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Author Topic: Charcoal load question.  (Read 2214 times)

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Offline Tinnmel

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Charcoal load question.
« Reply #-1 on: February 08, 2013, 02:32:39 AM »
I'm contemplating a PBC.  I was wondering how much charcoal do you load in it?  Do you always need to fill the basket?  Putting 8 hrs worth of charcoal for a 2 hr cook seems a waste, plus I then have to wait 6 more hours before I can put the cooker away.  Can I load less or will it not heat properly without a full load?
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Offline muebe

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Re: Charcoal load question.
« on: February 08, 2013, 07:27:42 AM »
It is designed to work with a full basket. I suppose that you could load less but not sure you will get the same consistent results with temps and cooking times.

Just make the most of each cook. I try and do a couple whole chickens or a couple racks of ribs.

It will put out some of the best chicken you have tasted ;)
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Offline mikecorn.1

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Charcoal load question.
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2013, 08:13:29 AM »
I wondered the same thing when I got mine. I just do what Muebe says, make the most of it. Plus I don't mind having leftovers the next day. My wife will heat them in the oven wrapped in foil. It's all good ;)


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Offline Hub

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Re: Charcoal load question.
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2013, 08:22:22 AM »
Muebe nailed it  ;D

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth and I did most of my cooking on a stick burner I made it a point to "fill 'er up" because it was so much work -- if I was going to go to the trouble I was going to cook lots of stuff.  The PBC is a lot easier to use and the cost of a full basket of charcoal isn't that much. 

Hub
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Offline teesquare

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Re: Charcoal load question.
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2013, 08:29:51 AM »
If you bought the  PBC to ONLY be a "chicken cooker" - it would still be a good decision! ;D I have never made better chicken - by any other method, or with any other cooker.
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Offline smokeasaurus

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Re: Charcoal load question.
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2013, 08:30:36 AM »
I have used 5 lbs for shorter cooks like tri-tips and I have found the heat not to be as hot as a full load so the tri's took longer but tasted just as good.
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Offline muebe

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Re: Charcoal load question.
« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2013, 08:50:27 AM »
Quote from: teesquare on February 08, 2013, 08:29:51 AM
If you bought the  PBC to ONLY be a "chicken cooker" - it would still be a good decision! ;D I have never made better chicken - by any other method, or with any other cooker.

100% agree with Tee. It turns out pretty good ribs and Tri-tip also. Best ribs I have had made however have always been pellet cooked ;)
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Offline sparky

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Re: Charcoal load question.
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2013, 09:21:40 AM »
I run my pit barrel cooker with 1/2 to 3/4 full charcoal basket all the time.  Cooks fine.  no need to full the basket up if your only doing ribs or chicken.
« Last Edit: February 08, 2013, 11:30:26 AM by sparky1 »
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Offline mikecorn.1

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Charcoal load question.
« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2013, 11:30:35 AM »
Quote from: sparky1 on February 08, 2013, 09:21:40 AM
I run my pit barrel cooker with1/2 to 3/4 full all the time.  Cooks fine.  no need to full the basket up if your only doing ribs or chicken.
Thanks for that. Good to know.


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Offline Pit Barrel Cooker Co.

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Re: Charcoal load question.
« Reply #8 on: February 08, 2013, 04:37:37 PM »
Quote from: Tinnmel on February 08, 2013, 02:32:39 AM
I'm contemplating a PBC.  I was wondering how much charcoal do you load in it?  Do you always need to fill the basket?  Putting 8 hrs worth of charcoal for a 2 hr cook seems a waste, plus I then have to wait 6 more hours before I can put the cooker away.  Can I load less or will it not heat properly without a full load?

Tinnmel- We recommend filling it up full at least for your first couple of cooks to get the feel for the cooker, after that if you want to experiment then go right ahead. Remember make it fun :) Amber
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