18-1/2 in. Classic Pit Barrel Cooker Package review and price compare 2025
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Product overview
| Brand | Pit Barrel Cooker Co. |
| Power Source | Charcoal |
| Color | Black Porcelain enamel coating |
| Item Weight | 57 Pounds |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 21 x 21 x 31.1 inches |
| Fuel Type | Charcoal |
product features
- by entering your model number.
- Includes 8 stainless steel hooks to hook-n-hang your meal and a standard grate for grilling and searing
- Included coal basket is sized for the ideal amount of charcoal for the perfect cook
- Unique design makes the PBC simple to operate, producing consistently impressive results with minimal hassle compared to other cooker options
- Minimal assembly required to get cooking
- Package includes everything you will need to get started: 2 Hanging Rods, 8 Stainless Steel Hooks, Standard Grill Grate, Charcoal Basket, and Hook Remover Tool (Seasonings Not Included)
This fits your .
product description
The PBC Package includes the following: 1-30 Gallon Porcelain Coated Steel Drum, 8-Stainless Steel Hooks, 2-Steel Hanging Rods, 1-Charcoal Basket, 1-Grill Grate, 1-Wooden Hook Remover, and 1- 3 Point Barrel stand (Seasonings Not Included). The Pit Barrel Cooker combines the best qualities of smokers and slow cookers to create a unique "vertical cooking experience" that produces perfectly cooked meat every time. It is designed to allow shorter cooking times without the need to regulate temperature or smoke. It is simple to use, portable and built to last. The PBC has received rave reviews from some of the biggest names in BBQ. AmazingRibs.com declares Pit Barrel to be the "best bargain on a smoker in the world", and gave it their top Best Value Gold Medal Award. Famed writer and TV host, Steven Raichlen, added Pit Barrel to the lineup of grills and smokers at his Barbecue University where it stands alongside cookers with five figure price tags. We believe that every outdoors man and woman that enjoys cooking will want a Pit Barrel Cooker because everyone who tries one is simply amazed by the flavor it produces and ease of use.
product details
important information
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Questions about 18-1/2 in. Classic Pit Barrel Cooker Package
Q:
Is the lead time really 3 to 5 weeks?
Answer: I got mine in 2 weeks time
Answer: I received mine in 5 days.
Answer: They are conservative on the time, and the waits WELL Worth it!
Answer: They must be getting faster. Mine was delivered 6 days after I placed the order.
Answer: Ordered mine mid-day Tuesday, arrived Thursday. I'm on the West Coast (San Diego)
Answer: We got ours in TWO days!!!
Answer: All orders ship next business day.
Answer: Got mine in 10 days.
Q:
how do you hang meat other than ribs. i like to cook all kinds of meat{turkey breast ect.}
Answer:
Answer:
Answer: I have cooked 4 whole chickens cut in half and hanging. Took about 5 hours. Hung three racks of rubs. Lots more room. Took 4 hours. The website shows how to hang a turkey.
Answer: It comes with 8 hooks and if you a larger price of meat you can double hook it. One hook will go in one side and reverse it on the other. I have done pork butts,brisket, whole chickens,ribs and corned beef. And I'm doing a turkey for Easter.
Answer: You use the hooks and hang the meat on the bars. I cut my chickens in half and hang them. Ribs you hang about 2 bones down and you can about 8 ribs at a time. If you go to the website they have videos that show exactly what to do. Pretty easy and no temperature to control. It's amazing!
Answer: Quite easy for almost any meat. Go to put barrels website and look over the excellent videos for ribs. Chicken. Tri tips. Pork roast and many more.
Answer: The barrel comes with eight hooks to hang various cuts of meat, See pit barrel cooker web site for videos on cooking various cuts of meat.
Answer: Go to the Pit Barrel website. The videos will demonstrate cooking variety of meats.
Answer: You can hang them by securing them with the hooks, (there are eight hooks) or you can lay them flat on the grill grates that is included, here is one of many youtube videos that will give you a better idea... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4jPKwgj6WY
Answer: I would tie turkey breast with buckers twine if it is boneless if not threw part of the bone.....
Answer: It depends on the meat. Check out these videos for specifics: http://pitbarrelcooker.com/videos/
Q:
after your smoked meat is complete, can you thow some firewood in to use as a fire pit?
Answer: You cannot smoke meat in this. It is a rotisserie cooker. Not really a good idea to use as a fire pit either--can only throw in 3-4 inches of wood/coal--and it is at the very bottom.
Answer: After you're done cooking food on a grill, do you normally throw firewood into it to use it as a fire pit? I don't understand why this seems even remotely like a good idea.
Answer: Hello Joe, The Pit Barrel Cooker is not designed to withstand the temperatures of being used as a fire pit. Thank you.
Answer: No really. It's taller than an outdoor chair so you'd really just be sitting around a hot can instead of a fire pit.
Answer: I suppose you could. I haven't, but I have started the charcoal with lighter fluid and have had a good flame in there. Of course, by having a strong fire in there, you risk burning off the fat that coats the inside of the barrel, and adds to the good seal of the lid.
Answer: I suppose you could, but it's a barrel so you are not going to be seeing any flames above the rim unless you really load it up with wood (which doesn't sound like a good idea).
Answer: sure if you want to ruin the inside of it.
Q:
How well does it work in cold climates? I would like to use year round. I live in Illinois with cold winters.
Answer: Works mediocre in almost any climate. It is about equivalent in every way to your indoor kitchen oven. Harder to operate, harder to clean, but you do get a slightly better flavor since the fat drips on the coals and creates a tiny bit of smokiness for the meat.
Answer: I live in Minnesota and have used it at temps well below zero(-20). Yes, the temps do affect the cooking time.
Answer: I'm in Chicago and only got this recently. But everything I've read on bbq forums makes me believe there won't be any issues. If anything, just a little bit longer cooking times.
Answer: I have been cooking in 40 degree temperatures consistently and the cook turns out great!
Q:
How is this for doing a few burgers, or steaks? It seems great for large amounts of food.
Answer: Not good. It is not a good grill. Your burgers/steaks will not have any flame broil nor char. 270 degrees. You will cook everything evenly throughout, no char on outside and rare on inside--just evenly cooked.
Answer: I have used this as a "grill" only once. As stated earlier, the grate is well below the lip of the barrel, so getting to burgers and other items that require you to use a spatula to flip them is difficult. Hog dogs and brats are easier to turn with tongs, but it is a long cook on them based on the distance away from the coals, in my experience. Based on the sear I like on steaks and chops, I have not even tried to grill them on this.
Answer: The grill grate is about 8 inches inside the barrel. The charcoal is about 20 inches below the below the grate. This makes it harder to turn your burgers and steaks than a standard grill. I don't expect you can get a good sear either due to the distance from the coals. I don't use it for things I want to cook fast.
Answer: I haven't grilled any burgers or steaks, but have grilled vegetables after smoking meat. Because the flames are farther from the grill, it takes a bit longer, but if you starter when the fire is first going, it should grill very well. My fire was 3 hours old when I grilled the veggies. I love the cooker.
Answer: It's good for pretty much any amount of food. I would just use less charcoal and it would still cook great.
Answer: I haven't cooked burgers or steaks yet. It makes fantastic chicken and ribs.
Answer: This is a "cooker", not just a smoker. It came with a grill attachment that cooks just like a charcoal grill. Makes the best smoked foods I have ever had and we owned a big green egg in the past.
Q:
Does the barrel have a bottom? In some of the promo videos, he's got it right on a deck.
Answer: yes it has a full bottom. there is a stand that the barrel sets in that holds it off the ground/deck approx 4". I would not use on a wood deck or other surface that may ignite without a protective pad.
Answer: It's got a horseshoe stand bottom, 3 horseshoes that are welded to a ring that the barrel sits upon. If you are worried about it on a deck just get some fire brick to put under it for good measure.
Answer: It does indeed have a regular barrel bottom. What you can't see in his video is that the fire box has some tiny legs so there is some room between it and the bottom too. I put a patio stone under mine and it sits on my wooden deck and that works great...no heat issues. Get one..you will love it...it works amazingly well!
Answer: I have cooked with it with snow around it and it barely melts the snow below the barrel
Answer: Yes, that's where charcoal sits. it comes with a about a 4 inch stand. I've cooked with it on a deck
Answer: It has a bottom, and sits on a stand with horseshoe feet about 4" tall. I wouldn't put it directly on a wood surface though without some protection.
Answer: I assume you mean does it have a stand? If so, yes, it comes with a stand to raise it off the ground
Answer: Yes, it does have a bottom.
Q:
If you have a long cook (11+ hours) how do you add more charcoal? I'm used to horizontal smokers...
Answer: There is never a cook that would take 11 hours, there is no need to refuel. Please check out our website for all information.
Answer: If you can move the meat aside to give access to the charcoal pan, using a chimney charcoal starter, fire up additional coals and add to the charcoal pan every three to four hours. Make sure the bottom draft port is opened according to altitude instructions!
Answer: jeremy, if you are using the rebar to hold the meat,you can drop extra charcoal into the ash pan..from above..
Q:
Can you convert this barrel with a pellet pro® ugly drum smoker conversion kit?
Q:
I know its recommended but do you have to use Kingsford?
Answer: No, I have used lump charcoal, but it does not burn as evenly and lately I have found myself moving back to Kingsford as they recommend.
Answer: For the most consistent and best results that everyone raves about we recommend using Kingsford Original.
Answer: No you don't. But why would you want to use something else? The manufacturer recommends Kingsford for a reason.
Answer: I use Cowboy lump charcoal. Many pros use this brand. I find it to be great.
Answer: It's all I've used. You can try it and see how it goes. Shouldn't hurt anything.
Q:
Are these pit barrels as of september 2017 still manufactured in the usa?
Answer: I just bought one. It has a label listing the Georgia Ports Authority as the consignee and the Pit Barrel Cooker company as the Shipper. Country of origin: China. The company is pushing the Veteran status of the founder and hiding the China connection. He iis supporting at least one vetern however: himself. How about American labor? Nah. This not listed anywhere on the literature or the unit or it's packaging that I can find. Like in politics, it's not the deed, but the coverup that causes all the trouble.
Answer: According to Angie at PBC, due to overwhelming demand for PBC's their manufacturing facilities were re-located to China to keep up with demand.
Answer: No, please see below re: Angie company rep. Manufactured now in China due to high demand. Disappointed USMC vet here............
Answer: I am not sure, go the web site and get their email address and ask them.
Answer: Yes
Answer: Yes, Corona California.
Answer: Yes they are..
Q:
What is the best way to light the charcoal? Lighter fluid or some newspaper underneath?
Answer:
Answer:
Answer: Fill the basket and remove 1/4 of the charcoal to a chimney starter. Stuff the bottom chamber with about three sheets of newspaper, set on a safe surface, and light the newspaper. Wait 15 minutes and pour into Pit Barrel charcoal
Answer: The best way to light the charcoal is "Fill, drench, drop, light." I know, some of the purists say no lighter fluid but if you light it immediately, there is no aftertaste AND...AND..it is the easiest way to get the most consistent light.
Answer: Hi, I light my charcoal with a weber wax cube underneath my chimney starter. But a news paper would also work. I don't use lighter fluid at all.
Answer: Hi, I light my charcoal with a weber wax cube underneath my chimney starter. But a news paper would also work. I don't use lighter fluid at all.
Answer: It's more about preference. I douse the filled coal
Answer: I use a chimney with torn up paper bags and drink holders made of recycled paper at the bottom. I don't use lighter fluid to avoid any taste being imparted to the food.
Answer: I've never used lighter fluid when grilling for fear of tainting the taste of the finished product. Learned how to use it properly after getting this, and have found that the finished product is the same as if I'd used a chimney to start it. The lighter fluid method is far easier. Watch their videos on their site for demos.
Answer: It's preference, we demo both methods in our videos.
Q:
Can the legs be replaced with castor wheels?
Answer: The PBC comes with a three point barrel stand and does not come with castors. We also do not recommend making any modifications to it. I hope this helps, feel free to give us a call should you have further questions!
Q:
Does this cooker come with a cover?
Answer: It doesn't. The grill's dimensions and footprint are practically identical to a 22 inch Weber kettle, so if you can find a cover that covers a kettle it should cover this (make sure it goes as far down as possible and doesn't just gover the kettle pit).
Answer: Cover is an optional purchase.
Answer: No..but a standard smoker cover does work on mine..you should be very happy with the smoker though I sure am!
Answer: It doesnt come with one but they are available for $25, I think.
Answer: No, you have to buy a cover separately.
Answer: No but you can buy 1 from
Answer: No. It's an optional item.
Q:
When you hook the baby back ribs on the rack... doesn't the rib meat rip off and drop down since the meat is so tender?
Answer: I thought the same thing. However, it has not happened to me. If you hook your rack of ribs under two rib bones, it magically stays put. The meat is VERY tender and everything you cook on it turns out great. Buy the PBC, you will not be disappointed.
Answer: On the rack no. On the hooks you do have to be careful. Put the hook at least three bones down and you shouldn't have an issue.
Answer: That has not been a problem for me so far as they can get quite tender before literally falling apart. I have modified the recipe found on the Pit Barrel site and now let the ribs cook the last hour in foil with a liquid such as beer or juice. For me it has produced a bit tenderer finished product than going the whole time hanging. Hope this helps,
Answer: No it doesn't. Feel free to check out our FAQS and videos.
Answer: Nope
Q:
What, if anything, do I need to do differently to cook a kosher brisket, where the blood is removed?
Answer: Hello! We are no familiar with cooking a kosher brisket. I would think the cooking process would be the same as we demonstrate. Thank you!
Q:
How long do you have to wait until after the coals are lit to start the cook?
Answer: Once you dump the coals from your chimney (I'm not exactly sure how the lighter fluid method works) into the basket of remaining unlit coals you can start immediately. You could also wait 5 minutes or whatever if you wanted but it gets to 250-300 pretty quickly, and that's the temp range it's designed to run at.
Answer: The instructions included have a 12-17 minute chart based on elevation how long to burn the charcoal in the chimney. I live in Alabama (450ft) and burn the coals in the chimney for 12 minutes.
Answer: It takes fifteen minutes for the coals to get hot in your chimney, then you can transfer it to the coal basket. It is then ready to hang your meat and start the cook.
