I am still waiting on my Bradley BTSIS1 to be delivered. I ordered it from Amazon Wed. night and they have yet to ship it. :(
In the mean time I have been reading lots of posts here on the forum and have been getting second thoughts. Did I make the right decision purchasing a Bradley? :-\
Most of the posts have been about problems; my pucks won't advance, my pucks won't stop advancing. My Bradley won't get hot enough, my Bradly caught on fire! My element burnt out, recovey time is too slow & etc.
Then I read that nobody is satisfied with thier Bradley the way it came from the factory. I need to invest a few hundred bucks more in bubba pucks, dual heating elemements, dual probe thermometers, PID's and etc to get it to work well and be the "sweet smoker" I thought I was buying in the first place. Oh yeah i had better build an isulated shack or something for it to live in if I expect to be able to use it in the winter.
Does anybody just use thier Bradley the way it came from the factory, love it and get good results? Does anybody have one that has not broken down or come out of adjustment and needed repair? I understand that everything needs a little maintenance but gee wiz..........
When I made the desision to buy one, all the advertizing made it look so "plug & play" ..... is it or was I decived or just mistaken?
Welcome 4given!
I've had my BD4 rack for about 3 years and it's "right out of the box" !
I love the results tha I get and the only thing I've added are 2 Bubba pucks (I use a puck for the third).
I,ve had no element problems (so far) and I'm satisfied with the performance of my Bradley.
As far as recovery times,I'm retired so have plenty of time to wait LOL.
I do use my smoker in an unheated garage,and vent it thru' a window,both winter and summer.
I for one,are happy with my Breadley.
Jim O
Hey there. I used my dbs4 for almost 3 years without doing anything to it. No problem other than a micro switch that was causing my pucks to keep advancing. That was after over two years of flawless service. I replaced it myself. I also went ahead and got a couple more things to change out and I believe I paid less than $15 shipping included. No problems after that.
I recently put another element just because. Not that it was needed. I got a PID to control the temp swings just because. :), along with a fan, just because :D. Like any other smoker /BBQ/grill. You will get temp swings. The PID just makes it a lot easier.
To start I would just recommend some bubba pucks, and some type of remote thermometer. To keep track of the IT smoker and meat.
Most here use the maverick et73 or et732. Yes there are other choices.
THATS WHAT I STARTED OUT WITH AND WAS HAPPY WITH ALL RESULTS.
The longer you hang round these parts, the more $$$$ your gonna spend. ;) :D :(.
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I have no problems with mine. I added a PID for the hell of it. Not really needed - just wanted to for tighter temp controls.
As for the other stuff (bubba pucks, maverick, etc.) it is kind of like this - If you buy a grill, you normally go ahead and buy grill accessories like, tongs, fork, etc. There is no difference here. You can grill without special accessories, but most get them anyway.
Hello 4given,
I agree first time you look at the forum it seems as if there are so many problems. Don't worry, you made the right decision! You will love your bradley. I have had my obs for a little over a year, and I do alot of smoking. Almost every weekend. I have done no modifications to my smoker, and I get just about perfect results. I have had three of my friends buy bradley's after they have eaten my food, and they are all happy. Like was said earlier, some people make modifications to it because they love it and smoking is a hobby. I bought bubba pucks, you don't have too it just saves some pucks every time you smoke. I bought a digital thermometer cause I want perfect results. I put my smoker inside a suncast utility cabinet to protect it from my garage. I live in Chicagoland and I smoke all winter long. The bradley is the fourth smoker I own and it is by far my favorite. I have a charcoal cooking cajun, lots of work keeping it up to temp. I have a Mecco stainless steel electric smoker, good results as long as there is no wind (its blown over on me a few times, and wind sucks all the heat out. I have a vertical gas smoker gets real hot, but true smoking is never really done at a higher temp that 220. The greatest thing about the Bradley is the way it produces smoke. Clean smoke not bitter. Look further down the forum and start getting into the recipe posts. You wont see any complaints there. New customers always stop at the top. Dig a little deeper in the forum. In the event that you do have a problem, Bradley will stand behind their product. Have no worries, your gonna love it.
welcome 4given,
i also have a 4 rack dbs, and can't be happier!
mine is also right out of the box, except for the blanket i put around it.
when i first opened it up in the morning got it seasoned and smoked ribs
the first night.
