BRADLEY SMOKER | "Taste the Great Outdoors"

Bradley Smokers => The Digital Smokers (BTDS76P & BTDS108P) => Topic started by: RJ on June 20, 2010, 02:02:09 PM

Title: Don't expose the unit to rain??
Post by: RJ on June 20, 2010, 02:02:09 PM
Just rec'd the Bradley Digital 4 rack for Father's day.  Was incredibly excited about the unit until I read the caution "do not expose the unit to rain". To say I'm shocked is an understatement given that the unit is manufactured in BC which has weather similar to Seattle.  Needless to say if there's real danger in using the unit in a rainy enviroment I'm between a rock and a hard place.   What has been you're experience dealing with this? 
Title: Re: Don't expose the unit to rain??
Post by: GusRobin on June 20, 2010, 02:09:48 PM
may get this twice since I am having technical problems between my chair and the keyboard.  The issue has to due with getting the electronics wet. Many smoke under covered patios, garages, build sheds, or buy a plastic shed fron Home Depot or other home store.
Title: Re: Don't expose the unit to rain??
Post by: StickyDan on June 20, 2010, 02:16:02 PM
Congrats on the BDS.  Yer gonna love it!
Where abouts in BC are you?
Title: Re: Don't expose the unit to rain??
Post by: RJ on June 20, 2010, 02:22:29 PM
Quote from: StickyDan on June 20, 2010, 02:16:02 PM
Congrats on the BDS.  Yer gonna love it!
Where abouts in BC are you?

I'm actually located in Seattle.  100 miles to the south.  Nevertheless the weather is very similar.  I use my webber year around and am hoping to do the same with the bradley.  I just need to get this 'keep it dry thing' figured out.
Title: Re: Don't expose the unit to rain??
Post by: Slamdunk on June 20, 2010, 02:24:04 PM
Sticky, RJ is in Seattle, about 150 miles south of BC.

RJ no problems smoking in the rain, as long as the unit is not exposed to it. Rain will keep the heat down a bit but other than that, you're good to go!
Title: Re: Don't expose the unit to rain??
Post by: StickyDan on June 20, 2010, 02:26:58 PM
I love Seattle.  Always have a blast when I'm there.  Any good BBQ joints down there?  Besides your house?  ;)
Check this out.  Might give you some inspiration.
http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=14245.0
Title: Re: Don't expose the unit to rain??
Post by: RJ on June 20, 2010, 02:38:51 PM
Thanks for the great link and the suggestions.  Time to get busy!
Title: Re: Don't expose the unit to rain??
Post by: classicrockgriller on June 20, 2010, 08:44:38 PM
Must be having flash backs .... thought I read this in another post.

Need to be careful with the wood pucks getting wet .... they can swell and cause

problems with the smoke generator.

Also keep your unused pucks in a non-humid area.
Title: Re: Don't expose the unit to rain??
Post by: ArnieM on June 20, 2010, 09:57:16 PM
Yes, Bradley is in BC but the smoker is manufactured in China.

I have the original (OBS).  It's electrical but not electronic like the digital units.  They have to be kept dry, both for the electronics and as CRG said for the pucks.

I Have a Weber gasser and I can use it in a snow or rain storm - no electricity and no problem with swelling and possibly jamming pucks.

Any simple enclosure (waterproof patio table umbrella?) will work.
Title: Re: Don't expose the unit to rain??
Post by: StickyDan on June 20, 2010, 10:14:51 PM
BC?  wow,  I had no idea that Bradley was located about 15 min from my shop.  Crazy.
Title: Re: Don't expose the unit to rain??
Post by: Indy Smoker on June 21, 2010, 06:34:13 PM
Here's what I built. . .

http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=16550.0
Title: Re: Don't expose the unit to rain??
Post by: Caribou on June 21, 2010, 06:38:14 PM
Quote from: RJ on June 20, 2010, 02:02:09 PM
I read the caution "do not expose the unit to rain". To say I'm shocked
I think that's the idea, we don't want you to get shocked.  ;)
Carolyn
Title: Re: Don't expose the unit to rain??
Post by: mics on August 09, 2010, 07:49:39 PM
rj,i live in  the bonny lake area,so we found a short type outside  garden shed,plastic. think its 3-4 ft deep and 6ft across.we put it on the back deck and set atable inside ,ran the electric from the outside plug into the back of the shed. added a chimney stle vent and its been good to go . leave it out all winter. no problems  so far.
Title: Re: Don't expose the unit to rain??
Post by: bilder on August 14, 2010, 08:34:29 PM
I live in Anchorage and am going to be buying a Bradley in a few weeks.

My plan is to set it up in the garage and run a small chimney pipe from the vent to the outside.  Already have a vent hole in the garage that the prior tenant sealed up with spray foam.  Should be no problem to set the smoker up on the end of my workbench and have at it all winter long.
Title: Re: Don't expose the unit to rain??
Post by: ArnieM on August 15, 2010, 10:02:31 AM
bilder,

You might want to add an inline fan to the duct to help exhaust the moisture.  It will condense in the duct and run back down to the smoker unless it has a little help getting out of there.
Title: Re: Don't expose the unit to rain??
Post by: bilder on August 15, 2010, 01:43:59 PM
Quote from: ArnieM on August 15, 2010, 10:02:31 AM
bilder,

You might want to add an inline fan to the duct to help exhaust the moisture.  It will condense in the duct and run back down to the smoker unless it has a little help getting out of there.

Thanks for the tip!  Will add that to the setup for sure.