Recommendations for PBC improvements

[hogdog6]

With my cookers thay all have their pluses and minuses, as far as my PBC I'm in the keep it simple, let it run and do its thing camp. It really has been the easiest to use as long as proper lighting procedures are used.

I used to obsess about temps but now I just let it run, unless it's chicken. Then I use one rebar or a small piece of rolled up foil to crack the lid. But accessories and options are fun, some people like tinkering and doing mods. I get a kick seeing what mods people do.

I know PBC is a member of the pit and I'm sure ideas from the members have been and will be kicked around as possible and maybe future options.

Have fun with your cookers and keep sharing.

[Pit Barrel Cooker Co.]

Pit Barrel Cooker always has stokes in the fire and we really try to offer great products that will make the Pit Barrel Cooker experience even better without having to raise the price of the Pit Barrel Cooker Package.

The Pit Barrel Cooker, when lit properly according to elevation and following the recommended time, will burn consistently between 275F and 310F for 6-7 hours. Please feel free to check out the Lighting Your PBC video in our Videos and Recipes section at www.pitbarrelcooker.com. We definitely recommend monitoring food temperatures throughout the cook for best results since cooker temperature gauges may be quite unreliable.

The Pit Barrel Cooker is very versatile. You can utilize the hook-n-hang method or grill and sear with the grate in place. We offer the Hinged Grill Grate which will allow a person to hang and use a grate at the same time. We also have skewers, baskets, and the turkey hanger that add to versatility.

We have had many people ask about wheels on the stand but we must consider safety first.

Never hesitate to give us a call at the office should you ever have questions or concerns, we are always happy to help.

[New2Cue]

To be fair, I was looking at this from a personal standpoint. In addition to the PBC I have a 14.5 WSM plus 3 different-sized kettles. So, with one of my other cookers I can achieve the desired outcome without having to mod my PBC. If I only had a PBC and a gasser I probably would look to mod-it-up to maximize what it can do.

That was my situation. I had a gasser, then decided to go with the PBC a few years back when I was starting into smoking. I was considering the WSM, but a friend that had it said it was a pain with the water pan (he ended up later buying the PBC because his WSM was stolen, and seemed to lean towards it over the WSM after a few cooks). The PBC has been great, but has left me wanting given temps crashing, and not simple to cook at higher temps (well it's simple to crack the lid, but you have to pay careful attention that temps don't take off on you).

That was a big part of why I posted earlier this year asking for other cooker recommendations. I ultimately went with the WSCGC after finding it for a great price. The WSCGC is a different price point for sure, but I have to say, it's so easy to cook on it, it's incredibly versatile, and it's easy to move around and clean. The SnS and DnG and Vortex are awesome accessories. With the dampers, it's incredibly easy to lock in the temp you want. It's also super efficient when it comes to fuel. Unlike the PBC, I can lock it in for overnight cooks and go to bed without worry - I've tried doing that on the PBC, and something always happens that ends up interrupting my sleep. The WSCGC really opened my eyes to some of the limitations of the PBC.

The PBC is great, don't get me wrong. I still use it for ribs and will smoke a turkey in it tomorrow. I think, however, that if you want stability of temps on long cooks, versatility when cooking as to temperatures, location of food relative to the coals, etc., you're kinda stuck unless you mod it yourself.

Nate mentioned the mods I suggested turning it into a Gateway. Frankly, if I could have seen into the future when I was first starting out, I probably would have gone with something like a Gateway for the versatility, and probably would not have ended up looking for a second cooker and buying a WSCGC (I didn't want to pick up a second drum smoker but wanted to try something different). I find it interesting when people suggest adding a $200 automatic temperature control device to the $300 PBC when a $10 damper in the lid would probably largely accomplish the same thing (at least, that's been my experience with the WSCGC). Seems like that's something that could easily be added to the PBC lid.

[JGo37]

I love to mod, but I will concede to an understanding of those wanting factory accessories. With a factory add-on, you somewhat know what you're getting. With home-shop mods, well, they're hard to reverse.

That said, I'm brave and stupid. I put on my waders and head out into the deep water of mods without a care in the world.

[JGo37]

New2Cue I'm afraid to shut the vents, I think it will explode...

[New2Cue]

Another cook on the PBC, another day of more declining temps. Was a pain running in and out cracking the lid, then closing it before temps got way too hot, and repeat half a dozen times.

Turkey came out great though. 14 pounder that took about 2.5 hours. Smoked with a bit of apple, cherry and pecan.

[JimLinebarger]

Timcee here is the inside of my PBC with the shelves:








New2Cue I have a PartyQ from BBQGuru installed to take care of the temp fluctuations. Can see it further up in this thread.

