Questions and Answers for Pit Barrel Cooker 18.5 in. Classic Vertical Smoker Package

A:  This is a defect for sure.

A:  Amazing product

A:  Nothing is needed comes with all you need and you can buy from Home Depot or directly from pit barrel cooker it’s a veteran owner company.

A:  It catches ash from the charcoal basket, it makes for easier clean up.

A:  Its part of a accessory grill you have to purchase seperatly. 1/2 of it hinges to allow access to charcoal to pan below

A:  The ash pan is an accessory that is used under the fire pit to collect the ashes of the coals as they burn out. Without an ash pan I’d recommend laying a sheet of aluminum foil at the bottom of your cooker to help clean up the mess after cooking.

A:  You can cook enough to feed a large party! The description states up to 8 racks of spare ribs (I'm sure St.Louis style) (you could fit more of the baby back style ribs), 2 - 3 briskets, and 6 - 8 whole chickens, 1 turkey, etc. I have cooked 2 whole Packard briskets at one time, another time 4 racks of ribs with 2 whole chickens, I've done 3 racks of ribs with a brisket. I have also done turkeys, rib roasts, chicken wings, burgers, bacon, whole ears of corn, half onions, potatoes, and just last night I smoked a brisket and 3 one inch cut New York Strip steaks. Everything I've smoked or grilled comes out fantastic! I highly recommend getting the ash catcher (makes clean up easier and faster), also purchase the swivel grate. Next get yourself an assortment of wood chunks (fruit woods for white meats, and hard woods for red meats. Lastly, don't skimp on the cuts of meats stay with at least Prime cuts; you will enjoy!!

A:  You can cook 8 slabs of ribs at a time, or 4 whole chickens at a time. The fire lasts awhile so you could get double that if you kept cooking. This smoker is by far my favorite grill for ribs, chicken, salmon and turkey. I haven’t cooked all meats on this grill but the ones I have turn out great always juicy with a good smoke flavor. You can’t go wrong with this one.

A:  Comfortable 8 racks of beef ribs. Or About four good sized briskets. Or Four whole chickens. You can fit a whole lot in there!

A:  Comes with 8 hooks. You could cook 8 racks of ribs at once. With their turkey hangers from Pit Barrel Cooker, you could smoke two large turkeys at a time. A 10 pound beef briskit would be easy. On the grill grate if you wanted to use it, you could cook 18 or so brats at one time. You could probably smoke 6 chickens at a time. Since you have the hanging system you can mix and match. I smoked a turkey to 170 degrees in only 2 hours and 15 minutes, hanging low over the coals and then I put the grate in and smoked some port tenderloins for a meal later that week.

A:  The Pit Barrel Cooker has a great cooking capacity. How much can be cooked at one time will depend on what you are cooking. Please check out the FAQ section and the Videos and Recipes section of our website to get a better idea of cooking capacity. Please feel free to call our office as well. We are available Monday through Friday between 9am and 6pm EST. Thank you, The PBC Team

A:  The intake is at the bottom and there are four holes at the top for the hanging rods, this is where the smoke leaves the barrel. Thank you!

A:  Yes, there are four exhaust holes on the sides near the top of the barrel. The hanging rods are inserted into these holes and let an engineered amount of air flow. Note, ensure to keep the lid on during cooking or the temperature will certainly rise, quickly. Unless you're grilling then you would want higher temperatures.

A:  It has a damper on the bottom and the rebar can be removed to increase the temperature

A:  The holes that the rebar goes through act as smoke exhaust. They must be inserted even if you are not hanging anything. Set the bottom air vent to your altitude and replace the rebar and you are golden.

A:  The Pit Barrel Cooker is a charcoal cooker and it can withstand the temperatures at which charcoal burns. If you would like to add a different flavor, you can add a handful of dry wood chips to the charcoal right before adding the food. Enjoy!

A:  I would suggest using a quality lump coal for higher temp cooking needs. For smoke, stay with wood chunks (mesquite, hickory, pecan, apple, cherry, & post oak). Tip: place your wood chunks it coal basket before loading with coal. I have had excellent results with the method. Recently, brisket, ribs, chicken, turkey, steaks. Another tip, purchase the ash-pan it makes clean up even easier.

A:  We used wood chunks in tandem with the charcoal.

A:  Yes you should I use them every time. I purchased a cast iron kettle that I place my chips in and lay right on the coals and it works great.