Answer: Depends on how you light it. If you use lighter fluid, wait 15-20 minutes with lid open, then hang meat. If using chimney starter, let coals in chimney burn for about 15 minutes, pour them over the remaining coals in basket, and immediately hang the meat and close the lid. Both methods work equally as well. Personally, I use the chimney starter method. Good luck.
Answer: we use a chimney and the coals are ready in about 10 minutes.
Answer: We dump charcoal directly in the basket & light it and then wait 15 minutes before hanging the meat
Q:
Must you still fill up the entire charcoal basket if you're only going to cook something for 45 minutes or an hour?
Answer: Well, I would not want to waste that much charcoal for a short cook like that. We have cooked salmon for about 25 minutes, but that was from the leftover heat of a rib session. I have never done a short cook like that on its own, but my unprofessional opinion, if you are cooking something like salmon and you don't need the full heat range, then I would say you can try it. I would put at least half a basket though of charcoal though.
Answer: No. Use a full basket if your cooking for 6-8 hrs. Otherwise cut it back just make sure to take out a 1/4 of what u put in for lighting
Answer: For shorter cooks such as steaks, burgers etc you can use less charcoal. For your first few cooks and until you get familiar with the way that the PBC cooks we recommned filling your coal basket full.
Answer: No. If you're quick grilling hot dogs and burgers then about half a pan full of charcoal will do. Longer term cooking should be full basket of charcoal as per mfg.instructions.Actually one should check out pit barrels website. They show u pretty much everything you'd need to know about cooking with their barrel. Good luck!!
Q:
Is it better to order it through amazon or directly through the manufacture website?
Answer: The price is the same. I ordered through amazon to get the 2 day delivery. I use the pit barrel cooker website to find recipes and tips.
Answer: I ordered through Cabela's only because I had points from a credit card. I did register with Pit Barrel. I now prefer to order through manufacturer, my choice. They are customer oriented. Ash pan is a great add on. Turkey hangar works great. I love my cooker.
Answer: Not sure that it really matters. I bought mine direct from the co as they probably make a few extra $ on it, and the guy that started to co. is a war vet. The ash pan and grill cover are very good add ons, worth the extra $. I am also going to get the chicken/turkey hangars soon as well. You will love it, guaranteed. Just be sure and follow the instructions and set your air intake deal correctly. Enjoy
Answer: It's your choice of where you are interested in buying it from Amir
Q:
I have a composite deck. Will pavers be enough to keep the deck safe? I'll probably put a grill mat under them. Just don't want to melt my deck!
Answer: The pavers must cover the entire area under the pit barrel and under the pavers put the mat and it should be fine. There's some great mats and I would invest in one for the deck.
Q:
I have a pretty old wood deck I want to put this on. Is there something I should use to make sure the deck is protected?
Answer: I use mine on my wood deck without anything underneath (except the included stand), it doesn't get very warm. But, I would recommend putting it on something non-flammable like paver stones.
Answer: From the PBC company website:
Answer: The Barrel sets on feet about 3 inches off the deck. There is pot that sets in the bottom of the barrel that holds the coals. The barrel does not touch the wood so I doubt the air would get so hot as to ignite the wood. Mine sets on a stone patio. You could slide a piece of tin under it. Or even better slide a couple old bricks under it that you might have around.
Answer: It really doesn't need anything to protect the deck. It sits on a stand a few inches off the ground, so it alleviates any problems like that.
Answer: Cement blocks, or any of those fire/oil resistant rubber deck mats should be fine. It doesn't get too hot under there.
Q:
Has anyone added a temperature regulator to the PBC?
Answer: I wouldn't mess with it. I used a digital thermometer to track the temp through the holes at the top for the rods (checked every 30mins for 5hrs to make sure it held). It really does hold it consistently every time once you have it (the damper) set where you want it (the company's guidelines on this are pretty spot on)...do this once and you shouldn't have to worry about guessing again or adjusting for temp. (unless cooking in some extreme cold).
Answer: I wouldn't add one to the smoker itself but you can use a portable one if you need. I only use one when doing meats that I need to monitor the temp. I would not add one to cooker itself will ruin the finish and the way it cooks.
Answer: We don't recommend it as it will compromise the porcelain finish.
Q:
What size replacement grate can be used in this? Will a standard Weber grate fit?
Q:
Does the packaging show/state the contents of the box? Want to purchase this as a gift but can't ship it to the house if the box displays the contents
Answer: Hello L. Schutte,
Answer: Box contains the name and logo (picture) on it. However, it will make an amazing gift!
Answer: The name and logo are,on the box
Answer: It does state what it is
Answer: Yes....lol big picture on the box telling all the neighbors it's about to go down.
Answer: Yes
Q:
Why is there no thermometer or temp regulation system? I feel like I would be cooking blind in this thing.
Answer: Great question. I thought that too. I found the answer on AmazingRibs website. The charcoal basket holds about 80 briquettes. Once they are going good the heat is high enough to sear the meat around 350 to 400. But once the lid is put on and the oxygen is limited the heat up around where the meat is hand settled in between 200-225. The only temp I have to monitor is the meat which I do with a Bluetooth thermometer. I think that's why I like it so much. I don't have to fiddle with managing the heat so much. I hope this helps
Answer: It doesn't have a thermometer because it cooks at an even temperature depending on how much air you let in. You can modify it to put a thermometer on it if you like.
Answer: I felt the same way when I first got my pit barrel. Just following the lighting procedure on the pit barrel website videos, and having a decent leave in thermometer for long cuts and a decent instant read for your quick cooks and it just works perfectly. Its kind of the beauty of the pit barrel, nothing to adjust and so no real need to monitor anything.
Answer: When set up according to instructions: air vent opening, rods in place, use recommended charcoal, etc. you will actually cook according to time. The videos have estimated times for cooking various meats. I find them to be accurate. Since heat stays constant, extra items aren't needed but you could add them if you want. I use a timer and a meat probe thermometer.
Answer: As long as you set it up and light it like they say,you just have to have faith in the cooker. Many have tried it including me and it's worked out fine.
Q:
Is the ash pan included?
Answer: The ash pan is not included. I would highly recommend purchasing it.
Answer: You have to order the pan that goes beneath the grate separately but it is well worth the cost. Allows you to lift the grate out and empty the ashes.
Answer: not with the classic package, it's a separate purchase but well worth it.
Q:
does this have a stack
Answer: A chimney? No. There's a small damper at the bottom you use to control the amount of air coming in. Air gets out through the holes just below the lid that support the rebar.
Answer: No / however, I feel it would be a good idea.
Q:
Does the smoker come with a thermostat to monitor heat temp?
Answer: No, get a good digital thermometer. Thermometers on smokers and grills are notoriously inacurate. Amazingribs.com has good reviews and recommendations for thermometers and a review of The Pit Barrel Cooker and tips also. I got a Grill Grate ET732 dual probe thermometer, with a remote, so I can monitor the inside temperature and the meat temperature also. You thread the thermometer probes through the holes where the rebar hanger rods go. I'm maybe 200 feet above sea level and I find the smoking times in the instructions to be spot on.
Answer: No. The smoker does not come with a thermostat. I use a digital thermometer to measure doneness by sticking into the thickest part of the meat. Does the job quite well.
Answer: No, temperature stays at a constant 275-300 , just have to trust it ...
Answer: It does not. I am using one from a big box retailer and it is doing fine. Pit Barrel recommends the products from Thermoworks. The results from this cooker are excellent and the lack of a temperature gauge is not a big deal.
Answer: No. Highly recommend purchasing a digital thermometer, Thermoworks being some of the best.
Answer: No it does not
Answer: No it does not.
Q:
I am seeing this same product at big box stores for $100 less...anyone know why?
Answer: Conglomerates have their ways of taking over every business in just this way.
Q:
do you have to use a thermometer while cooking?
Answer: To measure the temperature of the cooker: No. It regulates itself but you can if you're curious.
Answer: No, but I do just to make sure it doesn't overcook. It cooks faster than you expect. But you can check visually.
Answer: Nope, it holds a steady temperature quite well.
Q:
Can this be used as a barbecue? Can the charcoal grate be suspended closer to the grill?
Answer: The PBC can work as both a grill and a pit cooker. The PBC comes with a provided grill grate and works great for burgers, steaks, etc..
Answer: It can be used as a barbecue, but not for fast cooking meats as the coals are much too low and the height can't be adjusted. The main purpose of the Pit Barrel Cooker is for slow even cooking.
Answer: Figure out where you want the basket, drill 4 holes for the rods, and when smoking close the holes with short carriage bolts.
Answer: It will not work well for high heat direct searing and cooking. It excels at low and slow BBQ.
Answer: The PBC has tabs at about the height of the handles, they cannot be moved.
Q:
Can you dlso bbq and grill in the smoker?
Answer: My husband has grilled in it before
Answer: I have cooked steaks and burgers on the PBB and they come out great. They cook slower than a gas grill as the internal temp is lower
Answer: Yes. Last week we made a smoked cheese queso dip in there. Just put the rack on set your pan on and let it smoke. Great item.
Q:
What all does the 4 year protection plan cover?
Answer: PErsonally I wouldn't buy it the product is an all steel barrel with no moving parts what could go wrong?
Q:
is this too big for a just 2 people? i dont want to cook 8 slabs at a time, just 2. does this use too much charcoal for my needs?
Answer: For 2 slabs I usually will fill the basket with its charcoal brickets I do not hang my slabs I will usually just set them on the grill and flip them every 45-60 minutes. It's perfect for 1-8 slabs. It takes a bit to get used to the cooking and temp. I've made several tri tips,roast and whole lot of ribs I recently made burgers on it as well
Answer: Too big for 2? No... you dont have to cook for an army every time! I usually cook for two and reduce the charcoal accordingly!
Answer: No its not too big, quite efficient on coal. I usually only do 2 or 3 slabs as well. It makes an unbelievable chicken too.
Answer: I usually cook a lot when I fire this up. It takes about 15 lbs of charcoal so I like to get some use out of all the coals. It does a great job. I cook 4 slabs at a time. Leftovers mmmmm. Cook a couple slabs and throw on a chicken or two.
Answer: I would say no, it's not too big. In the time you will need to do two slabs of ribs, you can simultaneously cook a whole chicken and a tri-tip (or some other combination) and have meals for the week. I can't speak to your needs, but I do know you will not be disappointed with the product.
Answer: I snuff out the coals at the end of my cook by putting them in my weber kettle. Usually still have half left over for future cooks.
Q:
Is this a 55 gallon drum or smaller?
Answer: This is about a 30 gallon drum.
Answer: Smaller, about 30 gallon.
Answer: It is smaller. I'd say 30 gallons.
Answer: 35 gallon
Answer: Smaller...like 30 gallons
Q:
How difficult is this to clean?
Answer: All you do to clean it is empty the ash from the charcoal, you do nothing with the rest of the cooker. Get a cover for it also.
Answer: I use a cheap 16" pizza pan under the charcoal basket. When it all burns up and cools, I just lift the basket out, then the pan and dump the ashes in my ash can. Takes seconds. That's all the cleaning you want to do. Never wash out the inside.
Answer: I find the Pit Barrel easy the clean. I wait until the coals are finished burning and dump out the ashes. You are not suppose to spray the barrel with water.
Answer: Its real easy to do! Just dump out ashes before using Pit Barrel and thats all the cleaning you do. In the Pit Barrel instruction manual advises you not to clean inside of barrel with chemicals or etc. Hope this helps.
Answer: Pit Barrel makes a tray that attaches to the charcoal basket that allows you to simply pick the basket and pan out of the barrel, but as shipped you will have to dump the barrel to remove the ash. I bough a cover for mine at Home Depot, but Pit Barrel sells one also.
Q:
I can see why amazon doesn't ship this item to NL, Canada....$180 shipping by Fedex? Is that really the best you can do Pit Barrel?
Answer: Shipping to Canada runs between $80.00 and $130.00. Thank you. Please feel free to contact us for further questions.
Q:
What else do I need to buy with this to make it ready to go? It's a gift...
Answer: You'll need a bag of Kingsford charcoal, charcoal lighter or a chimney starter and something to cook. The videos on how to use it that are on their website are very helpful. I've been smoking meat for over 20 years and this is the best thing I've owned. I've had it for about 6 weeks now and use it every weekend.
Answer: It's ready to go right out of the box.
Answer: Heather,
Answer: The cooker comes with hooks to hang the meat, a grill for when you don't want to hang it, and a tool to safely grab the hot hooks. It is ready to grill from day one, but you will need common cooking tools like knives and cutting boards for carving afterwards. It also comes with two rubs that are pretty good.
Answer: Not a thing, unless you want to throw in a bag of Kingsford Charcoal (what the manufacturer recommends) and a chimney starter. That would provide everything but the meat. The cooker comes with everything else you need.
Answer: the cover is nice they sell on the same web site, also a long pair of bbq tongs to adjust the briquettes in the basket at the bottom of the barrel once lit, and finally a briquette fire starter, weber makes a smaller unit that works really well, let them know about Pit Barrel Cooker web site if you follow their instructions it all turns out great
Answer: Just some charcoal, Kingsford is preferred, something to cook and some refreshments for while its cooking. You have to try to screw it up.
Answer: Meat thermometer, gloves, charcoal, and charcoal lighter fluid. Recipes and suggested cooking times are all on website.
Q:
confused - should i buy this or the weber smokey? any recommendations? price is same for each.
Answer: Buy the Pit Barrel Smoker. I've been smoking for years as a hobby. This follow science. Smoke and heat rises so you are getting a better smoke and heat scourse. Most smokers you have to get your smoke and heat to travel horizontally. Which is against nature or science. You will fall in love with this smoker. One suggestion buy a meat cage to hang your ribs in. The meat becomes so tender it will fall off the bone and into the coals,
Answer: Easy, Pit Barrel Cooker. I bought this to replace the Weber Smokey Mountain. It's one of the best decisions I have ever made. The Pit Barrel is super easy to use, foolproof and delivers excellent results every time. Further, their customer service is off the chart.
Answer: I can't speak about the Weber as I don't have one. The PBC however is AWESOME! Everything I cook turns out perfectly. I don't think that you would be disappointed with this purchase. I haven't been.
Answer: I don't own a weber anymore but honestly both are good. I choose to support a veteran and his company. Love my PBC.
