Hi Thought I would pass on a couple of modifications that I've made to my Bradley 6-rack digital smoker. Living in NC North Dakota I wanted some shelter for my smoker so that I could use it year round. I put it in a storage shed (right next to my beer fridge) and vented it with a water heater chimney. Prior to buying my Bradley I had a circular electric smoker. I took the unit from this and mounted it between the bottom rack and the drip pan. This helps alot for pre-heating and allows me to smoke larger batches. I presently have about 25 pounds of pork loin in it that will be Canadian bacon in a couple of hours. I cut a hole on the right hand side of the Bradley and my controls are very handy. If you decide to try this make sure you seal the area well. Using the added heater takes away the ability to set your timers and walk away, but I think most of us are active rather than passive smokers anyway. Hope this may be of some help to others.
DS, welcome to the forum. Can you take some pictures and post them on what you have done. Thanks CRG
Having problems inserting photos. Any tips??
Try this link to get your pictures going.
http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showpost.php?p=768&postcount=11
Kevin
Thanks Kevin.
(http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad306/charliecool11/000_0201.jpg)
(http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad306/charliecool11/000_0202.jpg)
(http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad306/charliecool11/000_0203.jpg)
(http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad306/charliecool11/000_0204.jpg)
DS, that is nice... have you had to worry about flare ups? If you set and leave your add on coil, then why couldn't the pid controll the temp with the Bradley heating element?
Under some circumstances it does work, but it seems that until the the Bradley can take over on it's own the heating element needs tweaking to keep the temp close to the desired level.
I can not tell from the pic, Did you replave your V tray with a flat tray?
Nope
interesting concept
Hello,
How well does the vent work for you.I tdoes not look like it has to go too high.
Joe.
Hi Joe, The stack is about 2 1/2 feet high. It works well.
Do you remember any of the capabilites of the heating element you added when it was in the old unit? Like how hot it will heat up to, etc.
The indicator on the control goes up to 450.
Did you plug into same fuse box as the bradley or have to split them?
It's on the same circuit, and it taxes it. Have only had it kick out once in maybe 50 hours, but it dims my flourescent lite when the auxilliary heater kicks in.
when I made a permanent home for my Bradley and Traeger,I ran a dedicated line to them,this way,I can run a few things without worry.Before,I had to use extension cords.
Joe.
Quote from: Dakota Smoker on October 11, 2009, 11:51:36 AM
It's on the same circuit, and it taxes it. Have only had it kick out once in maybe 50 hours, but it dims my flourescent lite when the auxilliary heater kicks in.
You may want to seperate them due to the circuit board of you dbs.
I like what you did, not so much for my Bradley but for a project I have been thinking about. Thanks