2 weeks ago i smoked all week in -5 to -12*C weather with no mods,except blankie,
just takes a little longer, smoker was outside.
i have had a couple of problems, but nothing to complain about, and
bradley customer service is excellent!!!
i have recently bought a digital thermometer and bubba pucks( as i was just using other pucks, and finally got mad at having to use so many it was wasteful)
i will be looking at adding some other mods, but it has been working
EXCELLENT right out of the box for 10 months now.
hope this helps in calming your fears
I've had an OBS for over five years and the only problem I ever had was that the puck advance button stuck once and I wasted two pucks before I got it stopped. I've got a PID too. Read some car forums and you'll get the impression they are all junk because it's mainly problems that people post to try to get help. 99.9% are generally well satisfied and say nothing.
Thank you all for your words of encouragement! I feel better about it all now and am excited to give it a try. amazon shipped the smoker yesterday so I hope to see it arrive this weekend. Maybe I can smoke something Sunday!
I'm sure you'll be pleased with your purchase!
If you need help,these are a great bunch of guys (and gals ) !
Jim O
Quote from: 4given on March 06, 2012, 06:12:42 AM
Thank you all for your words of encouragement! I feel better about it all now and am excited to give it a try. amazon shipped the smoker yesterday so I hope to see it arrive this weekend. Maybe I can smoke something Sunday!
Good to hear she's on the way, you'll be happy you got the Bradley.
As was mentioned before "if" you do have any issues Bradley customer service is top notch.
I have the OBS, bought mine couple years ago out of the Cabelas Bargain Cave (when I worked there) it was suppose to be a floor model but had some minor, all cosmetic, damage to it so they couldn't put it out on the floor. Element went out within 6 months, replaced free of charge and no trouble since. I don't use mine as much as some folks on here but I'm very happy with the results I have gotten. And the response from relatives who supposedly "don't like smoked foods" has been incredible.
Welcome to the forum, ask questions if you got 'em and be sure to post pictures we love pictures here.
Don
As has already been stated I have had a BDS 4 rack for going on 4 years now and it is also right out of the box, everything is still original. Since coming on the forums a short time ago my use of my smoker has tripled. There are alot of good folks here that will help you in any smoking problem you may encounter and don't be afraid to ask questions. Bill
OK. It sounds like there are plenty of dedicated Bradley owners out there. But can you tell me what there is about the Braldey that makes it heads over any other insulated smoker, other than the auto puck feed?
Quote from: Pike227 on March 07, 2012, 05:18:40 AM
OK. It sounds like there are plenty of dedicated Bradley owners out there. But can you tell me what there is about the Braldey that makes it heads over any other insulated smoker, other than the auto puck feed?
That is really simple. This Forum and the People that make it what it is. You can find faults with any piece of equipment but the people on this forum will do everything they can to minimize any downtime and make sure you have the most enjoyable experience that you can have.
10.5
Quote from: 10.5 Mobile on March 07, 2012, 06:18:26 AM
Quote from: Pike227 on March 07, 2012, 05:18:40 AM
OK. It sounds like there are plenty of dedicated Bradley owners out there. But can you tell me what there is about the Braldey that makes it heads over any other insulated smoker, other than the auto puck feed?
That is really simple. This Forum and the People that make it what it is. You can find faults with any piece of equipment but the people on this forum will do everything they can to minimize any downtime and make sure you have the most enjoyable experience that you can have.
10.5
Ditto...