Answer: Check out all of our videos on our website to see capacity and versatility. To give you an idea, you can cook 8 racks of ribs in the PBC.
Answer: I do not have a wsm, but have cooked with folks who swear by them. I do have a Pit Barrel
Q:
How long to smoke a 3-pound tri-tip
Answer: 45 min. to an hr. for medium rare, comes out perfect every time and everybody says its the best they have ever had.
Q:
Are all of these grills manufactured in the usa ? thx !
Answer: They were at one time. Not now China
Answer: Yes it is a great product. Made Prospect, Ky.
Answer: Yes and they are fantastic
Q:
Is there a water container with this. i saw in kpbs show chef used container with water on top of charcoal when he cooked boston butt
Answer: There is not a water container with the cooker and I've never seen a need for one. I just did a butt a week ago per the video on the site and it was perfect, falling apart and nice and juicy.
Answer: No, as far as I know there is no water container. I have two Pit Barrel Cookers and neither one came with a water container.
Answer: They were using it incorrectly. You don't need water in a Pit Barrel cooker.
Q:
Has anyone used Weber briquettes in it and did they last as long as Kingsford?
Answer: I have only used Kingsford original due to I had competition left over and it did overcook the meat somewhat when compared.
Answer: I have not used the Weber charcoal, but I have used the Royal Oak Lump charcoal... I think it works even better than the Kingsford as far as flavor goes... hope that helps!
Answer: only use kingsford
Q:
What does it cost to ship to Vancouver, BC?
Answer: It generally runs between $60.00 and $90.00.
Q:
This may sound silly But does it come with the barrel ?
Answer: The package comes with the barrel, two rebar, 8 hooks, the charcoal basket, a grate and a stand. They once you get it you can start smoking in 20 minutes and it's true. All you need is the meat and the charcoal
Answer: Yes it does. Comes with everything you need to start smoking except the meat and charcoal.
Answer: Yes. The cooker s a barrel.
Answer: Yes, everything that is pictured. Includes two rubs.
Answer: It does
Answer: Yes it does
Q:
Do you deliver overseas? would it be suitable for overseas use (different climates)?
Answer: Hello, we do ship overseas you would need to contact us for a shipping quote, the PBC works great in all climates.
Q:
Can it be used to cooking hole pork shoulder for pulled pork BBQ
Answer: It can. I have cooked 600-700 pounds of shoulders on a larger cooker for pulled pork, and the pulled pork on the pbc is the best.
Answer: It sure can! The largest I have cooked is about a 12lb pork shoulder but it will handle larger. Excellent results!
Answer: Absolutely takes about 4 hrs. Recomend using a leave in temp probe to get it perfect. Just go to the pit barrel website and check out his videos. They detail how to cook pretty much everything that most people would cook like butts, ribs, burgers, chicken etc. Just buy it you will not be disappointed. I am not paid or sponsored by pit barrel it's just that good and easy.
Answer: Yes it can.
Q:
What is the texture of the meat? does this create a decent bark?
Answer:
Answer:
Answer: Yes. Good bark and juicy meat. This cooker is meant to cook a bit faster than traditional smokers so take that in to consideration.
Answer: Texture great. Bark good.
Answer: Absolutely, this is a great smoker, easy to use and excellent results. Liked it so much I've bought as gifts as well
Answer: Best I have ever had.
Q:
Can you use butcher paper when wrapping instead of foil? That is what I use. Thank you.
Answer: Yes, we use butcher paper in our pork belly video. The only time you may run into a problem is if you are needing to wrap with a juice or other liquid.
Answer: I used butcher paper on brisket and pork and I have to say, the foil works better.
Q:
does this have a hanger hook for smoking turkeys?
Answer: This is the Classic Pit barrel cooker package. It will include 8 standard meat hooks, the barrel, lid, stand, charcoal basket, rebar, standard cooking grate and two 5oz rub packets but not the turkey hanger.
Answer: A hanger is available for smoking turkeys, but it isn't a hook in the traditional sense of the word. It doesn't come with the Pit Barrel, but can be ordered from them. I have cooked three turkeys on their turkey hanger and they were absolutely delicious!
Answer: It does not come with the turkey hanger you need to buy that separate
Answer: No, that’s an accessory that you have to purchase separately.
Answer: No, the basic kit doesn’t come so the one you have to buy it separately.
Q:
if i want to cook one rack of ribs and maybe a chicken do i have to use 8 pounds of charcoal? looking for something for 2 people.
Answer: In order to get the desired cooking performance, a full charcoal basket should always be used. Less charcoal means less heat. The same temperature is required for one rack of ribs and 8 racks of ribs.
Answer: I always use the 8 pounds. Just plan ahead and cook for a few meals.
Answer: Hi,
Answer: No, or if you do, you can close up all the holes and smother the coals. They can then be used again, as part of the next cook.
Product reviews of 18-1/2 in. Classic Pit Barrel Cooker Package
Amazon Customer : Love this thing
Love this thing. It's 90% foolproof. A tiny bit of fine tuning is required depending on ambient wind and outside temp, but I've always had excellent results with everything from 13# turkeys, 2 young chickens, pork butts, and 12# briskets. You could probably make it yourself for cheaper, but the whole thing just works from day 1. You're paying for the design, testing, and customer service.
Allyson Johnson : Holy Smokes!!!
Pun intended!! The Pit Barrel Cooker does exactly what it says it will do...Pounds away hour after hour with a consistent temperature. I am a novice smoker, but have utilized my Weber Kettle as a smoker with the Smokenator, which is pretty darn good given for what it is, but demands a lot of attention to regulate temperature and maintain fuel.
I did a lot of research before I bought the Pit Barrel Cooker and it has received excellent reviews and I am confirming them. For my first cook I made pork spare ribs and a whole chicken. The chicken turned out amazing and the ribs ok. I followed the directions exactly for both, but the ribs were about 20-minutes overdone. That's not a function of the cooker, but the cook! The chicken was so juicy and amazing! The ribs would have been the same, but just a bit overdone. The flavor for the ribs was still amazing, but just a little dry. During the cook I utilized my Mavrick to check the internal pit temperature and I was amazed at how consistent this thing was!
This was my first cook with the PBC and the result was about what I had expected...good but not great since I need to get used to the tool being used. I can't wait to cook on this thing again! The more I use it the better the results will be, with little effort and babysitting! Plus you can't ignore the reviews that some of the best Pit Masters have given this unit!
Don't hesitate and buy this beast!!
I did a lot of research before I bought the Pit Barrel Cooker and it has received excellent reviews and I am confirming them. For my first cook I made pork spare ribs and a whole chicken. The chicken turned out amazing and the ribs ok. I followed the directions exactly for both, but the ribs were about 20-minutes overdone. That's not a function of the cooker, but the cook! The chicken was so juicy and amazing! The ribs would have been the same, but just a bit overdone. The flavor for the ribs was still amazing, but just a little dry. During the cook I utilized my Mavrick to check the internal pit temperature and I was amazed at how consistent this thing was!
This was my first cook with the PBC and the result was about what I had expected...good but not great since I need to get used to the tool being used. I can't wait to cook on this thing again! The more I use it the better the results will be, with little effort and babysitting! Plus you can't ignore the reviews that some of the best Pit Masters have given this unit!
Don't hesitate and buy this beast!!
mr_xtravgnt : Can't be beat
I admit I was skeptical. I spent weeks trying to decide which Weber Kettle grill and which Smokey mountain I would get, I knew I needed both as one could not replace the other. After looking at different sizes and prices I could not find a size and price that I thought was worth it and that's how through a BBQ forum I ran across the Pit Barrel Cooker. I dove in and researched it and was sold by the mostly hands-off cooking approach, the fact it was made in the USA by Veterans, capacity of food it could handle and of course the price. I placed my order and with prime delivery it was supposed to arrive on Father's day so I invited my family over. Unfortunately my local USPS decided not to deliver on time so we had to order Chinese, disappointing to say the least.
I got the grill the following Monday and when I got home from work debated if I wanted to try it or wait until the weekend. After reading how easy setup was I decided to give it ago. Assembly consisted of unpacking and attached the handle to the cover, that was it. I had ribs and chicken ready to go from the previous day as well. Got the coals started, set everything up, hooked my meat and let it do it's thing. Came back a couple of hours later to perfectly cooked food, it was just that simple!
Taking one star away because I did not get my Rubs, I'm not sure if that's because I ordered from Amazon and not directly from the PBC company?
I got the grill the following Monday and when I got home from work debated if I wanted to try it or wait until the weekend. After reading how easy setup was I decided to give it ago. Assembly consisted of unpacking and attached the handle to the cover, that was it. I had ribs and chicken ready to go from the previous day as well. Got the coals started, set everything up, hooked my meat and let it do it's thing. Came back a couple of hours later to perfectly cooked food, it was just that simple!
Taking one star away because I did not get my Rubs, I'm not sure if that's because I ordered from Amazon and not directly from the PBC company?
Clayton : Good start
For newbies, I feel this is a good smoker. I was under the impression of the reviews, propaganda, and youtube videos that you didn't need to monitor the temperature, and that you set it and forget it.
After wasting a lot of good meat, I can tell you, that you'll need to monitor the temperature and learn the device.
After wasting a lot of good meat, I can tell you, that you'll need to monitor the temperature and learn the device.
Steve Sexton : Surpassed expectations!
I have spent years honing my skills on various smokers---especially on ribs and brisket. My neighbor got one of these because his uncle had one and kept raving about it. Honestly, I thought it was hype and didn't have much in the way of expectations. The day it came to his house we got a couple of racks of ribs and cooked them exactly according to the directions on the website (in video form). I was blown away! It also kind of put a burr in my saddle because it was so easy anyone can do it. I left his house that day thinking that the ribs were so good that beside the ones I spent years trying to get right---they might win the test. Over the next few days we did whole chicken, pork butt, and wings. I was sold. I ordered one to put in my own backyard and dismantled my smoker, turning it into a large grill for burgers and brats. This thing ticks all the right boxes for me. It's easy to operate, fuel efficient, and puts out great food. I can even put my wood chips on (I was raised in Texas and have never been able to get over it : ) ). I have contacted the owner of the company twice and have heard back (by email) within the hour. You can also call as their cell number is on the side of the barrel. If you're looking for a good, easy way to put out good meat this is a fantastic way to go.
Jacque C. : Amazing! Fiancé loved his Father's Day gift!
I bought this for my fiancé for Father's Day. He was always eyeballing people's smokers at parties (I know this isn't a smoker) and I thought I would find him one. Everything I researched within my price range said to do either this or the Webber Smokey Mountain. In the end i settled on this because of the community of people who have them and provide tips and tricks in forums, because it's made in America, it's ready to cook with straight out of the box (no treating it like they recommend you do with the weber), the reviews said it was a very hands off cooker for the basic items (fiancé is a self admitted lazy chef), and the owner lists his cell phone number on the box so you can call him with questions or concerns.
I bought this for Father's Day. He has already done 10 racks of ribs, an onion, a whole pineapple and about 15 chickens on this thing and he raves about it all the time! I'm very pleased with my purchase!
I bought this for Father's Day. He has already done 10 racks of ribs, an onion, a whole pineapple and about 15 chickens on this thing and he raves about it all the time! I'm very pleased with my purchase!
Alastair Knowles : Lives up to the hype!
I've been smoking on different charcoal rigs most weekends for years (Kettles, barrel grills -with and without offset boxes, ceramic eggs, and even a competition grill that some buddies and I rented for a massive party). I have become pretty capable at producing great slow-cooked meat, and until now my method of choice for slow-cooking involved a 22inch Weber Kettle with a Slow-n-Sear add-on (still a great set-up involving exceptional products). For the purpose of this review, I'm going to compare what makes the PBC Cooker so incredible, when up against any other options in this price-range:
PROS:
- Simplicity - I deliberately followed the most simple of the prescribed set-ups for this: fill the charcoal basket to the top (make sure it's level); cover charcoal in lighter fluid; place basket in bottom of barrel immediately and light-it; wait 15 minutes for coals to burn down a little (20 at higher altitudes); put on your food, cover the barrel, and wait until your meat is done. No setting up digital thermometers on grill surfaces, no waiting for the temperature to set and stabilize, and I didn't even add wood chunks or chips (I wanted to see what the end product was if I put in the least amount of work necessary). The food that came off when I took the above described steps was phenomenal! Best ribs and chicken I've ever had!
- Set it and forget it - this is where I am most astounded, I set the damper according to the directions provided and this thing held at 260 for the entire cook (which was 4hrs, but the charcoal could've gone for 8+ if I had to guess). I have never seen another charcoal fueled product that can do this - period. It literally is a 'set it and forget it' device. I confirmed this by sticking a digital thermometer in through the holes for the rods, periodically during the cook. I didn't use wood-chunks or chips, and it still produced a great smoke and subtle smoke flavor (which I prefer to a heavy/over-smoked flavor) - the flavor comes from the meat dripping on the coals (check-out PBC's website for an explanation)...it works really well.
- Shorter cook-times - I slow cooked one rack of ribs to fall-off-the-bone tenderness in a little over 3hrs (still developed a solid smoke ring), along with a chicken (halved) that were done in 2hrs). A rack of ribs slow-cooked would usually take at least 4.5hrs.
- Capacity - this thing's footprint is basically the same as a 22inch Weber Kettle (slightly shorter, but the footprint is identical, and the grill cover for a 22inch Weber Kettle fits this perfectly). Even with a rib rack, the most I could effectively fit on a 22inch Weber is 4 racks of ribs (could maybe do 5 if I halved a 5th rack). The PBC can hold up to 8 racks of ribs at a time thanks to its hanging method - with the same footprint as a 22inch Weber. That is nuts!
- Easy Clean-Up - you literally just dump the charcoal out of the bottom when you're done; they have a charcoal pan add-on at PBC's website, or you could lay down tin-foil in the bottom of the barrel to make the clean-up even easier. The stainless steel hooks probably don't 'need' to be cleaned after every use, but it takes about 1 minute to use a scrubber and dish-soap on them. The inside of the barrel itself is never meant to be cleaned (they stress this in their directions and literature - so be aware of that), and the outside should never 'require' it either (cleaning the outside is super easy if you do want to - check out PBC's website for details on how to clean it).
