Oh boy, another newbie! Sorry bout dat! My pucks don't burn

[royside]

First time here and need help.  I am in NW Ohio and live on mostly meat, meat and more meat.  I want to use this original electrical smoker to it's max!!  My pucks do not burn even half way through before they drop in the water bowl and fall apart.  I am using an extension cord but it is 10 gauge and only 20 ft long so it should not be the problem.  I do not have an electrical power problem as my space was just re-wired.  The pucks are only scorched on the bottom and not even dark on the top when i find them in the water.  What is going on? The wind has been blowing today and i could only get the smoker up to 125 degrees F so could it be that i am not getting the power out of the unit that i should be getting?

thanks in advance,

royside :'(

[GusRobin]

Nothing to be sorry about, everyone is a newbie at some time in their life.
Is your element working? You can get close to 125* just using the smoke generator. Check to see if you are getting any heat from the element. It should glow reddish. If not, try unplugging and replugging all the plug connection. If still doesn't work, plug the cabinet directly to the wall outlet to see if it is working.
Also, are you keeping the vent open? if you keep it closed it retains moisture and actuall lowers the temp.

[FLBentRider]

W E L C O M E  to the Forum royside!

What flavor or bisquettes are you using?

It sounds like the main element is not working in the tower.

[ArnieM]

Hi royside and welcome to the forum.

I agree with FLBR.  It sounds like the cabinet heater isn't working.  If that's the case, you're pretty close to cold smoking.  The pucks don't burn well without cabinet heat.

[GusRobin]

Also, if you have the OBS (the black original bradley smoker) where was your slider control. Sometimes if it all the way to the right it hits a dead spot. Try moving it silghtly to the left.

[beefmann]

all good  advice, however  how long   did you  let the  puck heater warm up prior to smoking?

if i do not let mine heat up at least 45 minutes prior to adding pucks  it  will only half burn pucks like you are  seeing

Beef