BRADLEY SMOKER | "Taste the Great Outdoors"

Miscellaneous Topics => General Discussions => Topic started by: smoker pete on February 19, 2011, 03:25:31 PM

Title: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: smoker pete on February 19, 2011, 03:25:31 PM
Just finished re-installing 2 new elements that I bought directly from Bradley.  Just finished running a test with the PID and they performed as advertised at 250ยบ for 3 hours.  Ready again to continue my smoking adventures ;D ;D

Now I'm no engineer so I don't profess to infer anything by the following photo of the Good, the Bad, & the Ugly.  Just found it interesting so I took a photo and posted it.

What you see on the left is a new element (the Good).  In the middle you can see 2 burned out elements (the Bad).  On the right is my functioning element from when I bought my OBS in 2007.  It's totally different in that it's got some sort of red material (the Ugly).

(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/BBQ%20Smoke/miscellaneous/elements.jpg)

A question for the experts ... My deflector plate came apart at the welds and as such I am only using the side brackets for mounting the second element.  Anyone know what harm could occur if I don't use the reflector plate?  Everything just ran fine for 3 hours.  Should I be concerned and buy a new reflector plate to install or just leave it?
Title: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: Quarlow on February 19, 2011, 04:10:37 PM
Why not just use a couple of small Pop rivets and put it back together?
Title: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: TestRocket on February 19, 2011, 04:37:58 PM
Right pop rivets or small drilled holes and a few 4-40 nuts and bolts!
Title: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: SouthernSmoked on February 19, 2011, 07:24:32 PM
You could do that or the next time you place an order with Yard and Pool order a new Replacement Heat Element Reflector - $7.99

http://www.yardandpool.com/Bradley-Smoker-Replacement-Heat-Element-Reflector-p/reflector.htm
Title: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: TedEbear on February 20, 2011, 05:57:37 AM
I don't know what you used to drill the holes for the second element but when I did mine I started with smaller bits and worked my way up.  I found that when I got close to 1/2-inch holes the thin metal reflector tended to want to tear instead of cut.  

The end result holes are about 9/16-inch. To get to that point I used a cone shaped grinding bit and it went a lot smoother.  I recommend using the cone bit after you get to the 3/8-inch point to avoid tearing the metal or breaking welds.

Interesting observation on the new heating element color.  Bradley claims nothing has changed.
Title: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: Bradley (Head Office) on February 20, 2011, 06:41:49 AM
QuoteWhat you see on the left is a new element (the Good).  In the middle you can see 2 burned out elements (the Bad).  On the right is my functioning element from when I bought my OBS in 2007.  It's totally different in that it's got some sort of red material (the Ugly).

Smoker Pete...  Were the middle two heat elements the in the front on your dual element set up?

The red colored material is high temperature silicone it is just a plug to keep the fill material from running out when they are manufactured.
in the other they have used white colored silicone. 

QuoteInteresting observation on the new heating element color.  Bradley claims nothing has changed.

Tedebear... We stated we have used the same type of heat element for the past 8 years changing the color of the silicone does not have anything to do with the
components inside the heat element.

Title: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: West TN Smoker on February 20, 2011, 09:00:08 AM

I have been having problems with these things going out as well, I have the Sg mounted PID - is there any chance that the PID is doing something to take out the elements?

Title: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: GusRobin on February 20, 2011, 09:09:15 AM
I have had my OBS since Dec 2009 and have used the Auber PID both dual and single without any element problem.
Title: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: smoker pete on February 20, 2011, 09:16:27 AM
Quote from: Bradley (Head Office) on February 20, 2011, 06:41:49 AM

Smoker Pete...  Were the middle two heat elements the in the front on your dual element set up?


The first one that failed was in the front.  I replaced that burnt element with the old element from my OBS which I bought in 2007.  The second failure was the rear element.  That only left me the front element which as stated before is my old element.  The 2 element failures were the new elements I bought from Yard & Pool.

I have now installed 2 new elements again and am hopeful that all will be well ;D ;D  As I said before "... I don't profess to infer anything ..."
Title: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: Bradley (Head Office) on February 20, 2011, 09:27:53 AM
Thanks for the information SP

The reason I asked is out of all the elements I have had returned for inspection none of them showed the cracking
on the end like yours have.

