Product file
Pit Barrel Cooker Guide: Which Drum Smoker Size Fits You
As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases. This means we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you click through and make a purchase.
The Pit Barrel Cooker made the upright drum smoker simple: a porcelain-coated steel barrel, a charcoal basket at the bottom, and hooks that hang ribs, brisket and whole birds over the coals so the fat drips down, flares into flavorful smoke and bastes everything above it. The brand calls this 360 All-Round Heat Dynamics, and the practical result is a smoker with few adjustments to fuss over, which suits anyone cooking at a tailgate, a campground or a friend’s backyard far from their usual setup.
This comparison covers the 18.5-inch Premier Series drum, the 14-inch Junior Premier Series and a stainless steel ash pan, and the short version is that the 18.5-inch cooks for a crowd, the Junior cooks for a smaller group, and the ash pan is sized for the larger 22.5-inch PBX model rather than either drum here.
The line-up at a glance
Pit Barrel Drum Smokers Compared
| Product | Drum Size | Listed Capacity | Listed Dimensions | Included Hanging Hardware |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pit Barrel Cooker Premier Series 18.5 Inch | 18.5 in | 8 racks of ribs, 2-3 pork butts | 33 in tall, 21.25 in wide with handles | 2 rods, 8 hooks |
| Pit Barrel Cooker Junior Premier Series 14 Inch | 14 in | 6 racks of ribs, 1 pork butt, 1 brisket, 1 17 lb turkey | 36 in tall, 25 in wide with handles | 2 rods, 4 hooks |
| Pit Barrel Cooker PBX Stainless Steel Ash Pan | Fits 22.5 in PBX | Not applicable | Not listed; 1.9 kg | Not applicable |
The pick ยท Pit Barrel Cooker Co.
Pit Barrel Cooker Premier Series 18.5 Inch for Feeding a Crowd
8.2/10 Our score
Best for: Owners of the 22.5-inch PBX
What the listing says
- ATTACHABLE ASH PAN Don't want to waste time cleaning out ashes?
- REDUCE CLEAN UP TIME This add-on is a great time-saver, allowing you to lift out the ashes left behind after cooking.
- DURABLE Our grilling ash pan is made of durable stainless steel and is built to last
- *Charcoal Basket is not included with purchase of Ash Pan but will come with any cooker…
Pros
- Lifts ash out in one piece
- Stainless steel build
- Attaches to charcoal basket
Cons
- Fits the PBX only
- Charcoal basket not included
Best for: Couples and small campsite crews
Pros
- 14-inch drum, smaller footprint
- Fits 6 racks or 1 brisket
- Stainless steel grill grate
Cons
- Only 4 hooks included
- Listed size larger than 18.5 model
Best for: Big tailgates and group cooks
Pros
- Fits 8 racks of ribs
- 8 hooks and 2 hanging rods
- Porcelain enamel finish
- Fits most vans, SUVs, truck beds
Cons
- Weight not listed
- GrillGrate sold separately
The Pit Barrel Cooker Premier Series 18.5 Inch Drum Smoker is the classic Pit Barrel package. The listing says it fits 8 racks of ribs or 2 to 3 pork butts or shoulders, and its turkey hangers can hold two birds. It ships with 2 hanging rods, 8 stainless steel hooks, a standard grill grate, a charcoal basket and a hook remover tool, so you can hang ribs or brisket, or cook directly on the grate for burgers and chicken pieces.
The listing describes the barrel as 33 inches tall including the lid and stand, and 21.25 inches wide including the side handles. It is porcelain enamel coated to handle internal heat and weather, runs on charcoal, and is described as lightweight and compact enough to fit in most vans, SUVs and truck beds, with side handles for lifting. The listing does not specify the actual weight, so plan on a two-person lift to be safe until you have handled one.
A custom GrillGrate for sear marks is mentioned in the feature text, but the included components list only a standard grill grate, so treat the GrillGrate as a separate accessory. This drum suits tailgaters, camp cooks feeding a group and anyone who regularly cooks for more than six people. If you travel with a small car or cook mostly for two, the Junior below trades some capacity for a lighter load of hardware.
From the notebook
Pit Barrel Cooker Junior Premier Series 14 Inch for Small Groups
The Pit Barrel Cooker Junior Premier Series is the 14-inch drum, model 11286. It uses the same vertical cooking method and porcelain enamel finish as the 18.5-inch cooker, and the listing says it fits 6 racks of ribs, 1 pork butt or shoulder, 1 full brisket or 1 17-pound turkey. The package includes 2 hanging rods, 4 stainless steel hooks, a stainless steel grill grate, a charcoal basket and an Ultimate Hook Remover Tool with a bottle opener.
