Let's Talk BBQ
FORUM SPONSORS => Pit Barrel Cooker Co. => Topic started by: Santiman21 on June 27, 2015, 12:04:43 AM
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Ok, so I am gearing up for my first cook this weekend, I'm still undecided on what I want to cook but I was wondering if anyone had any advice for adding smoke whether it be with chips/chunks or other methods and how best to go about it. Also was wondering if there is a way (if its even necessary) to catch drippings.
Thanks in advance!
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You need to know, I am a fairly simple cook. So my recco' for a first PBC cook is chicken.
In my mind it is hard to make a better chicken than the PBC. I would follow Noah's advice for this first cook - no extra wood / chips / etc. The "drippings" fall on the coals and create a "grease fog" which imparts the unique flavor of the PBC (and why many people never feel the need to add wood.)
Try the flavor of the PBC as it was designed, then start to play with modifications. The chicken is easy to do and turns out perfectly.
Whatever you do, please let us know and if you can, include some pictures.
Enjoy!
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Why don't you try your first cook without wood so you can experience the great flavor the PBC was designed for. Go for halved chickens. Inexpensive and oh so good.
Noahs excellent videos are good to visit before attempting a cook......
Catch Drippings......what makes the PBC unique is that the drippings from the meat fall onto the lit charcoal below giving you a "grease fog" which is that old time Grand-pappy type pit flavor...let em fall onto the coals........
Watch the videos on how to operate the PBC and you will be a happy camper.......... :)
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I was typing out my reply and D-Holly got in first with his excellent advice. Do what The Smoke and The Holly says and you will be super happy with your PBC :)
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Great minds... ;D ;D ;D
Fact is, I follow Noah's videos and Amber's advice and I don't know how many cooks I've done, but I have been happy almost every time. When I wasn't, it was usually some shortcut or goofy thing I did. The PBC just works. Not saying the mods and other changes people make aren't good - just for me, I can happily eat for a very long time just following the videos. ;) ;D
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Thanks for the quick responses guys. I've watched all the videos, its what made me want one of these so bad. I will give it a go on your recommendations, just wanted to hear from y'all since experience is a valuable commodity.
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BTW - If I haven't already welcomed you to the forum - welcome from Minnesota. I look forward to hearing about your experiences and for what it's worth sharing my own.
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Tri-tip is a easy cook. Chicken is also a good first cook just make sure you let the coals get up to temp, otherwise the dripping juice cools the fire.
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Start with the lighter fluid method, full bed of coals, and a couple chickens 8)
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Start with the lighter fluid method, full bed of coals, and a couple chickens 8)
X2 - you can always get "fancy"... but the PBC was built on a certain way of doing things - it is proven and works. I suggest try that first - play after you get the basics down. Just sayin'....
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You need to know, I am a fairly simple cook. So my recco' for a first PBC cook is chicken.
In my mind it is hard to make a better chicken than the PBC. I would follow Noah's advice for this first cook - no extra wood / chips / etc. The "drippings" fall on the coals and create a "grease fog" which imparts the unique flavor of the PBC (and why many people never feel the need to add wood.)
Try the flavor of the PBC as it was designed, then start to play with modifications. The chicken is easy to do and turns out perfectly.
Whatever you do, please let us know and if you can, include some pictures.
Enjoy!
EXACTAMUNDO!!!! Don't mess with success. PBC's need extra smoke like Washington needs more politicians ::)
Hub
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I don't think any better advice can be given here! Good luck and remember we like pictures ....
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I've had mine for just a little while and tried to change a couple of things, but went back to noah's way. Believe me ,Noah and Amber knows best. Just go by their videos and you will not go wrong. I have tried lighting the charcoal both ways and I find the lighter fluid method works best for me....never runs cold and I don't care what anyone says "it does not leave a after taste".
Just take your time any enjoy the good food cooked on the PBC.
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You have gotten some great advice here.
I have followed this advice and I will caution you -- cooking on the PBC is addictive.
The best part is the results are so good no seems to complain that you are doing it.
Good luck.
Chris
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Amber and Noah's advice is a "gospel starting point" - if I can abuse that phrase on a Sunday ;D
But, understand that after you become comfortable with this method, and your familiarity with your pit and it's personality - it is o.k. to try other methods.
However..... :-\
I've had mine for just a little while and tried to change a couple of things, but went back to noah's way. Believe me ,Noah and Amber knows best. Just go by their videos and you will not go wrong. I have tried lighting the charcoal both ways and I find the lighter fluid method works best for me....never runs cold and I don't care what anyone says "it does not leave a after taste".
Just take your time any enjoy the good food cooked on the PBC.
Well...I am going to offer admonish you to CARE what others say because you don't want to set yourself up for being perceived as "that guy" ;) ;D....Just as your color vision and mine will probably test differently - your ability to taste - and mine will also be different.
