Pit Barrel Cooker (PBC) Appreciation Thread

[dcimike125]

Next PBC will be either USN (I was dual service) or the Firefighter (retired FDNY)

 

[ssv3]

Good to see you back Mike!

 

[dcimike125]

I have smoked plenty of turkeys and smoked with a few turkeys, but tomorrow will be the first time on the pit barrel. I am guessing that since it is on a hanger as opposed to sitting on the grate, that I cannot stuff the bird before smoking. Is this a correct assumption? Any advice?

 

[TealStBBQKing]

I have smoked plenty of turkeys and smoked with a few turkeys, but tomorrow will be the first time on the pit barrel. I am guessing that since it is on a hanger as opposed to sitting on the grate, that I cannot stuff the bird before smoking. Is this a correct assumption? Any advice?

I'm wanting to do a turkey this fall so keeping I'm looking forward to your results!

 

[UKsmoker]

beef ribs with the party Q

First chance to try out my homemade adapter and party Q controller on some beef ribs from my butcher, did one with SP and one with a mocha rub.Got the PBC running at 230F with a chunk of oak for 8hrs,and the ribs came off so tender, looking forward to trying a butt or brisket next.

 

[ssv3]

Very cool UKsmoker! :thumb:

First chance to try out my homemade adapter and party Q controller on some beef ribs from my butcher, did one with SP and one with a mocha rub.Got the PBC running at 230F with a chunk of oak for 8hrs,and the ribs came off so tender, looking forward to trying a butt or brisket next.

 

[dcimike125]

Did a turkey and my brisket yesterday. First time doing a turkey on a PBC. I borrowed a friend's PBC for the turkey. Started the gig at 5:30am. Brisket on at 5:45 am on the USMC PBC. Rigged for tent around 7:30 as the forecast was for rain all day (of course, no rain because I put up the tents). Turkey went on the Army PBC with a combination of Bell's Seasoning and PBC All Purpose rub around 11:45 with the game plan of a 4 hour cook.

Brisket went to foil around 12:30 and I noticed fire management problems with the Army PBC. That cooker was running around 375* or about 100 over target. I started flipping out thinking that the turkey would be done 3 hrs before guests arrive (remember the turkey in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation?)

On the phone to Noah at PBC. decided to do a “cooler rest” like the brisket. I refocused my attention to some beer and the mac and cheese that my wife prepped for me.

Pulled the mac & cheese and got the turkey & brisket from their coolers.
The turkey came out great even with a 2 1/2 rest. The first cut into it shot juices out forcing me to retreat long enough to clean my glasses.

The brisket was blurry but delicious as well.

At one point, I have 2 PBC’s, the kettle and the gasser all running at once.

Everyone had a great time. A friend came over with "Fauxtato Salad" which is a really delicious dish made to look and taste like potato salad but made with cauliflower. Needless to say, I heard raves about the food all night.
Finished off the night with some Bailey's pudding shots that my wife whipped up.

Pretty safe to say that I will never put a bird in an oven again. I have done them on offsets, fryers, kettles and grills. Now that I have a clue as to what I'm doing with the PBC, I will go with the PBC now every time. What else can I smoke. I will now be experimenting. Noah's customer service is 2nd to none. He called me back withing 4 minutes of my voice mail to him.

On a side note, while still on the phone with Noah, I did ask about the PartyQ adapter and he said real soon (I hope)

 

[Bob C Cue]

Congrats to Mike and UKsmoker on such great cooks. You guys really knocked it out of the park!

 

[ssv3]

Great cook Mike! Now the question is which barrel was superior USMC or Army? :becky:

 

[dcimike125]

UKsmoker, as Ren would say, "Steempy, I so covet that adapter". With my birthday creeping up like a cheap pair of shorts, I have dropped some serious hints that I want the PartyQ and printed copy of Meadhead's The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling. I did talk to Noah yesterday and he said soon for the authorized PBC adapter :clap: :dancer:

Bob, thanks. The pics really don't convey how great it turned out. I think I need to hire my wife or son as a photographer for future cooks. I am super in front of a cooking implement but suck a$$ lousy behind a camera. I guess I'm to busy salivating or looking for a beer :wink:

 

[dcimike125]

Great cook Mike! Now the question is which barrel was superior USMC or Army? :becky:

Hand's down USMC, Guardians of the gates to hell"

Just kidding... THe army barrel had issues because my boss who I borrowed it from, never used anything but a char-broil gasser until last month. It wasn't adjusted correctly and he just thought it was the way it was supposed to be.
I failed to check that before starting out yesterday. Never assume that the truck you borrow has gas in the tank. I feel pretty confident that it will run as advertised and once I actually give him some tips, he will turn out some great cooks.

