BRADLEY SMOKER | "Taste the Great Outdoors"

Bradley Smokers => The Black Bradley Smoker (BTIS1) => Topic started by: harleyr warrior on March 07, 2016, 05:36:28 PM

Title: Advice appreciated Bradlley smoker
Post by: harleyr warrior on March 07, 2016, 05:36:28 PM
Well I bought a Bradlley a little before  thanksgiving and right  off the  bat I knew the heat source  is insufficient. I did a 750 Watt Mod and put better insulation  in back and heat resistant  wire. Put extra heat shield in back and was very happy with the results. Smoked periods of 8 hrs somtimes.  Element  died in about 2 months max. Weekends  only. Thought  about a 900 watt element and a convention oven fan mounted on side opposite puck burner at about same height. I have researched a little and found 900 watt element  is 12 inches long 750 Watt element  is 10 inches long. I could  mount either but would had to mod a little for 900. 750 bolt right in. My question  with fan will 750 heat better or not as hot?  Would I remain happy with 750 or 900 is what I should use?. Second  mounting low would it blow ash from puck burner all over meat of directly across from it?  Any suggestions  appreciated . Thanks in advance.  One more question . The money  I stick in this is it worth it or should I buy a better made one? I love the puck burner. I have thought about building  my own and using puck burner with it

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Title: Re: Advice appreciated Bradlley smoker
Post by: Orion on March 07, 2016, 06:20:38 PM
I'd go with the 900 watt element if you can make it fit. I placed my fan on the back wall slightly below second rack from the bottom. I get much better heat distribution now and faster drying of jerky or sausage prior to applying smoke.

http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=36796.0
Title: Re: Advice appreciated Bradlley smoker
Post by: harleyr warrior on March 07, 2016, 10:16:45 PM
Thanks. So does the fan dry out meat that you want to stay moist  quicker?  Will the fan make it cook faster?  I was installing fan ti keep element  cooler because the info I read said I that's why element  burn up. If element  last a year or so I'd  be like no biggie but two months I need to change my set up.  I could have gotten bad element but not believing  that. 900 wouldn't  be that hard to do. With the 700 u was able to adjust temp with dial. It was pretty easy to do. If I get the 900 watt am I gonna be able to adjust with dial or am I going to have to get a pid? I smoke chicken, ribs, turkey, Boston butt. I haven't any issues  yet. I realize with  certain  foods  I wull need the pid. Thats a new world for me and one I wull surely explore one day but hopefully  I will have smoke working flawless  by then. Alot people have 2 or 3 smokers. You have one quit on you during a smoke that would come in handy. Another thing, convention stove fan. Can 900 watt and fan be supplied  by puck  burner or is that too much power? Do you run the fan the whole time you smoke?  U know about 10 amp fuse in the back of smoker but it only protects element  the way it's wired. I don't want to burn puck burner up because  I'm drawing  to much juice (watts, amp  ) from it. The puck burner is what i like most about bradlley.  The rest is just a minature  fridge made unto smoke box. I'm  sorry but that what I see. A well insulated stainless  steel smoker box would  be a plus for it. I know the smokin-it  has stainless  steel box but now impressed with the smoke generator.

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Title: Re: Advice appreciated Bradlley smoker
Post by: harleyr warrior on March 08, 2016, 05:40:58 PM
Sorry so many questions.  I think I know most of them. I work night shift so I reply at weird hours and phone don't  always  put what I say.

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Title: Re: Advice appreciated Bradlley smoker
Post by: beefmann on March 09, 2016, 06:18:31 AM
here is a thought and what i did with my 900 watt heater  mod

http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=17329.msg209917#msg209917

if you  look at the specs of the elements,,, the  max temp is 1200 F... so no they do not get  hotter,,,, the difference between the 750 watt and the 900 watt is the 900 watt provides  more heat,,, meaning the additional 150 watts provides more BTU making the box recover faster and have higher temps...

hope this gives you  some insight
Title: Re: Advice appreciated Bradlley smoker
Post by: harleyr warrior on March 09, 2016, 01:01:04 PM
Thanks alot beefmann

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Title: Re: Advice appreciated Bradlley smoker
Post by: harleyr warrior on March 21, 2016, 09:42:52 PM
Here is the finished project with 900 watt mod
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160322/4c6145d74dccc4cbc3172a42ae151270.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160322/8ee11355498d775cfbc78997ef15185c.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160322/d8a1fe46a2a978042d9d01309e150214.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160322/43e6e43d5ef728b0e3a2037302e1fe82.jpg) (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160322/864332546ee5baa6be8cbe45f43c2b45.jpg)

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Title: Re: Advice appreciated Bradlley smoker
Post by: oldsmoker on March 22, 2016, 08:45:23 AM
IS that wood behind your fan?  asking for a fire with 900wt heater if that's wood. and chemicals in wood could cause bad taste and sure not good for your health. just my thought
Title: Re: Advice appreciated Bradlley smoker
Post by: TedEbear on March 22, 2016, 09:39:20 AM
It looks like dirty sheet metal.  If you look at the sides you can see the ends are bent out at about a 45 degree angle.
Title: Re: Advice appreciated Bradlley smoker
Post by: harleyr warrior on March 22, 2016, 12:23:56 PM
It's metal behind element used as heat shield.  Kiln insulation  between  back wall and outer wall.

