I have a big smoker (Deep South gc42) and I want something for just the family and occasional company. The DS is way too big to fire up for a couple racks of ribs or a single pork shoulder. So I’m debating between the pbc and the pbc jr. help me decide.
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PBC or Jr?
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That junior would be easier to move around. Man I miss that Pit Barrel flavour/flavor. The original was too bulky for just me. Now you got me wanting a junior.......
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Founding Member & Pit Barrel Cooker Queen
- Jul 2014
- 7136
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My toys:
Weber Summit Charcoal Grilling Center (WSCGC) aka Mr. Fancypants
Pit Barrel Cooker (which rocks), named Pretty Baby
Weber Summit S650 Gas Grill, named Hot 'n Fast (used mostly for searing and griddling)
Weber Kettle Premium 22" named Kettle Kid, eager to horn in with more cooks in the future
Camp Chef Somerset IV 4-burner outdoor gas range named AfterBurner due to its 30kBTU burners
Adrenaline BBQ Company Gear:SnS Low Profile, DnG, and Large Charcoal Basket, for WSCGC
SnS Deluxe for 22" Kettle
Elevated SS Rack for WSCGC
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Cast Iron GriddleGrill Grate for SnSGrill Grates: five 17.375 sections (retired to storage)
Grill Grates: six 19.25 panels for exact fit for Summit S650
gasser
Grill Grates for 22" Kettle
2 Grill Grate Griddles
Steelmade Griddle for Summit gas grill
Fireboard Gear:Extreme BBQ Thermometer PackagePit Viper Fan (to pair with Fireboard Fan Driver Cable)
Additional control unit
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Maverick ET 733
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Grill Pinz
Vortex (two of them)
18" drip pan for WSCGC
Ceramic Spacers for WSCGC in Kamado Mode: 2 sets each 1/2", 1", 2". The 2" spacers work best with the 18" drip pan. The 1+1/2 inch spacers work best with the 14 inch cake pan.
Two Joule Sous Vide devices
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Avid Armor Ultra Pro V32 Chamber Sealer
Instant Pot 6 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker
Instant Pot 10 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker
Charcoal Companion TurboQue
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BBQ Dragon and Dragon Chimney
Shun Classic Series:8" Chef Knife
6" Chef's Knife
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When it comes to smoking/grilling, you never go wrong going larger. The PBC does a nice job for our family--sometimes it's just the two of us, sometimes a table of 10 or more. I like the versatility of being able to load the PBC when necessary but just as easily throw on a single rib rack for hubby and me once in a while.
If you routinely only cook for two, then the PBJ might be the wiser choice. I don't own one, and don't know how much charcoal savings you realize with the smaller footprint.
Kathryn
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The PBCjr has plenty of space for hanging, just figure some extra time if you really load it up with ribs or chicken. The only times I've run close on space was when it's time to use the rack for a butt or brisket because I'm in the habit of buying the biggest one in the case. I've since moved from brisket to chuckies so not really a problem with space. Chuckies really do well when hanged.
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Club Member
- Jul 2016
- 9363
- Virginia
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3 Weber Performers
1 classic kettle
1 26" kettle
1 Smoky Joe
1 PBC
4 Thermoworks POPs
2 Dot and 1 Chef Alarm
2 Temp spikes
4 Slo n Sears
1 Smokenator
2 Vortex
Get both! You can store Jr in the larger one so space savings! Ok. You don't say how many in the family. Go with the size that fits the need. PBC, PBJ, PBC, PBJ!
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Originally posted by cgrover60 View PostFor what it's worth I love my PBC but it really is overkill when I cook for two 95% of the time. If I had the space for another cooker I'd get a PBJ no problem.
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Club Member
- Dec 2018
- 3174
- Texas Gulf Coast
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Grills:
Weber 22" Kettle Premium w/Slow N' Sear 2.0
Pit Barrel Cooker
Grilla Grills Chimp
W.C. Bradley & Co. Char Kettle CK-115 ~1980s Vintage Grill (inactive)
I just cook for the two of us and the PBC is my only smoker. (Weber Kettle is dedicated to direct-grill only.) It can be a little cavernous when just doing two racks of ribs. Still, when doing chicken on the grate, I am glad I got the larger size. I would easily run out of room with the Junior.
Sometimes I wonder if the junior, with its necessarily less charcoal capacity, can't cook as long for a pork butt or brisket. I can't find anyone really complaining about this, so it doesn't seem to be the case to me.
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I responded below then saw this. I found out on my first PBJ pork butt that you could run out of fire. I started maximizing the amount of charcoal by arranging it precisely. There’s a pic on my post about my rib cook-Junior Got with It. I’ve done pork butts and briskets with no problem running out of fire.
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Oops, wrong post referenced for charcoal basket pic. Here ‘tis
I’m going to share my third brisket attempt on the PBJ. I’ve learned a couple of things that will now be part of my routine on long (brisket and butt) cooks. I’ve done a couple of flats, about 7.7# each. The first came out really good for a first time attempt, moist and juicy. It was injected, rubbed and cooked hot and
Hey, I’m old.
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Club Member
- Jan 2020
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- Plano, Texas
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Cookshack Smokette 008 (2005)
Weber 18.5” Kettle (moved to Nebraska with Grandson)
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Pit Barrel Junior (PBJ)
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Coors Banquet (why bother with light beer?)
PBJ owner here. It’s more portable. It does a great job for the two of us, but I’ve cooked three racks of ribs (cut in half, 6 hooks) and there was room for another. Volume shouldn’t be a problem. It also does a good job with the corn and sausage hangers, and the basket. However, the 14†width limits the size pan or basket you can use when using the half grate—hanging on half and grilling on the,other. Sometimes, I wish I had more room in that case. But it’s a good choice 90% of the time for what I cook for me and my wife. Hope that helps, and let us know what you decide.
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- Land of Tonka
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John "J R"
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Smokin' Hound Que
Minnesota/ United States of America
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