- Great Build Quality - this thing is substantial, and I love that they use a porcelain enamel finish now (sounds like they used to use a powdered finish). As is the case with anything, fewer moving parts usually means higher durability and lower maintenance - this thing has very few moving parts.
- Legit Even Cooking - this thing does cook evenly as a result of the science/physics behind the design (check-out their website for an explanation). To get the same effect on other rigs, usually you have to adjust the meat's position at least once during the cook.
- Versatility - The PBC can be used for grilling or slow cooking; the included grill grate is solid and sits deep enough in the barrel to protect it from flare-ups caused by wind. I think I'll probably still use my weber kettle for grilling on on grates, but it's awesome that this could serve the same purpose (and the grilling surface is substantial). It CAN heat up for grilling, and it does it quickly - take that lid off the PBC and you can literally watch the coals heat-up in a matter of minutes. Something else that makes this versatile is its capacity; as I alluded to earlier, I did a halved chicken and a rack of ribs simultaneously - they didn't come close to touching each-other or messing with each-other's flavor profile...I could've done two halved chickens along one of the hanging rods, and 4 racks of ribs along the other if I'd wanted to.
- Product Support & Virtual Community - visit the PBC cooker's website, and you have a ton of available support and info provided by the owners of the company (it's a veteran owned company which makes it more awesome) and a community of people who are fanatical about this product. Slow cooking using a 'hook-and-hang' method is new to most backyard BBQ'rs (myself included); the videos and content provided on PBC's website make the prospect far less intimidating than trying to figure it out on your own, or by using some written directions. The company's owners also clearly care about their product, their customers, and their craft in general - lots of customer engagement and support.
CONs/FYIs:
- Barrel Depth - this is about as nitpicky as anyone could be about a product, and is really more of an "FYI" than a CON. The rack of ribs I hung to slow-cook was ALMOST too long (almost touching the coals). I always try to pick shorter racks of ribs because you run into similar issues on most BBQ rigs (if they're too long for a kettle, then they touch the sides of the kettle - which you don't want). This rack of baby-backs was on the longer side, so I'm not too surprised that it almost hit the coals. 'Hook-Placement' can help with longer pieces of meat, which is something I'll be mindful of next time I have a longer rack of ribs to slow cook. I will say this, despite the ribs being literally an inch or two above the coals - the bottom of the hanging rack cooked evenly with the rest of the rack (really impressive). Again, this is not really a CON and more of an FYI.
I imagine that when the first Weber Kettle came out, it was met with similar disbelief and fanfare - at $300.00 before taxes, you won't find anything like this. Pellet Smokers and other types of electric/automated smokers might offer 'set-it-and-forget-it' ability, but the decent ones are more expensive and they don't offer the same degree of simplicity, near the capacity of this thing, or are as easy to clean/maintain.
PROS:
- Simplicity - I deliberately followed the most simple of the prescribed set-ups for this: fill the charcoal basket to the top (make sure it's level); cover charcoal in lighter fluid; place basket in bottom of barrel immediately and light-it; wait 15 minutes for coals to burn down a little (20 at higher altitudes); put on your food, cover the barrel, and wait until your meat is done. No setting up digital thermometers on grill surfaces, no waiting for the temperature to set and stabilize, and I didn't even add wood chunks or chips (I wanted to see what the end product was if I put in the least amount of work necessary). The food that came off when I took the above described steps was phenomenal! Best ribs and chicken I've ever had!
- Set it and forget it - this is where I am most astounded, I set the damper according to the directions provided and this thing held at 260 for the entire cook (which was 4hrs, but the charcoal could've gone for 8+ if I had to guess). I have never seen another charcoal fueled product that can do this - period. It literally is a 'set it and forget it' device. I confirmed this by sticking a digital thermometer in through the holes for the rods, periodically during the cook. I didn't use wood-chunks or chips, and it still produced a great smoke and subtle smoke flavor (which I prefer to a heavy/over-smoked flavor) - the flavor comes from the meat dripping on the coals (check-out PBC's website for an explanation)...it works really well.
- Shorter cook-times - I slow cooked one rack of ribs to fall-off-the-bone tenderness in a little over 3hrs (still developed a solid smoke ring), along with a chicken (halved) that were done in 2hrs). A rack of ribs slow-cooked would usually take at least 4.5hrs.
- Capacity - this thing's footprint is basically the same as a 22inch Weber Kettle (slightly shorter, but the footprint is identical, and the grill cover for a 22inch Weber Kettle fits this perfectly). Even with a rib rack, the most I could effectively fit on a 22inch Weber is 4 racks of ribs (could maybe do 5 if I halved a 5th rack). The PBC can hold up to 8 racks of ribs at a time thanks to its hanging method - with the same footprint as a 22inch Weber. That is nuts!
- Easy Clean-Up - you literally just dump the charcoal out of the bottom when you're done; they have a charcoal pan add-on at PBC's website, or you could lay down tin-foil in the bottom of the barrel to make the clean-up even easier. The stainless steel hooks probably don't 'need' to be cleaned after every use, but it takes about 1 minute to use a scrubber and dish-soap on them. The inside of the barrel itself is never meant to be cleaned (they stress this in their directions and literature - so be aware of that), and the outside should never 'require' it either (cleaning the outside is super easy if you do want to - check out PBC's website for details on how to clean it).
- Great Build Quality - this thing is substantial, and I love that they use a porcelain enamel finish now (sounds like they used to use a powdered finish). As is the case with anything, fewer moving parts usually means higher durability and lower maintenance - this thing has very few moving parts.
- Legit Even Cooking - this thing does cook evenly as a result of the science/physics behind the design (check-out their website for an explanation). To get the same effect on other rigs, usually you have to adjust the meat's position at least once during the cook.
- Versatility - The PBC can be used for grilling or slow cooking; the included grill grate is solid and sits deep enough in the barrel to protect it from flare-ups caused by wind. I think I'll probably still use my weber kettle for grilling on on grates, but it's awesome that this could serve the same purpose (and the grilling surface is substantial). It CAN heat up for grilling, and it does it quickly - take that lid off the PBC and you can literally watch the coals heat-up in a matter of minutes. Something else that makes this versatile is its capacity; as I alluded to earlier, I did a halved chicken and a rack of ribs simultaneously - they didn't come close to touching each-other or messing with each-other's flavor profile...I could've done two halved chickens along one of the hanging rods, and 4 racks of ribs along the other if I'd wanted to.
- Product Support & Virtual Community - visit the PBC cooker's website, and you have a ton of available support and info provided by the owners of the company (it's a veteran owned company which makes it more awesome) and a community of people who are fanatical about this product. Slow cooking using a 'hook-and-hang' method is new to most backyard BBQ'rs (myself included); the videos and content provided on PBC's website make the prospect far less intimidating than trying to figure it out on your own, or by using some written directions. The company's owners also clearly care about their product, their customers, and their craft in general - lots of customer engagement and support.
CONs/FYIs:
- Barrel Depth - this is about as nitpicky as anyone could be about a product, and is really more of an "FYI" than a CON. The rack of ribs I hung to slow-cook was ALMOST too long (almost touching the coals). I always try to pick shorter racks of ribs because you run into similar issues on most BBQ rigs (if they're too long for a kettle, then they touch the sides of the kettle - which you don't want). This rack of baby-backs was on the longer side, so I'm not too surprised that it almost hit the coals. 'Hook-Placement' can help with longer pieces of meat, which is something I'll be mindful of next time I have a longer rack of ribs to slow cook. I will say this, despite the ribs being literally an inch or two above the coals - the bottom of the hanging rack cooked evenly with the rest of the rack (really impressive). Again, this is not really a CON and more of an FYI.
I imagine that when the first Weber Kettle came out, it was met with similar disbelief and fanfare - at $300.00 before taxes, you won't find anything like this. Pellet Smokers and other types of electric/automated smokers might offer 'set-it-and-forget-it' ability, but the decent ones are more expensive and they don't offer the same degree of simplicity, near the capacity of this thing, or are as easy to clean/maintain.
Ben : BBQ has never been easier
I had been in the market for a new smoker/grill for quite some time. I had almost settled on the Smoke'n Grill from Bass Pro Shops until I discovered the Pit Barrel Cooker (PBC). After watching countless YouTube videos on the PBC (note that the company that manufactures the PBC has an entire series of videos on YouTube showing how to do everything from set up the PBC to smoking meats such as brisket), I decided to pull the trigger and order one for myself.
This cooker is extremely easy to use. Once you receive the cooker, you set the air vent at the bottom according to your elevation. Once this adjustment is dialed in, you should (in theory) never need to adjust it again. Then, you simply fill the charcoal basket, light the coals (using either lighter fluid or a charcoal chimney; I've been using the former), and wait 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, you add your food and cook!
Since receiving the PBC, I've cooked several chickens, a full Boston butt (for pulled pork sandwiches), and salmon. Everything has turned out perfectly. I have noticed that some of the foods I've cooked take a bit longer than suggested in the videos online, but with this type of cooking, that's not a problem.
Overall, I would highly recommend this product given it's quality construction, excellent support (based off the available documentation/videos online, though other reviews state that actual customer support from the company is superb), and ease of use.
This cooker is extremely easy to use. Once you receive the cooker, you set the air vent at the bottom according to your elevation. Once this adjustment is dialed in, you should (in theory) never need to adjust it again. Then, you simply fill the charcoal basket, light the coals (using either lighter fluid or a charcoal chimney; I've been using the former), and wait 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, you add your food and cook!
Since receiving the PBC, I've cooked several chickens, a full Boston butt (for pulled pork sandwiches), and salmon. Everything has turned out perfectly. I have noticed that some of the foods I've cooked take a bit longer than suggested in the videos online, but with this type of cooking, that's not a problem.
Overall, I would highly recommend this product given it's quality construction, excellent support (based off the available documentation/videos online, though other reviews state that actual customer support from the company is superb), and ease of use.
Matthew : Great smoker/cooker. Does take a little getting used to but works great
Amazing smoker, great design, good accessories. I was looking to upgrade from my brinkman smoker, something with more capacity, and I found this smoker/cooker.
At first I was hesitant because it isn't traditional but I took the plunge and was amazed. I can cook up to 8 full ranks of ribs! I bought the half drop down rack and now can do wings and ribs at the same time.
Throw in a couple of chunks of hickory into the coal basket and it takes right off.
Gives you about 6 to 8 hours of cook time on a full basket, once you have the damper set, which might not seem like a lot when your smoking something but you're dealing with direct heat. Keeping the lid on smothers the fire like on a traditional smoker but without the water pan your working with higher temperatures.
Takes a little getting used to but it's great once you figure it out.
At first I was hesitant because it isn't traditional but I took the plunge and was amazed. I can cook up to 8 full ranks of ribs! I bought the half drop down rack and now can do wings and ribs at the same time.
Throw in a couple of chunks of hickory into the coal basket and it takes right off.
Gives you about 6 to 8 hours of cook time on a full basket, once you have the damper set, which might not seem like a lot when your smoking something but you're dealing with direct heat. Keeping the lid on smothers the fire like on a traditional smoker but without the water pan your working with higher temperatures.
Takes a little getting used to but it's great once you figure it out.
Chris Faulk : AMAZING!!!
FANTASTIC...AWESOME...GLORIOUS...PHENOMENAL.....these are the exact words used to describe the brisket that I smoked for the superbowl meal in the pitt barrel cooker that I just got, uttered by my 13 and 15 year old grandkids. the pitt barrel is the new love of my life......right behind my WIFE of course!!
update.... cant say enough about the pitt barrel... I have cooked a boston butt, ribs, pork loin, country style ribs, beef ribs... all have come out perfect! I am addicted...never has smoking been so easy. my grandson has added another expression of the food that I have cooked since using the pitt barrel....ELECTRIFING!
update.... I bought this grill-smoker on feb 1st and this thing continues to AMAZE! its now oct 1st and I have cooked everything under the sun and its perfect everytime. without a doubt its the best grill-smoker I have ever owned. I can start another meal 6 hours later after I first lit up the coals and its still over 300 degrees even though I had only filled up the charcoal basket halfway. TRULY AMAZING!!
update.... cant say enough about the pitt barrel... I have cooked a boston butt, ribs, pork loin, country style ribs, beef ribs... all have come out perfect! I am addicted...never has smoking been so easy. my grandson has added another expression of the food that I have cooked since using the pitt barrel....ELECTRIFING!
update.... I bought this grill-smoker on feb 1st and this thing continues to AMAZE! its now oct 1st and I have cooked everything under the sun and its perfect everytime. without a doubt its the best grill-smoker I have ever owned. I can start another meal 6 hours later after I first lit up the coals and its still over 300 degrees even though I had only filled up the charcoal basket halfway. TRULY AMAZING!!
Beez : Get one NOW!!!
I have been smoking meat for 10 years now. I have had my eye on this cooker for about 3 years. So I decided to get one last week. I used it today for the first time and I was blown away at how easy it was to use. Set the fire, put the meat on and forget it. The meat was so juicy and tender. Now I can't wait to see how the Turkey turns out this Thursday. Thank you Noah for creating a great product. I'm a PBC fan till I die!!!
Nlakat13 : Do yourself a favor
There are no downsides to this cooker, it’s as easy to use as advertised. The makers of this product has one of if not the best customer service departments I’ve ever encountered. I bought my smoker from amazon, but it was missing a couple parts. I contacted PBC and they graciously helped in every way possible. I sent them an email letting them know, and was contacted within a few HOURS, not days. They are sending all the parts missing and even threw in some rubs. This was more than I expected. No fuss, no hassles or hoops to jump through just 5 star customer service.
As for the cooker itself, I’ve had some issues controlling heat but the meat still turned out great and cooked way faster than my other smokers. You literally light it, hang the meat, shut the lid and watch the temp til done. If you’re gonna use wood, use chips not chunks, the chunks raise the temp a little too much. This thing is a rib and brisket making machine. If you know how to light a grill you can smoke meat like a champ with a pbc. The taste from the charcoal is light years better than other smokers I own and I don’t have to babysit it. I’ve had it run for over 7 hours with no refueling. If your doing quick smokes you can reduce the amount of charcoal to save it vs a full basket, there are plenty of videos on it and the company’s website has a full library of instructional shorts which have been helpful.
If you don’t want to break the bank the 300 for this unit is a steal compared to what you’ll pay for higher end smokers which perform below the PBC.
