Second smoker option if one has a PBC?

[New2Cue]

So I have a PBC, Big Chief Smoker (that I use to smoke fish), and a Weber Genesis gas grill. I love the PBC, but the temperature fluctuations are annoying and I think it would be nice to have a unit with more horizontal racks to smoke multiple things, keep ribs flat, etc. I don't need a huge unit, but there have been times I thought having a little more space with different racks would have been nice. It would also be nice to be able to tinker with the cooks a little more, such as with different temperatures, etc. I suppose a bigger UDS (55 gallon) could work with multiple shelves, but if I went that direction I'd probably just sell the PBC. I guess I'm looking for something with a little more versatility that would complement my existing arsenal of BBQ weaponry.

Any recommendations on what to look at? I've been thinking of something like a Backwoods Smoker Chubby or similar vertical water smoker might be a good complement. I don't want anything huge, or super expensive like a Jambo or anything. A BGE/Kamado seems to me to be similar to what I already have to, though the size and gadget options of the BGE are appealing.

Thanks in advance!

[customtrim]

You won't have the room on a kamado your looking for unless you go big.

[Spinaker]

I would recommend a Yoder YS 640 or a MAK in the pellet realm. Large to XL BGE or KJ for kamados. But if you really want to lay stuff out, the pellet rigs might be more appealing. Backwoods smokers are also a great option, I know a few folks who have them and they love them.

[JeffJ]

A cheap option to the Backwoods would be the 22.5 WSM.

[RonB]

How much time are you willing to spend tending a cook? A pellet pooper can run unattended for hours. However, Meathead considers the Karubecue to produce the best Q - period. However, it requires tending every 30 min or so, and is twice the price of the Chubby.

[jfmorris]

One thought that might be worth investigating, if all that has you frustrated with your PBC is temperature variations, is just buy a temp controller for it. I am thinking something like the PartyQ or DigiQ with the appropriate adapter. You can get stuff like that for the PBC at https://bbqguru.com - it would let you set a temp and maintain it pretty much exactly. I've seen some discussion about this with the PBC in the forums, and think there are a couple of ways to go with mounting the adapter.

Of course, if you just want to add to the arsenal, and want good control and hands off, a pellet smoker would be a good way to go. I would personally lean towards the Camp Chef or Grilla models if on a budget, Yoder or Rec-Tec or Mak if not on a budget.

[New2Cue]

Thank you for the recommendations! I'm definitely considering one of the temp controllers for the PBS for sure.

[MBMorgan]

One of our local PBC gurus ( Jerod Broussard ) recently went through the process of supplementing his PBC with a high capacity, multi-rack pellet pooper. In the following two threads, he details his thought process as he figured out just what he needed to do:

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/grills-and-smokers/wood-pellets/464567-blaz-n-grills-grid-iron-part-1

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/grills-and-smokers/wood-pellets/464731-blaz-n-grills-grid-iron-part-2-upright-assembly-why-i-chose-this-one-over-others

[New2Cue]

Thanks for these links - very helpful!

[Karon Adams]

what fuel do you plan to use? that makes a difference, too. there are many electric smokers that are excellent for production work

[New2Cue]

I'm fairly open on fuel, etc. Not sure I'm looking for production work, just an alternative that would complement what I already own and give me additional options and variety.

[Karon Adams]

also, PBC or UDS can be handled with some good temp control. you kind of have to get to know your cooker really well, though.

[JimLinebarger]

For the temp issue, I have a BBQGuru PartyQ with the XL Grill dome adapter and it holds the temp rock steady where ever I set it. I used the same hole and screw and wedged the bottom of the adapter at the joint of the bottom of the barrel. Did have to drill a single hole in the adapter. I can bring the temp down to 250 but usually do not go below 260 because any lower would be smoldering and not good smoke. I modified my PBC with 2 other rack levels: 10" above the bottom of the barrel, 16: above, which is almost evenly spaced between the bottom rack and the original rack. I am in the process of adding a Weber damper to the lid for higher temps. Cracking the lid makes it difficult to regulate the temp while using the PartyQ. I am thinking of upgrading to the BBQGuru Pit Viper because it would speed up the temp increase when doing different cook temps.

[New2Cue]

Thanks Jim - I'm definitely looking at the BBQGurus, will have to take a look at the Pit Viper. I've also considered adding different rack levels as well, glad to hear that it can be done!

[ColonialDawg]

26 inch Weber Kettle. Then you can do ribs in the PBC and a brisket or butt on the kettle. That’s a lot of good Q for around $600.

[JGo37]

This is what I was going to recommend. a LOT of versatility comes with the 26" kettle. Put a gasket on the lid, a grommet for probes, a SNS and you're good to go. Accessories available for life... or if you're having trouble spending money you could buy a boat instead.

[Thunder77]

I really like your style, ColonialDawg! i was going to say the 26" kettle with SnS.

[ColonialDawg]

Oh, the SNS is a must!

[Thom Emery]

here ya go a Southern Pride

[New2Cue]

Wow, that looks incredible. That's a lot of meat cooking!

[tenphases]

Damn just damn!!

[Huskee]

I'm with ColonialDawg. A 26" (the bigger one) Weber kettle will be beneficial to add to your lineup. Quick burgers or steaks, great searing, smoking full packer briskets, ribs, butts, you can do it all, especially if you add the Slow 'N Sear XL to make it all even easier. You can even add a second tier grate to it by using your PBC grate propped up on some bricks so you can get two levels of cooking in your 26.

[New2Cue]

Thanks to you and Colonial Dawg. Would that make my Weber Genesis a bit obsolete then? Maybe I just don't understand these that well, but it seems like they function between a gas grill and a smoker (maybe that's the kinda versatility I should be thinking about).

[jfmorris]

New2Cue a charcoal grill is different than a gas grill and complements it, and can double as a smoker. I have Weber Genesis, Weber Performer charcoal, and an offset smoker. All 3 have their own niches they are good at. I often use all 3 when I have a lot to cook.

[FireMan]

You had me worried there for a moment until you said "complement my existing arsenal of BBQ weaponry". Argh, argh, argh. Just get more stuff, something. There are plenty of ideas here. Try one or try em all.

[CaptainMike]

Wscgc

[Thunder77]

Yup! But if you can't afford that, the 26' kettle is a great option.