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Pit Barrel Cooker

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lkissell

Knows what a fatty is.
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After reading all of the back and forth regarding the Pit Barrel Cooker I thought I'd throw out my two cents.

I went ahead and ordered one to add some additional smoking capacity to my back deck, and the $104 off coupon code sealed the deal. The cooker arrived a few days ago (4 days after ordering), and it is a quality product. Well made, well packaged, and easy to set up.

For my fist cook I prepared Tri Tip. It was very good. Not the best I've ever made, but very tasty.

Last night I cooked two chicken halves and it was the best chicken I've ever made. Very tender, juicy and flavorful.

This weekend will be ribs (with pron).

I realize that this cooker isn't for everyone, but it definitely fills a niche in my backyard.

It's very simple to use and so far my results have been great. For me it will be my go-to chicken cooker, and for that alone it was worth the investment.
 
Looking forward to the photos. I too ordered a PBC and it is enroute. Looking forward to some swinging chicken.
 
lkissell said:
After reading all of the back and forth regarding the Pit Barrel Cooker I thought I'd throw out my two cents.

I went ahead and ordered one to add some additional smoking capacity to my back deck, and the $104 off coupon code sealed the deal. The cooker arrived a few days ago (4 days after ordering), and it is a quality product. Well made, well packaged, and easy to set up.

For my fist cook I prepared Tri Tip. It was very good. Not the best I've ever made, but very tasty.

Last night I cooked two chicken halves and it was the best chicken I've ever made. Very tender, juicy and flavorful.

This weekend will be ribs (with pron).

I realize that this cooker isn't for everyone, but it definitely fills a niche in my backyard.

It's very simple to use and so far my results have been great. For me it will be my go-to chicken cooker, and for that alone it was worth the investment.
Click to expand...

Can you elaborate on this a bit more. I know you can cook pretty much anything on it, but I've seen how people produce some great chicken with it. How would you compare the results you got on the chicken between the PBC and your other smoker?

Bob
 
Been MIA for a while.
I dont see a thermo in this thing.
Can i safely say its more of a grille than a smoker?
 
Bbq Bubba said:
Been MIA for a while.
I dont see a thermo in this thing.
Can i safely say its more of a grille than a smoker?
Click to expand...

In what I've read, the intake is set for it to acheive a specific temp/temp range. Those temps are in the smoking range.

Has anyone tracked the temps it reaches with where the intake is set right out of the box? Has anyone opened up the intake a bit more and achieved higher temps with it?
I'm very intrigued by it. Something I'd like to try for sure.

Bob
 
I'm sure the temps can also vary somewhat depending on the outdoor ambient temp. But they're all within ideal cooking temp range for most types of cooks.
 
Okay, let's not go there again. We've discussed the whole "I can build something else for less" talk in other PBC threads. Some people can build stuff, others can't. Let's keep it on topic. AND let's discuss the merits of the cooker itself. I'm speaking for all the Mods when I say we are done with the "It's a UDS, It's NOT a UDS, It's too much to pay, routine. Let's keep it OT.


Thread scrubbed.

Bob
 
I cook a lot of chicken because my wife prefers it. However, I would like to see a full packer done on this. I really fancy brisket. I have one on order. Really curious and anxious. You can get $100 chipped off the price...see their website. Plus if your law enforcement or military they give you a discount there also. But not both. The $100 off is for a limited time only. Just called them--cool people!
 
BobBrisket said:
Okay, let's not go there again. We've discussed the whole "I can build something else for less" talk in other PBC threads. Some people can build stuff, others can't. Let's keep it on topic. AND let's discuss the merits of the cooker itself. I'm speaking for all the Mods when I say we are done with the "It's a UDS, It's NOT a UDS, It's too much to pay, routine. Let's keep it OT.


Thread scrubbed.

Bob
Click to expand...