As for the cooker itself, I’ve had some issues controlling heat but the meat still turned out great and cooked way faster than my other smokers. You literally light it, hang the meat, shut the lid and watch the temp til done. If you’re gonna use wood, use chips not chunks, the chunks raise the temp a little too much. This thing is a rib and brisket making machine. If you know how to light a grill you can smoke meat like a champ with a pbc. The taste from the charcoal is light years better than other smokers I own and I don’t have to babysit it. I’ve had it run for over 7 hours with no refueling. If your doing quick smokes you can reduce the amount of charcoal to save it vs a full basket, there are plenty of videos on it and the company’s website has a full library of instructional shorts which have been helpful.
If you don’t want to break the bank the 300 for this unit is a steal compared to what you’ll pay for higher end smokers which perform below the PBC.
Amazon Customer : Love this thing
Love this thing. It's 90% foolproof. A tiny bit of fine tuning is required depending on ambient wind and outside temp, but I've always had excellent results with everything from 13# turkeys, 2 young chickens, pork butts, and 12# briskets. You could probably make it yourself for cheaper, but the whole thing just works from day 1. You're paying for the design, testing, and customer service.
Johndavidc : It is incredibly easy to set up and use and the online recipes ...
I use the all the time. It is incredibly easy to set up and use and the online recipes & videos are great! Lessons learned: Trust your thermometer and recipe, Open the lid to check on your masterpiece often (this helps with giving the barrel a burst of oxygen), get some good BBQ gloves to handle the meat, and lastly, share with friends - this product enables good times!
mattrweaver : third time's the charm
The first two cooks, I was not getting the results everyone else was getting based on these reviews. I work in IT, so I assume "operator error". And as the product is so simple to set up and operate -- set up is literally 30 seconds -- I knew I was doing something wrong. I wasn't getting my fire established correctly. The third time I finally got my head on right: spare ribs were done in 3 hours, more tender than I've ever made before. And the chicken wings before them were delicious and crispy. Frankly, even my first no-so-great cooks gave me better results than I got from my previous smoker, a Home Depot special.
If you want to add wood chunks for more smoke, you don't need more than a couple because of how efficient the PBC is. If you don't have chunks, you will still love the results from the smoke generated from the drippings.
Watch the videos on the company's website to get started and enjoy some amazing food.
If you want to add wood chunks for more smoke, you don't need more than a couple because of how efficient the PBC is. If you don't have chunks, you will still love the results from the smoke generated from the drippings.
Watch the videos on the company's website to get started and enjoy some amazing food.
Consumer : Great product, delectable food, and noble purpose
This is the best smoker/grill. Before buying, I had read product reviews and watched all the inviting videos and read the easy-to-follow recipes on the Pit Barrel Cooker Web site. The package comes with all the described parts, instructions and dry rub. It took moments to screw in the top handle with tools provided. The cooker makes the most delicious food--tender, flavorful, smokey chicken, ribs, sausages, vegetables, potatoes all in a single cook. Easy and safe to operate. Nearly no clean up. This is a veteran-owned business that assists fellow veterans. Great product, delectable food, and noble purpose. What can be better?
Heidi J : Amazing cooker, wish I had purchased one sooner..
I purchased this for my husband for Father's Day and I am beyond glad that I did. He has made some AMAZING meals using this cooker. Most recently, he has used it to make smoked turkey legs and the meat was just falling off the bone. He has used the cooker for smoking whole chickens and BBQ, has grilled hamburgers and hot dogs on it, and even grilled fresh corn on it. The taste of the food is unbelievable using this cooker and I wish I had bought him one sooner. He has even hauled it to his work and used it for his co-workers while they were working. They were equally impressed and have told him they would purchase the meat if he'd use the cooker to make it for them. If you're on the fence about whether or not it's worth the money, I can assure you from the dinner table, that it is very much worth the investment and you won't be disappointed!
welos2 : Great ribs and chicken right out of the box
For my first cook with the PBC I hung 6 slabs of St. Louis style ribs, with 3 different rubs, as well as a split chicken. I also "cheated" and placed 4 chunks of apple wood around the periphery of the coal bed for a little extra smoke. The results were fantastic! Chicken was moist (I just used a seasoned salt rub, no brining), slightly smoky, and delicious. The ribs were my best to date, and I've used a Bradley digital smoker in the past with good but not great results (the Bradley excels at pulled pork and fish, less so at ribs). Just be sure if you're using a chimney starter to spread the lit coals *evenly* over the coal bed; this results in even heat while the coal bed burns so that there are no hot / cold spots inside the cooker. Looking forward to more cooks with the PBC!
Update 7.2016: Once I finally determined and locked in the optimum lower vent setting, and got good at starting a uniform fire over the entire charcoal basket, my cooks have been great. Dry-brined, mesquite smoked turkey (18 lb, done twice) -- outstanding. Best St. Louis style ribs I've ever smoked. Best baby back ribs I've ever had anywhere (oak + pecan smoke). Cherry smoked pork loin. Based on these results I've decided to pass on acquiring an offset smoker. The PBC rocks.
Update 7.2016: Once I finally determined and locked in the optimum lower vent setting, and got good at starting a uniform fire over the entire charcoal basket, my cooks have been great. Dry-brined, mesquite smoked turkey (18 lb, done twice) -- outstanding. Best St. Louis style ribs I've ever smoked. Best baby back ribs I've ever had anywhere (oak + pecan smoke). Cherry smoked pork loin. Based on these results I've decided to pass on acquiring an offset smoker. The PBC rocks.
Kevin Anderson : This thing is great!
I’ve been on the lookout for a new grill for a while now. The one I bought when I moved into my new place was made outta paper thin aluminum that couldn’t hold any heat. And it was a POA to keep clean.
I bough the Pit Barrel cause of all the 5 star reviews and the entertaining promo vid. The thing arrived 4 days earlier than I expected. That was the first positive. That weekend I tested it by smoking some pork ribs. It did a fantastic job. And w/ almost no babysitting. Just hang the ribs in the barrel and come back in a few hours. Presto! Ribs! Speaking of. Getting the thing lit was a breeze. I used a Webber fire starter cube in a chimney. 20min later, dumped the lit charcoal in charcoal basket at the bottom of the barrel and I had a fire that was still going strong some 6hrs after I started it w/ no attendance. So make damn sure you’re fire’s out before you dump the ashes.
This weekend I tested it’s grilling ability. This time I used chunk charcoal, as recommended by the Pit Barrel site, to get more heat. W/in a few min of dumping the starter chimney into the basket, the whole barrel was NASA hot. Dropped the steak in for 3 min both sides and came away w/ a great med-rare steak. Though I think in the future I’ll wrap the steak in foil and put it back in w/ the lid on to get some good juices to make a gravey.
In short, one of the better $300 I’ve ever spent.
I bough the Pit Barrel cause of all the 5 star reviews and the entertaining promo vid. The thing arrived 4 days earlier than I expected. That was the first positive. That weekend I tested it by smoking some pork ribs. It did a fantastic job. And w/ almost no babysitting. Just hang the ribs in the barrel and come back in a few hours. Presto! Ribs! Speaking of. Getting the thing lit was a breeze. I used a Webber fire starter cube in a chimney. 20min later, dumped the lit charcoal in charcoal basket at the bottom of the barrel and I had a fire that was still going strong some 6hrs after I started it w/ no attendance. So make damn sure you’re fire’s out before you dump the ashes.
This weekend I tested it’s grilling ability. This time I used chunk charcoal, as recommended by the Pit Barrel site, to get more heat. W/in a few min of dumping the starter chimney into the basket, the whole barrel was NASA hot. Dropped the steak in for 3 min both sides and came away w/ a great med-rare steak. Though I think in the future I’ll wrap the steak in foil and put it back in w/ the lid on to get some good juices to make a gravey.
In short, one of the better $300 I’ve ever spent.
Justin Rewerts : Buy a good thermometer and YouTube is a great place to go if you have questions
My wife and I bought a traeger grill from Costco and spent over $1000. We had the traeger for a month and a half and we cooked a lot of different meats, everything from brisket to pizza and we were both really disappointed. So, back to Costco it went. I went online in search of a better way to bbq. I came across the Pit Barrel Smoker and noticed it a lot possitive reviews. I went on youtube and checked out all the things you can cook with this smoker. My wife and I (my wife was a bit sceptical) purchased the smoker and the cooking began. The day after I received the smoker I began cooking on it. I smoked a whole chicken and a small pork shoulder roast, it was so fantastic that I brought my wife lunch an hour early before the her lunch break and she absolutely loved it. This is a legit smoker, my wife and i were so happy we got rid of our $1000 outdoor oven and got a hold of one of these bad boys. We have had the smoker for 5 days now and i have smoked a bunch of whole chickens and more pork butts and we had our friends over and now they all want to buy this smoker. If you're looking for a great smoker and/ or bar b we're than look no further.
R. Reed : An incredible backyard cooker!
I've been grilling on gas for a long time for all of the benefits that a gas grill gives you. Recently though, I've been bit by the smoking bug and longed for the taste of charcoal/wood flavored food so I started doing my research.
I was pretty much set on an 18" Weber Smokey Mountain, but happened to come across glowing reviews of the PBC. It doesn't do "slow and low" like the WSM, but from I could tell it looked like it was turning out some great BBQ in less time and babysitting than any charcoal smoker/cooker I've seen. Seems like the ultimate "set it, and forget it" cooker for a guy like me outside of paying $$$ for a pellet grill.
Initial thoughts:
The build quality is excellent. The late-2014, 2015 models use thicker gauge steel are are porcelain enamel coated (like Weber) compared the original's power coat. It's a little smaller/shorter than I thought, but considering it holds an 18" grill grate, it should not have surprised me. Mine sits on 4" concrete blocks so I'm not bending over as far.
So far I've cooked beef short ribs, rack of baby backs, and two chicken halves on this. Results were good, but fell a bit short of my expectations as I was getting used to the idea of not worrying about watching grill temps. Over time, I expect the food to get much tastier as I trust the cooker and worry less about trying to manipulate the air flow. One thing I have learned, is you really need to limit the number of times you lift the lid. The temps climb quickly and takes it a while to come back down.
As a grill, it doesn't get as hot as a traditional grill considering how far the grill grate sits from the fire, but it does get the job done, even if it takes a bit longer. The upside is you don't get flare ups and charred meat, though getting a nice crust may be hard to come by.
As far as downsides up to this point, I have a few (with alternative fixes):
- Ash clean up is a bit of a pain since it collects at the bottom of the barrel. (Fix: line the bottom with foil and toss after your cook)
- The amount of charcoal the instructions advises is overkill for short cooks like chicken. It will easily hold temps of 270-290 for 6+ hours. (Fix: The design of the PBC seems efficient enough that I've gotten away with using half as many coals for shorter cooks. It seems to keep the same temps as I did with a full basket (for much less time). I plan on playing more with this in order to conserve my coals.)
- Since there are no dampers, there is no way to kill the fire. (Fix: I found a blog where an owner stuffed foil in the upper holes and in the bottom vent with the lid on. It actually works.)
For the price, I think it is a great value for anyone looking to get into charcoal cooking/smoking that doesn't require you to plug it into an electrical outlet. It's made in the USA, no fuss, holds a lot of meat, and a conversation starter due to it's unconventional design and cooking method. However, if having total control over your temps and going low-and-slow is important, I'd look elsewhere.
I plan to include updates as I continue to use the PBC.
I was pretty much set on an 18" Weber Smokey Mountain, but happened to come across glowing reviews of the PBC. It doesn't do "slow and low" like the WSM, but from I could tell it looked like it was turning out some great BBQ in less time and babysitting than any charcoal smoker/cooker I've seen. Seems like the ultimate "set it, and forget it" cooker for a guy like me outside of paying $$$ for a pellet grill.
Initial thoughts:
The build quality is excellent. The late-2014, 2015 models use thicker gauge steel are are porcelain enamel coated (like Weber) compared the original's power coat. It's a little smaller/shorter than I thought, but considering it holds an 18" grill grate, it should not have surprised me. Mine sits on 4" concrete blocks so I'm not bending over as far.
So far I've cooked beef short ribs, rack of baby backs, and two chicken halves on this. Results were good, but fell a bit short of my expectations as I was getting used to the idea of not worrying about watching grill temps. Over time, I expect the food to get much tastier as I trust the cooker and worry less about trying to manipulate the air flow. One thing I have learned, is you really need to limit the number of times you lift the lid. The temps climb quickly and takes it a while to come back down.
As a grill, it doesn't get as hot as a traditional grill considering how far the grill grate sits from the fire, but it does get the job done, even if it takes a bit longer. The upside is you don't get flare ups and charred meat, though getting a nice crust may be hard to come by.
As far as downsides up to this point, I have a few (with alternative fixes):
- Ash clean up is a bit of a pain since it collects at the bottom of the barrel. (Fix: line the bottom with foil and toss after your cook)
- The amount of charcoal the instructions advises is overkill for short cooks like chicken. It will easily hold temps of 270-290 for 6+ hours. (Fix: The design of the PBC seems efficient enough that I've gotten away with using half as many coals for shorter cooks. It seems to keep the same temps as I did with a full basket (for much less time). I plan on playing more with this in order to conserve my coals.)
- Since there are no dampers, there is no way to kill the fire. (Fix: I found a blog where an owner stuffed foil in the upper holes and in the bottom vent with the lid on. It actually works.)
For the price, I think it is a great value for anyone looking to get into charcoal cooking/smoking that doesn't require you to plug it into an electrical outlet. It's made in the USA, no fuss, holds a lot of meat, and a conversation starter due to it's unconventional design and cooking method. However, if having total control over your temps and going low-and-slow is important, I'd look elsewhere.
I plan to include updates as I continue to use the PBC.
JFN : JUST BUY IT!
Just as advertised, I would like to mention that the cooking instructions and videos are for cooks at around 6,000' elevation so as you come down in elevation it will cook faster, I'm at 63' and it cooks fairly faster than the videos. so far I have done ribs and chicken, chicken takes about 90 min and ribs a couple of hrs. The rubs included are exceptional.
One disappointing note is if you are current military or a veteran you can order the Cooker with your service branch plate, I did not know this as I would have ordered the USAF Plate. My Fault for not reading thoroughly.
