What are /r/PitBarrelCooker's favorite Products & Services?

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I do butterfly leg of lamb at least once a month on my PBC. Not much to it, to be honest. Get a good cut, clean it well - get rid of all that silver skin.

As far as seasoning, I will make slits in the lamb and add garlic on both sides. We love garlic, so your call on how much. Typically I'll add around 5 or 6 per side, for a 4lb cut.

I use a MINERS MIX XXX-Garlic Gourmet Seasoning, yup more garlic:) fresh rosemary, or dried if I don't feel like going back out of the house again. That's it. I'll then use cooking twine to wrap tight, add two probes, and smoke over hickory chunks.

Typically this will take between 90-120 minutes.

Seriously, it's amazing. My wife who loves lamb, but only eats it with mint jelly won't even touch the jelly now. It's not worth taking away from the flavor of the meat.

I have 2 turkey hangers and they work well, however after I got the turkey hangers I came across the Oklahoma Joe skewers. These skewers actually work pretty well to hang a turkey as well and they also are way more versatile since they work well as skewers.

Oklahoma Joe's 4929479R06 Super Skewers, 3-Pack, Silver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NWK38NT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1TozFbX1467KT

I got this one from amazon for like $20, though it doesn't seem to be easily obtainable from there at the moment

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PV3S31Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

works great though. Point is, it doesn't have to be super pricey.

https://www.amazon.com/Oklahoma-Joes-4929479R06-Skewers-3-Pack/dp/B07NWK38NT/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1ZLAACCBIMP1T&keywords=super+skewers&qid=1666531847&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIzLjQ3IiwicXNhIjoiMi42MiIsInFzcCI6IjAuOTcifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=super+skew...

If you zoom into the picture you can see the grommet on the back of the barrel, just to the left of the left piece of rebar. I run all of my probes through that grommet.

You can purchase them here.

Impresa Thermometer Grommet

You want the it at grate / as close to grate level as possible. I don't have the bottle opener holes in mine. I use a thermoworks smoke so I put in a silicon grommet. https://www.amazon.com/Impresa-Products-Thermometer-Grommet-Grills/dp/B07BC4TYQ5/ref=sr_1_16?keywords=silicone+grommet&qid=1649187076&sprefix=silicon+gro%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-16

OKLEAD Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier 60" x 24" x 14.4" Folding Cargo Rack Rear Hitch Tray Luggage Basket with 400 LB Capacity Fits 2" Receiver for Car SUV Pickup https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JFYJSP3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2X7WEGHXTKM9BAY2PA2H

I have this one and it works fine

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GE77QT0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I had the fancy wireless MEATER ones, but found them to be unreliable, always had trouble getting them to connect.

There's also a smaller charcoal chimney option. Works much better than the fullsize when adding coals into a PBC.

They look great. I actually stopped hooking ribs altogether and use a rib rack. I'm a big 3-2-1 fan with butcher paper as the wrap. SOLIGT Extra Long 304 Stainless Steel Rib Rack for 18” or Larger Grills - Holds up to 3 Full Racks of Ribs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SFDNL9C/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_4Q2TGT0CYCHDH823TW90

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08SCKDNW9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Under $20, dual probe (1 for barrel, 1 for meat), comes with a remote screen thing that works everywhere in my house. Not as stupid-fancy as the wifi ones, but plenty fancy enough.

Definitely helps get some peace of mind on barrel temp.

I use this cast iron flat griddle, heated up on my gas grill:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002CMLTXG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Maybe the best $30 bucks spent ever., I use it for searing all kids of things, smash burgers, caramelizing onions...pancakes, bacon...the list goes on..

I love it. I ended up getting a drum dolly for my full-sized PBC from here, works great:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LZC9MDN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I found instructions on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uBShgLtUUY

You can find the ports on Amazon:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BC4TYQ5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The video was guidance for me. I used a hole saw (it will wiggle though) and put the port slightly higher up.

The comments already posted will for sure help keep the temps down, especially getting more cooks in to seal the lid off better.

I like to light less charcoal in my chimney to help keep the fire from getting too stoked too early. I also set the lit coals all on one side of the unlit charcoal so the whole basket takes a while to get going.

But..

My best technique I've used is putting circular magnets over two of the rebar holes to completely cover them. I choose to cover the rear two holes opposite the vent just to circulate the airflow a little. Using the magnets it's super easy to keep the temps down. Heck the first time I tried it I dailed down the lower front vent and was getting a consistent 225-240 no problem. I started out covering three of the holes but once I messed around with the magnets and kept adjusting things I finally settled on just covering two rebar holes and leaving two wide open. That's the configuration I've used for several more cooks now since that first time. It's been mostly chuck roasts and pork tenderloins. No problems.

I've done cooks with the magnets about five times now and I'm just loving it. Plus it doesn't require any modifications to the smoker so I can just bust out the rebar for hanging ribs or whatever else I'd like to hang.

Here's a link to the magnets I bought. Amazon has a bunch of different magnets like these that most likely would do just as well. These ones do make a full seal and are the perfect size though..

Stritra - N52 Strong Permanent... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077D79XCV?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I have no affiliation with the magnets or anything, I'm just happy with the results.

Oh no there's disc magnets I bought off Amazon they fit over the holes perfectly. Not sure if this link works but can copy and paste if not.

DIYMAG Powerful Neodymium Disc Magnets with Double-Sided Adhesive, Strong Permanent Rare Earth Magnets for Fridge, DIY, Building, Scientific, Craft, and Office Magnets, 1.26 inch Diameter, Pack of 6 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XD2X45M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_mWYYEbY5HBN48

Sorry, I missed your comment. Here are the two covers that I've purchased from Amazon.

The first one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HCNEX6/ This lasted about 18 months before it fell apart.

The second one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F8C10NG/ I've had this one for a few years now and it's holding up well, but it's a lot larger than the first one and with the extra size it "pools up" around the bottom.

I think either one will work, just be aware of the height and width of whatever cover you're planning on using. They just don't make them to last forever so go with the cheapest route. Any cover is better than none in my opinion.