So thinking about installing a DigiQ on a PBC. I will either use flue tape or screw. Anything specific I should be aware of? Cover rebar holes, startup, lifting lid, etc.
Over 100 cook's into PBC, but want to conquer heavy loads and low temps. Ty!
If not cooking outdoors, I am cooking on the stovetop with my 14" carbon steel wok, 12" CI skillet, or in the oven with my two Lodge CI pizza pans, or two dutch ovens. I've also got a nifty Lodge carbon steel grill pan that rocks for veggies outdoors.
Isn't the PBC designed to run at slightly higher temps than say the average cooker, I'm asking because I don't own one but from everything I have read is they do. If you put a controller in there to try to cook at say 225 would you not be choking the fire down creating a less desirable smoke and defeating the natural outcome of the taste that they produce. Just my thought
I have a temperature controller on my PBC. It will run, and cook delicious food at whatever temperature you set it to. I do most of my smoking in the 225-250 range. Never had a problem with foul tasting food. Not once.
I use a HeaterMeter with a damper only set up. It has no fan.
When I start, I put about 1/3 of a Weber chimney of well lit coals over the full basket of unlit coals inside the PBC. Let it sit uncovered for about 5 minutes. Cover, and manually set the damper of my HeaterMeter to about 10% until the PBC settles close to my desired set point. Usually it will settle in 10-15 minutes. Then I set the set point on the HeaterMeter, toss some smoking wood, put my meat on, and attach my meat temperature probes. Close the lid and let her ride.
The PBC will stay +-2* with my plywood wind break around it. I usually don’t use it unless it’s particularly windy or might rain. I’m ok with +- 15 or so.
On a overfull basket, I’ve gotten over 20hrs at 225. I usually don’t do anything special during the cook. If I have 3-4 things hanging I might rotate them but not always.
To end the cook, after removing my meat I open the HeaterMeter 100% with the lid off and let the coals go for 20-30 minutes. Then put the top on and leave the HeaterMeter open, and disconnect the controller from the damper.
Last edited by Rfuilrez; September 19, 2018, 06:51 PM.
John "JR"
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One thing about controllers is they are designed to provide all of the oxygen to the fire. For instance, when you set one up on a kamado, you damp the top down almost completely and the fan is sealed at the bottom damper. This allows the fan to do all the work and mitigates the effects of outside wind.
For the PBC, you would have to make sure the lid is sealed very well and have the rebar holes almost completely covered. These are only my thoughts after using one on my kamdos, it may be different for the PBC. If I were doing it, that is how I would approach it. I know Jerod gave this a shot at one point, but I don't remember how it well it went.
Good to know. As I mentioned, I only have experience running fans on my kamados. If there are leaks the controller/fan has trouble controlling the temp consistently. I didn't think your set up used a fan, so I was more commenting on what the OP was asking about adding a fan system. Rfuilrez
This is true Spinaker . I don’t use a fan. I did when I first started using the HeaterMeter though and don’t remember having issues then either. Maybe it’s the way the HeaterMeter works vs the way the DigiQ works?
I just added a fan port at the same height as the intake and sealed the intake. I Left the rebar in as normal. Without exhaust you could have problems. Fan controls the intake just fine with the bars in (or out, I’ve forgotton to replace them when using a grate and the controller fan didn’t miss a beat and I couldn’t see the difference looking back on in in the plots).
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I have the PartyQ and use the XL Grill Dome Adaptor. You fit the adaptor through the existing hole and wedge it between the bottom seam of the barrel. Use the existing screw hole. No need to drill anything else. Also, no need to cover rebar holes since you will still be using the rebar for hanging. I have no trouble keeping the temps up to 325-350. I want to upgrade to the DigiQ and the Viper fans to get to and have control at the higher temps. You can see my setup here.
I just started the coals the same way as if there was no fan. I dump the chimney, add a couple of chunks of smoking wood, put in what I am cooking, close the lid and turn on the PartyQ and set the temp I want to run. If I want to run at higher temps I remove a rod if it is not necessary. Now I also have a top vent so I don't have to crack the lid since it interferes with the PartyQ probe temp.
