I've been intrigued by the cheese that all of you've been smoking and wanted to try it for myself. I bought the cold smoker attachment made by Bradley and went to hook it up, but the pipe completely unraveled. I tried to put it back together, but had no luck. Has anybody else had this problem and found a solution?
Kevin
Kevin I don't have a CS Adapter but I think I remember someone saying that you could get 4 inch metal flex duct to work. Or just turn on your smoke generator and leave the heater off, put a tray of ice on the bottom rack and cold smoke that way. I do and it works pretty good
Quote from: Tenpoint5 on October 07, 2009, 07:32:59 PM
Kevin I don't have a CS Adapter but I think I remember someone saying that you could get 4 inch metal flex duct to work. Or just turn on your smoke generator and leave the heater off, put a tray of ice on the bottom rack and cold smoke that way. I do and it works pretty good
Thanks, just found the thread. I must have skipped over it.
Kevin
Hey Kevin I went with the temporary cold smoker option
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af233/quarlow/Picture009.jpg)
(note: cat body dettaches to enable attaching Bradley smoke generator) and I used 4" aluminum dryer pipe. This works really well.
Quote from: Quarlow on October 07, 2009, 07:49:19 PM
Hey Kevin I went with the temporary cold smoker option
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af233/quarlow/Picture009.jpg)
(note: cat body dettaches to enable attaching Bradley smoke generator) and I used 4" aluminum dryer pipe. This works really well.
I like the setup, but don't think smoked cat would taste too good. Good thing it's detachable! ;D
Who carries that dryer pipe, I haven't seen it anywhere? (Of course I haven't needed to look for it till now).
Kevin
If it happened that soon after you bought it, call Brian.
Kevin, you should be able to get that a good hardware, building supply or appliance dealer. I have some that I bought a Menards. But, now that I think about it, It seems like there was a post that what comes with the cold smoker attachment is smaller than 4" so that may change things. Might try and contact Brian about that.
Sorry I'm not familiar with him, is his number one of the numbers on the Bradley Website?
Kevin
Kevin
Brian from Bradley is also the forum moderator here on the forum but certainly just call Bradley's head office and ask for him. Their customer service really is second to none and they will look after you.
Mike
Yes he is a real good guy. In fact I will be having coffee at his house on friday when I go there to pick up the beta testing DBS. Atleast I will if he sends me his address. Yuk yuk.
Thanks, I'll give it a try in the A.M.
Kevin
Quote from: Quarlow on October 07, 2009, 07:49:19 PM
Hey Kevin I went with the temporary cold smoker option
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af233/quarlow/Picture009.jpg)
(note: cat body dettaches to enable attaching Bradley smoke generator) and I used 4" aluminum dryer pipe. This works really well.
I just love that picture Q and remember the original story. What kind of cat is that? And, don't say "smoked". It looks like our Maine Coon.
Oh yeah, cold smoking. I made a temporary setup with 4 inch plastic dryer vent hose and it worked well. I'm going to be looking into something more permanent.
Hey KevinG
same exact thing happened to me as soon as I wanted to hook it up to my smoker. It did not just get unraveled but it broke in a couple of places in addition to the fact that when my CS was assembled some one did not pay attention to try and seal and fasten it in a way so all what you would have to do is pull up and turn it 90 degrees to the right and hook up to the tower. I eventually had it replaced but with a 5 inch metal flex duct and now it is perfect. As a matter of fact I am building an enclosure with a permanent cold smoke setting in mind.
One thing you should be on the lookout for though, the sensor cable between the smoke generator and the tower is to short to accommodate the CS adaptor. You should have received a very small plug the you plug into the SG's back to fool it to think it is connected to the tower. Otherwise, you would get a fault (E1) on your generator. Mine did not come with that but Brian sent it one immediately plus an extra sensor wire in case I want to splice them together.
HR
Kevin;
As a fast solution, if you have a 4" flexible dryer hose around you can use that. The 4" hose will fit perfectly over the lip that extends from the top of the cold smoking box. A clamp would be useful, but I found it is not needed. The other end of the hose will fit perfectly through the side of the smoker cabinet. The plastic or laminated aluminum hoses work best for this type of setup.
The only thing I had laying around was some aluminum foil. I had to try to create a tube out of it by wrapping around the sections that were still in tact. It sort of worked, but it won't stay in place too good. I was hesitant to use tape, because I didn't know how hot it would get. It also collapses at the slightest touch. Hopefully I can get a new section.