As I said earlier, It would be fun to get a cook going with all branches plus pd and fd barrels. Maybe a inter-service competition?

 

[ssv3]

Hand's down USMC, Guardians of the gates to hell"

Just kidding... THe army barrel had issues because my boss who I borrowed it from, never used anything but a char-broil gasser until last month. It wasn't adjusted correctly and he just thought it was the way it was supposed to be.
I failed to check that before starting out yesterday. Never assume that the truck you borrow has gas in the tank. I feel pretty confident that it will run as advertised and once I actually give him some tips, he will turn out some great cooks.

As I said earlier, It would be fun to get a cook going with all branches plus pd and fd barrels. Maybe a inter-service competition?

True! Or if they borrow it form you and bring it back. :biggrin1:

Maybe the next PBC TD for inter-service comp? What sayeth Andrew? :becky:

 

[defib]

Today's cook

Came home from work at 720 this morning. Started a basket of charcoal and began trimming a 16.7 lb choice angus packer from SAMs. Took a a nap until 2 pm and wrapped in butcher paper. ( my first time trying this) Now it is almost 5 and starting to rain. I will go check it and decide if I will need to finish in the oven or how close it is.

I love how the PBC can go with minimal input from me, and still turn out great food.

 

[AClarke44]

Great cook Mike! Now the question is which barrel was superior USMC or Army? :becky:

Uummm come on Sako! Of course its the Air Force PBC! :wink:

Oh wait, you meant just between the Army and Marine PBC. :becky:

 

[AClarke44]

True! Or if they borrow it form you and bring it back. :biggrin1:

Maybe the next PBC TD for inter-service comp? What sayeth Andrew? :becky:

Lol......man it was hard enough doing a PBC only TD. I dont think some of the non PBC owners liked the idea. I think the mods had to run a little interference to keep things peaceful from what i remember.....:biggrin1:

 

[bradymartin]

oops said too much.

anyone know how much the partyq adapter will be? not sure its needed on the pbc.

 

[Bob C Cue]

Lol......man it was hard enough doing a PBC only TD. I dont think some of the non PBC owners liked the idea. I think the mods had to run a little interference to keep things peaceful from what i remember.....:biggrin1:

I'm not ex military but have no problem with a cookoff of the various military and service models. Would be fun to watch.

 

[SeaSalted]

First chance to try out my homemade adapter and party Q controller on some beef ribs from my butcher, did one with SP and one with a mocha rub.Got the PBC running at 230F with a chunk of oak for 8hrs,and the ribs came off so tender, looking forward to trying a butt or brisket next.

Great seeing your results, they make my mouth water. Just curious, how close did the PQ track to your Redi-Check?

 

[SeaSalted]

Did a turkey and my brisket yesterday. First time doing a turkey on a PBC. I borrowed a friend's PBC for the turkey. Started the gig at 5:30am. Brisket on at 5:45 am on the USMC PBC. Rigged for tent around 7:30 as the forecast was for rain all day (of course, no rain because I put up the tents). Turkey went on the Army PBC with a combination of Bell's Seasoning and PBC All Purpose rub around 11:45 with the game plan of a 4 hour cook.

Everyone had a great time. A friend came over with "Fauxtato Salad" which is a really delicious dish made to look and taste like potato salad but made with cauliflower. Needless to say, I heard raves about the food all night.
Finished off the night with some Bailey's pudding shots that my wife whipped up.

Pretty safe to say that I will never put a bird in an oven again. I have done them on offsets, fryers, kettles and grills. Now that I have a clue as to what I'm doing with the PBC, I will go with the PBC now every time. What else can I smoke. I will now be experimenting. Noah's customer service is 2nd to none. He called me back withing 4 minutes of my voice mail to him.

On a side note, while still on the phone with Noah, I did ask about the PartyQ adapter and he said real soon (I hope)

You are one busy man. I think the beer really helped things. Will be interesting to see what Noah comes up with for the PQ. I think BBQGuru should give me one for promoting it lol

 

[UKsmoker]

Great seeing your results, they make my mouth water. Just curious, how close did the PQ track to your Redi-Check?

Hi mate it was around 10°F higher than the redi chek so I put the set point to 220F on the PQ which worked out fine