Let's Talk BBQ
General => General Discussion & Topics => Product Reviews => Topic started by: PatioDaddio on January 25, 2013, 12:43:21 PM
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Daddio got a new toy last spring! The great folks at the Pit Barrel Cooker Company sent me
one of their cookers to test drive. I haven't fired it up yet, but I wanted to give you an
introduction and share my first impressions.
(http://files.patiodaddiobbq.com/images/stuff/PitBarrelCooker/PBC_1_2_630.jpg)
I'm very familiar with drum cookers. I built two of what is known as an "Ugly Drum Smoker"
(UDS) in 2008 for use in competition, and they've become my go-to smokers. Drum cookers
are very simple in design, easy to use, extremely versatile, and they generally produce
consistently outstanding barbecue.
When I first saw and read about the Pit Barrel Cooker (PBC) online my first thought was,
"OK, it's yet another incarnation of a UDS." However, as I looked beyond the surface I
discovered that, while it is similar to a UDS, it's also really different.
Homemade drum cookers are usually made from recycled 55-gallon drums. The PBC is
made from a brand new 30-gallon drum. Once you get past the size difference the rest of
unit is very reminiscent of a standard drum cooker — except for a few major differences.
The first major difference is that the PBC is very well-made. The thing is quality from top to
bottom. Even the packaging was first-class. Here, let me show you what I mean.
(http://files.patiodaddiobbq.com/images/stuff/PitBarrelCooker/PBC_1_7_630.jpg)
As soon as you crack the box the horseshoe handles are a great testament to this being a
made-in-America cooker, and to its western (Strasburg, Colorado) roots.
(http://files.patiodaddiobbq.com/images/stuff/PitBarrelCooker/PBC_1_5_630.jpg)
(http://files.patiodaddiobbq.com/images/stuff/PitBarrelCooker/PBC_1_8_630.jpg)
17 1/2" rack, hanging rods and hook grabber (more about those later).
(http://files.patiodaddiobbq.com/images/stuff/PitBarrelCooker/PBC_1_6_630.jpg)
The charcoal basket is built like a tank!
(http://files.patiodaddiobbq.com/images/stuff/PitBarrelCooker/PBC_1_9_630.jpg)
It has a separate base with horseshoe feet to elevate it to keep it from burning your deck
or grass.
(http://files.patiodaddiobbq.com/images/stuff/PitBarrelCooker/PBC_1_3_630.jpg)
Check out the durable and weather-resistant high-heat powder coat finish.
The next major difference is that the PBC is designed and built to be a set-it-and-forget-it
cooker. You don't have to guess about how much charcoal to use, or how to set your intake
and exhaust dampers. You load the same amount of coals each time, and the intake is
pre-set (though still adjustable — see the picture above). This is a great feature. Most folks
don't want to deal with tending a fire and managing airflow.
Undoubtedly the biggest difference is how you cook on the Pit Barrel Cooker. While there is
a standard rack, as you see above, the preferred method is to hang the meat from rods
using the included (eight) stainless steel hooks (shown in the second picture).
(http://files.patiodaddiobbq.com/images/stuff/PitBarrelCooker/PBC_1_4_630.jpg)
This is the part that intrigues me. Hanging the meat certainly maximizes the cooker's
capacity, but I don't know how it works with food that might fall, like ribs. I suppose that's
where the rack comes into play.
I'm really excited to get this thing dirty. If it cooks half as well as it's built it will be an
outstanding addition to my barbecue stable.
While you're waiting for my post-cook review, head on over to the Pit Barrel Cooker
Company site and check out some how-to videos. You can also read an interview with
the president of the company, Noah Granville at Grilling.com.
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John
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Great initial review!
I love my PBC! Great charcoal cooker ;)
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Great initial review!
I love my PBC! Great charcoal cooker ;)
X2!!
Love my PBC!
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If you are not going to use it or dont like it, send it to me so it can keep my PBC company. I love that thing. ;) ;D 8)
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If I were in the market, I'd buy one of those based on that outstanding review. Dee
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If I were in the market, I'd buy one of those based on that outstanding review. Dee
Dee it is worth every penny. If you can swing it I would try and buy one before the promotion is over. It is on helluva discount ;)
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If I were in the market, I'd buy one of those based on that outstanding review. Dee
Dee it is worth every penny. If you can swing it I would try and buy one before the promotion is over. It is on helluva discount ;)
I agree Dee (hey..that rhymes!! ;D) get a PBC and you won't look back!!! Set it and forget it!!! Come to think of it, with the exception of my Yoder...most of my pits were obtained when I was not in the market!!!!!
