What about Junior?

[racertrader]

so I've been lurking for a while, and in awe of the expertise here. Been cooking on my weber kettle for decades, including a few stabs at ribs and 1 brisket which turned out pretty good if I say so myself. I want to add a smoker and PBC seems to fit the bill. However, it's usually only my wife and I that I'm cooking for, so I'm wondering if the PBC Jr might be sufficient for our needs? Any thoughts? Thanks

[Red Man]

I’d go with the full size PBC. It’s not very expensive and then you’ve got the option for a lot of capacity when you need it. I just got a PBC a month ago and I’m loving it!

[cashelton]

Full size PBC all the way. It can be easily used for small cooks, but on the rare occasion you want to do more, yoh have the space for it. No reason for cooker regret!

[AZ Fogey]

I had similar thoughts since it's only my wife and I, but the Junior was and is not available in this Sept. of 2019, and from talking to the nice people at Pit Barrel, there is no firm date as to when or if it will be available again. I'm happy I got the full size PBC. I was hoping the Junior would come back because I wanted to ship it to Thailand where I'll be living for the next 6 months because the shipping costs would be cheaper. I was checking price of BBQ's there and a Weber kettle was about $800 because of shipping costs and import duties.

[Mark V]

The full size PBC is not large. I got a medium Big Green Egg and was sorry I didn't get the large. Don't go small.

[Bobmcgahan]

Agreed. Buy once, cry once.

[mnavarre]

I had similar thoughts when I bought my PBJr., and it's usually fine, honestly. Hanging capacity isn't an issue at all, it's really more about grate capacity when I'd want the regular PBC. Basically that 14" diameter gets really limiting, real fast when you want to use the grate. On the plus side, it's the same chicken/rib machine as the big guy, so I'm 90% entirely happy with it, 5% somewhat frustrated because I didn't think the whole cook through, and 5% think "Ah, I'll cook this on Junior. Wait..." And then end up cooking on a Weber.

So, pretty much entirely happy, but I'd buy a regular PBC if I had it to do over.

[mountainsmoker]

I would look at the Oklahoma Joe's Bronco. https://www.oklahomajoes.com/bronco-drum-smoker

Same price as the PBC with more features, a newer design and better temp control. I have had a PBC and I would look seriously at this one first. Also comes from a noted smoker maker so it should last. Has a better grilling system. I think all in all better than the PBC. This is just my opinion based on 2 years of lousy PBC use and reading the info on the Oklahoma Joe Bronco reviews and product write ups.

Well good luck on your choice.

[HawkerXP]

PBC, unless if you are one who likes to fiddle with your fire and or try to get it to hold 225*. PBC like to run around 270* if you can start it as described in the PBC channel. Welcome to the Pit! https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/fo...-barrel-cooker

[Troutman]

Go big or go home!! That pretty much sums up everything in life 🧐

[MBMorgan]

Like most others here, I would (and I did) go with the full sized PBC. The Junior is indeed smaller (14" diameter vs 18.5") ... but not that much. Perhaps it's just brand loyalty, but personally I'll continue to steer clear of any PBC knock-offs.

[Michael_in_TX]

I am incredibly close to pulling the trigger on a PBC (specifically the PBC Select Package at $398 shipped). I'm upgrading (complementing is perhaps the better word) a Weber Kettle with SnS. I've been grilling/smoking for about a year now, and I'm looking for continued simplicity, and more stability and ease of temperature control. (Plus, just an easier way to do ribs.)

Compared to a 55-gallon drum smoker, the 30-gallon PBC looks incredibly manageable. It would not surprise me that the PBC-Junior just wasn't selling enough compared to the regular PBC.

Plus, there may be something advantageous to the 30-gallon side. From Max Good's review here on the site:

Pit Barrel President, Noah Glanville explains: "We found that a 30 gallon drum provides a cooking environment that produces the better product every time. I can't explain the scientific reason for this. I can tell you we have gone through 29 different prototypes with different size drums and vent adjustments every way you can imagine."

Once again we ran this by Dr. Blonder, asking if there is any reason the smaller drum would be superior. "Absolutely makes sense." he replied, "The reason the Pit Barrel works is simple, heat rises. So you have a hot fire at the bottom, and hot air that rises to the top; which basically evens out the temperature profile to more or less constant top to bottom. Hang the meat vertically so the hot air is not blocked, and it's the perfect oven - unless there are convection cells that mess up this even profile. Imagine a really wide cooker. Hot air would rise, bump into the cooler lid, cool off and sink, forming a rotating convection cell that lowers air temp at the lid and creates unpredictable turbulence. But as you narrow the diameter of the cooker, it becomes harder and harder for air to make the turn and descend. Sounds like 30 gallons is the dividing line between stable and unstable flow."

The Oklahoma Joe Bronco, mentioned a few posts above, looks incredibly alluring and versatile....could even be a Weber replacement. Looks significantly heavier, if that is a concern. Immediately add $150 to the cost for ground shipping (PBC has this included in the cost). I may do a bit more research on that, myself, as this is the first I've seen it.

[mountainsmoker]

Michael_in_TX In answer to your post on my mail. My main problem with the PBC was the air flow control and temp control. I mean it would shoot to 350 before settling down at around 275, Higher than I would like on some things, though 270 is fine on others. Unless they have changed the design, There was no way to add new coals with out disassembling and lifting the basket out restarting after 6-8 hours. Not long enough for a brisket or large pork butt. I got rid of it after two years.

[mountainsmoker]

You can pick up the Bronco at Lowe's and not pay shipping. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Oklahoma-Jo...ker/1000713122. So shipping is a moot point.

One other point to make, the hanging rods do not protrude outside the smoker.

[Michael_in_TX]

lol, I just came back to the thread to remark that I just found that out! I also read the AR review and watched Max Good's video. This has made my decision significantly more complicated. Back to doing the pro/con lists!

[fillirican]

I only cook for my wife and I. So, I bought the PBJ. In hindsight, the PBC would have been more appropriate. It gives you more flexibility. Regardless of which one you get, I would recommend getting the Lava Lock gasket also. It has assisted with holding consistent temperatures.

[DiverDriver]

Welcome from the Fort... Bigger always better.

[racertrader]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts...I agree now the PBCjr might not be the right way to go. I saw the write-up about the Bronco, and it is intriguing. Thanks again....will report when I finish the first cook.

[mountainsmoker]

I was just in the Wal-Mart here and the Bronco was marked down to $184. It is an in store only thing to get them off the floor for the holiday. So once they are gone, they are gone.