Wait. What? This thread is only ONE HOUR old!!! I too have been very intrigued with this particular cooker and have considered it for purchase.
 
harris92 said:
Where do you go to get the $104 off coupon code?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Sign up on Grilling.com and the first coupon they give you is the discount for the Pit Barrel.

BobBrisket said:
In what I've read, the intake is set for it to acheive a specific temp/temp range. Those temps are in the smoking range.

Has anyone tracked the temps it reaches with where the intake is set right out of the box? Has anyone opened up the intake a bit more and achieved higher temps with it?
I'm very intrigued by it. Something I'd like to try for sure.

Bob
Click to expand...

Bob, I've stuck a Turkey fry thermo in mine and at the rebar it was running about 275 with an ambient temp of 32. The heat of the summer would very likely bump that up to 300 to 325, which is still a very usable temp as far as Qing goes. I think of it as a fast smoker/slow griller. :loco:
 
I received mine about 10 days ago. I have only cooked on it once and that was 4 chicken halves. Mine settled in at 255-260 with the preset intake. After I had taken the chicken off the pit I opened the intake maybe 1/4". About 15 minutes later the temp was 275. I didn't do any more testing than that.
I am pretty much at sea level since I am only 15 miles from Gulf coast and the temp outside that day was around 70 degrees. The last sentence is only for those that think that info is pertinent.
Chicken was moist and juicy. I used the rub they sent with the pit and I glazed the chicken with Texas Pepper Jelly rib candy pineapple habanero mixed with Blues hog Tennesse red sauce. I liked the construction and quality of the pit. I did miss having a temp gauge on it but using my Maverick worked just fine. I plan on cooking some ribs on it next to see about hanging meat closer to charcoal basket and seeing if it works like others have said.
 
flyingbassman5 said:
Sign up on Grilling.com and the first coupon they give you is the discount for the Pit Barrel.



Bob, I've stuck a Turkey fry thermo in mine and at the rebar it was running about 275 with an ambient temp of 32. The heat of the summer would very likely bump that up to 300 to 325, which is still a very usable temp as far as Qing goes. I think of it as a fast smoker/slow griller. :loco:
Click to expand...

So 275 was with the vent left at the manufacture's setting? By chance did you open it up a bit more to see if it would get hotter? I'm sure it would. As for ambient temp, that's a big factor too.

Here's another situation that crossed my mind. I'm not a Q Comp person. I grill/smoke for friends, neighbors, and my family. Being that chicken is that one category that gives Comp folks the fits, anyone here have a PBS that could justify, etc using in a Comp?

I closely read Patio's write up on his blog about the PBC. From the packaging to the the overall attention to detail that I could get from the pics, it looks to be worth the money. Course, pics are one thing. I'd really like to hear more about the performance and quality from those of you that have purchased one.
 
hcj3rd said:
I received mine about 10 days ago. I have only cooked on it once and that was 4 chicken halves. Mine settled in at 255-260 with the preset intake. After I had taken the chicken off the pit I opened the intake maybe 1/4". About 15 minutes later the temp was 275. I didn't do any more testing than that.
I am pretty much at sea level since I am only 15 miles from Gulf coast and the temp outside that day was around 70 degrees. The last sentence is only for those that think that info is pertinent.
Chicken was moist and juicy. I used the rub they sent with the pit and I glazed the chicken with Texas Pepper Jelly rib candy pineapple habanero mixed with Blues hog Tennesse red sauce. I liked the construction and quality of the pit. I did miss having a temp gauge on it but using my Maverick worked just fine. I plan on cooking some ribs on it next to see about hanging meat closer to charcoal basket and seeing if it works like others have said.
Click to expand...

Even chicken halves will hang off the hook quite a bit. Did you notice any excessive charring on the part that was closest to the coals. Good point, a therm can be added several ways I'm sure.
 
BobBrisket said:
So 275 was with the vent left at the manufacture's setting? By chance did you open it up a bit more to see if it would get hotter? I'm sure it would. As for ambient temp, that's a big factor too.

