I can't remember if it was a thread of its own, noted in a thread about cookers, but some discussed the Pit Barrel Cooker. I can't seem to find the thread. Well, I turned the BIG 5-0 and want to get myself a special gift for the big occasion. I believe Fryowa has one and OK4Pres just got one and were bantering back an forth about them and recipes.
For those who have them, do you still like the PBC or is it a grill cooker you regret buying? We've all done that in the past with a grill/cooker. Wished we would have got something else. For anybody who has the PBC Jr. Do you think it has enough room, like it, or think it cooks as nice as the original PBC 18.5"? I have a family of 4 and don't typically cook for more than us. The smaller size intrigues me for storing, managing, and the option of taking it somewhere.
Anyway, any thoughts or advice is appreciated!
Use mine at least once a week, friggin love it. I have a weber kettle that I grill on, but if I didn't, the PBC would be more than sufficient to grill with as well. It's idiot proof, especially when it comes to ribs and chicken. I've probably put 20-30 pork butts through it for pulled pork and I get some pretty high praise form guests and coworkers. Done several tri tips and that's also fool proof. Put a cheap temp probe in it, pull it at 125*, let it rest 20 minutes and start cutting. I haven't done a brisket in mine because I'm not a huge fan, but I've heard it's lights out from people who have.
My neighbor and colleague in the office next to me both have juniors and both wish they had gotten the regular sized one. In no way is it a bad cooker, but trust me the extra room is nice. After buying a new toy no one has ever regretted having too much room, but people always regret not having enough. As far as storage/transport, it's really not any big difference. The junior is about the same height and just a couple inches less in diameter. When you see the regular one you won't think it's big, it's less floor space than a Weber Kettle. I haul my PBC all the time in the back of a Sorento with zero trouble. I fit the cooker, a bag of charcoal, wood chunks, a cooler, and a tote with utensils, tools, etc. no problem. Get the regular size one, you won't regret it.
Like anything else there are some accessories that will make it a better experience. Of the ones I have I'll break it into must haves, nice to haves, and wish I didn't buy it.
Must haves:
1) Hinge down grate. Lets you hang food on one side and still use the grate on the other side. Flip it over and you have a full grate. Trust me, even if you think you won't cook that much, you'll have so much fun that you'll end up cooking all the frickin time in it and you'll buy the grate.
2) Ash pan. I did exactly one cook before I ordered one. The charcoal basket has an open bottom (just steel bars) and when you lift it out most of the ashes will fall through so you end up scooping it out (not fun) or taking it somewhere to dump upside down (also not fun). The ash pan lifts all the ashes out with the basket, super convenient. Honestly it should just come standard with the cooker.
3) Hawkeye bottle opener. Duh.
As confirmation,
@okeefe4prez told me #1 and 2 were must-haves and he was correct.
Nice to haves:
1) Turkey hanger. I've done 2 T-giving turkeys at our family shindig since I got it, and it's expected of me now (family loves the smoked bird).
@okeefe4prez has done some as well I believe. The hanger helps.
2) Pit barrel chimney starter. It's a sawed-off version of a normal chimney starter. I went about 6 months without one because I already had a regular chimney and I'm a cheap bastard, but in reality it makes things easier. Dumping a full size chimney in the barrel sucks and you end up spilling some down the sides of the basket. If you get a Junior, it's not really an option. I don't think a regular chimney would even fit in it.
Wish I didn't buy it:
1) Corn hanger. I grill sweet corn a LOT in the summer so I bought it on a whim. Not necessary because the grate works fine and the ear on the bottom got a little over done. If you want to try it gimme a shout and I'll gladly send it to you free of charge. It's not a POS, just not up my alley and maybe you can get it to work better than me. I only tried it once.
You're an adult American winning machine who works hard to make a living, get one on order. Life is too short not to treat yourself. Trust me, you'll have an absolute blast cooking on this thing, and the fucking smell is enough to buy one. The most fun part is experimenting with different rubs, sauces, recipes, wood chunk species...you'll never wreck any meat and it's cool finding out what you and your family like. Get your boys out there helping you too. Good father son time.
Oh, and remember, get the medium sized one. You won't regret it. Also, buy stuff from the PBC website at the same time to get free shipping. Shipping is kinda spendy but their minimum is only $25.