[Timcee]

That is a thing of beauty.. JimLinebarger .. I'm a fan brother!

[JeffJ]

I need to preface this from a somewhat MCS-spoiled standpoint - I use the grate in my PBC most of the time (ribs are pretty much the only meat that gets hung). When using the grate a pretty wide variety of temperatures can be had by going with both rebars in, 1 diagonal, or both out. That temp range alone allows for surprising flexibility, without mods, depending on what I'm trying to cook. Have your butcher cut a NY strip like a filet mignon is cut - 2.5 inches thick and about as wide. Dry-brine it and throw it on the grate completely frozen. Flip when it hits about 65 internal and pull it when it hits 130 internal and let rest for 5 minutes. You'll have perfect medium rare, great grill smoke flavor and with all of that exposure to radiant heat for a long period of time (putting it in while frozen is the key to a long cook) you'll get really nice sear on both sides without having to put it close to the fire.

[jecucolo]

So something that I have been contemplating lately for my PBC is putting an extension on the top of the charcoal basket. I think it is a worthwhile experiment.

[jecucolo]

Add more charcoal for longer cooks.

[fzxdoc]

Let us know how it works out for you, jecucolo . I almost never have to add more coals for long cooks. I wonder how air flow will be affected by the taller firebox.

Kathryn

[jecucolo]

Yeah it doesn’t happen often (having to add more coals) but I’m going to be smoking 4 briskets for our family reunion and think it might come in handy. I agree it might not work because of air flow or ash build up. But hey this is how we learn!

[RonB]

If I had a PBC, I'd buy one 2X4 and cut it into four pieces of the correct length. Thin I'd fasten them together to form a square either with nails or screws, (preferable), and add four casters to the bottom - at least one with a brake. Then I'd put a cement paver on top and set the cooker on that. That should cost less than $20.

[Barker]

I have a question. As a new user of a PBC my first and only cook ran very hot. ~330 and more at times. (I've read where it will until a decent buildup occurs inside) The air vent cover is a flat piece and the barrel is curved. It seems to me that for example, a 1/2 open setting or any setting is actually allowing for more air/venting/intake. Looking at the air cover from the side it's also exposing an air opening as well. So... effectively you're really not achieving your desired air intake opening.
I'm thinking about removing the vent cover and bending it slightly to match the curve of the barrel. Has anyone done this? Any difference in heat control?

[au4stree]

It’s been my experience that most of the heat gain is solved with the lid. I had a bum lid because I got a used PBC. I cleaned the lid, applied a felt gasket, works like a charm. I’ve long since given up on chasing temps. I just let the PBC do its thing.

[Skip]

Barker try this link for lots to read on a PBC .

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/charcoal-drums-barrels-and-bullet-smokers/pit-barrel-cooker

[N227GB]

My PBCjr vent has a slight curvature so I would guess the full-size one would as well. Perhaps you have one that slipped by without being formed. I'd drop the PBC people a line.

[HawkerXP]

Barker All new PBCs run hot when new. Yes, the build up of gunk in the barrel and on the lid will help. I will put a couple of bricks on the lid and foil on the rebar holes if it is running away for something like a brisket. Ribs I do like au4stree and not worry. I wouldn't bother with the inlet door. Real temp control is in how you start the fire. Please look at the link I sent especially fzxdoc posts on how to start your PBC and others. pbc, pbc, pbc!

[Barker]

Thanks for the info HawkerXP. I've got a lot to learn from folks like yourself. Yeah... the inlet is probably a non-event in the broader scheme of things.

[Michael_in_TX]

My PBC ran very hot as well for the first several cooks. I countered this with two bricks wrapped in small towels. Worked well. In fact, I keep doing that.

[Skip]

I did the same only used old socks and added the bricks in them. A felt gasket helped mine too.

[Michael_in_TX]

I am going to "upgrade" to your sock idea. My towels are tied on by kitchen twine.

[TheQuietOne]

I move mine around with a cheap hand truck from Lowe's. It works great and I can use it for moving other things around that I used to grab, throw over my shoulder, put where I want but my 61 year old body now objects. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Milwaukee-3...Truck/50068183

[RogoTBull]

For those of you that don't want to "build it yourself", here is a dolly that works well with the PBC. I use it with my PBC and it works great. Price has gone up a bit since I bought mine, however.

The only thing missing is a set of locks on the wheels, but I take my PBC off of the dolly and put it back on the original stand when in use. The dolly is just used to move it from the garage to wherever I want it to go, when the PBC is cool.

https://www.amazon.com/Pentagon-Heav...8895881&sr=8-1