Here's another situation that crossed my mind. I'm not a Q Comp person. I grill/smoke for friends, neighbors, and my family. Being that chicken is that one category that gives Comp folks the fits, anyone here have a PBS that could justify, etc using in a Comp?

I closely read Patio's write up on his blog about the PBC. From the packaging to the the overall attention to detail that I could get from the pics, it looks to be worth the money. Course, pics are one thing. I'd really like to hear more about the performance and quality from those of you that have purchased one.
Click to expand...

Don't forget John's an engineer so I imagine he's pretty picky about the details of things. I'd take his review at face value.
 
BobBrisket said:
Even chicken halves will hang off the hook quite a bit. Did you notice any excessive charring on the part that was closest to the coals. Good point, a therm can be added several ways I'm sure.
Click to expand...
No charring what so ever on the chicken. It cooked very evenly. I put the meat hook in the breast under the wing so the leg and thigh was closest to the fire. The only noticible difference was the leg and thigh kind of stretched away from the breast while hanging during the cook process.
 
BobBrisket said:
So 275 was with the vent left at the manufacture's setting? By chance did you open it up a bit more to see if it would get hotter? I'm sure it would. As for ambient temp, that's a big factor too.

Here's another situation that crossed my mind. I'm not a Q Comp person. I grill/smoke for friends, neighbors, and my family. Being that chicken is that one category that gives Comp folks the fits, anyone here have a PBS that could justify, etc using in a Comp?

I closely read Patio's write up on his blog about the PBC. From the packaging to the the overall attention to detail that I could get from the pics, it looks to be worth the money. Course, pics are one thing. I'd really like to hear more about the performance and quality from those of you that have purchased one.
Click to expand...

Yes that was with it set from the factory. I didn't mess with it, though next time I might close it off just a tad especially when it gets warmer. I don't mind cooking above 300 but would rather be under it.

As far as comps go, I haven't done any with it yet but I think that the higher temp will be a nice advantage in cooking up halves. Though for comps, I usually do thighs on my old coleman but at the next one (whenever that is) I will try out halves on the PBC. So far any chicken I have done on the PBC has turned out awesome and would be worthy for a comp box in my eyes.

Quality wise, its a tank. It is just has durable as any well built UDS and the powder coat is a nice touch. The horseshoe handles do in fact stay cool like they are supposed to. Performance is solid and it takes little effort to run this thing, even out of the box.
 
BobBrisket said:
So 275 was with the vent left at the manufacture's setting? By chance did you open it up a bit more to see if it would get hotter? I'm sure it would. As for ambient temp, that's a big factor too.

Here's another situation that crossed my mind. I'm not a Q Comp person. I grill/smoke for friends, neighbors, and my family. Being that chicken is that one category that gives Comp folks the fits, anyone here have a PBS that could justify, etc using in a Comp?

I closely read Patio's write up on his blog about the PBC. From the packaging to the the overall attention to detail that I could get from the pics, it looks to be worth the money. Course, pics are one thing. I'd really like to hear more about the performance and quality from those of you that have purchased one.
Click to expand...

From reading your posts, you seem to have all of the same questions that I did. I pulled the trigger and it arrived today. I have a therm on order which I will mount in it and measure the amount of opening and the result in temp.

On the PBC website, I see photos of people making pizza, grilling burgers and chicken wings so that leads me to believe that it can hit some higher temps.

I was very impressed with the packaging and my "first look."
I think that this little bbq pit will gain some momentum the more that people post up on the forum here (especially at the $225 offering price right now)
 
Robicus129 said:
I cook a lot of chicken because my wife prefers it. However, I would like to see a full packer done on this. I really fancy brisket. I have one on order.
!
Click to expand...

Please prove me wrong but it doesnt hold enough fuel to smoke a brisket. Sure you can add but why? It looks to me as it would make a nice grille.
 
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