Want to get a new cooker for the summer. I already have a Weber Kettle and would love to upgrade with a larger one, but also have been reading about the PBC. So, to make this simple:
PBC or Kettle and why?
PBC or Kettle and why?
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What is your primary focus? Smoking or grilling? I feel like:
Kettle - better for grilling and you can smoke small quantities of stuff as a bonus. Get the SNS too.
PBC - better for smoking large quantities of food, but can also kinda grill as a bonus. And hanging meat is just cool! Everyone is amazed when they come over and see it for the 1st time. -
BOTH!!!!
I have answered this question the same many many times here.
The combination of the two make for an AMAZING backyard combination that will allow you the versatility and real estate to do a lot of different kinds of cooks....
Even if you can only get one or the other right now I would highly recommend both.
This is all dependent on you getting a Slow'N'Sear to go with the kettle... that is a must IMHO....
So personally I would recommend getting a SnS to go with current kettle and then picking up a PBC as well....
The decision though depends on what kind of cooking you are wanting to accomplish... If you are wanting to grill, sear steaks, etc... then Kettle with SnS.... this combination is the most versatile since it will allow you to smoke and grill!
If you are wanting more of a cooker to do lots of ribs, chicken, pork butts, etc... and do the longer cooks then the PBC is great.... I just don't like using it for a grill....Comment
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I agree - You'll be able to cook anything with this combo and get great results. -
I completely agree with Nate. Having both a Weber kettle (with the SnS) and the PBC gives you lots of options for your cook. When I'm doing ribs or chicken for the church potluck, it's the PBC. When I do a couple of steaks or chops for my wife and I, it's the Weber with SnS. The two give you a lot of versatility!
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A few thoughts, (you will have to pay for more...
).
You can easily grill on the Weber. You can grill more on a larger Weber.
The PBC is supposed to be a chicken cookin' machine, so if you like chicken that may be the way to go.
You can already smoke on the Weber, but, of course, you can smoke more on a larger one.
You need to decide what you want to do. Will you be cooking for a lot of people? Are you happy with the results of your current Weber? Do you want to try something different?
Personally, I'd get the PBC just to try something different. There will be a learning curve, but most here are very happy with the results they get.Comment
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If you are looking to expand your capacity, the PBC would be the way to go right now. Later, you can still upgrade to the 26" kettle if you think you need to.Comment
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Well, I have a PBC and wouldn't trade it in for the world. Everything I've done from ribs/chicken to brisket has come out to perfection. I have a gasser/charcoal grill combo (my original COS with a gasser attached) that I've been thinking of replacing with a Weber for charcoal grilling, because as folks have proven, with an SnS it's dang versatile. I can't remember the last time I used the gasser side of this thing and it's frickin' HUGE. Only reason I still have it is it was a birthday present from my dearly departed Father years ago, and it DOES have the charcoal grilling side.
Blah, blah, blah. I know. Anyway, you have the Weber, I'd recommend the PBC. The capacity of the PBC is astounding. I've cooked anywhere from 1 rack to 8 racks of pork ribs to perfection. With both you have all bases well covered.Comment
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I agree with the comments above, but you might want to consider a WSM. There are a ton of mods you can do and it can be used as a water smoker or similar to a drum smoker. I've purchased the Gateway Hanger and the Hunsaker Vortex charcoal plate and love cooking that way. The food capacity of the 22" is impressive as well with the two grates.Comment
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The WSM was my initial idea until I caught wind of the PBC. -
The other thing is that you can interchange most of your accessories if you have the same size WSM and kettle. -
That is so very true BBQ_Steve-O Last summer I took my 14.5 WSM to my parents's place 'up north' to cook 20 individually cut short ribs. Well, I left the lower grate at home. The hardware store up there was really small and didn't have food grates that size. They did however have the Smokey Joe, which I purchased for the grate (and still have) because the ribs weren't going to fit on 1 grate.
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I agree that both is the way to go if it's economically feasible. I got the PBC first when I decided to get back into charcoal. I'm still learning the nuances of the kettle with the SnS. The kettle is definitely more versatile. I just find it fun to have options. Split a chicken and hang it in the PBC or spatchcock it on the kettle. You definitely cannot get a good sear on the PBC. When I'm doing a quick charcoal cook I only need a few coals for the kettle. Again, options is a great thing.Comment
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It's sounding like the PBC is the way to go for me. As some of you have mentioned, a Kettle with the SnS is a must first, which I neglected to mention I do have, and I love. However, I want to do more smoking, increase capacity, and do larger hunks of meat. PBC is the answer I almost knew I had, but I am somewhat nervous to branch out from my comfort zone with a totally new cooker after only just getting real comfortable with my kettle. Also, I don't think my wife will be a fan of the aesthetics of the PBC lol! Maybe I'll just have to pull the trigger on it and smoke her some dang good ribs on it before she gets a chance to complain about it looking like a trash can. Thanks everybody. I'll look further into the PBC and if anybody has any good tips for getting started on it or can point me to the proper thread please do so.
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ILikePigButts let me give you a few definitions for you, as I saw a couple times you asked questions:
COS = Cheap Off Set as in the smokers you see at Home Depot, Lowe's, sporting goods, etc. Most are made from thin sheet metal, and are not worth a flip. They don't work as well as a Weber kettle by any stretch of the imagination.
Since you have the kettle and the Slow N Sear, you already understand how that works. I would most definitely get the PBC, as it will help you expand the amount you can smoke over the kettle/SNS combo. I've got an offset (not really cheap), but want a PBC myself just because it would be a lot more efficient for the amount of charcoal used in a cook.
We have an entire sub-forum devoted to the PBC, here:
I would start by reading some of the sticky topics there, and some of the discussion.Comment
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I have both and enjoy them both. They are different animals though. For grilling steaks or chicken breasts the Weber is the way to go. If I am smoking something for just the wife and me I will fire up the Weber with the Slow-n-Sear. If I am smoking for a crowd (four or more) I go to the PBC. It's all good and a lot of fun! Enjoy!Comment
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I built a ugly drum smoker and luv it for the money a pbs is agreat smoker you said you all ready have kettle get the slow N serve and your set until you have to have a pellet grill and a good gas grill it seems to never end but I sure eat good 🤓Comment
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Kettle/SnS/PBC is a hard combo to beat.Comment
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I'm saving up now for the PBC, so that would be my choice.
I've found the below link helpful when trying to decode pit lingo. (First time posting a link so I hope it works)
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Not to (slightly) change the subject on this thread, but it sounds like you got your answer. Ever since I got my PBC, my egg has remained covered and unused. Was toying with the idea of selling the egg and getting a kettle and SNS...? Thoughts?Comment
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If you are doing all your smoking on the PBC, I would still use the egg for direct grilling and searing. That said, the advantage of a Kamado is heat retention, for long cooks. If you are no longer using it that way, maybe selling it to get a kettle+SNS is the way to go. I love love love my Weber Performer Deluxe and SNS.
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