Let's Talk BBQ
FORUM SPONSORS => Pit Barrel Cooker Co. => Topic started by: jjjonz on January 11, 2015, 10:25:54 PM
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I know this question has been asked, but I just couldn't find it. What makes PBC different ? Why couldn't one use something like a WSM without a diffuser and do the same thing the PBC does ? I know the PBC has to be some kind of good cooker with all the positive reviews.
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I have used a WSM as a "PBC" with similar results. The difference is in the science of airflow in relation to the PBC shape and size i.e. design.
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One of these days I am going to experiment with my WSM and try chicken without the water pan and see if I get similar results as the PBC. Not sure if laying the chickens flat on the grill of the WSM will produce the same results as hanging them in the PBC though, but it would be interesting to find out.
The PBC is more of a set it and forget it cooker, once the bottom vent is adjusted to the altitude that it is being cooked no further adjustment should be necessary, whereas the WSM requires vent adjustment every cook to get the temps in the desired range.
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I am not an expert, and I haven't stayed at a Holiday Express in months. But, for what it's worth having used both of these, this is my impression.
The PBC id not a smoker - the WSM is. They are different cookers used for different purposes. I have never used a UDS - but again, my thoughts are the PBC is different. Muebe (on this forum) calls the PBC a "power cooker." I think that is the best description. Used as directed it makes some of the best chicken and other proteins (as well as pizza) you can imagine. However, IMHO, it is not a smoker. And, that's ok with me - I have a smoker.
I enjoy using my PBC and my friends and family enjoy the food.
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One of these days I am going to experiment with my WSM and try chicken without the water pan and see if I get similar results as the PBC. Not sure if laying the chickens flat on the grill of the WSM will produce the same results as hanging them in the PBC though, but it would be interesting to find out.
The PBC is more of a set it and forget it cooker, once the bottom vent is adjusted to the altitude that it is being cooked no further adjustment should be necessary, whereas the WSM requires vent adjustment every cook to get the temps in the desired range.
I guess this is the real question ....has anyone ever tried to take the pan and pour and start the charcoal, and set the vents per PBC. I am sure there are ways to hang he meat. After all the 18 inch WSM is pretty close the same size as the PBC. I do realize that one is designed to be a smoker and one is a cooker. I just think people who own a WSM might just have a PBC and not know it. I wish I still had mine I would do some testing. I have tried it on my mini WSM and come pretty close.....I took the diffuser out and hung ribs ...they got burnt a little on the end close to the charcoal. The lock the temp in at 300 degrees and it stayed pretty close the whole cook. I sure would like for someone to do some testing. On the WSM.....
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The PBC is a power cooker/roaster. The only thing it has in common with a UDS is that the meat is cooked directly over the charcoal. This causes the drippings and seasonings to fall onto the lit coals and create a "Grease Fog" that flavors the meat in a way that a Offset or Bullet style cooker can not replicate.
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The airflow and distance between the meat & coal bed are what set this cooker apart from others. The meat hanging can also be done in a WSM.
You might get close with a WSM if the distance between the meat and coal bed are similar. The air flow might be more difficult to replicate and the interior size adds to that.
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One of these days I am going to experiment with my WSM and try chicken without the water pan and see if I get similar results as the PBC. Not sure if laying the chickens flat on the grill of the WSM will produce the same results as hanging them in the PBC though, but it would be interesting to find out.
The PBC is more of a set it and forget it cooker, once the bottom vent is adjusted to the altitude that it is being cooked no further adjustment should be necessary, whereas the WSM requires vent adjustment every cook to get the temps in the desired range.
I guess this is the real question ....has anyone ever tried to take the pan and pour and start the charcoal, and set the vents per PBC. I am sure there are ways to hang he meat. After all the 18 inch WSM is pretty close the same size as the PBC. I do realize that one is designed to be a smoker and one is a cooker. I just think people who own a WSM might just have a PBC and not know it. I wish I still had mine I would do some testing. I have tried it on my mini WSM and come pretty close.....I took the diffuser out and hung ribs ...they got burnt a little on the end close to the charcoal. The lock the temp in at 300 degrees and it stayed pretty close the whole cook. I sure would like for someone to do some testing. On the WSM.....
It would not be possible to set the vents on a WSM as per the PBC, the WSM has 3 vents on the bottom and one vent at the top, too much of a design difference to follow the PBC vent setting on a WSM. The only possible vent settings is to try to get the WSM vents set to hold it at near the same temps that the PBC cooks at.
The WSM 18.5 might be similar in size to the PBC but the design difference would make it difficult if not impossible to hang meat in the WSM like you would in a PBC. The WSM domed lid is about 1/4 of the total height of the WSM, so there would not be the same distance from where the meat hangs to the fire. If you could hang meat from the grate of the WSM 18.5 it would be much closer to the charcoal basket than the PBC. I say that if you want to hang meat in a WSM like you do in a PBC you would probably need to have a WSM 22.5.
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The PBC is, generically, a "drum cooker" that has been designed for minimal adjustment potential. The WSM is, as has been pointed out a "smoker" that has lots of adjustment potential. Both will do pretty much the same thing if you wish but the intent of the design of each was not the same.
Most folks who are not happy with their PBC's (read through the threads here and you'll see several) want more involvement in the process than just putting the food in, timing it, then taking the food out -- a PBC strong point! Similarly, those who don't want to regulate air or set up various fire methods have problems with their WSM's. Both are excellent cookers for their intended uses. Problems result when the user really wanted something else.