Is it possible for you to send me a couple of close up pictures, one of the end and the other a side view of the entire element

If you can email them to me at brian at bradleysmoker.com  the larger MB the better it give me more room to zoom in and check details.

thanks

Brian.
Title: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: smoker pete on February 20, 2011, 10:08:46 AM
Quote from: Bradley (Head Office) on February 20, 2011, 09:27:53 AM
Thanks for the information SP

The reason I asked is out of all the elements I have had returned for inspection none of them showed the cracking
on the end like yours have.

Is it possible for you to send me a couple of close up pictures, one of the end and the other a side view of the entire element

If you can email them to me at brian at bradleysmoker.com  the larger MB the better it give me more room to zoom in and check details.

thanks

Brian.


Brian,  Will take some detailed pictures and send it to you.  PM me with your mailing address and I will gladly send you the elements for your inspection.
Title: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: West TN Smoker on February 20, 2011, 10:20:18 AM

Interesting!  I have 3 bad elements here, and one is red (the original one) and 2 white ones, just like Smoker Pete.

All 3 of my bad ones are cracked like the one in Petes picture - including the one with red sealer.  The 2 white ones I ordered from Bradley less than two months ago - I will send these 3 to you if you want to see them, Brian.

I am going to order a couple of replacements this week and I will mention this thread when I call in, last time I think it was Jackie that took care of me and she was great.

Jon
Title: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: Bradley (Head Office) on February 20, 2011, 10:43:25 AM
Thanks TN

I will send you a PM


Brian.
Title: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: devo on February 25, 2011, 07:47:56 AM
Just recieved my replacement today. Got it in and fired it up. Seems to be working just fine. Thanks bradley for the good service. Now if you can just send me some warm weather  ;D

I took the insulators off my old one and yes it has the same cracks as the pictures above.
Title: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: West TN Smoker on February 25, 2011, 09:30:54 AM
devo, I got my replacements today as well, and saw that Bradley has my ole ones for analysis.

One thought that crossed my mind - I wonder if the nuts holding the ceramic caps on the ends are too tight, causing the cracking and the early demise of some of these things?

I am going to back them off and finger snug them before I put the wire, washer, and outside nut on this time and see.
Title: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: devo on February 25, 2011, 09:46:22 AM
The end of the element is sealed and the insulator just slides on, what I was wondering if it might be better to seal the insulator to the rod so there is no chance of moisture to get in. The nice lady I talked to at Bradley told me that moisture was most likely the problem for early failed element. But than again she is told what to say to keep us happy.
Title: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: Tenpoint5 on February 25, 2011, 11:30:22 AM
Devo,
I am quite sure that she wasn't told to say that. I do know that the powers that be at Bradley and at the element Manufacturer are exploring every possibility as to what is causing these element failures. What we need to have is patience. For those of us who have been around for awhile, we have faith in the fact that this issue will be resolved. It wasn't long ago when the most common complaint was the faceplate was cracking. We almost never hear of this anymore. That issue was investigated, researched and Solved. I am quite sure that this issue with the elements will be handled with the same resolve.
Title: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: devo on February 25, 2011, 11:42:00 AM
Oh i,m sure they will figure this out Tenpoint. I,m not complaining at all. The service is excellent. The lady at the end of phone is very helpfull and i,m sure she has to handle some not so nice custumers.
Title: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: KyNola on February 25, 2011, 12:07:47 PM
Quote from: Tenpoint5 on February 25, 2011, 11:30:22 AM
Devo,
I am quite sure that she wasn't told to say that. I do know that the powers that be at Bradley and at the element Manufacturer are exploring every possibility as to what is causing these element failures. What we need to have is patience. For those of us who have been around for awhile, we have faith in the fact that this issue will be resolved. It wasn't long ago when the most common complaint was the faceplate was cracking. We almost never hear of this anymore. That issue was investigated, researched and Solved. I am quite sure that this issue with the elements will be handled with the same resolve.
Well said Chris.  This forum exists thanks 100% to the folks at Bradley.  They can take it away at their discretion.  Devo, let me say I am not directing these comments toward you at all.  Please believe that.  I do believe that we as a group do need to be mindful of the nice folks at Bradley who give us this forum to meet each other, learn from each and just have some good natured fun.  Bradley knows they have a problem that needs addressing and they will do just that.  Let's give them the time to figure it out.   
Title: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: classicrockgriller on February 25, 2011, 12:34:39 PM
I know it is frustrating to buy something and either not have it work or

stop after a short period of time.

