This thread is not going to sit well with some folks and that's OK. When a newbie posts that they have either just received or have ordered their new Bradley and are looking for advice as to what they need, I see lots of folks saying "You need a PID". Let's not lose sight of the fact this is a Bradley forum. We need to be helping the newbies to learn about their new Bradley smoker and how it works "as is". If they hang here long enough and decide to cure and smoke their own sausage or salmon, they will learn about a PID.
My apology is extended to anyone I may offend with this thread.
Excellent point. I have had my OBS for 2.5 years now and do not use a PID and make everything from cheese, to sausage to salmon to brisket to butt!
PID? We don't need no PID! We don't got to show you no stinking PID!
I can't speak for the guys/gals who need "precision temperature control" for (as I understand it) some sausage and fish, but for my admittedly amateurish efforts, I wouldn't know what to do with something that has that many lights and wires if I had one. I'd probably have to pay one of you to come over and install it and then teach me to use it (and we know that's not about to happen). I'm perfectly content to stumble along with my "naked OBS," supplemented by the house oven, grill, SRG, and crockpot as needed.
Dammit! I think that means I agree with you and Aggie. I hate it when that happens!
PS - You're going to have to do a lot better than that to offend me (but don't stop trying; it keeps you young).
Well, I've only had my smoker for less than 8 months. Just got a PID to use on my salmon 'cause I don't seem to be able to avoid boogers. No plans to use it on anything else, but never say never. ;)
I do agree with you now that I have started to get a feel for the smoker and it would be a shame to mess that up with add-ons.
Rich
I personally like having a PID controller on my OBS. So far I've only smoked turkey, pork butts, briskets, ribs and a meatloaf (didn't turn out so well). It automatically keeps the temp to within 2 degrees or so of the set-point. The temp used to vary a lot when I'd do an overnight smoke and the outside air temp would drop 30-40 degrees. I'd wake up once or twice to go out and adjust the slider temp control. Not anymore.
With the PID controller, if whatever I'm smoking didn't turn out as juicy and tender as I had hoped for I now know it wasn't because of fluctuating chamber temps. I can control it precisely and the next time I smoke the same food I might try a different temp.
I had my OBS for about a year before I installed a PID controller but I'd never want to use a slow cook smoker again without one. For $45 it was a great value mod and I think there should be a Bradley model option with a PID on it from the factory.
Larry I think you are spot on and I doubt if your statement offended anyone. The Bradley is fine right out of the box and does what it is designed for - low and slow smoking. The PID and other things are nice accessories that makes some things a little easier, but absolutely not required.
Bravo my friend.
While I agree from your premise of newbies I also think that the general cry for a PID points to an issue that Bradley should consider in a revision. No I am not suggesting Badley include a PID but better/more consistent temperature control would be nice. Out of the box is sufficient but could be better.
This could also be said for the other mods that are common on this forum. Dual heating elements for faster recovery times, fan for more even heat distribution, some mod to the biscuit device for more reliability. These items would seem to be easily incorporated into a deluxe model or a retrofit kit.
With that said we are all tinker's by nature and always wanting to "upgrade" our toys. Not suggesting Bradley incorporate every tweak we make but the general sustained ones would seem to make sense.
Oh well, Later...
Steven
I agree. I had mine for over two years as is with no mods or plug and play items and it did everything I needed it to do. I did get the PID cause I started to broaden my SKILLZ ;D and wanted to start doing stix, jerky and sausage. It has come in very handy for these items. Well, 2 out of 3; haven't had time for jerky
Like the recent thread that was posted yesterday this one (http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=27878.msg331906#msg331906), I recommend that he get bubba pucks, a wireless thermometer and of course bisquettes. I do admit that I will provide the link when a question is asked about it just so that the member can read up on it. Heck, I don't even mention frogmats, which I have now, this was after two years :) and I only got them cause of smoking nuts. Anyways it's your opinion and you are entitled to it. You have a lot of knowledge and experience and I do look forward to reading your comments when you are offering help or suggestions to others :). Keep it up.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
i agree and it is to help newbies and others on a stock smoker with advice on what to do, seasonings and best times for a cook and smoking process
Larry
Very good job on this post and information. If some folks dont like it then Too Bad So Sad.
Not offended here. And you may be right about the newbies but I for one would have never liked mine with out the pid. To me its nothing special with out it. But the mods and extras make it special. Sorry
Am totally with you on this Ky...I have no "toys" and have never needed them...I just avoid those threads...really not something we need. But if people feel compelled to buy that stuff...okay...
I like the NAKED :o method of smoking my foods, no PID, or any other accessories except for my Bubba Pucks. I do everything from Pulled Pork to Lox. I have the OBS and love it. Been going strong with it for four years and every year I do over 100 lbs of smoked salmon and I do not get boggers, I also do 20-30 lbs. of LOX a year with no problem. Using the Bradley without a PID or modification may take more attention to the smoker while smoking/cooking but that just gives me an excuse to sit outside with an adult beverage when making something yummy in the Bradley. Heck I don't even have and external thermometer, I rely on the one mounted in the door. ;D
Ross
Well depends on how picky you are I suppose. You can cook in an kitchen oven also but if its at 350 degrees I've checked them and found them to be 50 degrees or more off either way. For big hunks of meat that's no problem. but with my sausage I a'm a lot pickier then that. Also since I use a pid, I use it for every thing. Real simple and quick to set and don't know why Id want to run out all the time to change temps or check temps I have to much other work to do. I also use the Maverick 732 so I don't have to open the doors to check, So I get meat to correct temps,so I have alarms to tell me when temps are to high or to low meaning a problem which could be serious. Really don't see why any one would do it blinded other then money. I had to wait for my Maverick would you'd have to shoot me to get my pid or my 732. Sitting here watching the temps while my Easter ham is smoking and talking to you guys. Then I have a few cabinet doors to make. a small roof to put on, and finish working on my boats out drive. Versus sitting out there drinking and watching my temps to adjust by hand and opening door to check meat adding more time to the smoke. But each to their own. We all have different priority's. And thoughts.
