Heating Problem - Can't get over 200F

[Adam23]

I'm having a weird problem and it is boggling my mind. Just bought my OBS and PID a few weeks ago and have done several smokes already without any issue.  Trying to do a few racks of ribs and the unit won't go over 200F.  I checked my plugs which seem fine, the element is glowing (though not super bright or anything), vent is open, etc.

Any ideas?

[classicrockgriller]

Welcome to the forum Adam.

Do you have your Bradley plugged into an extention cord or is the circuit you are using

being used by something else in the house.

Sounds like it's not getting enough power.

[Habanero Smoker]

If power in not the problem. When you state your vent is open; how wide? If it is more then half open, try closing it to half or 1/4 opening. Just make sure that there is no smoke backing out of the generator.

[DarqMan]

If power in not the problem. When you state your vent is open; how wide? If it is more then half open, try closing it to half or 1/4 opening. Just make sure that there is no smoke backing out of the generator.

What does it mean if smoke is backing out of the generator?

[classicrockgriller]

If power in not the problem. When you state your vent is open; how wide? If it is more then half open, try closing it to half or 1/4 opening. Just make sure that there is no smoke backing out of the generator.

What does it mean if smoke is backing out of the generator?

It is not good for the generator.

Open the vent till the smoke stops coming out from down around the gen.

[RAF128]

Is there meat in the smoker when it won't go over 200?   How much meat?   I've noticed with mine that depending on the size of a piece of meat the temp does not get up to where you set the PID.   The closer you get to the target IT the high the temp in the smoker.    Try and see what temp you get when the smoker is empty

[BuyLowSellHigh]

How have you loaded your OBS - where is your PID probe relative to the ribs?  Do you have anything else on the racks (drip pan, etc)?