Accessories for the PBJr

[jleinaweaver]

Evening all,

Looks like we're pulling the trigger on a PBJr (assuming they're ever in stock again) and I'm curious about your experiences with the accessories. Specifically, the options that allow you to maximize cooking in the smaller, 14", of space.

The hinged cooking grate is a cool idea, but really doesn't offer much space with food hanging beside it. So, I'm mostly curious about the basket options. Have you found the different basket hangers (1. corn, 2. sausages, and 3. the all purpose basket) useful? I like the idea of being able to cook a split chicken or couple of racks of ribs and the sides all at once in the barrel.

Thanks for sharing your experiences in advance!

[fillirican]

They are great options but I would opt for the full size. I have a PBJ and in retrospect should have bought the full size.

[jleinaweaver]

Thanks fillirican, I've seen this sentiment in a few places and its definitely made my choice WAY harder. Can I ask what specifically has made you wish to change your buy?

We're a small family (cooking for 4-5 people most often) and I'd like to keep the PB in the garage between cooks, but lugging the full size back and forth to the deck sounds rough. I also like the smaller charcoal needed in the junior (although I guess you can put less in the full size depending on need, huh?)

[fillirican]

I cook for my wife and 3 year old and still wish I had more room sometimes! Regarding the charcoal, I only use a full basket for long cooks (e.g. pork shoulder). Everything else, I use the recommended amount in the chimney and reduce the amount in the basket. Although the dimensions are larger than the PBJ, the PBC is easy to move around. If you decide to get the hanging accessories, they will help you maximize your space. When I get home, I'll probably do a small cook with the hinged grate and will take pictures for you.

[jleinaweaver]

That'd be awesome, thanks.

[cashelton]

I've started storing my PBC (full size) in the garage after our puppy started making non-approved backyard modifications. At first it was kind of a beating carrying it back and forth, then I realized I could take out the charcoal holder and just do two trips...its pretty easy to carry empty.

I'm typically cooking for 4, but I also try to do a week's worth of lunches...and breakfasts too.

[N227GB]

I'm happy with my PBCjr. The most I cook for is six, so four racks of BBs, six chicken halves, etc are fine. Did a whole 11lb turkey the other day and that took up a lot of space. The outer wing joint was almost touching the inside of the barrel. Cutting it in half next time will help and the end product will be a little better if my chicken experience is any indication.

Accessories? The upgraded hook tool is a must. The included one is just a hardware store screw hook in a dowel rod. The ash catcher is another must, for me at least. Others here use foil or a pizza pan. Definitely get an extra set of hooks. I bought a set of skewers but don't get much use out of them

The turkey hanger was on backorder for a period earlier this year, but unless you want to do a traditional presentation cut the bird in half.

[fzxdoc]

I mostly cook for two but enjoy the expandability of the full size PBC when we have guests. So for us, the standard size PBC is a winner, IMO because I can always size down with it (smaller cooks) and still have great results.

Kathryn

[jleinaweaver]

Thanks Kathryn. And, by the way, I have REALLY appreciated your excellent contributions to the forum. Always incredibly valuable. Thanks!

[fzxdoc]

You're very welcome, jleinaweaver . I get so much help by reading posts here that my contributions pale by comparison. I'm glad they're helpful to you. Enjoy whichever PBC you finally decide to go with. You're going to have so much fun with it.

Kathryn

[xaugievike]

I've seen both in action and they both work swimmingly well. I'll only chime in that I regularly roll with smaller charcoal loads and have zero problems with it.

As for the size difference - My opinion is that the price difference between the two is so negligible that unless you just absolutely only have room for the little guy, why not just get big brother and never have capacity worries down the road?

either way, you're not going to be disappointed.

[RobertC]

A 14" cooker works great for my family but a lot of people here think the best accessory for a PBC Jr is a PBC.