A:  I got the official pit barrel grill cover. I’ve had it for about a year and it’s held up well.

A:  Hello, You can order a cover for the Pit Barrel Cooker here: https://www.pitbarrelcooker.com/product/premium-cover/. We appreciate your business and please contact us anytime with questions or concerns. Best, Angie Barlow

A:  This one if they have it at Home Depot https://pitbarrelcooker.com/collections/must-have-accessories/products/18-5-pbc-custom-fit-cover

A:  You can purchase the cover made for the awesome cooker or check into an aftermarket product. I did that and purchased a cover named "UNICOOK - Heavy Duty Waterproof Dome Smoker Cover, 30" Dia by 36" H". I've had it for a year now and the product has been great!

A:  Fill the charcoal tray, started it, waited 10-15 minutes, and that lasted for 8-10 hours of cooking time.

A:  I added a large U bolt to the center of the basket. In this way, I can lift the basket out with a fireplace poker and add more coals when needed (which is almost never)

A:  I’ve never had to add more coals once lit it lasts long enough for anything you want to cook. Only reason you’d need another run of coals is if you had more than 16 racks of ribs or 2 briskets as an example.

A:  You will not need to. If you fill the basket you will get sustainable heat all day. I have cooked many items and never had to refill with coals. Though, if needed open the lid and drop more into the basket.

A:  You would have to remove the food. I have found that one basket load of coals will last about 8 to 10 hours depending on how many you start with lit and how hot the barrel is cooking. You could get 12 hours at a temp of 220 with good coals

A:  You should not have to add more charcoal during a cook 7 hours or less. But if you do you simply remove a portion of food and the hanging rods and add more

A:  I fill up the crate with coals on the edge and at the meantime have the chimney starter going. Once it’s going empty the chimney coals in the crate, I use welder gloves to crab the handle of the crate and put it in the barrel.

A:  Hello, You will not need to add charcoal to the Pit Barrel Cooker for a single cook. The Pit Barrel Cooker cooks consistently for 6-7 hours when lit properly according to elevation. Please feel free to contact our office should you have further questions or concerns. Best, The PBC Team

A:  You shouldn't have to add more. But if you do, it's going to be a pain if you have meat hanging. If using the grate then it's much easier, obviously. Yesterday, 8 May I smoked a 12 lbs brisket, and afterwards I had such a great heat source going I threw on an 8 pack of hot dogs and a 1 lbs of sausage. If I had more meat thawed I could have easily cooked it! The most I've smoked in it at once is two briskets, between the two, weight 27 lbs of meat, same set of coals, no problems, the meat turned out fantastic! I love this PBC!!

A:  We used wood chunks to provide smoke and continue the heat. We just dropped them in as we went.

A:  Nope. Online order only. Same price as A****n except you’ll get two packs of Pit Barrel rub if you order thru Home Depot.

A:  no I ordered it on line and it was delivered in two days.

A:  Hello, The Pit Barrel Cookers are sold online through Home Depot, they do not stock them in their stores. We apologize if this causes any inconvenience. If you have further questions or concerns regarding the Pit Barrel Cooker, you can contact us directly at 502.228.1222. Best, The PBC Team

A:  It was not in stock at my store but I purchased online and had it delivered in 5 days.

A:  I can’t speak for every store but I’ve been to many Home Depot’s and never seen it in store. I believe they ship direct from PBC. LOVE OUR PBC. We used our 10% off Home Depot coupon as PBC doesn’t offer sales. We bought a PBC for both my dad and my father in law and they are also super happy with them. Lots of cool accessories and fun stuff, the website has tons of recipes too.

A:  No

A:  No

A:  Doubtful, I haven't seen any like it on their website before and the feet are welded on the bottom

A:  Not that I’m aware off

A:  Hello, The Pit Barrel Cooker includes the 3-point stand. We do not offer any rolling or locking stands for safety purposes. Please contact us anytime should you have questions or concerns. Best, The PBC Team

A:  Made in USA

A:  No. I contacted the company that makes the Pit Barrel Cooker and they informed me that ALL The barrels are now made in China.

A:  Absolutely, built and assembled in Kentucky!

A:  Made in America by a veteran owned company

A:  We actually have some that are made in the USA and some that are made in China. Please feel free to contact our office at any time with questions or concerns.