Pit Barrel Cooker

Good Purchase? Paper Weight? Speak Up!!!
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Rosco-Peeko
Posts: 823
Joined: June 1st, 2007, 2:47 pm

Pit Barrel Cooker

Post by Rosco-Peeko »

So for a while now I have been running my weber through the ringer--love thy weber! I have been doing some reading up on building a drum smoker. Drums here seem to be a PITA to get here for some reason?? :-? Whats on CL is stupid over priced.

I still have my off-set stick burner but it requires constant attention. Still produces great food. Cant really get into wrenching or other chores without worrying what my temps are doing. Will still use it...

So I found this. Its a miniture Zorack500 barrel (old member still lurking around). Its made in the US, high temp powder coat, company owner is retired Navy. With the exception of Weber, this company is AWESOME! I have never had a company owner call me to tell me my cooker has shipped and that he appreciated the business. He gave me his cell and said to call if I have any questions or issues. Thats a rarity these days..
http://pitbarrelcooker.com/

I took advantage of the $100 discount and free FEDEX shipping, to my door in 4 days. I have some chicken I am going to split and a 14 pound Angus full packer brisket thats going to season this up over the weekend.
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The innerds, note the rebar, grate and fire box at the bottom
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A 14 pound full packer will take 15 hours on my stick burner, 6-7 hours in the barrel, split chickens 1.5 hours. Because its a drum it keeps all the moisture in..food will not dry out unless you fug up. A light it off and forget about it till the meat is done.

It comes with 8 stainless hooks, you hook the meat and hang it off the rebar for a more thorough cook (Saw Zorack use this method--works!). The heat column moves up and over the meat. Or you can use the grate, also used for finishing.

Some of the folks over at BBQ Bretheren are using it for BBQ Comp's and placing well.

Comp Cook and product reviewer..good recipes here also.
http://www.patiodaddiobbq.com/search/la ... l%20cooker

The BBQ Brethren
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showt ... p?t=152654

If you fancy BBQ and would like something easy that turns out good food. Give this a look.. FYI, with the current discount, I got mine for $230 to my door.


In-depth review with meat porn later this weekend.
Somewhere in Kenya, a village is missing their idiot.......
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lewisclan
PVT. 1st Class
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Joined: June 1st, 2007, 3:34 pm
Location: Yucca Valley CA

Post by lewisclan »

Nice :cool:
Image"the game of life of is not so much in holding a good hand as playing a poor hand well"
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sabreguy
Posts: 2915
Joined: June 1st, 2007, 5:07 pm
Location: Middle of the Freakin Mojave Desert!

Post by sabreguy »

lewisclan wrote:Nice :cool:
What he said!!
88CR500
ROOST ON PEOPLE!!!
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hoofarted
Posts: 2628
Joined: July 2nd, 2007, 8:48 am
Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Re: Pit Barrel Cooker

Post by hoofarted »

Rosco-Peeko wrote: In-depth review with meat porn later this weekend.

Awesome! Always look forward to reading your write-ups. :cool:
The CR500 is an acquired taste. If you don't like it, acquire some taste...

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Rosco-Peeko
Posts: 823
Joined: June 1st, 2007, 2:47 pm

Post by Rosco-Peeko »

Ok, so here is the deal. I cooked on this twice this weekend and I am very impressed!!! It holds heat and moisture. The biggest difference is that it cuts cook times in half on a lot of the larger cuts.

I first did a 14 pound full packer brisket. My rub flopped which pissed me off. I hung it and the flat was a few inches off the coals. Did not burn.....weird. It rendered down remaining fat really good. I could hear it sizzling and dripping on hot coals. What threw me off was after 3 hours, it smelled like it was almost done. I probed it and it was at 160. Yanked it dumped some beef broth on it, foiled and cooked till 200 and let it rest for a few hours. The smoke ring was weak but the taste was dead one. Image Image Image

I BBQ'ed up the sides.. Image Image Image Image

Now that its seasoned up a bit...lets try some chicken... Image

1.45 Hours and 160 off the tit...best chicken I've had in a while. Insanely moist, like it was injected...wasn't. Image Image Image

So if you're looking for a powerhouse-cooker for under $250, this thing is a machine!! Image
Somewhere in Kenya, a village is missing their idiot.......
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iggys-amsoil
Posts: 3602
Joined: June 1st, 2007, 6:09 pm
Location: Just North of March Airfield CA

Post by iggys-amsoil »

"Somewhere in Kenya, a village is missing their idiot......." :rotfl:

Thanks, after my last post I needed a good laugh.

Good eats. Image.. Now if we can just bring that 1200 miles closer....
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Rosco-Peeko
Posts: 823
Joined: June 1st, 2007, 2:47 pm

Post by Rosco-Peeko »

This cooker continues to crank out no brainer "good food." I have been at the grill for a while and have had my share of follies. This cooker produced the best ribs and chicken I have ever had. It holds heat and moisture so well. Worth a look since my unit is well seasoned by now.
Somewhere in Kenya, a village is missing their idiot.......
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