PBC Jr. appears to be back

[Bobmcgahan]

Should I buy one?

[Skip]

I really like my PBC---but it's a regular size. It's a different way to cook than my other cookers.

[Bobmcgahan]

I have the PBC as regular as well. I'm just trying to see if anybody would attempt to talk me out of succumbing to MCS.

[tbob4]

I would never attempt to talk you out of MCS. I have no experience with PCB's but I do with a wife who fights against my own MCS. So I can only say "go for it".

[klflowers]

That is probably the funniest thing I will see all day - will somebody here try and talk you out of MCS...

[Dan Deter]

I go home for that. I come here to find enablers for my MCS....

[Loren]

I have no experience with the Jr, but I think the full size PBC is better...it is such a small foot print that you can cram a ton of ribs (or other meat) into.

...Unless you already have the PBC and want the Jr to compliment the full sized on your deck/patio/cooking area.

[Polarbear777]

I have the regular and would only consider the Jr if you were taking it places. Fuel is cheap, running out of space on a cook is frustrating.

[JGo37]

Ask yourself what you'll be cooking, and how often. We're empty nesters at my house but I tend to get some pretty big cuts and utilize leftovers a lot. I wouldn't use the PBC Jr much, I tend to use big cookers.

[au4stree]

Should I buy one?

Yes. Yes you should, but only if you disagree with Polarbear777 's post above. RE: the running out of space thing.....

[TNPIGBBQ]

What’s the harm in having one more grill or smoker?

[dshaffes]

They are on sale and free shipping!

[RobertC]

I wrote a post about "Junior" sized 14" drums earlier this year. I like mine, it's got plenty of capacity for my purposes, it's easier to move around, it cooks food with the same timing as the full-sized cooker but it uses less fuel.

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/charcoal-drums-barrels-and-bullet-smokers/other-drum-barrel-or-bullet-smokers/617689-in-defense-of-junior-sized-14-drums

[grezs]

I bought a PBC years ago(2013?) and used the hell out of it. Loved it. But my wife passed 2 years ago so I gave the PBC to my daughter and son-in-law and got a PBC Jr. It cooks just like the PBC and is better suited to my lifestyle. Pros - it's lighter and cooks just like it's like big bother. Have no cons.

[Michael_in_TX]

This is SO tempting. PBC Jr Select Package is $319. Although, that's $80 less than the PBC full-size Select Package. Price is only valid through 10/23.

I only cook for two people (and like to have a decent amount of leftovers).

What I need to do is go sketch out a 14" and 18.5" diameter circle on a piece of cardboard and just stare at it for a while.

[mnavarre]

Grate space. The PBJr. is a great cooker, I love mine, and hanging space is more than enough for two people. Things get really tight really fast if you need to use the grate, though.

[RobertC]

Take a look at how much I can hang in my 14" cooker:

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/charcoal-drums-barrels-and-bullet-smokers/other-drum-barrel-or-bullet-smokers/617689-in-defense-of-junior-sized-14-drums

[Jerod Broussard]

I'd could go for a Jr being single again.

[Michael_in_TX]

As mnavarre said, grate space could be a consideration. It would seem with the 18.5" you have more options to choose between hanging or the grate, whereas the 14" you would possibly be forced to hang. (Although, isn't half the point of the PBC to hang?)

In the 18.5", you could hang a sizable brisket flat, then wrap it and put it on the grate; whereas with the 14" you'd have to hang even after wrapping.

[RobertC]

Yeah, I suppose that could be an issue if you wrap or crutch. I don't usually wrap; the PBC doesn't run ultra low temp, so I don't usually get a stall. On the rare occasions when I wrap (cuz I want to use the drum for something else) I figure once it's wrapped I can finish in the oven.