Pit Barrel Cooker (PBC) Question

[Midnight Smoke]

Originally Posted by El Ropo

^ I understand the intake on a PBC isn't fixed. But it's not easy to change from what I've read. You have to run out to the garage and grab a tool to move it or something..

Jeez, I cannot help myself. It appears the nut to adjust gets really hot so adjustment is hard. Why not just modify the Intake to resolve this???

[flyingbassman5]

Originally Posted by Midnight Smoke

Why, not trying to be a PITA, just trying to figure out the sudden love for the PBC, it seems to be no different than an UDS. What is all the excitement about/

Why use the UDS over tweaking the PBC to cook at a lower temp? ( I think that's what you are asking?? If not correct me)
The basic answer is because the UDS is a lot easier to control temp on. I just don't find a personal need to change the way my pit barrel runs. Can it be tweaked? Sure! But I don't see a need for me personally to mess with it.

[Midnight Smoke]

Originally Posted by flyingbassman5

Why use the UDS over tweaking the PBC to cook at a lower temp? ( I think that's what you are asking?? If not correct me)
The basic answer is because the UDS is a lot easier to control temp on. I just don't find a personal need to change the way my pit barrel runs. Can it be tweaked? Sure! But I don't see a need for me personally to mess with it.

Thanks for the response. I am having a real Hard time trying to understand the difference between the UDS and the PBC??? It just seems the only difference is the name. Matter of fact, understanding air flow, and exhaust there is very little difference between the two.

[BobBrisket]

Originally Posted by swamprb

Anyone figger out how big that intake hole is yet?

Is a 3.5" hole big enough for ya!

Originally Posted by Midnight Smoke

Thanks for the response. I am having a real Hard time trying to understand the difference between the UDS and the PBC??? It just seems the only difference is the name. Matter of fact, understanding air flow, and exhaust there is very little difference between the two.

Unless you try one, you will always have that "hard time" with it. If you decide not to buy one, then you must "let it go!" You will get answers both ways on the forum, but the only answer that will satisfy you is from experiencing it.....or not.

[flyingbassman5]

Originally Posted by Midnight Smoke

Thanks for the response. I am having a real Hard time trying to understand the difference between the UDS and the PBC??? It just seems the only difference is the name. Matter of fact, understanding air flow, and exhaust there is very little difference between the two.

Your description of the difference is correct. All it is, is a 30gal UDS with rebar and hooks. The PBC or Pit Barrel Cooker part of it is just the brand name. Yeah sure its a little different than a UDS because of the preset intake, but bare bones wise they are "almost" the same.

With that said, can it be changed to behave differently and achieve lower temps? Yes but that requires tweaking. The marketing strategy behind the PBC was to be 100% set and forget with no tweaking needed...which is bad for most of us on here because we are so OCD about temps and cook times. The average consumer isn't. Hopefully that helps you out a bit.. :)

[Toronto]

Well to be fair the powder coating seems to make a difference in holding rock steady temps from what I gather.

[flyingbassman5]

Originally Posted by Toronto

Well to be fair the powder coating seems to make a difference in holding rock steady temps from what I gather.

I don't see how that would be any better than regular high heat paint. Powder coat isn't insulating it so the rock steady temps are more likely due to the smaller drum size and the gauge of the steel.

[Toronto]

Originally Posted by flyingbassman5

I don't see how that would be any better than regular high heat paint. Powder coat isn't insulating it so the rock steady temps are more likely due to the smaller drum size and the gauge of the steel.

There are many reasons why manufacturers choose to powder coat their products. These include making the products resistant to chipping and abrasion; providing resistance to chemicals and corrosion; providing a decorative, impact-resistant finish; adding electrical or thermal insulation; providing resistance to ultraviolet light; and adding sound-deadening properties.

http://www.jobshop.com/techinfo/pape...coating3.shtml

[Freddy j]

Originally Posted by Midnight Smoke

Why, not trying to be a PITA, just trying to figure out the sudden love for the PBC

Here are some reasons (I think):

1. Value: it is prob the most inexpensive finished-complete smoker/cooker/grilled (whatever you want to call it) @ $225 shipped) that you can buy today and turn out EXCELLENT food on Friday when it arrives to you.

2. simplicity: there is no learning curve.

3. zero set up - you open the box, and you're ready to cook.

4. value- the price of $225 really hooked me. It is cheap money for this cooker. Ive seen others post the same.

Originally Posted by Midnight Smoke

, it seems to be no different than an UDS. /

Great observation & point, Both are a steel drum. Period. You can modify one to work like the other, not modify at all, or whatever else you prefer.

Actually, all of the controversy PBC vs UDS is what lead me to investigate the PBC and realize what a bargain it was at $225 shipped if I calculated the cost of parts for a UDS and paid myself my normal hourly wage to find the materials and build one.

But, ill continue to keep an eye out for a 15 gal stainless steel drum on the cheap & if I get lucky ill build a uds someday. Definitely interested in the uds.

[flyingbassman5]

Originally Posted by Toronto

There are many reasons why manufacturers choose to powder coat their products. These include making the products resistant to chipping and abrasion; providing resistance to chemicals and corrosion; providing a decorative, impact-resistant finish; adding electrical or thermal insulation; providing resistance to ultraviolet light; and adding sound-deadening properties.

http://www.jobshop.com/techinfo/pape...coating3.shtml

Okay fair enough. I still don't think the powder coat truly insulates the entire cooker in the traditional sense. Could it help? Sure but I'll put more blue chips on it being mostly because of the smaller size of the drum. There is less air that the fire has to heat and can heat the air that is there faster and more evenly. Just my opinion.

[woodpelletsmoker]

Originally Posted by Freddy j

Here are some reasons (I think):

But, ill continue to keep an eye out for a 15 gal stainless steel drum on the cheap & if I get lucky ill build a uds someday. Definitely interested in the uds.

what is exact size of a 15 gal stainless steel drum, diameter and height?

[Toronto]

Originally Posted by flyingbassman5

Okay fair enough. I still don't think the powder coat truly insulates the entire cooker in the traditional sense. Could it help? Sure but I'll put more blue chips on it being mostly because of the smaller size of the drum. There is less air that the fire has to heat and can heat the air that is there faster and more evenly. Just my opinion.

I would have a disclaimer and say its your opinion at the beginning of your post, lots of people reading your post will think you are stating that as fact. Its good to backup what you say with proof instead of opinion alone.

Fact: powder coating does provide thermal insulation.

Opinion: the smaller size and gauge of the steel provides the insulation.

Just curious, do you even know the actual gauge of the steel on the PBC to be even making that statement?

[woodbutcher1]

Originally Posted by woodpelletsmoker

what is exact size of a 15 gal stainless steel drum, diameter and height?

14 " diameter x 27 " high.

[caliking]

Originally Posted by Midnight Smoke

Thanks for the response. I am having a real Hard time trying to understand the difference between the UDS and the PBC??? It just seems the only difference is the name. Matter of fact, understanding air flow, and exhaust there is very little difference between the two.

Couldn't agree with you more. I don't get why there is a flurry of PBC threads either.

I guess it is a standardized cooker that appeals to folks who are unable to build a UDS for whatever reason? I find it hard to imagine that cost is one of those reasons though. A UDS can be built pretty cheaply, definitely less than $225, unless you are going for an SS drum or fancy graphics.

Folks who built a drum would probably find it easy enough to add some holes, rebar, and hooks to find out if the hanging meat really cooks differently from the usual lay-it-on-the-grate method.

Oh well, maybe I'll learn something new.

[---k---]

Why do people love a wsm?

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