Cooker delimma

[GrillinNC]

Hi, I’m new to The Pit, and I covered this topic in my intro thread but I’m really looking for advice here.

I want to purchase a new cooker before turkey day…I have some opportunities in front of me and I don’t know which direction to turn.

Most of my outdoor cooking consists of grilling steaks, chops, chicken, wings, once in a while a slab of ribs. My Weber Performer had suited me well over the years, I have cast iron grates on it with a Slow ’n Sear. The Weber is tired…I think I’ve had it 13 years. It doesn’t seal well and it’s tricky to keep the temp consistent.

I’m leaning towards a PK360, the deal they have now ($200 off) is hard to pass up, and while I wish it had more space I think it would suit my needs.

I also want a PBC. I’ve read so many good things about it and it seems like it would be fun to play around with. It’s pretty inexpensive and it wouldn’t bother me if I didn’t use it that often. However, I have a feeling I would use it quite often.

The other option is a Kamado Joe Big Joe. I have a buddy who has several smokers, Webers, and a BGE and we went and looked at the Big Joe together. He keeps nudging me in the direction of the Big Joe. What sticks in my mind is I have read more than a few say a ceramic cooker is good at everything but excels at nothing. I love the idea of making pizza on a KJ but in reality I probably wouldn’t do that very often. Is the divide and conquer system that effective for 2 zone cooking? It seems like a PK would be better suited for 2 zone with vents on both sides, and probably easier to control.

My other reservations with the Big Joe…it’s heavy and big and not practical to move. Here in NC it’s always raining or humid and grills/cookers left outside tend to rust, get moldy, etc., even with a cover. I keep my existing cookers in my garage but that’s not really an option with a KJ. And the expense is not insignificant. I did run across a heck of a deal though locally, a Big Joe on clearance for $1600.

Heck, I'd love to buy all three, but I don't think I want to shell out that much money right now.

Sorry for the long post, but I hope all my new friends here can provide some more insight, or at least qualify my instincts.

Thanks!

[RonB]

This is coming from a dedicated kettle lover, so bear that in mind...

The simplest solution would be to get a gasket for your kettle. That would be ~ $15. That should take care of the leaking and the kettle will do everything you want to do. If you just want a new cooker, then still get the gasket so you can use your kettle, although a gasket would not be necessary for fast cooks.
Then get the PBC. I don't have one, but most here who do love them. Use the kettle for hot and fast, and the PBC for low and slow. The kettle can be a backup in case you need more space than available on the PBC.

[GrillinNC]

I appreciate that Ron, but like I said the kettle is worn out. The vent on the lid doesn't seal either, it's warped. The table is cracked, the casters are shot, the coating inside the grill is flaking from so much heat over the years. I'm just looking to move on to something new. I'll keep her around for now, but something new is coming home in the next week or so!

[RonB]

GrillinNC - then I'd get the PK for versatility - hands down 'cause you can't easily sear on the PBC.

[Polarbear777]

PBC for volume OR PK360 for versatility sounds about right. My pk360 does a better job smoking than the PBC (apart from the volume) and its a fantastic grill.

Love PBC and my kettle too but the pk is the last one I’d let go.

Wish I’d gotten mine for 200 off.

[GrillinNC]

Thanks Polarbear. I've been leaning towards both the PK and the PBC. I'd love to hear from some of the kamado fans out there!

[Huskee]

There's always the option to upgrade to a new kettle, and/or a bigger kettle. I love the 26" myself. The PK and the PBC are great too, especially the PBC with poultry, it works magic on the flavor. Man, I don't envy you with all these choices...

[SmokeytheBare]

I have a Smoke EZ insert and I bought hooks from PBC. I hang spatchcocked capons, racks of ribs and brisket. People in my community thing I am a BBQ Wizard, but it is this site that’s upped my BBQ - Thanks

[painter]

I'm a dedicated ceramic fan and love my Primo oval. Seems to do everything from low/slow to searing really well. But for the price, you could have the PK and the PBC and a bunch of toys to boot!

[Livermoron]

Whether you get another kettle or go with the PK, you need to get the PBC as well. I have the weber 22 with the rotisserie ring and SnS, and the PBC. I can cook or smoke just about anything, and can feed from 2 to 20+ in my back yard.

[Spinaker]

It's sounds to me that you would be best suited to have a Kamado, be it a BGE or a Kamado Joe. I own both brands and love them both. Kamados wills give you the versatility that you are after. (Grilling, smoking, baking etc) The divide and conquer system is nice for indirect grilling, like reverse searing a steak. That being said, I think you can reverse sear a steak like a pro in a kamado with out the divide and conquer system. I really wouldn't worry about having them outside. All of my kamdos sit outside, all year, in Minnesota. If your weather is worse than what we have, you don't need a new cooker, you need a new place to live!

The PBC is a great rig. (I own two of them for a reason.) It has high capacity and it imparts some amazing flavors into the meats that are cooked on it. However, it falls short in the grilling/searing department. The charcoal is too far way to get a great sear and the grate being down in the barrel means that managing food can be tricky. (Especially with a long handled utensil)

Let us know if you have any more questions and please let us know what you come up with!

[GrillinNC]

Thanks Spinaker, I appreciate your input. I don't wish to trade climates, endured enough wind and cold living in IL!! It just annoys me when I look out and see my babies in the moisture. My Weber got moldy more than once sitting outside, maybe a better quality cover would have prevented that.

[dshaffes]

I own a Performer and also a BGE and love both of them. I've had my eye on a PK360 for awhile for its simplicity, airflow, 2-zone, rectangle grate, and solid construction. Today, I bought a slightly used PK360 and fired it up to grill some hot dogs. I think I'm going to really like this grill. Tomorrow going to try a low and slow setup for some ribs.

[GrillinNC]

Let us know how you like it for the ribs!

[CaptainMike]

Take a look at the Weber Summit Charcoal Grill (my avatar), those of us that have them, love them. They can do it all.

[fzxdoc]

What the Captain said, GrillinNC . I say that even though the PBC holds a special place in my BBQ heart. For what you're looking for, the WSCG would fit the bill perfectly. Look at this topic where some folks here got a sweet deal on one: https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/fo...harcoal-grills


Kathryn

[Fire Art]

Kamado UDS Weber Kettle pellet pooper gasser double burner camp stove with a flat top this what I required in 10 months so I say get them all

[GrillinNC]

I just discovered the KBQ. I think I need one of those too!!

[Ahumadora]

Which ever you get it is probably a good idea if you do a few practice runs on chickens before tackling a Turkey.
Spatch cocked using Meatheads recipe is my favorite.

[scottranda]

I’m in NC with the Kamado Joe. Never ever had a problem with rust, mold, mildew, nothin’! I keep mine outside year round with a simple KJ cover. The only thing I do is clean the grates after a cook (usually the next day or 2), and clean out the old charcoal (when I think about it). But, the used charcoal/ash isn’t that big of a deal if you forget.

[jfmorris]

I would get the PK360 for grilling and the PBC for smoking, and skip the kamado entirely. Just my 2 cents.

[RustyHaines]

I have a Performer and a PBC. If it were you I would replace the Performer and get a PBC. My son got a barely used Performer on Craig's List for $150.00 (it's a beauty). A kettle/SNS and the PBC meet all my needs. Now of course when Weber makes the 26" Performer (I know I'm keeping the faith) I will be right there buying one.