need help

[hershel3]

i recently purchased a used bradley smoker. I knew nothing about it besides it turns on. It has a hole on the side i found out is for a side load that i did not get. My question is, Is there any way i can use this smoker? maybe block the whole.

 

[old sarge]

Hershel3 - 

Use the search bar at the top of the page and search for Bradley smoker. You might find an answer there. Good luck!

Dave

 

[old sarge]

Here is a link to the owners manual.  From the illustration, it appears that the side unit not only controls the smoker and loads the biscuits, but also contains the heating element. I suppose it might be  salvageable but how much work you will have to put into it for reliable heating and smoking one can only guess.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91NkMF1vgGS.pdf

 

[travisty]

you can buy the smoke generators for them separately but they are pricey! Also the Bradleys use a separate heating element to generate smoke than they do to generate heat. As long as the internal heating element is in-tact and works, you can use it for sure! Just purchase yourself an A-Maze-N pellet smoker (maze for lower elevation and tube for higher) and then use that to generate your smoke, they run just $20-$35 on average. That's what most people on here do anyway even if their smoker does have a smoke source.

As for the hole, if there isn't a way to cover it up that is built into the unit, im sure you could walk around a home depot or lowes and come up with a creative solution to cover it. You'll want something stainless steel if possible, and certainly not anything galvanized. And if you need suggestions perhaps post some pictures of the issue/ hole your trying to fill/ cover and we can try to help/ offer suggestion.

Otherwise if the heating element in the unit doesn't work or isn't there, then you could still use it is a cold smoker, or buy a replacement element to make it a hot smoker.

hope some of that helps

 

[hershel3]

yes sir helped a lot the heating element does work so a 20-30 dollar fix isa lot better than 200. Thank yall.

 

[LanceR]

You might want to use a sheet metal screw to put a pivoting sheet metal cover over the side hole so you can control air flow.  If you just close off the hole your smoke source will go out due to lack ox oxygen and moisture won't be able to escape.  All you'll have is a really moist oven. A flat piece of sheet metal might be harder to get to stay flat than something with a rim like a jar lid.

Another consideration is that when you first put the critter parts in the smoker you want the vents wide open until the surface of the meat dries. 

I have a Bradley given me by a neighbor who got tired of buying the bisquettes and like many others use an AMNS (AKA: A-Maze-N smoker) in 90% or more of the time.

Lance

 

[chef jimmyj]

Definitely make the cover adjustable. Additional air is useful from time to time...JJ

 

[old sarge]

Good advice to salvage what you have.  I did not know the heating element was separate.  Some sheet metal and pop rivets should do the trick of sealing up the side hole.