BRADLEY SMOKER | "Taste the Great Outdoors"

Bradley Smokers => The Black Bradley Smoker (BTIS1) => Topic started by: mitchf350 on December 01, 2010, 03:39:46 PM

Title: Thinking of buying a OBS tomorrow!
Post by: mitchf350 on December 01, 2010, 03:39:46 PM
 I have been trying to smoke on a Weber kettle grill, I have got pretty good results with my ribs.  (To much of a pain to control temp) So I'm looking for a electric smoker. I'm pretty set on the Obs. My only real concern is How well does the obs work in cold weather? Also I know that smoking on a kettle style grill is not real smoking but how does the taste compare to a obs? Please tell me you can smoke the hell out of meat cause I love a heavy smoke. ;D Im most likley going to go buy one tomorrow if I like what I hear here. Thanks
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a OBS tomorrow!
Post by: ArnieM on December 01, 2010, 03:57:31 PM
Hi Mitch and welcome to the forum.  You'll not likely hear a bunch of bad stuff about the OBS from here.

I have a Weber kettle and a Weber bullet smoker - and have the scars to prove it.

The OBS is simple but is low and slow.  If you used 6 hours of smoke in the kettle, the OBS will do it in 2-3 hours.  The low temp of the hotplate generates lots of smoke.  Cooking at a higher temp yields less smoke.  But low and slow means cooking times are generally longer.

Some people have had problems with the unit but Bradley customer service is some of the best. 

Get back to us with any other questions you might have.  We're here to help and many of us have learned the hard way.
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a OBS tomorrow!
Post by: beefmann on December 01, 2010, 04:10:32 PM
Welcome to the forum

depends on the temperature surrounding the smoker, im in so calif and have  done quite  well smoking over nite when temps have dipped into the  30's others  have had  issues where the  temp  in the  box  never reached in the low  200 because of low temps ..0 to 10 ' with the 500 watt element, one solution is to add more wattage to the smoker to help with that  issue.]

a bradley isa great  smoker and will give you lots of  years  of  service, so ask questions and im sure  others  will  chime in as well

here is my heater mod

http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=17329.0

and timer and controller

http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=17304.0

enjoy
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a OBS tomorrow!
Post by: SL2010 on December 01, 2010, 04:18:10 PM
Here is a good buy   http://www.amazon.com/Jim-Beam-BTDS76JB-Bradley-Digital/dp/B001LK7916
its what i have
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a OBS tomorrow!
Post by: mitchf350 on December 01, 2010, 04:48:43 PM
Good info everyone. Im going to swing by cabelas tomorrow and check it out. I know last week they had the obs for $250. The heater mods look good. I guess ill give it a try in stock form and see how it does. If not I guess I could always do the heater and a Pid. Thanks again Ill keep you all posted.
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a OBS tomorrow!
Post by: wyoduke on December 01, 2010, 06:30:50 PM
I live in northern Wyoming and have not had any heat problems it was -10 and a blanket rapped around it and was great and as far as smoke i have been cutting back my family said it is way stronger with the OBS .
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a OBS tomorrow!
Post by: mitchf350 on December 02, 2010, 10:55:50 AM
Just got back from Cabelas! I bought it. 249.99 cant wait to try it.
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs602.ash2/155429_482487613232_513848232_5817391_1539921_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a OBS tomorrow!
Post by: FLBentRider on December 02, 2010, 10:57:51 AM
Get it seasoned and get smoking!
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a OBS tomorrow!
Post by: mitchf350 on December 02, 2010, 11:59:35 AM
I'm going to season it in a little while. Is there any benefit to seasoning it with multiple flavor pucks? Or should I stick to just one? I bought the variety pack and was thinking of using one of each for seasoning. Will the flavor of the previous smoking session carry over to the next?
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a OBS tomorrow!
Post by: KevinG on December 02, 2010, 12:01:13 PM
Using different pucks will help you to see (or smell) what each one will be like while smoking, but not necessary if you don't want to. The smell won't carry off into the next smoke, it's more for getting rid of the new car smell  ;D
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a OBS tomorrow!
Post by: TestRocket on December 02, 2010, 12:22:06 PM
Congrats! You're going to love it!
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a OBS tomorrow!
Post by: Brisket Lover on December 02, 2010, 12:26:31 PM
and the OBS army grows by one!
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a OBS tomorrow!
Post by: mitchf350 on December 02, 2010, 02:06:53 PM
Awsome!! Just got her seasoned. Do you guys re-use the last semi burnt puck? Where can I get some "dummy pucks" Thanks for the help!
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a OBS tomorrow!
Post by: beefmann on December 02, 2010, 02:08:27 PM
congrats Mitch, and if it is unburnt yes, you  might want to get some bubba pucks
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a OBS tomorrow!
Post by: SoCalBuilder on December 02, 2010, 02:13:30 PM
Way to go Mitch! You'll enjoy it. Just keep hanging around this bunch and you'll go far.

MOst of the accessories I've gotten at the link below.

http://www.yardandpool.com/
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a OBS tomorrow!
Post by: Indy Smoker on December 05, 2010, 10:54:25 AM
Welcome and Cronrats on your new family member (the OBS).  You will not be disappointed.  Go ahead and make some butts - you can't beat 'em !
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a OBS tomorrow!
Post by: starship on December 05, 2010, 08:42:06 PM
Welcome, and welcome to the Bradley family.
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a OBS tomorrow!
Post by: SouthernSmoked on December 06, 2010, 03:50:26 AM
Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the forum...Enjoy!

http://www.susanminor.org

Remember we like pic's!!
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a OBS tomorrow!
Post by: schneep on December 09, 2010, 07:41:03 AM
Welcome,
I started with an OBS and that is all I still use, never had any problem with it, you will find the people on this site the very best. I have been on here several times asking questions and everytime got a complete and accurate answer.
I live in Wisconsin and it gets cold here, but I smoke all winter long.  Was 7 degrees here last week and I smoked my speciality meatloaf that everyone loves.  You will find that as you do more smoking, your neighbors will be stopping over more often. :)
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a OBS tomorrow!
Post by: kinyo on December 09, 2010, 09:15:57 AM
Congrats on you purchase & welcome to the forum!