One disappointing note is if you are current military or a veteran you can order the Cooker with your service branch plate, I did not know this as I would have ordered the USAF Plate. My Fault for not reading thoroughly.
welos2 : Great ribs and chicken right out of the box
For my first cook with the PBC I hung 6 slabs of St. Louis style ribs, with 3 different rubs, as well as a split chicken. I also "cheated" and placed 4 chunks of apple wood around the periphery of the coal bed for a little extra smoke. The results were fantastic! Chicken was moist (I just used a seasoned salt rub, no brining), slightly smoky, and delicious. The ribs were my best to date, and I've used a Bradley digital smoker in the past with good but not great results (the Bradley excels at pulled pork and fish, less so at ribs). Just be sure if you're using a chimney starter to spread the lit coals *evenly* over the coal bed; this results in even heat while the coal bed burns so that there are no hot / cold spots inside the cooker. Looking forward to more cooks with the PBC!
Update 7.2016: Once I finally determined and locked in the optimum lower vent setting, and got good at starting a uniform fire over the entire charcoal basket, my cooks have been great. Dry-brined, mesquite smoked turkey (18 lb, done twice) -- outstanding. Best St. Louis style ribs I've ever smoked. Best baby back ribs I've ever had anywhere (oak + pecan smoke). Cherry smoked pork loin. Based on these results I've decided to pass on acquiring an offset smoker. The PBC rocks.
Update 7.2016: Once I finally determined and locked in the optimum lower vent setting, and got good at starting a uniform fire over the entire charcoal basket, my cooks have been great. Dry-brined, mesquite smoked turkey (18 lb, done twice) -- outstanding. Best St. Louis style ribs I've ever smoked. Best baby back ribs I've ever had anywhere (oak + pecan smoke). Cherry smoked pork loin. Based on these results I've decided to pass on acquiring an offset smoker. The PBC rocks.
welos2 : Great ribs and chicken right out of the box
For my first cook with the PBC I hung 6 slabs of St. Louis style ribs, with 3 different rubs, as well as a split chicken. I also "cheated" and placed 4 chunks of apple wood around the periphery of the coal bed for a little extra smoke. The results were fantastic! Chicken was moist (I just used a seasoned salt rub, no brining), slightly smoky, and delicious. The ribs were my best to date, and I've used a Bradley digital smoker in the past with good but not great results (the Bradley excels at pulled pork and fish, less so at ribs). Just be sure if you're using a chimney starter to spread the lit coals *evenly* over the coal bed; this results in even heat while the coal bed burns so that there are no hot / cold spots inside the cooker. Looking forward to more cooks with the PBC!
Update 7.2016: Once I finally determined and locked in the optimum lower vent setting, and got good at starting a uniform fire over the entire charcoal basket, my cooks have been great. Dry-brined, mesquite smoked turkey (18 lb, done twice) -- outstanding. Best St. Louis style ribs I've ever smoked. Best baby back ribs I've ever had anywhere (oak + pecan smoke). Cherry smoked pork loin. Based on these results I've decided to pass on acquiring an offset smoker. The PBC rocks.
Update 7.2016: Once I finally determined and locked in the optimum lower vent setting, and got good at starting a uniform fire over the entire charcoal basket, my cooks have been great. Dry-brined, mesquite smoked turkey (18 lb, done twice) -- outstanding. Best St. Louis style ribs I've ever smoked. Best baby back ribs I've ever had anywhere (oak + pecan smoke). Cherry smoked pork loin. Based on these results I've decided to pass on acquiring an offset smoker. The PBC rocks.
Consumer : Great product, delectable food, and noble purpose
This is the best smoker/grill. Before buying, I had read product reviews and watched all the inviting videos and read the easy-to-follow recipes on the Pit Barrel Cooker Web site. The package comes with all the described parts, instructions and dry rub. It took moments to screw in the top handle with tools provided. The cooker makes the most delicious food--tender, flavorful, smokey chicken, ribs, sausages, vegetables, potatoes all in a single cook. Easy and safe to operate. Nearly no clean up. This is a veteran-owned business that assists fellow veterans. Great product, delectable food, and noble purpose. What can be better?
cgullickson : I have had several smokers over the years and this ...
I have had several smokers over the years and this one kicks all the rest to the side. It is truly set and forget! No adjusting the vents all the time. No need to constantly be restocking wood or charcoal. Ribs on this grill will darn near make you cry! Instructions state to use Kingsford Charcoal. Well in my little town, the local store doesn't carry Kingsford so I bought some cheap off brand. BIG MISTAKE It took forever to cook. This has nothing to do with the PBC but just a word to using a cheap charcoal. I also have ordered extra rub from PBC several times. Each time the rub arrived the next day. First class customer service.
Amazon Customer : The Best Cooker/Smoker by far!!
The best smoker/cooker, hands down. It is easier than any other cooker/smoker/grill I have ever used. Watch the videos on the manufacturer’s web site for purge the results. I smoked a 13lbs turkey on Thanksgiving Day with little effort and superb results simply by rubbing olive oil on the exterior, generously dusting it with PBC’s all purpose rub, letting the charcoals burn for 15 minutes and then hanging the turkey with the optional turkey hanger and smoking for 3 1/2 hours and letting it rest for about 20 minutes. Results: fall off the bones tender meat and the crispiest skin ever. Thank you PBC!!
R. Reed : An incredible backyard cooker!
I've been grilling on gas for a long time for all of the benefits that a gas grill gives you. Recently though, I've been bit by the smoking bug and longed for the taste of charcoal/wood flavored food so I started doing my research.
I was pretty much set on an 18" Weber Smokey Mountain, but happened to come across glowing reviews of the PBC. It doesn't do "slow and low" like the WSM, but from I could tell it looked like it was turning out some great BBQ in less time and babysitting than any charcoal smoker/cooker I've seen. Seems like the ultimate "set it, and forget it" cooker for a guy like me outside of paying $$$ for a pellet grill.
Initial thoughts:
The build quality is excellent. The late-2014, 2015 models use thicker gauge steel are are porcelain enamel coated (like Weber) compared the original's power coat. It's a little smaller/shorter than I thought, but considering it holds an 18" grill grate, it should not have surprised me. Mine sits on 4" concrete blocks so I'm not bending over as far.
So far I've cooked beef short ribs, rack of baby backs, and two chicken halves on this. Results were good, but fell a bit short of my expectations as I was getting used to the idea of not worrying about watching grill temps. Over time, I expect the food to get much tastier as I trust the cooker and worry less about trying to manipulate the air flow. One thing I have learned, is you really need to limit the number of times you lift the lid. The temps climb quickly and takes it a while to come back down.
As a grill, it doesn't get as hot as a traditional grill considering how far the grill grate sits from the fire, but it does get the job done, even if it takes a bit longer. The upside is you don't get flare ups and charred meat, though getting a nice crust may be hard to come by.
As far as downsides up to this point, I have a few (with alternative fixes):
- Ash clean up is a bit of a pain since it collects at the bottom of the barrel. (Fix: line the bottom with foil and toss after your cook)
- The amount of charcoal the instructions advises is overkill for short cooks like chicken. It will easily hold temps of 270-290 for 6+ hours. (Fix: The design of the PBC seems efficient enough that I've gotten away with using half as many coals for shorter cooks. It seems to keep the same temps as I did with a full basket (for much less time). I plan on playing more with this in order to conserve my coals.)
- Since there are no dampers, there is no way to kill the fire. (Fix: I found a blog where an owner stuffed foil in the upper holes and in the bottom vent with the lid on. It actually works.)
For the price, I think it is a great value for anyone looking to get into charcoal cooking/smoking that doesn't require you to plug it into an electrical outlet. It's made in the USA, no fuss, holds a lot of meat, and a conversation starter due to it's unconventional design and cooking method. However, if having total control over your temps and going low-and-slow is important, I'd look elsewhere.
I plan to include updates as I continue to use the PBC.
I was pretty much set on an 18" Weber Smokey Mountain, but happened to come across glowing reviews of the PBC. It doesn't do "slow and low" like the WSM, but from I could tell it looked like it was turning out some great BBQ in less time and babysitting than any charcoal smoker/cooker I've seen. Seems like the ultimate "set it, and forget it" cooker for a guy like me outside of paying $$$ for a pellet grill.
Initial thoughts:
The build quality is excellent. The late-2014, 2015 models use thicker gauge steel are are porcelain enamel coated (like Weber) compared the original's power coat. It's a little smaller/shorter than I thought, but considering it holds an 18" grill grate, it should not have surprised me. Mine sits on 4" concrete blocks so I'm not bending over as far.
So far I've cooked beef short ribs, rack of baby backs, and two chicken halves on this. Results were good, but fell a bit short of my expectations as I was getting used to the idea of not worrying about watching grill temps. Over time, I expect the food to get much tastier as I trust the cooker and worry less about trying to manipulate the air flow. One thing I have learned, is you really need to limit the number of times you lift the lid. The temps climb quickly and takes it a while to come back down.
As a grill, it doesn't get as hot as a traditional grill considering how far the grill grate sits from the fire, but it does get the job done, even if it takes a bit longer. The upside is you don't get flare ups and charred meat, though getting a nice crust may be hard to come by.
As far as downsides up to this point, I have a few (with alternative fixes):
- Ash clean up is a bit of a pain since it collects at the bottom of the barrel. (Fix: line the bottom with foil and toss after your cook)
- The amount of charcoal the instructions advises is overkill for short cooks like chicken. It will easily hold temps of 270-290 for 6+ hours. (Fix: The design of the PBC seems efficient enough that I've gotten away with using half as many coals for shorter cooks. It seems to keep the same temps as I did with a full basket (for much less time). I plan on playing more with this in order to conserve my coals.)
- Since there are no dampers, there is no way to kill the fire. (Fix: I found a blog where an owner stuffed foil in the upper holes and in the bottom vent with the lid on. It actually works.)
For the price, I think it is a great value for anyone looking to get into charcoal cooking/smoking that doesn't require you to plug it into an electrical outlet. It's made in the USA, no fuss, holds a lot of meat, and a conversation starter due to it's unconventional design and cooking method. However, if having total control over your temps and going low-and-slow is important, I'd look elsewhere.
I plan to include updates as I continue to use the PBC.
Kai Tiura : Best smoker out there for the price, and then some!
This cooker is the best I've ever used. With the included hooks, you can do six half chickens, six racks of ribs, as many briskets (limited only by their size and whether or not they'll all fit inside), tri tips, etc. Chicken, with the All Purpose rub included with the cooker is consistently some of the best and juciest I've ever had!
Brisket is known for being hard to soften on a short cook, but this does a reasonable job, which can be made perfect by pulling the hanging brisket at the end of the cook time, then slicing and putting into heavy tin foil with a cup or so of beef broth poured over it, then returned to the cooker for another couple/few hours. Then it is moist, soft, smokey and awesome!
The rubs are expensive to buy, but are very good, so maybe worth it if you buy the "Restaurant Size" bag (five lbs.)
Brisket is known for being hard to soften on a short cook, but this does a reasonable job, which can be made perfect by pulling the hanging brisket at the end of the cook time, then slicing and putting into heavy tin foil with a cup or so of beef broth poured over it, then returned to the cooker for another couple/few hours. Then it is moist, soft, smokey and awesome!
The rubs are expensive to buy, but are very good, so maybe worth it if you buy the "Restaurant Size" bag (five lbs.)
GEM : I am now a Pit Master!
This cooker lives up to the hype. I couldn't be more pleased with the performance and ease of use. Truly "set and forget" with no fussing about temperature. I've cooked chicken, brisket, tri-tip and ribs and my expectations were exceeded in each case (and they were increased with each successful cook!). One minor complaint is that there is no provision for easily closing the vents and snuffing out the coals, to conserve them for reuse, and to prevent it from continuing to burn for hours (a chicken takes 2 hours, but the coals will burn for many times that). I used the advice from an online poster who showed me that stuffing aluminum foil in the openings will effectively put out the coals and cool the barrel so I can cover it in less than an hour. One other minor complaint is that when pouring the hot coals from the chimney starter (purchased separately) over the coal basket in the bottom of the barrel, it is difficult to get all of them to land in the basket. A pair of long barbecue tongs is helpful to pick up the coals that missed and place them in the basket, as well as distribute them more evenly. These are minor issues and do not detract from the value of this product.
Other considerations: when using smoke chips, a little goes a long way. I put a handful of cherry wood chips on top of the coals (about a half dozen silver dollar size) and they last for hours, giving a great smoky flavor to meat. The dry rubs that come with it are pretty good, and I'd recommend giving them a try. Other items you'll probably want to have or purchase to go along with this are barbecue gloves, long tongs, and a good digital thermometer. If you are looking for a professional review on this product, I'd recommend amazingribs dot com - they not only give great reviews on this and other smokers and grills, but you'll learn more about the science of barbecue than you ever thought possible. I purchased this based on their recommendation and watching the demos on the pitbarrelcooker site.
Other considerations: when using smoke chips, a little goes a long way. I put a handful of cherry wood chips on top of the coals (about a half dozen silver dollar size) and they last for hours, giving a great smoky flavor to meat. The dry rubs that come with it are pretty good, and I'd recommend giving them a try. Other items you'll probably want to have or purchase to go along with this are barbecue gloves, long tongs, and a good digital thermometer. If you are looking for a professional review on this product, I'd recommend amazingribs dot com - they not only give great reviews on this and other smokers and grills, but you'll learn more about the science of barbecue than you ever thought possible. I purchased this based on their recommendation and watching the demos on the pitbarrelcooker site.
The Pinched : The Best Cooker!! Even for someone with ZERO experience!
To be very upfront about my level of inexperience...I had never used a charcoal grill nor every actually lit charcoal. So I walked into this with no, zero, zip experience. I was thinking all the other reviews were by people with somewhat more experience than me.
But I watched the videos (lighting, cooking, etc)...I followed the chimney method exactly as shown and I followed to try this cooker out with Tri Tip. Now I've always thought Tri Tip comes out ok where ever I've had it. I ended up cooking the 3lb Tri Tip for 50 minutes. Then let it rest for 10 minutes and cut into it. What a beautiful outcome. The meat had a smoke ring and this amazing flavor. I was certain I was going to mess it up, but if you light the cooker as required, use some meat monitoring gear so you don't have to open the lid, and TRUST what Noah has said I can't imagine anyone else doing worse!
