WSM vs PBC

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Vision

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This is a thread to debate which cooker is better, the WSM or PBC. I hope this can be a serious thread about the advantages/disadvantages of each cooker. It's important to note that I personally am grateful for the PBC as it has popularized a new way of cooking and many are grateful for that. That said, I believe the WSM can do everything the PBC can do, and do it better. Why bother to discuss this? Because the PBC craze seems out of hand (jokingly).

To start...


PBC:

I can't think of one thing a PBC can do over a WSM. Someone please fill me in. The only thing I can come up with is you can probably cook uncovered in a rain storm with it.


WSM:

Can hang meat, and wonderfully smoke meat.
Temp is easier to adjust.
You can turn it off.
Access to coals is much easier.
Cleanup is easier.
It's more portable.
 
I think you hit it on the head. The WSM is a more advanced cooker that is better in most ways. Some people just hate name brand store bought stuff and do not like to buy retail.
 
:-D

To each, his/her own.

I see no reason to buy a PBC instead of a WSM, especially when used WSMs can be had for $50 on CL.

Hanging meat over heat makes no difference, and even if it did, it can be hung on the WSM. If it's fat dripping on coals you want, remove the water pan in the WSM.

I just put a picnic on the WSM. I can cook it anywhere from 220-350. Set it and forget it.

To me, the PBC is a downsized UDS/repackaged WSM using the novelty of hanging meat and horseshoes as selling points.
 
Last edited:
Vision said:
Why bother to discuss this? Because the PBC craze seems out of hand (jokingly).
Click to expand...

It seems that the "PBC Craze" has pretty much settled down to me.

They are both good cookers and each has it's place. The best chicken I have cooked has come out of the PBC.

But, to your pro WSM points...

Vision said:
WSM:

Can hang meat, and wonderfully smoke meat.
You can hang meat in a PBC, or use the grate.
Temp is easier to adjust.
The whole concept of the PBC is to not have to adjust it.
You can turn it off.
You can "turn off" a PBC, too. just slap a magnetic sheet over the intake.
Access to coals is much easier.
The PBC concept is simplicity. I have never needed to access the charcoal. I also don't need to access the charcoal in my WSM.
Cleanup is easier.
That depends. With the PBC you just have to dump the ash. With a WSM, if you use the water pan you also have greasy water to deal with. If you use some other diffuser (foiled water pan, sand, clay saucer) then you have that grease to dispose of.
It's more portable.
Again, it depends on your perspective. With the WSM you have three pieces plus grates, charcoal ring, etc. to move around. With the PBC it's one piece plus grate, basket and rods.
Click to expand...


I'm not pro PBC or pro WSM. I have both cookers and use both. They both have a place in my yard.
 
Vision said:
This is a thread to debate which cooker is better, the WSM or PBC. I hope this can be a serious thread about the advantages/disadvantages of each cooker. It's important to note that I personally am grateful for the PBC as it has popularized a new way of cooking and many are grateful for that. That said, I believe the WSM can do everything the PBC can do, and do it better. Why bother to discuss this? Because the PBC craze seems out of hand (jokingly).

To start...


PBC:

I can't think of one thing a PBC can do over a WSM. Someone please fill me in. The only thing I can come up with is you can probably cook uncovered in a rain storm with it.


WSM:

Can hang meat, and wonderfully smoke meat.
Temp is easier to adjust.
You can turn it off.
Access to coals is much easier.
Cleanup is easier.
It's more portable.
Click to expand...

I disagree with the following -

1. hang meat only if you make your own mods or buy an after market attachment.
2. Temp is easier to adjust - you don't have to adjust PBC temps can't get easier then that.
3. Access to coals is easier - If you are hanging meat in the PBC adding coals is as easy as lifting the lid. If you are using the grate then a hinged grate is a simple change.
4. Clean up is easier - If you use the WSM with the water pan as intended it is a PIA. If you go without the water the clean up is the same IMHO.
5. Its more portable - I don't see how as the PBC in not heavier, larger or awkward to move at all.
 