This is true for all of us.
So, respectfully - remember - LTBBQ does not exist to create hard core absolutes, nor "fan-boy" attitudes. We are all here to expand our knowledge and capabilities, not narrow our viewpoints and perspectives.
I can assure your that Noah and Amber are in agreement that - they teach a fool-proof method to get you started, and be successful. What you do to continue learning about additional methods that may - or may not be your personal, preferred method are entirely within your purview.
Is it necessary to try other methods? Depends on your individual comfort and confidence in your own skills. You may want to try something different sometime....Or, you might simply run out of lighter fluid ;) - and NEED to have another method as a back up. Isn't great that we have the ability to make the choices - and have so many folks to share their ideas...
It is how we learn and grow folks..... ;D
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I certainly didn't mean to come across that way and I do apologize. At my age [72] I sure don't smell,taste,hear,see or feel as good as I did when I was younger. I can still smell charcoal fluid burning and it sure brings back memories.That is what I was trying to get across that if you go by Noah's instructions stating out you will turn out some great food and might not get discouraged .Once you get the learning cure behind you then start trying new things. That's what makes this hoppy so much fun...you never stop learning and I learn new things on this site all the time. ;D
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Heck...no apology needed. We are all friends and I find that it is helpful for me to remind myself occasionally that I am here to learn as many different methods from you and everyone else.
And we owe to the "young uns" to keep pointing to experiment...make mistakes...learn and share as the tools most precious to all of us growing in knowledge.
So please take my comments as in the spirit I intend. To clarify that is - like me writing on a chalkboard to remind myself while reinforcing why we are all here :D.
Food...Fun..Fellowship....and sharing of experiences with respect.
You are an asset to us all. Keep up the good cooking and share a tip or two!
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My issue is that people will get the PBC and try using the charcoal basket method of lighting. The problem is that this method takes a little practice to get right. The lighter fluid method is much more reliable IMHO for someone brand new to the PBC.
So starting off with the more difficult method can make your very first cook disappointing giving the person the impression the PBC does not perform like advertised.
From my experience on here nearly every time there is a problem with the PBC it is a brand new owner that starts with the harder lighting method.
The truth is that if properly started the PBC is truly a set it and forget it cooker.
That is why I tend to steer new users to the lighter fluid method then after a couple cooks experiment with new lighting procedures.
There is nothing worse than getting a new cooker like the PBC, bragging to the family how great the food will be and then your first cook well.... Sucks.
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I agree Mike that in general the way for those that unfamiliar with the PBC is the simple lighter fluid method.
But we also need to have options that we can offer to folks that prefer them. And probablably with the caveat that the lighter fluid method is still our recommended method for getting a new owner started with a PBC
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I've had my PBC for at least two years and have used it many, many times. All I ever use to start it is Kingsford fluid. I've never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never had any food come out tasting "like lighter fluid". I let the coals generate for 20 minutes just like the videos recommend. It is almost too easy ;D
FWIW most of the "creosote" or "starter fluid" tasting barbeque I've ever had came from over-smoking it, not from starter fluid properly used. Or, maybe somebody who tried to start their fire with Texas Pete ::)
Hub
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I've had my PBC for at least two years and have used it many, many times. All I ever use to start it is Kingsford fluid. I've never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never had any food come out tasting "like lighter fluid". I let the coals generate for 20 minutes just like the videos recommend. It is almost too easy ;D
FWIW most of the "creosote" or "starter fluid" tasting barbeque I've ever had came from over-smoking it, not from starter fluid properly used. Or, maybe somebody who tried to start their fire with Texas Pete ::)
Hub
You have a package bound for your abode...I believe it is a lifetime supply of Texas Pete ( funny how it has the initials..."TP" isn't it? ;) ) And Prep H for the feeling of discomfort accompanying it..... ;D
I will say again - the things each of us taste - in terms of detail are likely different from individual to individual. Many of us taste different nuances that we like or dis-like.
Were that not the case - the same guys would always win BBQ comps..... ;) And there would only be a small number of BBQ rubs on the market. :D
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There is nothing worse than getting a new cooker like the PBC, bragging to the family how great the food will be and then your first cook well.... Sucks.
That's EXACTLY what happened to me! The whole family had been hyped, and I let them down.
On my first cook, the chicken had a lighter fluid taste - but ONLY because I failed to let the coals burn down as everyone above has described. I rushed the process, thought it would be okay to have half of the coals not even burning when hanging the meat, but it wasn't. Big mistake.
So if you're using lighter fluid, just be sure to do it right. Give those coals plenty of time to start. You'll know they're ready when the ones you wet with fluid are mostly ashed over.
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All this lighter fluid talk is making me reminisce about my childhood and those Lighter Fluid seasoned hamburgers at the relatives...
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Any updates on that first cook?