And using the chimney method, I had coals burning hot in 10 minutes. I was always told its this laborious and tedious process...so I avoided it all together.
I will be cooking a lot of different meat/cuts on this in the coming weeks.
In regard to quality, very very pleasantly surprised to say that the quality and workmanship reflect the price. Also make sure you get a nice cover. I bought the Creative Accessories Hickory Kettle cover...it's super thick and will keep this cooker in great condition for years to come!
But I watched the videos (lighting, cooking, etc)...I followed the chimney method exactly as shown and I followed to try this cooker out with Tri Tip. Now I've always thought Tri Tip comes out ok where ever I've had it. I ended up cooking the 3lb Tri Tip for 50 minutes. Then let it rest for 10 minutes and cut into it. What a beautiful outcome. The meat had a smoke ring and this amazing flavor. I was certain I was going to mess it up, but if you light the cooker as required, use some meat monitoring gear so you don't have to open the lid, and TRUST what Noah has said I can't imagine anyone else doing worse!
And using the chimney method, I had coals burning hot in 10 minutes. I was always told its this laborious and tedious process...so I avoided it all together.
I will be cooking a lot of different meat/cuts on this in the coming weeks.
In regard to quality, very very pleasantly surprised to say that the quality and workmanship reflect the price. Also make sure you get a nice cover. I bought the Creative Accessories Hickory Kettle cover...it's super thick and will keep this cooker in great condition for years to come!
Robert O'Brien : Very pleased with my purchase...
I first read about the Pit Barrel Cooker a couple years ago on AmazingRibs.com (where I've learned everything I know about grilling and smoking). I put off buying one for too long. I had been successfully smoking meat on my Weber Kettle grill, but it was always a lot of work (controlling temperature, moving meat around for uniform cooking), short on capacity (maximum 4 racks of ribs or a 1 small turkey), and didn't hold enough fuel to smoke for very long (even with the Smokenator product). The Weber kettle works great for grilling and it's easy to use and clean, but I will never bother smoke on it again.
So far, I have done a lot of ribs, 4 or 5 chickens, my first brisket, polish and boudin (Cajun) sausages, stuffed peppers, and sweet potatoes. Everything has turned out great and has been relatively easy. The chickens had crispy skin. The brisket was a huge full packer brisket from Costco and was somehow done in about 4 hours. I'm sure I cooked it too hot (due to my bent lid.... see below), but it was still tender and juicy, and I didn't even inject it... probably helped that it was a prime cut and I trimmed most of the fat off.
Pit Barrel Cooker pros:
- easy to use: no fiddling with air vents, simple to set up for each cook
- high quality: barrel, lid, and rebar rods are all surprisingly heavy... this is a good thing
- high capacity: 8 racks of ribs or 4 chickens, or 2 turkeys at a time
- easy to transport: all pieces fit inside the barrel, which fits in the trunk of my car (have to tie the trunk shut, but oh well)
- outstanding customer service: The lid I received was slightly warped like a pringle. It fit ok, but there were some gaps where too much air was escaping and my temperatures were a bit too high. I contacted the company, and they were very apologetic. They sent me a new lid for free, and they sent me a bunch of accessories for free because I had to wait a while for it. This included extra bottles of rub, grilling gloves, and 2 turkey hangers. I haven't used the barrel yet with my new lid, but I will try to update this review and add some pictures once I do.
Pit Barrel Cooker cons:
- minor gripe: they used cheap stain on the hook tool. If you hold the wooden dowel with damp hands, the red stain will come off. I didn't want to risk staining my clothes or furniture, so I held the tool under warm water and a ton of the dye came off... almost like watercolor paint or something. I scrubbed at it until the water ran clear. They should just not dye it at all.
- 2nd minor gripe: the charcoal basket almost has TOO MUCH capacity, because the PBC cooks so fast. A few weeks ago, I smoked 6 or 8 racks of ribs. The barrel was still hot, so I cut 2 chickens in half and smoked them too. I probably could have done another round of chickens after that. This charcoal capacity CAN be great, but it's a waste of charcoal if I'm just cooking for me and my wife. I tried to fill the basket about 1/3 full last week and it didn't seem to ever get hot enough. I'm going to experiment with this some more, like maybe putting a piece of metal or fire bricks to keep the pile of charcoal deep.
If you're on the fence, just buy one. This is a high-quality product and the price is more than fair for what you get. Also, I only paid $220 for mine because I signed up for an Amazon credit card at checkout and got an $80 gift card that was available for use immediately.
So far, I have done a lot of ribs, 4 or 5 chickens, my first brisket, polish and boudin (Cajun) sausages, stuffed peppers, and sweet potatoes. Everything has turned out great and has been relatively easy. The chickens had crispy skin. The brisket was a huge full packer brisket from Costco and was somehow done in about 4 hours. I'm sure I cooked it too hot (due to my bent lid.... see below), but it was still tender and juicy, and I didn't even inject it... probably helped that it was a prime cut and I trimmed most of the fat off.
Pit Barrel Cooker pros:
- easy to use: no fiddling with air vents, simple to set up for each cook
- high quality: barrel, lid, and rebar rods are all surprisingly heavy... this is a good thing
- high capacity: 8 racks of ribs or 4 chickens, or 2 turkeys at a time
- easy to transport: all pieces fit inside the barrel, which fits in the trunk of my car (have to tie the trunk shut, but oh well)
- outstanding customer service: The lid I received was slightly warped like a pringle. It fit ok, but there were some gaps where too much air was escaping and my temperatures were a bit too high. I contacted the company, and they were very apologetic. They sent me a new lid for free, and they sent me a bunch of accessories for free because I had to wait a while for it. This included extra bottles of rub, grilling gloves, and 2 turkey hangers. I haven't used the barrel yet with my new lid, but I will try to update this review and add some pictures once I do.
Pit Barrel Cooker cons:
- minor gripe: they used cheap stain on the hook tool. If you hold the wooden dowel with damp hands, the red stain will come off. I didn't want to risk staining my clothes or furniture, so I held the tool under warm water and a ton of the dye came off... almost like watercolor paint or something. I scrubbed at it until the water ran clear. They should just not dye it at all.
- 2nd minor gripe: the charcoal basket almost has TOO MUCH capacity, because the PBC cooks so fast. A few weeks ago, I smoked 6 or 8 racks of ribs. The barrel was still hot, so I cut 2 chickens in half and smoked them too. I probably could have done another round of chickens after that. This charcoal capacity CAN be great, but it's a waste of charcoal if I'm just cooking for me and my wife. I tried to fill the basket about 1/3 full last week and it didn't seem to ever get hot enough. I'm going to experiment with this some more, like maybe putting a piece of metal or fire bricks to keep the pile of charcoal deep.
If you're on the fence, just buy one. This is a high-quality product and the price is more than fair for what you get. Also, I only paid $220 for mine because I signed up for an Amazon credit card at checkout and got an $80 gift card that was available for use immediately.
Angela Oas : Really wonderful gadget. My guy cooks everything in it
Really wonderful gadget. My guy cooks everything in it. I bought it as a Christmas present last year, and he's been using it ever since. We even cooked our turkey in it this year for Thanksgiving and it was a huge hit. Tons of flavor in the food, and it's delicious every time. I bought a cast iron pizza pan off of Amazon (hubby had to cut the handles off the pan with a grinder to get it to fit inside the Pit Barrel Cooker) and we've even been making some dang tasty pizza in the thing. I very much recommend it. I rate it five stars, or "I love it" on Amazon's scale.
BJ : it's easy to use and the PBC website video's are very ...
Really enjoying this smoker/cooker, it's easy to use and the PBC website video's are very helpful. I am for sure a novice so still have a lot of learning left to be done so for those of you that are at the same level of knowledge I thought I would share my mistakes....the meats still came out great, better than most I have tasted at popular eating establishments. So what I have learned so far....my barrel temps were way to high ~ 400+ degrees so my meats were cooking really fast, I had the vent set per my elevation but the temps were to high, what I didn't consider were the temperature probe wires that the site I learned about this cooker from recommended. I placed the wires under the lid ( my idea) creating a much larger venting area at the top of the cooker, smoke was coming out all around the lid even though the wires are small this causes the temps to be high and the meat to cook to fast. The next cook I placed the wires through one of the rebar holes decreasing the temperature considerably however I was only smoking one brisket so I only inserted one rebar rod leaving the other two holes totally unobstructed and again to much heat. The next time I put the cooker all together as designed with the exception of the temp wires going through the rebar holes and the temps were perfect, the meat cooked just like the video's showed so I recommend even when using the basket unless the lid is off for grilling, make sure the lid is secure and both rebar rods are installed and the vent at the bottom is set for your elevation. Hope this helps and you enjoy your pit barrel as much as I am.
MICHAEL T ANDERSON : Idiot Proof, I should know!
I've had my Pit Barrel Cooker for a couple of years now, and I've consistently had great results with steaks, roasts, jerky, chicken wings, and whole turkeys. But the ultimate was this past Christmas: I took the plunge and smoked a prime rib roast. Mind you now, I've never cooked a prime rib in my life, but my wife egged me on, so I gave it shot. I followed the PBC video recipe faithfully (OK, so I used my own rub, sue me) and cooked up some of the best prime rib I've ever (over)eaten. If you like smoked meat, and want delicious, consistent results without spending an arm and leg, the Pit Barrel Cooker is the way to go.
Scott Cas : Friggen Great BBQ
This thing is awesome. I used to have a Weber Smokey Mountain. Had it for about three years. I liked the WSM for its ability to be fiddled with and easily modified. When I moved I couldn't fit it in the moving Pod so I left it. I thought I would try something new for my next smoker and got this. I made awesome ribs right out the gate, first time. Better than I had ever accomplished with the WSM after three years. I can't explain it and feel like a bit of a failure at the WSM now. But whatever. The PBC routinely cranks out great BBQ. My recommendation, if you get it, is to start with less lit coals than they recommend. It's been easier for me to maintain lower temperatures that way.
R. Reed : An incredible backyard cooker!
I've been grilling on gas for a long time for all of the benefits that a gas grill gives you. Recently though, I've been bit by the smoking bug and longed for the taste of charcoal/wood flavored food so I started doing my research.
I was pretty much set on an 18" Weber Smokey Mountain, but happened to come across glowing reviews of the PBC. It doesn't do "slow and low" like the WSM, but from I could tell it looked like it was turning out some great BBQ in less time and babysitting than any charcoal smoker/cooker I've seen. Seems like the ultimate "set it, and forget it" cooker for a guy like me outside of paying $$$ for a pellet grill.
Initial thoughts:
The build quality is excellent. The late-2014, 2015 models use thicker gauge steel are are porcelain enamel coated (like Weber) compared the original's power coat. It's a little smaller/shorter than I thought, but considering it holds an 18" grill grate, it should not have surprised me. Mine sits on 4" concrete blocks so I'm not bending over as far.
So far I've cooked beef short ribs, rack of baby backs, and two chicken halves on this. Results were good, but fell a bit short of my expectations as I was getting used to the idea of not worrying about watching grill temps. Over time, I expect the food to get much tastier as I trust the cooker and worry less about trying to manipulate the air flow. One thing I have learned, is you really need to limit the number of times you lift the lid. The temps climb quickly and takes it a while to come back down.
As a grill, it doesn't get as hot as a traditional grill considering how far the grill grate sits from the fire, but it does get the job done, even if it takes a bit longer. The upside is you don't get flare ups and charred meat, though getting a nice crust may be hard to come by.
As far as downsides up to this point, I have a few (with alternative fixes):
- Ash clean up is a bit of a pain since it collects at the bottom of the barrel. (Fix: line the bottom with foil and toss after your cook)
- The amount of charcoal the instructions advises is overkill for short cooks like chicken. It will easily hold temps of 270-290 for 6+ hours. (Fix: The design of the PBC seems efficient enough that I've gotten away with using half as many coals for shorter cooks. It seems to keep the same temps as I did with a full basket (for much less time). I plan on playing more with this in order to conserve my coals.)
- Since there are no dampers, there is no way to kill the fire. (Fix: I found a blog where an owner stuffed foil in the upper holes and in the bottom vent with the lid on. It actually works.)
For the price, I think it is a great value for anyone looking to get into charcoal cooking/smoking that doesn't require you to plug it into an electrical outlet. It's made in the USA, no fuss, holds a lot of meat, and a conversation starter due to it's unconventional design and cooking method. However, if having total control over your temps and going low-and-slow is important, I'd look elsewhere.
I plan to include updates as I continue to use the PBC.
I was pretty much set on an 18" Weber Smokey Mountain, but happened to come across glowing reviews of the PBC. It doesn't do "slow and low" like the WSM, but from I could tell it looked like it was turning out some great BBQ in less time and babysitting than any charcoal smoker/cooker I've seen. Seems like the ultimate "set it, and forget it" cooker for a guy like me outside of paying $$$ for a pellet grill.
Initial thoughts:
The build quality is excellent. The late-2014, 2015 models use thicker gauge steel are are porcelain enamel coated (like Weber) compared the original's power coat. It's a little smaller/shorter than I thought, but considering it holds an 18" grill grate, it should not have surprised me. Mine sits on 4" concrete blocks so I'm not bending over as far.
So far I've cooked beef short ribs, rack of baby backs, and two chicken halves on this. Results were good, but fell a bit short of my expectations as I was getting used to the idea of not worrying about watching grill temps. Over time, I expect the food to get much tastier as I trust the cooker and worry less about trying to manipulate the air flow. One thing I have learned, is you really need to limit the number of times you lift the lid. The temps climb quickly and takes it a while to come back down.
As a grill, it doesn't get as hot as a traditional grill considering how far the grill grate sits from the fire, but it does get the job done, even if it takes a bit longer. The upside is you don't get flare ups and charred meat, though getting a nice crust may be hard to come by.
As far as downsides up to this point, I have a few (with alternative fixes):
- Ash clean up is a bit of a pain since it collects at the bottom of the barrel. (Fix: line the bottom with foil and toss after your cook)
- The amount of charcoal the instructions advises is overkill for short cooks like chicken. It will easily hold temps of 270-290 for 6+ hours. (Fix: The design of the PBC seems efficient enough that I've gotten away with using half as many coals for shorter cooks. It seems to keep the same temps as I did with a full basket (for much less time). I plan on playing more with this in order to conserve my coals.)