Kevin
Quotebut the pipe completely unraveled.
The same happened to me, I think Bradley need to look at the quality of the hose supplied with the cold smoke adaptor as it seems to unravel far too easily and there have been several reports here on the forum alone of this happening.
I didn't bother getting a replacement from Bradley as I could see the same thing happening, I bought a more substantial aluminium hose and fitted that instead.
Had a bit of a problem getting the right diameter but once I that sorted all has been well. :)
Yea, I talked to Brian. Great guy! He said at least for my problem was that they used tape to attach the aluminum tube to the connecting plates, which made it impossible to turn when it didn't line up correctly even with loosening the hose clamps. He said the new models will not have the tape on them. I kind of agree with you though also about the type of tubing, but I don't know what else is out there that will flex like this does.
Kevin
Someone posted a link to flexible tubing (I believe they were made of silicon). I planned on purchasing some, as soon as I determine how much I need. I thought I bookmarked the thread, but now I can't seem to find it.
Quote from: Habanero Smoker on October 08, 2009, 01:52:37 PM
Someone posted a link to flexible tubing (I believe they were made of silicon). I planned on purchasing some, as soon as I determine how much I need. I thought I bookmarked the thread, but now I can't seem to find it.
I remember seeing that one, it was twl. Here's a link to it. http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=11046.0
Excellent! Looks like it might work a little better than the standard. If the new one Brian sends out unravels again, I think I'll order one of them.
Kevin
Well the cat, to me it is just a cat, but the elitist's in my house say she is a " Long haired tabby cat". The pipe I got from the Home depot and it fits inside the tower opening just perfect. The other end I got a 4" fishlock collar from Home depot and cut a hole in the top of the box and slipped it in from inside the box and then slipped the aluminum pipe over that which kept it from detaching from the box. I am now on the hunt for a 10 gallon hydraulic tank or some thing similar. Actually something aluminum or stainless would be good.
Quote from: Quarlow on October 08, 2009, 07:37:06 PM
Well the cat, to me it is just a cat, but the elitist's in my house say she is a " Long haired tabby cat". The pipe I got from the Home depot and it fits inside the tower opening just perfect. The other end I got a 4" fishlock collar from Home depot and cut a hole in the top of the box and slipped it in from inside the box and then slipped the aluminum pipe over that which kept it from detaching from the box. I am now on the hunt for a 10 gallon hydraulic tank or some thing similar. Actually something aluminum or stainless would be good.
The difference is that the Bradley cold smoker has a different size hose than what is easy to get. I think it a 3 " If you make your own cold smoker, the 4" works well.
Well it just so happens that they make the aluminum flex pipe in 3".
Hard to find though.
QuoteHe said at least for my problem was that they used tape to attach the aluminum tube to the connecting plates, which made it impossible to turn when it didn't line up correctly even with loosening the hose clamps.
I agree, sure the tape is part of the problem. I stripped all the tape off when I fitted the replacement hose but I do think they need a better quality hose as well.
Besides problems with the type of hose that came with the Bradley, my main problem is I need something more flexible; like plastic, or laminated foil or the flex hose. Mine will have to bend in a lazy "S" shape.
I used the cardboard box for years and still occasionally use it with a 4" laminated foil hose. The Bradley hose is an odd size, it's between 4.75" - 5" in diameter, so you will need a 5" hose if you are replacing the hose on the Bradley Cold Smoke Adapter.
QuoteMine will have to bend in a lazy "S" shape.
Thinks we have discussed this before Habs but I too needed a lazy "S" shape and the original hose supplied was simply not long enough.
QuoteBradley hose is an odd size, it's between 4.75" - 5" in diameter, so you will need a 5" hose if you are replacing the hose on the Bradley Cold Smoke Adapter.
A very good point, I ended up getting a 5" hose which is a tad too big. Managed to sort it out when I clamped it to the adaptors but it does not look quite a tidy as I would like.
I'm kind of curious on the plastic hoses, won't they put a strange flavor on the meat, or dry out and crack from the smoke?
Kevin
I used a plastic 4 inch dryer vent hose for mine. I can't comment on the flavor yet. I did cheese and I'm still in my 'probationary' period.
One advantage is that I can buy a 10 foot piece and cut it in half. So, it's easily replaceable in case anything bad happens to it. Actually, though, the hose takes much more heat when hooked to a dryer.