Quote from: ghost9mm on March 07, 2012, 06:26:06 AM
Quote from: 10.5 Mobile on March 07, 2012, 06:18:26 AM
Quote from: Pike227 on March 07, 2012, 05:18:40 AM
OK. It sounds like there are plenty of dedicated Bradley owners out there. But can you tell me what there is about the Braldey that makes it heads over any other insulated smoker, other than the auto puck feed?
That is really simple. This Forum and the People that make it what it is. You can find faults with any piece of equipment but the people on this forum will do everything they can to minimize any downtime and make sure you have the most enjoyable experience that you can have.
10.5
Ditto...
x3
and their customer service department is the best there is
I would agree this is an amazing forum and lots of help to people who have all experienced the same problems. Thanks for that! But there has to be more to it than wanting to spend new money on something that comes with such problems.
The product works. 99% of the folks who buy them are more than happy with them. The 1% that have problems have their issues quickly resolved by the company.
What more can you ask for? Find any product that is for sale to the public that is 100% flawless and problem free.
Quote from: KyNola on March 07, 2012, 12:29:51 PM
The product works. 99% of the folks who buy them are more than happy with them. The 1% that have problems have their issues quickly resolved by the company.
What more can you ask for? Find any product that is for sale to the public that is 100% flawless and problem free.
AMEN!! I say NONE!! :)
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Quote from: Pike227 on March 07, 2012, 11:57:30 AM
I would agree this is an amazing forum and lots of help to people who have all experienced the same problems. Thanks for that! But there has to be more to it than wanting to spend new money on something that comes with such problems.
i am not famaliar with any other smokers so i can't comment on how others work or anything,
so being a novice smoker for me it was the ease of use right out of the box, in almost a year
i have had 2 problems with the 4 rack dbs, 1 was digital display and the other was heating element both covered under warranty and both items shipped fedex to me in under 3 days
for free. lots of people have been running their's for quite awhile without any problems.
i didn't google or look around for other smokers when i got this one i went from word of
mouth from a buddy of mine who has one and couldn't stop raving about it, so i got it,
and it has worked flawlessly(almost) for me.
and the forum, the best bunch of guys there is!!!!
I've used a bradley at least once a week for about 8 years, and never had a problem till about a week ago when it would not make smoke. Yea... I could fix it but I've had the thing since at least 2004 probably longer. I just don't remember. It was outside the whole time, and looked a little weathered, so I ordered a new one. No thought involved. It was a good product. The old one lasted me so long and worked so well.
I'm certain that there are some duds out there. After all, every so often an iPhone bursts into flames, but it is still a great phone. Ha! Just make certain that you understand that you are buying a smoker. They cook low and slow. It is not a Grill, so don't expect it to get hot enough for the International space station to see you cooking.
I too rely on Amazon reviews for a lot of purchases. But I think you will see that on the average it has a Very high rating. Well deserved. It is a good product.
I've owned my OBS for almost a year now. I bought it for the sole purpose of smoking sausages, fish, cheese, strip jerky and snack stiks. I made mods to it only because I wanted to, I didn't have to.
A smoker is like a new car, you own it for a while and then you want to tinker with it. ;D
This smoker has met all my expectations and I am very pleased with it.
Good luck and good smoking!
So far mine is working great!
4 hour smoke on the pork butts last night, Currently they are on a rack in the oven at 225............. Wifey is home monitoring the maverick...
Keep talking guys! If I was to make just one modification to my OSB, what should it first be?
Quote from: Pike227 on March 09, 2012, 06:13:25 PM
Keep talking guys! If I was to make just one modification to my OSB, what should it first be?
900w or dual 500w. WITH PID.
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Quote from: mikecorn.1 on March 09, 2012, 06:33:39 PM
Quote from: Pike227 on March 09, 2012, 06:13:25 PM
Keep talking guys! If I was to make just one modification to my OSB, what should it first be?
900w or dual 500w. WITH PID.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I have a few mods and here are the links...
