So this is probably a dumb ?, but ill ask anyways

[bjarolim]

Alright, so I've looked and looked and looked and can't find an answer so ill ask the stupid question.

What's the difference between a UDS and a PBC?

Both look pretty much the same, not exactly, but now I gotta get my Q knowledge broadened so have to find out.

Plus my FIL is thinking bout getting a UDS and made sure I was steering him in the right direction of a simple, somewhat reduced baby sitting(I.E. stick burners). And something he can smoke with relatively easy cause he is not at all a cook or Q'er. I will have to share some knowledge with him, so I gotta learn how to use a UDS too, it'll be fun tho.

 

[Burnt to a T]

Might as well be the one to get this out of the way.

op2:

 

[gcs]

In a nutshell, a UDS , (Ugly drum smoker)is a homemade barrel cooker, a PBC, (pit barrel cooker)is a UDS that someone else made, and sold it to you. :mrgreen:

 

[FattyMcFatty]

1 is Ugly and 1 is Pretty :tongue:

 

[KevinJ]

This isn't ugly to me :shocked:

 

[gtr]

PBC generally cooks by hanging meat from hooks suspended by rebar that sticks through a couple holes toward the top of the barrel. I believe a grill grate comes with them as well. A UDS primarily uses grates to cook on, although I think a PBC was designed after a central/northern CA take on the UDS which involved the rebar and hooks. PBC is a specific brand and, if I'm not mistaken, cooks at a pretty specific temp. A lot of folks who have them seem to love them and the comany is very highly regarded among their customers. The UDS, depending on how you build it, is more variable when it comes to cooking temps due to air intakes, ball valves, etc. and they are generally home-made (great father/son project btw).

Oh - and nobody ever says "build a pbc" when someone asks what type stickburner they should buy.

 

[cricky101]

This isn't ugly to me :shocked:

Definitely not ugly but for sure an outlier in the UDS world. And $800.

 

[bjarolim]

PBC generally cooks by hanging meat from hooks suspended by rebar that sticks through a couple holes toward the top of the barrel. I believe a grill grate comes with them as well. A UDS primarily uses grates to cook on, although I think a PBC was designed after a central/northern CA take on the UDS which involved the rebar and hooks. PBC is a specific brand and, if I'm not mistaken, cooks at a pretty specific temp. A lot of folks who have them seem to love them and the comany is very highly regarded among their customers. The UDS, depending on how you build it, is more variable when it comes to cooking temps due to air intakes, ball valves, etc. and they are generally home-made (great father/son project btw).

Oh - and nobody ever says "build a pbc" when someone asks what type stickburner they should buy.

Ya, I get They aren't stick burners.

Thanks for the info

 

[mikemci]

A UDS is typically a 55 gal. drum. I don't own a PBC, but I believe they are smaller.

 

[gtr]

Ya, I get They aren't stick burners.

Thanks for the info

I figured you did - I was just referring to the folks who answer just about every "what cooker should I get?" post with "build a UDS", no matter what the needs are of the person asking the question. :doh: That said, the UDS does about 80-90% of the work around my house, so it is an awesome cooker, especially on a cost basis.

 

[fnjay]

This is a PBC. http://www.pitbarrelcooker.com/videos/what-is-the-pbc

A UDS is anything you want if you make it yourself...or you could buy a gateway or other drum, but I don't call those UDS....those are TM products much like the PBC.

I own a PBC. If you want a consistent quality smoker at a low cost I highly recommend it. I don't have a UDS and have no interest or time to build one. If you like little projects like that then this question is more difficult......for me....I'm working on a pool deck, kitchen tile, bathroom faucet, and two garages.....got enough stuff to do.

 

[Big Andy]

Might as well be the one to get this out of the way.

op2:

:razz: Well you beat me to it.
:argue:

 

[Teleking]

This is a PBC. http://www.pitbarrelcooker.com/videos/what-is-the-pbc

A UDS is anything you want if you make it yourself...or you could buy a gateway or other drum, but I don't call those UDS....those are TM products much like the PBC.

I own a PBC. If you want a consistent quality smoker at a low cost I highly recommend it. I don't have a UDS and have no interest or time to build one. If you like little projects like that then this question is more difficult......for me....I'm working on a pool deck, kitchen tile, bathroom faucet, and two garages.....got enough stuff to do.

Pretty sure if you have the parts you can crank a UDS out in 30 mins. It will be heavy on the ugly side but useable. Tossed more than one together in that time.

 

[Burnt to a T]

:razz: Well you beat me to it.
:argue:

I will step back, and let you have round 2. Take it away Brethren BA!!!

 

[fnjay]

Pretty sure if you have the parts you can crank a UDS out in 30 mins. It will be heavy on the ugly side but useable. Tossed more than one together in that time.

Did I mention I don't "like" those projects?:twitch: Some people do. If you like it then it's worth the time. I mention all those other projects, but honestly will hire out at least half of that too. It's not all about time available....it's time enjoyed.

Either way....if OP wants to know the difference I thought I was pretty clear. It's time, money, if you enjoy the work, and ultimately if you want to learn a new smoker or buy a tested one with relatively known outcomes. Both are fine options.

 

[Mred21]

A PVC is a 30 gallon drum smoker so it will be around 18" across and with the rebar holes is harder to Shut down and save the charcoal. Most UDS are built on 55 gallon drums(because it's hard to find the other sizes) and are as air tight as you make them.

 

[Big Andy]

I will step back, and let you have round 2. Take it away Brethren BA!!!

I'll see your UDS and raise you a PBC :caked:

 

[Big Andy]

Well I guess me and Burnt to a T have had enough fun. If you do a quick search on your question, you will find some Knock down, drag out brawls over this very subject.
I have a PBC. I didn't want to build a UDS. I said I would make one for a couple of years but I never did.
I like mine pretty well. It is pretty much set and forget. Most things hang from hooks. Sometimes I forget, and I knock chickens down on the fire or don't trim my brisket enough and the fat cuts the fire way down. Packers hang down too low in my experience but it makes a good one if you keep it out of the coals.
Overall it's a nice cooker. Easy to use and worry free. Just like all the other cookers out there, it has it's pluses and minuses. You just have to decide what you like.

 

[Bob C Cue]

Here is a fun read on the PBC

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=210239