I want to start by telling you that I clean my V-tray regargless of how dirty after each smoke.
Last nite while this http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=17579.0 was smoking I
got a weird feeling and went out and looked at the smoker. Everything seemed normal and the
smoke was going good. I was smoking 4 meatloafs (about 10 lbs worth) and a 3lb chuck roast.
As i was shutting the door I happen to glace at my V-tray. I got out a flashlite and took a closer
look. I ran in the House and got another V-tray and switched them out. This is what was there:
(http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af165/classicrockgriller/Brisket/Brisket%20Meatloaf/SDC10634.jpg)
Wasn't anybody's fault. The stuff I was smoking was so juicy that the V-tray got stopped up
and the hole was clogged. It actually had more liquids in when I took it out, some drained out
during the nite.
So on a LONG smoke do yourself a favor and take a peek at your V-tray every now and then.
I was reading Pachanga's post on Smoking 4 briskets and he stated that 1/2 thru the smoke
or so, he scrapes down his v-tray so that everything drains properly.
Good advice. And you may have just saved yourself a fire. Not sure what temp you were smoking but with that grease on the V tray was sure a good fuel source.
good point to bring up, i have had similar issues and scrap off the v tray when it gets that way
was smoking at 240*
Good catch Sonny. ;)
I always keep a 1 inch putty knife by my smoker for that reason. Anytime I have the door open I always check the V-pan and give it a quick scrape when necessary.
Mike
Nice save
I found the problem I think.
This is the V-tray all cleaned up.
(http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af165/classicrockgriller/Brisket/Brisket%20Meatloaf/SDC10646.jpg)
I got the V-tray from my other smoker and compared them. The one I used yesterday is on top.
(http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af165/classicrockgriller/Brisket/Brisket%20Meatloaf/SDC10650.jpg)
(http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af165/classicrockgriller/Brisket/Brisket%20Meatloaf/SDC10640.jpg)
(http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af165/classicrockgriller/Brisket/Brisket%20Meatloaf/SDC10642.jpg)
(http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af165/classicrockgriller/Brisket/Brisket%20Meatloaf/SDC10643.jpg)
I'll make that hole bigger before I use that tray again.
That's not right, mine didn't come with any money.
Quote from: KevinG on August 25, 2010, 06:35:04 PM
That's not right, mine didn't come with any money.
That was the rebate amount.
I just checked mine, and it's like the smaller one in your first picture.
Thanks for post. really I have never checked mine. All I know is its a pain to clean up. I usually use SOS pad. Still its nasty to clean.
Quote from: Mailman on August 25, 2010, 07:30:31 PM
Thanks for post. really I have never checked mine. All I know is its a pain to clean up. I usually use SOS pad. Still its nasty to clean.
That one I posted at the start of the pic, I sraped it off and sprayed it with Dawn Power Dissolver and let it sit about 15 minutes
and everything brushed right off. No SOS died in this cleaning.
Good post CRG. If you remember, I actually had a grease fire a while back while doing bacon wrapped chicken on high heat. Although I don't think it started because the hole was clogged but rather because I was using high heat with greasy bacon. Luckily I was sitting by the smoker when it started. I noticed a change in the smell of smoke. I was lucky enough to be able to put it out by closing the door and the vent. Scared the crap outta me though. Think I might get myself a scrapper just in case.
Stretch that hole
How do you stretch stainless steel? Is the tray with the bigger hole a newer tray?
I have had three Bradley Smokers and I guess I never marked which is which.
I have a V-tray that has never been used and it has the larger hole.
I will snip it and bend it I guess cause I don't have a drill bit THAT size.
Believe me I will do something.
Just checked my OBS tray. It is smaller than a penny. I guess I will be making that one bigger. Good post Sonny Thanks.
I'm not saying you have to do it, but you know me .... If I turn on the
smoke gen, the cabinet is gonna be full.
Just be aware of what you smoke!
Think my Momma told me that once. ;D
CRG,
Good post.
When I am doing a large smoke that I start at night, I do clean my tray in the morning when I open the door to make sure nothing crazy is going on. I also empty the water pan (a half size steam table pan that fills the bottom). The water pan is half full of grease drippings along with spent pucks.
I may have been lucky to not have had a fire by now. I may drill additional drip holes on the side opposite the generator as a precaution and widen the original hole. I also may not sleep as well. My Bradley sits on grease soaked deck near a 4 gallon fryer and three propane bottles. There are usually another four gallons of old oil in the area. Things could get interesting.
Thanks for taking the time to post the info and photos.
Pachanga
Good catch and post. Thanks!
I fixed mine today. I found a old wood bit and put a block of wood under it
and drilled that sucker out. I don't think I'll have that problem again but now
I will always be lookin.
(http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af165/classicrockgriller/Brisket/Brisket%20Meatloaf/SDC10653.jpg)
Took about three minutes to fix.
Dang, it's earning interest now.