Instagram AmazingRibs Facebook AmazingRibs X - Meathead Pinterest AmazingRibs Youtube AmazingRibs

Welcome!


This is a membership forum. Guests can view 5 pages for free. To participate, please join.

[ Pitmaster Club Information | Join Now | 30 Day Trial | Login | Contact Us ]

Only 4 free page views remaining.

Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Left WSM, joined PBC, still not happy. Need help.

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Left WSM, joined PBC, still not happy. Need help.

    OK, I'll keep this short.

    Started 20 years ago with a NB cheapish offset. Rusted out.

    Then went to a Weber 18.5 SM with Guru. Loved the results but hated the coal access and the lack of real estate and the vertical design (hard to access the second grate......really hated that part). Used that for MANY years.

    Last year I sold the old kit and bought a PBC. Works great, good results but it does not have the capacity I need (I need to be able to do 8 or more butts on occasion), I'm not super crazy about the hanging method (I've had a couple slabs fall off even when hooked in several ribs). It's not that great for capacity or anything but ribs (but I do admire the results and the simplicity).

    So last year I bought Franklin's book and loved it. I was considering building a 120g propane tank version but honestly I just don't have the time for another major project.

    So here I am back to wondering what I should consider. I can see spending up to $2k or so. Frankly though I'm worried about wood consumption on a big offset. Like I said, I need to do medium large quantities when we have a large group over but most of the time it would never more than a couple slabs and butts. I'd also like to make really good brisket, which is something I haven't nailed very often with what I've had.

    So I'm thinking either bite the bullet with a decent offset and just suck up the wood cost or maybe consider going back to the WSM or maybe the larger version (but then I'm back to vertical cooking and the hassle of two levels).

    I even considered a kamado but the capacity just isn't there.

    Any advice much appreciated.


    #2
    KBQ?


    This brilliant design enables a novice to smoke meat like a wizened Texas pit boss, earning our Platinum Medal.

    Comment


      #3
      Spend $299 and buy a second PBC.

      Comment


      • FJ Abraham
        FJ Abraham commented
        Editing a comment
        Yeah, don;t want to do the hanging thing.

      #4
      How 'bout a cabinet smoker? Some of the smaller cabinets are within your budget and can run on charcoal or wood. Capacity on a smaller cooker might be tight, but for a little more, you can get a larger cabinet.

      Comment


      • FJ Abraham
        FJ Abraham commented
        Editing a comment
        Hmmm, I think I want a horizontal but I'm not completely fixed on that.

      • RonB
        RonB commented
        Editing a comment
        Take a look at the Backwoods Party, (currently out of stock), or their Fatboy. Backwoods has a great rep.

      #5
      I agree with RonB , a medium sized vertical has a small footprint but can hold a lot of product. Been on my short list for a while now.

      It also seems like a larger pellet cooker make also fit your needs. Lower smoke profile may not be to your liking but with set/forget technology and large capacity might be worth a look see.

      Comment


        #6
        I'm game to look at a cabinet, but heck there are so many!

        Comment


        • Troutman
          Troutman commented
          Editing a comment
          Take a look at the Lone Star Grills "Mini"

        • RonB
          RonB commented
          Editing a comment
          See my comment above, ( # 4.2).

        #7
        Your wants/needs, IMO, are pointing you toward a cabinet or pellet cooker. I became a pellethead a number of years back after cooking with lump/splits for quite a few years. Love the ease and results. Just gotta figure out what’s best for you and yours... but it sounds like a cabinet or pellet cooker would be your best bet.

        Comment


          #8
          All good recommendations above, but thought I’d throw out the Stump smokers. Those are some super quality cookers, my brother bought one earlier this year, can cook multiple proteins at once. High quality cookers.

          Comment


            #9
            I agree with what everyone has stated above. I myself am really leaning toward a vertical cabinet. My issue is I want to keep it under my covers deck. So I have to figure out a fireproof method of doing that!!