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Title: Re: Advice appreciated Bradlley smoker
Post by: oldsmoker on March 22, 2016, 04:17:13 PM
Sorry my mistake. Great looking work.
Title: Re: Advice appreciated Bradlley smoker
Post by: harleyr warrior on March 22, 2016, 06:26:38 PM
Well i studied everyone's mods and took a little different  approach  works like a charm. Smoke is good and so is heat distribution.

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Title: Re: Advice appreciated Bradlley smoker
Post by: ghosttown on May 25, 2016, 08:08:10 PM
Where did you end up getting the parts for the Fan? I already did the 900 watt last year with a pid and I love it. Wouldn't the fan being right behind the element cool it? Compare to others that add the fan between the vtray.

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Title: Re: Advice appreciated Bradlley smoker
Post by: Gafala on May 25, 2016, 08:59:06 PM
I did the 900 watt, Auber PID about 2 1/2 years ago and have never had a problem I didn't do the fan mod.

Title: Re: Advice appreciated Bradlley smoker
Post by: harleyr warrior on May 25, 2016, 09:20:39 PM
I bought fan off eBay. 18 to 20 bucks came with the proper copasitor.  Was new from a damaged unit. Element  I bought from Granger. Got a piece  of sheet metal to put on back of smoker inside to stiffen it up got 3 or 4 inch bolts and 6 nuts to tighten element  in place. I am able to use v shield without cutting on it element  is farther away from wall but v shield protects it. Fan has shaft long enough  to be mounted  on outside of unit with blade on inside behind element.  If you do this mount element  and fan where you don't  have to cut v shield.  I have smoked the hell out of things . Smoked 3 chickens  for 5 hrs at 220. Taste tender . Meat would melt in your mouth. Distribution  of heat is exelant.  And yes element  stays cooler. Chicken on top as done  as one on bottom

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Title: Re: Advice appreciated Bradlley smoker
Post by: philliprossignol on May 30, 2016, 04:55:08 PM
We're in Canada can I get a 900 wat I've got a Bradley an can't get it above 145 never have even new

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Title: Re: Advice appreciated Bradlley smoker
Post by: harleyr warrior on May 30, 2016, 08:04:05 PM
Granger  probably  ship to Canada. Go to thier website. I'm  sure they will.

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Title: Re: Advice appreciated Bradlley smoker
Post by: CRussel on May 30, 2016, 09:18:41 PM
The Canadian Grainger company is Ackland Grainger. www.acklandgrainger.com
Title: Re: Advice appreciated Bradlley smoker
Post by: Habanero Smoker on May 31, 2016, 02:04:28 AM
Quote from: philliprossignol on May 30, 2016, 04:55:08 PM
We're in Canada can I get a 900 wat I've got a Bradley an can't get it above 145 never have even new

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Hi Phillip;

Are you referring to Fahrenheit or Celsius?

If you are referring to Fahrenheit, when the temperature is that low, it is usually because your element is not working at all. What troubleshooting techniques did you use to try to resolve the problem. If you state what model you have it would be easier for us to assist you. You can click on the link below for tips and troubleshooting ideas. Also if you are looking for help in fixing the problem, and not modifying your smoker, it would be best for you to start a new thread.
Bradley FAQ's (http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?960-Bradley-Smoker-FAQ-s&p=1409#post1409)

If you are referring to Celsius; that is a very good temperature, and you don't want to go much higher.
Title: Re: Advice appreciated Bradlley smoker
Post by: philliprossignol on May 31, 2016, 02:54:34 AM
150 Fahrenheit I try ed moving the wires to no avail.

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Title: Re: Advice appreciated Bradlley smoker
Post by: philliprossignol on May 31, 2016, 06:56:33 AM
The model number of the smokers is BT151 or 1S1

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Title: Re: Advice appreciated Bradlley smoker
Post by: KyNola on May 31, 2016, 08:46:47 AM
Try unplugging the short power jumper cable at both ends and then very firmly plug it back in..  Sounds like your heating element is not getting power.  The jumper cable has to be really firmly plugged in.
Title: Re: Advice appreciated Bradlley smoker
Post by: Habanero Smoker on May 31, 2016, 01:03:18 PM
Your model is probably the BT1S1, the Original Black Bradley smoker. Is the temperature adjustment under the door? If resetting the plugs don't work you may try the following.

If the temperature adjustment is below the door, the other possibilities could be the temperature circuit board may have shorted out. If there are any cracks above or near the temperature adjuster, water or other fluids can seep in and short out that circuit board. If that happens you will not get power to the element.

If the power light by the temp slider is not working it could mean no power going to the cabinet, or power is going to the cabinet, but is cut off by either a faulty temperature circuit board, or the fusible link has blown, or you tripped the over temperature sensor and that sensor failed to set.

If that light is on, then it is likely that your element is no good.