Yes, the Badger Barrel is worth buying for cooks who want a mid-size drum smoker that splits the difference between the Pit Barrel Junior and the flagship 18.5 inch Pit Barrel Cooker. It offers more capacity than the Junior with a smaller footprint than the standard model, plus unique design features specific to this model.

The Badger Barrel is priced between the Pit Barrel Junior and the 18.5 inch Pit Barrel Cooker, reflecting its mid-size positioning. Free domestic shipping is included on orders over $99.99.

The Badger Barrel is 16.5 inches in diameter, slightly smaller than the 18.5 inch Pit Barrel Cooker. It has a lower capacity (8 to 14 people vs 10 to 20), a smaller footprint, and includes unique design features specific to the Badger model. Both share the same hanging system theory and self-regulating temperature design.

Choose the Badger Barrel if you typically cook for 8 to 14 people or want more capacity than the 14 inch Junior provides. Choose the Pit Barrel Junior if you cook for 4 to 8 people, need maximum portability, or want the most affordable option in the lineup.

The Badger Barrel comfortably feeds 8 to 14 people per cook, positioning it between the Junior (4 to 8 people) and the 18.5 inch Pit Barrel Cooker (10 to 20 people) in capacity.

Yes, the Badger Barrel cooks medium-sized briskets well, with capacity for packer briskets up to a moderate weight. Larger briskets may need to be trimmed to fit. For full-sized packer briskets over 14 pounds, the 18.5 inch Pit Barrel Cooker is the better choice.

The Badger Barrel can hang atleast six racks of ribs at one time, making it well suited for medium gatherings and family meals.

Yes, the Badger Barrel is a great first smoker for cooks who want more capacity than the Pit Barrel Junior but are not ready to commit to the larger 18.5 inch Pit Barrel Cooker. Like all Pit Barrel models, it has no learning curve and produces excellent results on the first cook.

The Badger Barrel ships with the cooker, charcoal basket with built-in ash pan, stainless steel meat hooks, a grill grate, a hanging rack, a hook remover, and a starter rub. Everything needed for the first cook is included.

Choose the Badger Barrel if you want a smaller patio footprint than the 18.5 inch Pit Barrel Cooker, prefer a mid-sized capacity, or want the unique features specific to this model. The standard 18.5 inch Pit Barrel Cooker remains the more popular choice for most buyers due to its larger capacity and longer track record.