A cook who doesn't object to learning setup and adjustment will ultimately learn how to make a WSM "sing" across a wide spectrum of food types and methods. We see lots of WSM's in competition because of their versatility. The PBC is not as versatile overall but can be "learned" within a fairly broad range of meats and the manufacturer posts good videos about how to use it.
Net: figure out your cooking needs then find a cooker that most closely matches them. There's no universally "perfect" cooker but, its fun to try them out!
Hub
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Here is my advice... ;) ;D
Have breakfast with LVC - hit the jackpot and buy a PBC and a smoker = best of all worlds.
Just a thought...
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Here is my advice... ;) ;D
Have breakfast with LVC - hit the jackpot and buy a PBC and a smoker = best of all worlds.
Just a thought...
:) ;) :D ;D
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Thanks everyone for you input.
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I have hang ribs and chicken in the WSM 22.5.
(http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r636/emtawali/IMG_20140704_080601_zpsnmn0g1nq.jpg) (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/emtawali/media/IMG_20140704_080601_zpsnmn0g1nq.jpg.html)
(http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r636/emtawali/IMG_20140629_114632_zpsxbetnaat.jpg) (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/emtawali/media/IMG_20140629_114632_zpsxbetnaat.jpg.html)
(http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r636/emtawali/PBCing_zpsndxaoboj.jpg) (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/emtawali/media/PBCing_zpsndxaoboj.jpg.html)
Results are similar but the WSM 22.5 will go through coals like crazy. I used the snake method.
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Very nice, Bigg! Those are some excellent looking meats. I love the Craycort cast iron grids.
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Good looking bones and birds. ;)
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I have hang ribs and chicken in the WSM 22.5.
Results are similar but the WSM 22.5 will go through coals like crazy. I used the snake method.
I thought I'd seen someone post about this previously, was that you Bigg?
I've thought about trying this out, but haven't so far. Partially because I'm lazy, but mostly because I pretty darn happy with the results I'm currently getting on both the Kettle & the Bullet.
BD
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I have hang ribs and chicken in the WSM 22.5.
Results are similar but the WSM 22.5 will go through coals like crazy. I used the snake method.
I thought I'd seen someone post about this previously, was that you Bigg?
I've thought about trying this out, but haven't so far. Partially because I'm lazy, but mostly because I pretty darn happy with the results I'm currently getting on both the Kettle & the Bullet.
BD
Yes I posted this somewhere. I experiment quite a lot LOL
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Very nice, Bigg! Those are some excellent looking meats. I love the Craycort cast iron grids.
Yet another accessory on the list . . . .
BD
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Very nice, Bigg! Those are some excellent looking meats. I love the Craycort cast iron grids.
Yet another accessory on the list . . . .
BD
I had the craycort grate for over two years, money well spent.
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I am not an expert, and I haven't stayed at a Holiday Express in months. But, for what it's worth having used both of these, this is my impression.
The PBC id not a smoker - the WSM is. They are different cookers used for different purposes. I have never used a UDS - but again, my thoughts are the PBC is different. Muebe (on this forum) calls the PBC a "power cooker." I think that is the best description. Used as directed it makes some of the best chicken and other proteins (as well as pizza) you can imagine. However, IMHO, it is not a smoker. And, that's ok with me - I have a smoker.
I enjoy using my PBC and my friends and family enjoy the food.
drholly
Have you or do you know of anyone that has tied to cold smoke cheese, sausage or bacon in the PBC?
CM
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CM - I haven't tried that. I don't know of anyone, but there are some very creative folks here - I bet someone will respond. I have to say, with the bars in and using something like the Amazen, it just might work.
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CM - I haven't tried that. I don't know of anyone, but there are some very creative folks here - I bet someone will respond. I have to say, with the bars in and using something like the Amazen, it just might work.
drholly
Thanks for the response. I really am interested in buying a PBC and I have read all great reviews and no negative reviews, so I'm on board. I just want to make sure that that I covered all my bases before I leap into buying what could end up as an expensive trash can. Not to say the product is faulty, I want to use it to its capabilities and not let it sit.
Thanks
CM
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CM - I haven't tried that. I don't know of anyone, but there are some very creative folks here - I bet someone will respond. I have to say, with the bars in and using something like the Amazen, it just might work.
drholly
Thanks for the response. I really am interested in buying a PBC and I have read all great reviews and no negative reviews, so I'm on board. I just want to make sure that that I covered all my bases before I leap into buying what could end up as an expensive trash can. Not to say the product is faulty, I want to use it to its capabilities and not let it sit.
Thanks
CM
CM
Please understand I can only speak from my experience - so, take it for what it's worth. I have several (according t my wife - far too many) cookers. While there is a lot of overlap, most of them have something special that makes me like to use them. The PBC is a brilliant "set it and forget it" power cooker. It is perfect for poultry when I just want a delicious bird without having to hover by the cooker. In fact it makes some of the best chicken I've tasted - hands down. I've had excellent results with turkey, butts, and ribs.
However, if you are the kind of person that likes to mess with a fire, tweak the temps, experiment with different woods / chips / etc. this is probably not the right unit for you. It is designed to come to the "right" temperature if you follow the lighting instructions and the height of the grate or bars for hanging is in the "sweet spot". It just works.
It is not designed to be a smoker (although you might be able to make it work.)
My 2 cents,
D
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Trust me. Get the PBC Chief! You won't regret it!