Smokers Again.

[rocstar]

Back to talking about Smokers again. The string down below has grown a bit long and off the subject so I thought I would start it back up. I spent the better part of two hours today tearing into a Bradley. It actually belongs to a cousin of mine and I saw it in action only once and was a bit impressed by the automatic puck feed and the two heating elements. Wouldn't you know when I borrowed it to smoke some sticks this weekend things aren't going too well. This smoker has had very limited use and right now I would say it is ready for the scrap bin. It is impressive looking but I'm more inclined to look for a more well designed/sturdy unit.

To me the Bradley has a poorly designed door hinge, particularly the top hinge pin. If you have one, be careful and gentle with opening the door as if you let it swing open hard all the way by itself, it won't be long and the top hinge pin seat, which is plastic inside the door will be broke. The magnetic door gaskets also are tender and if you leave it out in an unheated garage, it won't be long and they will be cracked.

Now there is something wrong with the second heating element or the wiring to it and that doesn' work, which pretty much renders the unit useless.

As has been said many times, they just don't make things any more the way they use to. To me the Bradley is a fairly spendy unit to buy and operate and if you have one, treat it tenderly as it won't take much abuse. Been hearing you guys talk about the Masterbuilt. What's your take on them? I'm in the market and don't want to be doing this every other year.

[eyeguy 54]

I spose it depends on how much you use them as to how long they last. Had my master for about a year now I think and still doing fine and easy to use. I like to run it for an hour at about 250 when i am done smoking something with the vent open to dry it out some.

[rocstar]

For those of you with Brandley Smokers, if you don't know already, you can go to Bradleysmoker.com and there is a User's Forum that is extremely helpful in dealing with common problems. Just like here, lots of helpful people out there willing to share their experiences. I got mine figured out and it all came down to a part that costs about $0.15 That is if you buy 500 of them from China. Otherwise you get to buy one for about $5 from your appliance repair guy.

[lakeshoremunster]

Glad I didnt get that smoker, when I was shopping it was between that and the masterbuilt smoker. I chose the masterbuilt because I saw the price of those pucks and didnt want to have to always buy them and run out of them in the middle of a smoke, also why I went with an eletric.

Ive had the masterbuilt for just over a year, got it for xmas in 2011. Its only been inside the house once and that was the unboxing. Its holding up pretty well. Only issue I see with it is the paint around the vent is starting to wrinkle a bit.

[rocstar]

What type of experience do you guys have with using your electric smokers during the winter? I did sticks last night with an older Bradley and outdoor temps around 15 to 20 degrees with little or no wind. Running wide open for three hours it never made it above 150 degrees, which is where I wanted it but had to finish my sticks off in the oven after smoking.

[OnAFly]

I've gotten mine up to 250F without much problem in 20F. It's a masterbuilt digital. Seems to go fine in the winter.

[otterman91105]

I have a masterbuilt digital eletric smoker and it works fine in cold temps and holds the heat. Smoked a pork butt last weekend and it worked fine.

[Leaky]

According to my cooking log, during my initial run with the Masterbuilt digital, it was -10 outside, no wind. Heated up to 225 in about 25 minutes and held that temp for a pork butt. Kept the vent half way open for the whole cook.

[DonBo]

I'm certain it depends on weather your smoker is insulated or not. Some of the cheaper ones are not. If yours is not insulated, then yes, you may have problems during the winter months getting the temp up where you want it.

[KEN W]

I don't have a problem with my Masterbuilt unless it is really cold.Then it won't start up.I just bring it into the house and let it warm up for an hour.Once it starts it holds temp with no problem.

[OnAFly]

I've heard you can take a hair dryer and blow hot air on the thermocouple to get it to start up in the cold.