            Comment


              #10
              I've never pushed mine to these limits but I think it's capable.

              Click image for larger version

Name:	8_bad_boys.jpeg
Views:	255
Size:	81.9 KB
ID:	701389

              Comment


                #11
                I’m a WSM guy. I know you have issues with the 2 racks but a 22” with a fan controller, way to go.

                Comment


                  #12
                  Well, it seems like you are trying to find one cooker to meet your needs. One cooker.. Hmm.. I wonder what that would be like.

                  However, I was struggling with similar questions (not WSM/PBC, but same concept), and I decided to go for the Lonestar Grillz 20 x 36, and I got a couple of the addons that have made it crazy versatile. First, I got the charcoal basket, so I can load it, light it, and let it go when I don't have time to feed the baby with logs. Second, I got the removable fire grate for the main chamber. I use it for grilling a lot. I still use my Weber Genesis as my convenient outdoor kitchen grill, but for charcoal and wood, the LSG has taken over.

                  Comment


                    #13
                    Too much to decide on. Right now I'm leaning toward a standard horizontal. I just know if I get a vertical I'll wish I had a horiszntal, I want to see what I'm cooking easily.

                    If I go any other direction I might as well go back to the WSM with a 22 and a controller.

                    Comment


                      #14
                      Take a look at a Yoder YS640. Huge capacity and good smoke flavor from a pellet.

                      Comment


                      • ofelles
                        ofelles commented
                        Editing a comment
                        2nd this

                      #15
                      Should have specified, I'm not interested in pellets

                      Comment

                      Announcement

                      Collapse
                      No announcement yet.
                      Working...
                      X
                      false
                      0
                      Guest
                      Guest
                      500
                      ["membership","help","nojs","maintenance","shop","reset-password","authaau-alpha","ebooklogin-start","alpha","start"]
                      false
                      false
                      Yes
                      ["\/forum\/free-deep-dive-guide-ebook-downloads","\/forum\/free-deep-dive-guide-ebook-downloads\/1157845-paid-members-download-your-6-deep-dive-guide-ebooks-for-free-here","\/forum\/the-pitcast","\/forum\/national-barbecue-news-magazine","\/forum\/national-barbecue-news-magazine\/national-barbecue-news-magazine-aa","\/forum\/national-barbecue-news-magazine\/national-barbecue-news-magazine-aa\/bbq-news-magazine-2019-issues","\/forum\/national-barbecue-news-magazine\/national-barbecue-news-magazine-aa\/bbq-news-magazine-2020-issues","\/forum\/national-barbecue-news-magazine\/national-barbecue-news-magazine-aa\/bbq-news-magazine-2021-issues","\/forum\/national-barbecue-news-magazine\/national-barbecue-news-magazine-aa\/bbq-news-magazine-2022-issues","\/forum\/national-barbecue-news-magazine\/national-barbecue-news-magazine-aa\/current-2023-issues","\/forum\/national-barbecue-news-magazine\/national-barbecue-news-magazine-aa\/current-2024-issues","\/forum\/national-barbecue-news-magazine\/national-barbecue-news-magazine-aa\/current-2025-issues","\/forum\/national-barbecue-news-magazine\/national-barbecue-news-magazine-aa\/current-2026-issues","\/forum\/bbq-stars","\/forum\/bbq-stars\/tuffy-stone","\/forum\/bbq-stars\/meathead","\/forum\/bbq-stars\/harry-soo","\/forum\/bbq-stars\/matt-pittman","\/forum\/bbq-stars\/kent-rollins","\/forum\/bbq-stars\/dean-fearing","\/forum\/bbq-stars\/tim-grandinetti","\/forum\/bbq-stars\/kent-phillips-brett-gallaway","\/forum\/bbq-stars\/david-bouska","\/forum\/bbq-stars\/ariane-daguin","\/forum\/bbq-stars\/jack-arnold","\/forum\/free-deep-dive-guide-ebook-downloads"]
                      /forum/free-deep-dive-guide-ebook-downloads