Thank you. I have been using my Bradley for almost three years now and have tried allot of things on here. It is an unmolested smoker as shipped and I get along just fine. I don't need no fancy smancy crap. Once again thank you as some may think like I did from reading posts that i needed to get a PID, but my cheap butt couldnt see spending the money, and I am glad I didnt.
You can smoke good BBQ with a HOLE IN THE GROUND.
All you "need" is food and protection from the weather.
Anything else is just a bonus.
Awrighten.
I admit that I finally broke down and bought a PID to go with my BDS. But you need to remember something, "At the end of the world, the guy with the most toys wins!"
Thank You for the info.I Have all I need with my Bradley.My motto,Learn threw my mistakes,make notes and don't upset the wife.
I been smoking foods for a while on the OBS SS even tried the Propane, and Inherited my In-laws OBS SS when we died a few years back. All I ever did was a simple switch, the Propane I don't use anymore, gotta figure what to do with that.
Absolutely nothing wrong with buying extra's for the Bradley. Even I have a PID, cold smoke adapter, etc.) The point is to be sure to let the new folks know that it is not required for the Smoker to perform as it was designed to do. If I were new to smoking, did not know anything about the Bradley, and read some of the responses to newbee's introductions and/or questions I would be hesitant about buying a Bradley because I would get the impression that it would not perform properly without all the extra's (especially the larger ticket items). The point of this thread is to keep these things in mind when dealing with the new folks.
Quote from: Wildcat on April 08, 2012, 05:28:14 PM
Absolutely nothing wrong with buying extra's for the Bradley. Even I have a PID, cold smoke adapter, etc.) The point is to be sure to let the new folks know that it is not required for the Smoker to perform as it was designed to do. If I were new to smoking, did not know anything about the Bradley, and read some of the responses to newbee's introductions and/or questions I would be hesitant about buying a Bradley because I would get the impression that it would not perform properly without all the extra's (especially the larger ticket items). The point of this thread is to keep these things in mind when dealing with the new folks.
+1
Well didn't mean to give the impression that the Bradley wasn't a good smoker. It will do any thing the others will do with out adding any thing. But most people do end up building it up. I would recommend you learn the smoker first. Then you'll know what you want or need. Some people like to smoke the way it is. And some really like to go high tech. But its more the person then the having to. I jumped in with both feet because I'd already had a lot of smokers and knew exactly what I wanted. But know plenty that use the OBS with out any devices. Hey each to their own and the nice thing here is any one any way is welcome.
I don't rerally get the toy market...I guess it's a guy thing? I grew up with old smokers that worked just fine...am I being stupid? Never had a need to have toys and I think Ky is right...get to know the smoker before you buy any enhancements...just my opinion...
Quote from: Wildcat on April 08, 2012, 05:28:14 PM
The point of this thread is to keep these things in mind when dealing with the new folks.
This is the point exactly. Here lately is seems to go like this.
I bought a new Bradley and it isn't heating up or holding the heat like I think it should. Just found this place and it is great!
That's great, glad you found us. You need to look here (&^)^_ on how to do a second element mod. You need to go here to get a )(*&*& and here to get a )(&)_**&^
Really I need all of that to make my Bradley work?
Oh yeah it will work so much better with all of these things. You have to do it!
It might not go exactly like that. However it is usually pretty damn close.
Where as the way the the answers should be and used to be.
What is your vent setting? Are you adding hot/boiling water to the drip pan. How much meat are you putting in the smoker? As for retaining heat after you open the door or for a faster temp recovery. Try a Bigger aluminum drip pan, Or foil wrapped bricks. Some even heat the bricks in the house oven to 450 degrees.
We as forum members have the responsibility, to help folks learn how to make their smoker work for them. How to get the best product that they can get. With the least amount of hassle as possible. Not telling them they need to spend more money to make the same food as a lot of us are making just using the Bradley right out of the box.
Just in case your wondering. Yes I have a PID. It is wrapped up and stuck inside the cabinet that my Bradley sets on. It has been for 2 years. I took the time to learn my Smoker and learn the processes from all of the knowledgeable people that are on this forum. I have even tried my best to impart and share that knowledge to new folks when they come to the forum through posts and comments and the 4-5 PM's I get every day. I may not post a lot any more but I do check in almost daily.
Lets try and get back to the basics of learning how to use our Bradley's, before we jump straight into suggesting ANYONE needs to do a modification to make it work.
Thanks for starting this Larry. I have been wanting to say something about this for a while just didn't know how to start it.
Bravo 10.5! ;)