking for, great. FWIW, with one diagonal rebar, my PBC runs 350 to 400°F.

Of course you can always plug the two open holes.

Kathryn

[jfmorris]

If you want to put the dutch oven in some coals, I am wondering why you don't just do that in your Performer? Or do you have something else scheduled to cook on it? Or, is it also too tall to sit in the coals on the Performer and put the lid on?

[JeffJ]

It fits in the Performer. I want to cook the bacon in the PBC and since I’ll already have a fire going....

[jfmorris]

Gotcha JeffJ - figured you had a plan! How do you cook bacon in the PBC? On the grate?

[JeffJ]

On the grate. I’ve been cooking it indirect in the Performer and it comes out great. I want to see what it’s like dripping onto the hot coals. jfmorris

[Duanessmokedmeats]

I use the hooks for the bacon. 2 or 3 strips per hook, folded in half then put through the hook

[JeffJ]

As it turns out, I had enough clearance for the pot to sit on the grate. However, Kathryn told me that with only 1 rebar in I should see temps in the 350-400 range, which was my target, so I hung the pot directly from the rebar. Everything came out grate (pun intended). This is what it looked like:fzxdoc

[jfmorris]

Mmmmmmm. Those beans look great!

I gotta get me a PBC!