I ran a cord from inside the house out to the smoker. It seems to work fine now since it's not on a GFI circuit. It's really strange because I had used that GFI circuit several times before with the same smoker. Thanks for the help everyone.
At what point do you replace the gfci because it's faulty? Anyone know of a device to test the gfci?I was having the same issue with my gfci, after talking to an electrician he suggested I replace the gfci since after it trips a couple times makes it a ot easier to trip. Replaced it and haven' had any issues since.
xNo difference... either wire, either end of the heating element... Clean the ends well, use fine sandpaper to clean off the corrosion... New wire ends or solder the wires directly to the element lugs, that will prevent lousy contact... don't worry about the element melting the solder, the ends do not get hot... The heat comes from resistance... no resistance in the first 1/2" of the element.. or not enough to get to ... "Solder is a metal alloy that is fusible. The kind typically used in electrical soldering melts at 370 degrees Fahrenheit..."
Ok so I got a solder gun and here is my first attempt at soldering. The connections feel pretty good and it appears to be working ok. Now should I put electrical tape around it all before I close her up?It's the best... Removes the possibility of a loose or corroded connection, which cause the problem in the first place... If you get a small soldering iron, clean the tip, coat the newly cleaned tip by adding solder to a hot tip, then lightly wipe with a wet/damp paper tower.. do the same to the resistance wire inside the element... that process is called "tinning".. then put the two wires together and solder.... then cover with some high temp electrical tape... I use fiberglass electrical tape... wrap the solder joint well, and you are golden... probably forever... my fixed elec. joint's been running for 6 years... .
Cleaning the wire ends with sand paper is a big deal so, take care to clean them well first... when tinning, the ends should take the solder well... that's a sign they are clean... then the solder will take well.. the solder should be shiny.. shine like a "diamond in a goats butt"....