- Since there are no dampers, there is no way to kill the fire. (Fix: I found a blog where an owner stuffed foil in the upper holes and in the bottom vent with the lid on. It actually works.)
For the price, I think it is a great value for anyone looking to get into charcoal cooking/smoking that doesn't require you to plug it into an electrical outlet. It's made in the USA, no fuss, holds a lot of meat, and a conversation starter due to it's unconventional design and cooking method. However, if having total control over your temps and going low-and-slow is important, I'd look elsewhere.
I plan to include updates as I continue to use the PBC.
OmahaMike : The PBC is an amazing smoker, ESPECIALLY when you take into account the ...
I've had the PBC for nearly 2 years now, and have smoked ribs, chicken, brisket, prime rib, pork loin, ABT's, chicken wings, chuck roasts, and quite a few other things.
The PBC is an amazing smoker, ESPECIALLY when you take into account the price. You could easily spend 3x more and get a phenomenal smoker, but for the average user, why? I also smoke on a Weber Kettle grill, and have used a propane smoker in the past. However, the PBC is my go-to for simplicity and great food.
One of the biggest selling points of the PBC is the "set-and-forget" aspect. This is true, you can crack the bottom vent, light the coals and cook your food. But why stop there? By experimenting, you can really get the heat down to a more traditional BBQ "low n slow" by shutting the vent a little and plugging the top holes, or you can throw in some lump charcoal, crack the lid, and get the temp up to around 600*F! (my favorite way to crisp up my chicken wings).
If you are on the fence about this purchase, and are looking at various smokers, this is the way to go. Spend some of the money you saved and buy some Kingsford blue bag, and some good cuts of meat!
Get cookin!
The PBC is an amazing smoker, ESPECIALLY when you take into account the price. You could easily spend 3x more and get a phenomenal smoker, but for the average user, why? I also smoke on a Weber Kettle grill, and have used a propane smoker in the past. However, the PBC is my go-to for simplicity and great food.
One of the biggest selling points of the PBC is the "set-and-forget" aspect. This is true, you can crack the bottom vent, light the coals and cook your food. But why stop there? By experimenting, you can really get the heat down to a more traditional BBQ "low n slow" by shutting the vent a little and plugging the top holes, or you can throw in some lump charcoal, crack the lid, and get the temp up to around 600*F! (my favorite way to crisp up my chicken wings).
If you are on the fence about this purchase, and are looking at various smokers, this is the way to go. Spend some of the money you saved and buy some Kingsford blue bag, and some good cuts of meat!
Get cookin!
W. L. Shute : I'm a believer!!
Saw this on Steven Raichlen's show "Project Smoke" and was immediately interested. After all that was said of it's attributes - I had to try it out. And try it out I did! I received it in good condition and quick time. It's a well built unit and was a cinch to set up and get started. I put in 3 racks of pork ribs and two chickens for my first run. It took longer that what I would have figured, even with the cooking times adjusted to altitude, but the meats came out excellent with a pink smoke ring as advertised. So simple to use - but I've adjusted the vent to make the unit get hotter sooner and cook quicker. I really love it! This is the easiest and simplest smoker I've ever seen. You set it up, get the coals going, put in the meat, and wait for magic to happen! Thanks for the wonderful product! I'll be using it way more than my more expensive Barbeque out on the patio next to it. Just too easy to make perfectly smoked meals.
Steve Sexton : Surpassed expectations!
I have spent years honing my skills on various smokers---especially on ribs and brisket. My neighbor got one of these because his uncle had one and kept raving about it. Honestly, I thought it was hype and didn't have much in the way of expectations. The day it came to his house we got a couple of racks of ribs and cooked them exactly according to the directions on the website (in video form). I was blown away! It also kind of put a burr in my saddle because it was so easy anyone can do it. I left his house that day thinking that the ribs were so good that beside the ones I spent years trying to get right---they might win the test. Over the next few days we did whole chicken, pork butt, and wings. I was sold. I ordered one to put in my own backyard and dismantled my smoker, turning it into a large grill for burgers and brats. This thing ticks all the right boxes for me. It's easy to operate, fuel efficient, and puts out great food. I can even put my wood chips on (I was raised in Texas and have never been able to get over it : ) ). I have contacted the owner of the company twice and have heard back (by email) within the hour. You can also call as their cell number is on the side of the barrel. If you're looking for a good, easy way to put out good meat this is a fantastic way to go.
MICHAEL T ANDERSON : Idiot Proof, I should know!
I've had my Pit Barrel Cooker for a couple of years now, and I've consistently had great results with steaks, roasts, jerky, chicken wings, and whole turkeys. But the ultimate was this past Christmas: I took the plunge and smoked a prime rib roast. Mind you now, I've never cooked a prime rib in my life, but my wife egged me on, so I gave it shot. I followed the PBC video recipe faithfully (OK, so I used my own rub, sue me) and cooked up some of the best prime rib I've ever (over)eaten. If you like smoked meat, and want delicious, consistent results without spending an arm and leg, the Pit Barrel Cooker is the way to go.
Guy from TX : Great smoker, real person answers the phone
Easy to use and makes excellent BBQ. I've made several great briskets, ribs, and chickens. Idiot proof instructions on the Pit Barrel website.
Small and light enough that you can take in backseat to camping trips or when visiting family.
The meat hangers give you the ability to cook a LOT of meat at once if desired. You could fit 3-4 briskets at once, or 8 racks of ribs, 8 chicken halves, etc.
BEST FEATURE - a real english speaking human being answers your calls and emails if you have any issues or questions, and they are actually able to help you - WOW! I think its literally the owner's wife that answers. Seriously the customer service is a big deal that you will not get with Weber or other big name competitors.
To really get the most out of the PBC, you will need to spend another $100 on extras:
- PBC pit grips (these things are awesome, you can literally pick up burning coals without getting burnt)
- PBC cover for storage
- PBC hinged grate (if you want to hang stuff while also smoking on grill grate)
- PBC ash pan (makes cleanup really easy)
- wireless meat thermometer (get one that has 2 probes so you can read both meat temp and cooker ambient temp, get one with a wireless remote and timer so you can fall asleep and wake up when brisket is done, also this stops the smoker from heating up too much when you're taking the lid off to check the temp all the time)
You will not regret buying this.
Small and light enough that you can take in backseat to camping trips or when visiting family.
The meat hangers give you the ability to cook a LOT of meat at once if desired. You could fit 3-4 briskets at once, or 8 racks of ribs, 8 chicken halves, etc.
BEST FEATURE - a real english speaking human being answers your calls and emails if you have any issues or questions, and they are actually able to help you - WOW! I think its literally the owner's wife that answers. Seriously the customer service is a big deal that you will not get with Weber or other big name competitors.
To really get the most out of the PBC, you will need to spend another $100 on extras:
- PBC pit grips (these things are awesome, you can literally pick up burning coals without getting burnt)
- PBC cover for storage
- PBC hinged grate (if you want to hang stuff while also smoking on grill grate)
- PBC ash pan (makes cleanup really easy)
- wireless meat thermometer (get one that has 2 probes so you can read both meat temp and cooker ambient temp, get one with a wireless remote and timer so you can fall asleep and wake up when brisket is done, also this stops the smoker from heating up too much when you're taking the lid off to check the temp all the time)
You will not regret buying this.
David Dewey : An Amazing Device
This review is my second on this device. I have purchased four of these, three for me and one for my daughter. They are, without a doubt, the most amazing charcoal fired cooker on the market. And customer service? I was having trouble one day smoking an expensive prime brisket. The temperature (as measured by a Thermoworks Smoke) was high, much higher than I had ever experienced, and I was confused. In a panic, I called the president of the company, Noah Granville. Getting an answering machine, I explained my dilemma and figured that there would be no response. To my amazement, Noah called back within 10 minutes and we reviewed the situation and he told me what to do. As a result the brisket was perfect. I purchased a PBC (my fourth) at the request of my daughter as she wanted one as her wedding gift. I got the PBC for her with all of the accessories that I use. She called me and said that her "Smoke" was reading a high temperature and that she was worried that her pork shoulder was going to be a failure. (I will say, though, that she bought an "off-brand" charcoal, and not the Kingston Original as recommended by PBC, so her temperature profile may not have been the same). I gave her the same recommendations that Noah had given me, and her results were perfect. She has since done a brisket and some ribs to rave reviews from her guests. This PBC is an amazing device and the purchase of it resulted in me selling my Weber Smokey Mountain, as the PBC is SO easy, and SO much easier to clean. So.....the synopsis would be that this smoking "machine" is amazing, and the customer service is way over the top in this day and age. I truly believe that if you purchase one and watch the cooking recommendations on the PBC website, you will not be disappointed! Keep on cooking!
S. Oliver : ... Pit Barrel Cooker and it has quickly become my favorite. It's a bit more messy than the propane ...
I had two smokers already before I purchased the Pit Barrel Cooker and it has quickly become my favorite. It's a bit more messy than the propane and electric ones but well worth it, also the flavor you get from using the charcoal can't be duplicated on the other two. I don't monitor the temps on this cooker because after watching some youtube videos on it it didn't seem to matter what the temp was, it was more about the time guidelines and watching the internal food temps. If you go by Pit Barrel guidelines and get a good bluetooth remote thermometer and watch the internal temp on your food you won't be disappointed. I only use Kingsford in the blue bag since that's what they recommend and I won't deviate, only thing I add is a couple of wood chunks. As a word of caution be careful how much wood you add because I added 3 big chunks of cherry wood when cooking a pork butt and it was overkill so next time I'll use two smaller ones and that should be plenty. Overall I'm happy with my purchase but I will be adding the ash pan to make clean up a lot easier. I'd also recommend you purchase their custom Pit Barrel chimney starter because the normal sized one I had didn't fit in the pit barrel so it made my first cook more complicated. I bought one after that and my next cook went just like it should have so do yourself a favor and get their chimney starter.
Dylan P. Birkett : BEST RIBS EVER!!!!!!!!! Just do yourself a favor and buy it now.
This is exactly as advertised. I was skeptical of the rave reviews and almost went with the Weber Smokey Mountain. I'm very satisfied with my choice here. Used it for the first time today with some ribs and chicken. The chicken came out incredible and the ribs were just absolutely perfect! No water, no wood chips, no fussing around. Design is simple to the point of elegance. Just use the Kingsford charcoal, light it, hang the meat, and take it out a few hours later. Portable enough to take to the beach next summer. I'm looking forward to doing a beef brisket and pork shoulder with it, although I have a feeling that this thing is best at making ribs and does them better than anything else out there for under a thousand dollars. Truly the best bang for the buck. Best ribs, I have ever barbecued.
W. L. Shute : I'm a believer!!
Saw this on Steven Raichlen's show "Project Smoke" and was immediately interested. After all that was said of it's attributes - I had to try it out. And try it out I did! I received it in good condition and quick time. It's a well built unit and was a cinch to set up and get started. I put in 3 racks of pork ribs and two chickens for my first run. It took longer that what I would have figured, even with the cooking times adjusted to altitude, but the meats came out excellent with a pink smoke ring as advertised. So simple to use - but I've adjusted the vent to make the unit get hotter sooner and cook quicker. I really love it! This is the easiest and simplest smoker I've ever seen. You set it up, get the coals going, put in the meat, and wait for magic to happen! Thanks for the wonderful product! I'll be using it way more than my more expensive Barbeque out on the patio next to it. Just too easy to make perfectly smoked meals.
Abraca-Daniel : It doesn't have the precise temperature control of smokers with a bunch of vents but it'll make dang good food with practically
Lets get one thing straight, this is not for someone who smokes as a hobby. The PBC is a set-it and forget-it smoker not one of those that you sit beside all day toying with. It doesn't have the precise temperature control of smokers with a bunch of vents but it'll make dang good food with practically no effort on your part. And thats the great thing about it. This smoker was made for the casual smoker. If you want a smoker you can do a lot of meat in at once, in a small footprint, than this is the one for you. Set up was quick with only the one vent on the bottom to set. I precisely (read: am dork, used calipers) set the vent to 1/4 open since I am at sea level but that is a bit wide it seems. Here on the northern Gulf Coast it needs to be about 1/8th open it seems or it runs around 350. Still tastes great but its more of a roasting at that point and less of a smoking. Get a thermo you can hang inside for your first few runs to dial it in right for your local.
Beez : Get one NOW!!!
I have been smoking meat for 10 years now. I have had my eye on this cooker for about 3 years. So I decided to get one last week. I used it today for the first time and I was blown away at how easy it was to use. Set the fire, put the meat on and forget it. The meat was so juicy and tender. Now I can't wait to see how the Turkey turns out this Thursday. Thank you Noah for creating a great product. I'm a PBC fan till I die!!!
Salute Your Shorts : Really great product, but a few vital accessories are not included.
Overall an amazing smoker and works as great as everyone says. I took off one star because I feel you get an incomplete package.
The grill grate included is a standard one like you'd see in any kettle grill. On their website, they sell a separate hinged grill grate where half of it can drop down so you can hang ribs, etc. on one side and use the grill grate on the other side. This should be reversed. The hinged grill grate should be the one included in the box and the standard one should be the one you can purchase separately.
There is an ash pan that makes clean up much easier and is sold separately. This should also be something that is included in the box.
The grill grate included is a standard one like you'd see in any kettle grill. On their website, they sell a separate hinged grill grate where half of it can drop down so you can hang ribs, etc. on one side and use the grill grate on the other side. This should be reversed. The hinged grill grate should be the one included in the box and the standard one should be the one you can purchase separately.
There is an ash pan that makes clean up much easier and is sold separately. This should also be something that is included in the box.
P Morrow : Great smoking and grilling!
Gave this to my older son. He has become quite good at using it for grilling and smoking. Have since purchased more accessories. Now, I can hardly wait for the next meal invitation. Recently, he smoked a 7-pound pork loin roast to absolute perfection. Served 15 people, and got rave reviews. You can get all the accessory tools, implements and meat rubs from Amazon, and there are plenty of instructional videos on the company's website and on YouTube.
you can compare the product price from Costco, wayfair, bestbuy, lowes, target, homedepot, Walmart, ebay, amazon to find the best price for you
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