QuoteThe Bradley hose is an odd size, it's between 4.75" - 5" in diameter, so you will need a 5" hose if you are replacing the hose on the Bradley Cold Smoke Adapter.
Maybe you can find or get an adapter made to go from 5" to 4" and then use a heavy duty dryer vent hose like I use. Just a thought.
Quote from: pensrock on October 09, 2009, 09:02:40 AM
QuoteThe Bradley hose is an odd size, it's between 4.75" - 5" in diameter, so you will need a 5" hose if you are replacing the hose on the Bradley Cold Smoke Adapter.
Maybe you can find or get an adapter made to go from 5" to 4" and then use a heavy duty dryer vent hose like I use. Just a thought.
I haven't checked the internet yet, but I've looked in local hardware and big box stores. The closest I could find was an adapter for 6" to 4".
Manxman;
I recall that conversation. Not only the length is a problem, but the flexible metal hose was not flexible enough.
KevinG,
New out of the package there may be a slight plastic odor, but if you have concerns just season the hose prior to placing anything in the smoker. I haven't use a fully plastic hose. In my area they mainly sell the laminated foil hose. That is aluminum foil, laminated between two sheets of clear plastic.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/Formatted/Misc/th_Hose.jpg) (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/Formatted/Misc/Hose.jpg) Click to enlarge.
Laminated foil hose.
I looked around the internet and also found 6-4 round as the closest.
Habs, good idea to season the PVC dryer duct hose. I didn't think of that. My cheese isn't ready to try yet but I'll give an opinion when it's ready. I gave a couple of hunks away to friends. So, if they start throwing them at me I'll figure the plastic didn't work. ;)
I am going to Home depot and I will let you know if they have something like that.
It's definitely available. Here is a link to 5" at Ace Hardware...
http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(imrpdwunaz1ibh4511om1545)/productDetails.aspx?SKU=47750
There are numerous companies that sell Aluminum Duct Reducer/Increaser/Adapters from one size to another as well. Here is a link to one cataloge. If you snoop through it you will find all sorts of Reducer/Increaser/Adapters.
http://www.standexadp.com/pdf/catsnappy.pdf
Mike
Quote from: Habanero Smoker on October 09, 2009, 01:48:36 PM
Quote from: pensrock on October 09, 2009, 09:02:40 AM
QuoteThe Bradley hose is an odd size, it's between 4.75" - 5" in diameter, so you will need a 5" hose if you are replacing the hose on the Bradley Cold Smoke Adapter.
Maybe you can find or get an adapter made to go from 5" to 4" and then use a heavy duty dryer vent hose like I use. Just a thought.
I haven't checked the internet yet, but I've looked in local hardware and big box stores. The closest I could find was an adapter for 6" to 4".
Manxman;
I recall that conversation. Not only the length is a problem, but the flexible metal hose was not flexible enough.
KevinG,
New out of the package there may be a slight plastic odor, but if you have concerns just season the hose prior to placing anything in the smoker. I haven't use a fully plastic hose. In my area they mainly sell the laminated foil hose. That is aluminum foil, laminated between two sheets of clear plastic.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/Formatted/Misc/th_Hose.jpg) (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/Formatted/Misc/Hose.jpg) Click to enlarge.
Laminated foil hose.
The aluminum wrapped sounds like a better solution than just the plastic. Seasoning would definitely be a benefit also.
Kevin
OK folks here is what I found.
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af233/quarlow/parts001.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af233/quarlow/parts002.jpg)
The first item is a 4"to 5" plain reducer.
Then we got the 5" by 8' flex aluminum dryer pipe. Plus they 4" and 6" flex pipe.
They also had other sizes of these reducers. So if you can't find them let me know and we can figure something out to get ya one.
It's kind of hard to see the flex duct in the photo, did you happen to notice if it was wrapped like the Bradley duct, or is it set up so it can't unravel? If you didn't notice - no biggie, I'll head out to HD tomorrow and see if they have it by me.
Kevin
This is the same pipe I used for my cold box. It is not a laminated material. It is all aluminum more like automotive exhaust flex pipe. It is about 3' long when you get it and if you want it longer you just stretch it and it bends however you want it to.I'll take a pic of mine and post it.
here is my pipe.
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af233/quarlow/parts007.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af233/quarlow/parts006.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af233/quarlow/parts005.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af233/quarlow/parts004.jpg)
As you can see it is quiteflexible.
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af233/quarlow/Picture009.jpg)
Thanks for the pics!
Kevin
hey no problem Kevin.