Quick Question - My PBC 2.0

[budbrew2]

So...quick background: I had a PBC several years ago and gave it to my son when he went off to college. Just bought one off someone locally and plan to use it tomorrow to test run a turkey for my co-workers.

I noticed the vent at the bottom looks like it is already set 1/4 open even though the cover was as fully closed as possible.

As I remember my old PBC, the cover for the lower vent would fully cover the opening and I had to set it 1/4 open. Does the PBC now come preset at 1/4 open and that you only need to adjust if in higher elevations (I’m about 600’ above sea level)...or is there a new setting for this vent?

Any insights are greatly appreciated. Thanks and have a good evening.

[Huskee]

Fuzzy memory but it seemed like mine was 1/4-ish open. My guess though is it's just random how they end up but I could be wrong.

[Nate]

If I remember right on mine it came with about 1/8 or so opened... since it has to have air flow and isn't designed to really but shut down it just automatically had that opening …. I think I opened mine a bit more... might be something you have to play with a little. I would say though at 600 you are probably good at 1/4 or so.

[Nate]

Just double checked... yeah you need it 1/4" for your altitude.

here are the instructions:

https://pitbarrelcooker.com/pages/instructions

[budbrew2]

Thank you both for the quick replies. I will keep an eye on the temps tomorrow and adjust if necessary, but will leave it as is to start. Fortunately...if the test run goes
a little sideways tomorrow...the guys in my shop just appreciate free food.

Thanks again!

[HawkerXP]

I am at 300' alt. I have mine as closed as you can get it. Congrats on #2! PBC, pbc,...show us the "first" cook…….pbc

[Alabama Smoke]

I am at approx 630' and have wondered the same thing. Fully closed it is still open somewhat as the cover is smaller than the vent, I assume by design. I have experimented and find it works best for me with it slightly opened to where there is a small crescent moon shape on the side, perhaps between an 8th and a quarter. Mine will run fine fully closed, so to speak, but without the slight opening mentioned my charcoal does not burn as evenly. Play with it and you will figure it out. But don"t play constantly. Get it close and that darned drum will work wonders.