I have the same set up. You will need to drill a hole in the adapter (and bend the adapter a bit to conform to the barrel). Both tasks easily done. Works wonderfully.
You might have to play with it to find where it isn't blowing ash all over the place. Do dry run before putting meat in. Maybe put something that is wet in, like a black dish towel, so that if it is blowing ash you will know.
John "JR"
Minnesota/ United States of America
******************************************** Grills/Smokers/Fryers Big Green Egg (Large) X3
Blackstone 36" Outdoor Griddle 4-Burner
Burch Barrel V-1 Karubeque C-60 Kamado Joe Jr. (Black) Lodge L410 Hibachi Pit Barrel Cooker Pit Barrel Cooker 2.0
Pit Barrel PBX
R&V Works FF2-R-ST 4-Gallon Fryer *******************************************. Thermometers
FireBoard (Base Package)
Thermoworks ThermaPen (Red)
Thermoworks MK4 (Orange)
********************************* Accessories Big Green Egg Plate Setter
Benzomatic TS800 High Temp Torch X 2 Bayou Classic 44 qt Stainless Stock Pot
Bayou Classic 35K BTU Burner Eggspander Kit X2 Finex Cat Iron Line FireBoard Drive Lots and Lots of Griswold Cast Iron Grill Grates Joule Water Circulator
KBQ Fire Grate Kick Ash Basket (KAB) X4 Lots of Lodge Cast Iron Husky 6 Drawer BBQ Equipment Cabinet Large Vortex Marlin 1894 .44 Magnum Marquette Castings No. 13 (First Run) Smithey No. 12 Smokeware Chimney Cap X 3 Stargazer No.10, 12 ******************************** Fuel FOGO Priemium Lump Charcoal Kingsford Blue and White B&B Charcoal Apple, Cherry & Oak Log splits for the C-60 ************************************************* Cutlery Buck 119 Special
Cuda 7' Fillet Knife Dexter 12" Brisket Sword Global Shun Wusthof ********** Next Major Purchase Lone Star Grillz 24 X 48 Offset
Does it make a difference whether fan is blowing more on top than bottom of charcoal basket?
I would make sure the it is blowing from the bottom, if possible. I only say this because that is how the other systems work. Its also a more natural flow to have the air enter the bottom of the fire and go up.
We recently had a thread about somebody using their PBC, setting it & lettin her run. Personally, I have a 30 gal UDS and all I use is a "Smoke", no fan or computer read outs and tapin holes up & etc, etc. Is all this necessary & am I missing somethin or am I just an ol’ fogie & not with it. I am wonderin.
Necessary? No. My PBC ran just fine without using a temperature controller.
Does it give me peace of mind when I have something cooking and I’m not around to babysit it that I can look on my phone and see what’s happening? You bet.
We recently had a thread about somebody using their PBC, setting it & lettin her run. Personally, I have a 30 gal UDS and all I use is a "Smoke", no fan or computer read outs and tapin holes up & etc, etc. Is all this necessary & am I missing somethin or am I just an ol’ fogie & not with it. I am wonderin.
I agree, but with 10 lbs of meat or 1 brisket or 1 butt. But when I load it up with 30 lbs of meat, my temps won't stay steady. Ive done 100 plus cooks so I'm not a newbie on this. And I use B and B for my long cooks. Just trying to think of all options. Otherwise, wife gave the okay to buy 2 more PBCs!
First off, my goal is not to step on any toes. I’ve only done 5 full wacks of spare wibs or 1 16# turkey. But, I think you have your answer in your reply. GET THE TWO MORE PBC’s! MCS lives on, & you have our full support!
So just as an update, I used the DigiQ yesterday. I set for 350 and while the DigiQ said it was 280 and thus, the fan was on most of the time, my backup wireless thermometer said 350.
My RO briqs lasted 6 hrs on a half load. Usually I get 4 on a full load.
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