Convection fan mod http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=22263.msg269273#msg269273
900W element mod http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=22120.msg267728#msg267728
A picture of my smoke generator setup. Has a heat sink with blower to cool the pipe for cold smoking. The y-pipe is where the pucks drop to a water pan. The pipe carries the smoke to the upper part of the cabinet where the Bradley is located...
http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/IMAG0500.jpg
My door fix http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=23463.msg281749#msg281749
My front plate mod http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=23353.msg280751#msg280751
I also have the dual probe PID. That is the first upgrade you should do IMHO
Maybe I am not into all this modding stuff or it's just I never found a reason to mod mine as of yet, it works great out of the box, been going on almost 3 years now. A lot of people buy theirs and are happy with it, and thus you will never hear anything from them on this forum. People that have issues and need help usually end up on this forum and talk about their experience which is why you may see a lot of "broken" issues.
Yes I did have a few problems later on, like right now my door is just barely hanging in there because the bottom broke. But it still works and when it falls off I will just put henges on it. Although I seen a nice mod on this forum on building a new replacement bottom part out of aluminum angle stock, I might do that instead.
I haven't tried other smokers, but the fact this one has nice clean packaged pucks you can just drop in, put your meat in, and start smoking it is just so simple and the food comes out great.
I did get bubba pucks and a pid to help make it even more "automated".
I truley can set it up, come back in about 5 hours to empty the burnt puck tray and add more water, maybe rotate the meat (depends). Come back in about another 5 hours (depends on whats cooking) to pull the meat out to eat. That is how simple it is.
Quote from: JT-MO on March 10, 2012, 10:07:11 AM
Maybe I am not into all this modding stuff or it's just I never found a reason to mod mine as of yet, it works great out of the box, been going on almost 3 years now. A lot of people buy theirs and are happy with it, and thus you will never hear anything from them on this forum. People that have issues and need help usually end up on this forum and talk about their experience which is why you may see a lot of "broken" issues.
Yes I did have a few problems later on, like right now my door is just barely hanging in there because the bottom broke. But it still works and when it falls off I will just put henges on it. Although I seen a nice mod on this forum on building a new replacement bottom part out of aluminum angle stock, I might do that instead.
I haven't tried other smokers, but the fact this one has nice clean packaged pucks you can just drop in, put your meat in, and start smoking it is just so simple and the food comes out great.
I did get bubba pucks and a pid to help make it even more "automated".
I truley can set it up, come back in about 5 hours to empty the burnt puck tray and add more water, maybe rotate the meat (depends). Come back in about another 5 hours (depends on whats cooking) to pull the meat out to eat. That is how simple it is.
:)
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3 successful smokes so far and not a hitch! ;D
These productucts are great, i now have 4 smokers and can not be happier.
I ordered mine from Amazon as well but it shipped right away.... Now for the what can be perceived as bad.. I have cooked in it now 3 times and the temprature is very erratic (I have the basic 4 shelf black) in less than 3 months I had to replace the cooking element (they sent me a new one no charge) I have yet to get the unit above 250 degrees... Today I replaced the element and I have to say if you have small hands it is a very tight opperation.
The oven came up to about 220 and of course when I put in the meat (3 different racks with Pork loins that are at 75 degrees) the oven pulled back to about 125 and now hopefully will climb back to cooking temps... I"m using hickory bisquets on this round...
So, I guess my answer is that I'm still on the fence if I did the right thing by buying this one .... I am dissapointed the element was bad when I got it and it took me 3 calls to convince them I needed a new one... so, Ill see how long this one lasts, hopefully much longer.. The Turkey and pork I have cooked in the past was great but it makes me nervous getting the oven up to temps ...... I hate food Poisoning
David, are you using the thermometer in the door of the OBS to measure the temp? If so, you are probably getting false readings. It is notoriously wrong due to the location of it. Get yourself a digital thermometer where you place a probe with a cable attached inside the tower and read it from outside. You may find your temps are higher than you may think. The temp swings can be erratic, especially when the meat is first put in the tower. As the load comes up to temp you will find the temp swings level out more.