Bradley original smoker?

[phaz]

I used it last week at 65 deg outside and the int temp was 225 and today at 50 deg it won't get above 180 deg. Well should I try a second element or is there a better smoker to look at?
Thanks phaz

 

[chisoxjim]

I had a binkman electric back in the day, almost made me give up smoking.

Id recommend a smoker but Im starting to sound like a broken record with the one Id recommend, just check out some of my posts for what i use and love.

good luck.

 

[phaz]

How accurate is the propane ones and how often do you have too add wood?
phaz

 

[acemakr]

If I've learned anything here it's that SMF members are passionate about their hobby and equipment. If you weren't, you'd already have found a replacement. You and I both know that's not going to happen. Talk up the WSM all you want.

 

[chisoxjim]

I had a propane GOSM, worked pretty well after I changed out the chip pan with a cast iron pan. Was able to go maybe 3 hours without adding any lump or wood to the pan.

I recently sold my gasser.

 

[gsmoke]

I did a rack of ribs in my bradly yesterday here in michigan at 36 degrees outside and was able to hold 230 for 6 hours. With Jeffs Rub they were great.

 

[forluvofsmoke]

I don't run electric rigs, but this sounds like a faulty termination (electrical connection), possibly between the controller and the element. It just seems strange that it would do fine one smoke, then have trouble on the next with little ambient temp difference. If it's heating at all, the element is fine...they either work or they don't.

I'd check wiring and maybe the controller function if you can. Put a volt meter on the terminals leading to the element and get a reading when it is heating. Should be about 120VAC, if much lower, there could be a resistor built into the controller, but not likely.

If using an extension cord, make sure it is of the proper AWG size for the amount of amperage/watts the smoker is rated for. This is a common mistake...too light of a cord, and it won't carry the current required by the appliance, so the appliance will not operate at it's full potential.

I won't go into recommending a possible replacement smoker, as there are so many makes and types to consider. I like the rigs I have, and use them for particular smokes as they may do me a better job than another. Or, one may be just a standby or backup if I just can't fit everything into one rig that day. Or, maybe I want a charcoal fired smoke for that really great flavor and color to the meats. Really cold and ugly weather? No problem...I'll just go the easy route and fire up a gasser.

Good luck!

Eric

 

[deltadude]

There is a lot of questions that need to be asked 1st..
• How old is this smoker? What is the model #?
• Have you been smoking meat long or is this your first smoker?
• Did you call Bradley and discuss the problem with them?
• What is the cost of a replacement element?

Give us a few more specifics and then a suggestion may make sense.

 

[beer-b-q]

Owning a Bradley Digital 6 rack and hating it, I would say you got one of their Junk machines like I did. I have not been able to get mine past 200º so I don't use it. It has been used a total of 3 smokes and I intend to replace it with an MES 400 from Sam's Club for $299.00 + $39.00 for additional 3yr warranty...

The Bradley smokers are under powered with only a 500 watt element and the proprietary pucks make them expensive to use.

The MES has a 1200 watt element and uses chips or chuncks which can be found cheap anywhere.

MES

Bradley

 

[mr mac]

While mine wasn't a Bradley or a MES, I'm sure glad I left the world of electric smokers. I may still adapt my ECB to hold their 1500 watt element but I haven't found the need for it just yet. Been a gas man for the past several months and have loved every minute of it.

 

[teesquare]

Having used gas, and wood...I actually bought a Bradley  3 years ago. And I will not look back. It has performed flawlessly - until this year, and I had to replace the oven heating element. Less and 30 bucks - with shipping, so I can't see that as an issue. It will push over 250F, if I need - even on cold days ( I live in the Blue Ridge, at approx. 3000 ft. - yeah - we have real winters sometimes)

Bottom line for me is - they ALL work, *if* you understand each types of smoker's weaknesses and strengths.

BeerBQ- sorry to hear you got one that must have been made on "free liquor Friday"

. I will say that customer service has been awesome with Bradley, really fast to answer questions. And - the cost of their "bisquettes" ( thru Wally-World) is about  90 cents to $1 per hour. So- again, I dont see that as a big deal even if I am using it very often. And I do!

T