I do not own a WSM, but I chose the PBC for the main reasons:

1. Set it and forget it.
2. Easy clean up.
3. Get to support a small business.
4. Awesome customer service (seriously, the owners cell phone is on the product.)
5. Coolness factor is through the roof!

All that being said, I think a big part of this hobby for me is collecting and using different cookers (I plan to later purchase a WSM, BGE, Trager, etc.)
 
Although I've never used a PBC, I would say you're better off with a WSM--you can pull the water pan out, and cook on the top grate, and have it be similar to the PBC. Or, you can buy or make an insert to use to hang your food. And, you will still have the ability to use the WSM like normal with the water pan :blah:
 
I have both. I like both. Good food is turned out on both (at least according to my family :becky:). That's all that matters to me. There are things I like a little better about the wsm, and conversely there are things I like better about the pbc. Worrying about which is a better cooker is like splitting hairs imho. Use what makes sense to you. Nothing else matters. :thumb:
 
Until a week ago, I owned a WSM 22.5" that I loved (did not get rid of it because of any shortcomings that the WSM might have). I have never had a PBC, but I really like the simplicity of it. I have contemplated getting one, and am now considering it more as an alternative to my offset. The two big advantages of the PBC that have not been mentioned are price and very personal customer service.
 
From what I have read on these forums. The PBC is a good cooker that has its place in an arsenal.

I think the debate of PBC vs WSM is the same as beating a dead horse. People that don't own a PBC don't get what the big deal is about it, and the people that do own a PBC use theirs with great results.
 
sliding_billy said:
Until a week ago, I owned a WSM 22.5" that I loved (did not get rid of it because of any shortcomings that the WSM might have). I have never had a PBC, but I really like the simplicity of it. I have contemplated getting one, and am now considering it more as an alternative to my offset. The two big advantages of the PBC that have not been mentioned are price and very personal customer service.
Click to expand...


???. As mentioned above, a WSM can had on CL for $50. The reknown great Weber customer service has hundreds of testimonials on this site alone.
 
I have difficulty believing the WSM is more involved or harder to manage. I load the ring w/lump, I put the weedburner on it for a minute or so, I put the sections together, in 20 mins. I put the meat on.

If versatility equals more difficult to cook with, I'll side w/ difficult. :-D
 
Einstein

This thread reminds me of Einsteins "definition of insanity".



Kudo's to Longhorn nation. You took care of business Saturday "while I cooked on my Pit Barrel Cooker" ;-))
 
charrederhead said:
???. As mentioned above, a WSM can had on CL for $50. The reknown great Weber customer service has hundreds of testimonials on this site alone.
Click to expand...

Yea I dont get that either..you cant argue agaisnt Weber customer service especially comparing to a relatively new company in PBC that probably wont be around in 20 years..never the less honor a warranty

Weber has been making grills for 61 years and accounts for 35% of all grills sold in the US. They have one of the best customer service departments in the country. Up there with Leatherman and others
 
charrederhead said:
???. As mentioned above, a WSM can had on CL for $50. The reknown great Weber customer service has hundreds of testimonials on this site alone.
Click to expand...

It is unfair to compare CL price vs retail Price. And a WSM for $50 is considered a steal on CL. It is few and far between that sell for that price. You are looking at $125+ if anything for an 18in WSM on CL.
 
charrederhead said:
???. As mentioned above, a WSM can had on CL for $50. The reknown great Weber customer service has hundreds of testimonials on this site alone.
Click to expand...

I was obviously not comparing the price of a CL WSM. Retail vs. retail was pretty clear. I am also not knocking Weber's customer service. There is something to be said for the way a good small business interacts with their customers though, and PBC seems to do that very well.

Again, I have had numerous Webers and no PBC. I just wanted to point out a couple of the things that I see as potential benefits to the PBC.
 
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