And I think no one feels your pain more (most of the time) than the

supplier of that product. I am sure Bradley didn't buy or manufacture

bad elements to send to out to customers so they would have a failure.

I haven't had to experience this problem and I have 2 BPS & 3 Bradley

Smokers plus a Smoke Gen for my big smoker. 100% perfect out of the

box. Have I had any problems other than the ones I caused? A cracked

face plate is all. They sent me a new one and I did the mod to make sure

it didn't happen again.

AGAIN .... BRADLEY IS AWARE OF A ELEMENT PROBLEM!

Don't beat a dead horse into the ground.

They will find out what is wrong and make it right.

In the same token, if you bought a smoker during this time that

seems to be in question, you might want to plan for the worst. Have

a back up way of cooking what you are smoking. Keep an eye on your

smokers temp during a smoke/cook.

In a short while from now this element problem will be a distant thought.

Bradley is not going to leave you standing in the middle of the road with

no way home.

Let's Smoke some Meat!

Title: Re: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: SouthernSmoked on February 25, 2011, 01:56:02 PM
Well said Sonny.

Let the smoke flow !

Sent from my HTC Glacier using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: Quarlow on February 25, 2011, 06:10:42 PM
I have to mention to those that are unaware.Bradley is not some huge corporation that sells a product and that's it. I happen to live ten minutes from the head office. You can walk into the office and simple ask if Brian or even Wade Bradley himself are availible. What other company do you know of where you can do that. This is a company that was started in the backyard by a guy and his friends that loved to smoke and just wanted a better smoker, then realized they had something everyone might want.  I can't tell you how many products I have purchased that was a piece of crap and if the store wouldn't do anything for you, just try and get any satisfaction from the manufacturer. I usually end up just throwing it in the garbage. In fact I have 2 or 3 items here right now that are headed for the trash. These guys will bend over backwards to make you satisfied.
Title: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: devo on February 25, 2011, 06:20:22 PM
Quote from: Quarlow on February 25, 2011, 06:10:42 PM
I have to mention to those that are unaware.Bradley is not some huge corporation that sells a product and that's it. I happen to live ten minutes from the head office. You can walk into the office and simple ask if Brian or even Wade Bradley himself are available. What other company do you know of where you can do that. This is a company that was started in the backyard by a guy and his friends that loved to smoke and just wanted a better smoker, then realized they had something everyone might want.  I can't tell you how many products I have purchased that was a piece of crap and if the store wouldn't do anything for you, just try and get any satisfaction from the manufacturer. I usually end up just throwing it in the garbage. In fact I have 2 or 3 items here right now that are headed for the trash. These guys will bend over backwards to make you satisfied.

I would think that most of us who have posted about this problem just wanted to add some in site. I for one did not mean to get everyone up in arms. Like I said when I phoned the very nice lady at the desk she answered all my questions as best she could and said i would have a new element by weeks end. And I did and I'm back up and running. Way to go Bradley. I am by no means an engineer and can only give them what I have observed. Like its been said before lets just smoke some meat and move on.
Title: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: classicrockgriller on February 25, 2011, 06:22:03 PM
Let's Smoke On and make some Bread!
Title: Re: Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Post by: Quarlow on February 25, 2011, 06:37:47 PM
Hey Devo don't take any of this the wrong way. We are not chastising anyone, simply trying to inform you new guys about the ways of a company we believe in. I personally got my brand new smoker home and when I unpacked it, it seemed to be over insulated. The walls were bulged to the point where you could not pull the racks out or push them in. As I said I live 10 minutes away so I gave them a call and they told me to come right over cause they wanted to look at it. I jumped in the car and went right over. They sent me around the back to there shipper and when he looked at it he call I believe Brian who came right out and looked at it. They both agreed with what they saw and gave me a whole new smoker which they opened up to make sure it was right. They even let me keep the original smoke generator for my trouble. Now that has to be a pricey item in it's self. As I said Devo we are not raising our voice at you. Just calmly letting you in on the 411, and those who come after you and happen to read this.