Here the listing has a clear inconsistency. It describes the Junior as a compact 14-inch drum with a smaller footprint for storage and transport, yet gives its dimensions as 36 inches tall and 25 inches wide including the lid, stand and handles, both larger than the figures listed for the 18.5-inch model. The drum diameter is certainly smaller, so the difference probably comes from how the stand and handles are measured, but measure your trunk or truck bed against the actual unit before relying on those numbers.
The Junior suits couples, small families and campers who cook one big cut at a time, such as a single brisket or a turkey for a holiday weekend at a cabin. With four hooks instead of eight, it is less suited to hanging a large batch of ribs. A smaller drum also takes less charcoal to fill, which means less fuel to carry to a campsite. For wider comparisons of smokers across fuel types, our pellet and vertical smoker roundup is a useful next read.
From the notebook
Pit Barrel Cooker PBX Stainless Steel Ash Pan for Faster Clean Up
The Pit Barrel Cooker PBX Stainless Steel Ash Pan, part 13499, attaches to the charcoal basket before you light it, catching ash so you can lift it out in one piece when the cook is finished. The listing pitches it as a way to save clean up time and says it is made of durable stainless steel. It weighs 1.9 kg and is flat and circular.
The important detail is fit. The listing says it is for the 22.5-inch PBX Pit Barrel Cooker, not for the 18.5-inch or 14-inch drums in this roundup, and the charcoal basket is not included with the pan. If you own one of the smaller drums, this pan is not the right accessory unless the brand confirms otherwise.
For PBX owners who cook at campsites or tailgates, an ash pan is a genuine help: dumping ash neatly into a metal can is easier than scooping a drum out on a parking lot. Always let ash cool fully before you pack up, since hot coals can hide under a gray layer for hours. For readers who like a separate fire for warmth after the cook, our portable fire pit review covers a lighter option.
Before you choose
How to Choose the Right Pit Barrel Cooker
Start with how many people you feed. The 18.5-inch Premier Series fits 8 racks of ribs or 2 to 3 pork shoulders, enough for a tailgate crowd. The 14-inch Junior fits 6 racks of ribs or a single brisket, pork shoulder or 17-pound turkey, which suits a family or a small camp group.
Next, check how it travels. Both drums are described as fitting most vans, SUVs and truck beds, and both have side handles. The listings do not give weights, and the listed height and width figures do not line up with drum size, so measure the cooker and your vehicle before a trip. Keep the lid latched and the hooks and rods packed separately so nothing rattles loose.
Look at what comes in the box. The 18.5-inch includes 8 hooks and a standard grate, while the Junior includes 4 hooks and a stainless steel grate plus a bottle opener on the hook remover. Neither listing includes the separate GrillGrate mentioned in the feature text.
Think about accessories. The ash pan in this roundup fits the 22.5-inch PBX only. If you plan to add accessories later, confirm they match your drum size.
Finally, plan your fuel and monitoring. Both drums burn charcoal, so pack enough to fill the basket plus a little extra for windy days, which pull heat away faster. A reliable instant-read or leave-in thermometer is worth packing, and our meat probe guide explains what to look for.
Questions people ask
FAQ
Which Pit Barrel Cooker should I buy for tailgating?
For large groups, the 18.5-inch Premier Series, which fits 8 racks of ribs or 2 to 3 pork shoulders. For smaller groups, the 14-inch Junior.
What is the difference between the Pit Barrel Junior and the classic 18.5 inch?
The Junior has a 14-inch drum, fits 6 racks of ribs or one large cut and includes 4 hooks. The 18.5-inch fits 8 racks of ribs or 2 to 3 pork shoulders and includes 8 hooks.
Does the ash pan fit the 18.5 inch Pit Barrel Cooker?
The listing says it is for the 22.5-inch PBX model, so it is not listed as compatible with the 18.5-inch or 14-inch drums.
What fuel does a Pit Barrel Cooker use?
Both drums in this comparison are charcoal cookers with a charcoal basket at the bottom.
Can I grill on a Pit Barrel Cooker, not just smoke?
Yes. Both come with a grill grate, and the listings describe grilling burgers and other foods as well as hanging ribs and brisket.
Is the Pit Barrel Cooker hard to clean after a camping trip?
The porcelain enamel finish is designed to handle heat and weather. The listings do not give a cleaning routine, but emptying cooled ash from the charcoal basket and wiping the hooks and grate after each cook keeps it ready for the next trip.
Prices, specifications and the feature lines above are read from the product listing and can change without notice. Scores are out of 10, based on listed specifications and buyer feedback; nothing on this page is written from handling the product.