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If I were in the market, I'd buy one of those based on that outstanding review. Dee
Dee it is worth every penny. If you can swing it I would try and buy one before the promotion is over. It is on helluva discount ;)
X2...Dee - if you don't get one, you will kick yourself when I bring mine to the FG.....You will realize how many more chickens you would have sent to heaven if you had one early in the year... ;D I have never made - or eaten chicken as good as this thing makes. No exageration.
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I was in the market for the PBC then I got the heads up on the grilling.com promotion right before Christmas. Yeah, it pushed me over the edge. Well worth the $$. Love that thing.
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Tee is not exageratin!! The PBC makes the best darn chicken you have ever had!!! Even if you just got it just to cook chickens it is well worth the coin!!
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If I were in the market, I'd buy one of those based on that outstanding review. Dee
Dee it is worth every penny. If you can swing it I would try and buy one before the promotion is over. It is on helluva discount ;)
I agree Dee (hey..that rhymes!! ;D) get a PBC and you won't look back!!! Set it and forget it!!! Come to think of it, with the exception of my Yoder...most of my pits were obtained when I was not in the market!!!!!
Smoke goes out & a pretty little cooker sits in his lap whispers sweet nothing's in his ear & the next thing he knows its in his backyard ::)
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Looks interesting but it lost a lot of credibility when the video shows using lighter fluid.
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If I were in the market, I'd buy one of those based on that outstanding review. Dee
Dee it is worth every penny. If you can swing it I would try and buy one before the promotion is over. It is on helluva discount ;)
Yup, it don't take much!! :D
I agree Dee (hey..that rhymes!! ;D) get a PBC and you won't look back!!! Set it and forget it!!! Come to think of it, with the exception of my Yoder...most of my pits were obtained when I was not in the market!!!!!
Smoke goes out & a pretty little cooker sits in his lap whispers sweet nothing's in his ear & the next thing he knows its in his backyard ::)
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Looks interesting but it lost a lot of credibility when the video shows using lighter fluid.
It actually gets more credibility because if you follow the directions you will never have know that you used lighter fluid!! :)
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I understand that but why not just use a chimney... You'll still taste petro if you use lighter fluid IMHO
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You do not taste any charcoal flavor at all. Trust me!! I know we all have those childhood memories of gas flavored burgers but that is not the case!! The PBC is not a normal type UDS smoker. It cooks at higher temps and needs the complete top layer of coals fully lit before cooking. The Minion Method will not work with this barrel cooker.
I am calling on all the PBC owners here to let us know if you have experienced lighter fluid flavor if you followed Noahs instructions on lighting your Pit Barrel Cooker.
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No lighter fluid flavor here and I think I even put more fluid than he does in his video. I went back and looked at it. :P
Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk
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You do not taste any charcoal flavor at all. Trust me!! I know we all have those childhood memories of gas flavored burgers but that is not the case!! The PBC is not a normal type UDS smoker. It cooks at higher temps and needs the complete top layer of coals fully lit before cooking. The Minion Method will not work with this barrel cooker.
I am calling on all the PBC owners here to let us know if you have experienced lighter fluid flavor if you followed Noahs instructions on lighting your Pit Barrel Cooker.
Second attempt at this question. Would the lighter cubes work on the PBC? Or do they only work inside a chimney as a paper replacement.
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You do not taste any charcoal flavor at all. Trust me!! I know we all have those childhood memories of gas flavored burgers but that is not the case!! The PBC is not a normal type UDS smoker. It cooks at higher temps and needs the complete top layer of coals fully lit before cooking. The Minion Method will not work with this barrel cooker.
I am calling on all the PBC owners here to let us know if you have experienced lighter fluid flavor if you followed Noahs instructions on lighting your Pit Barrel Cooker.
Second attempt at this question. Would the lighter cubes work on the PBC? Or do they only work inside a chimney as a paper replacement.
The lighter cubes will not work to ignite the charcoal in the PBC. Not that they wouldn't ignite the charcoal, the correct way is to follow Noah's instructions. The PBC cooks differently than a UDS type barrel smoker and runs at a higher temp. The trick is to get the entire top layer of charcoal in the basket to be at it's peak temp (which is 20 minutes) and also the lighter fluid has completely burnt away.
Trust me everybody, I have used torches and pine sticks and cubes to light my charcoal pits and would never ever think of getting lighter fluid near my charcoal cookers..........but it just simply works in the PBC!!