Dual 500 or 900 temps

[chickenlicken]

I am a newbie and I am ready to modify my Bradley to get some better temp control.  It's seems everyone is happy with either the dual 500 or just the 900w heating elements.   My question is can you get to and sustain cooking temps around 275-300 both ways?  I live in Minnesota and it is usually cold part of the year so I need to take that into account as well.   

Thanks

Chris

[SouthernSmoked]

No, there is a senor on the back wall that will cut off your unit......

Around 270-295 things will shut down.

If I may ask, why would you want to use such a high temp in this unit?

[NePaSmoKer]

Why would you want 275-300 in your Bradley?

Sensor in the back will fail, door will warp.

[beefmann]

i have bypassed the bradley wiring including the sensor in the  back of the unit, the best i have been able to maintain is 350 with 20 lb of  meat, vent  3/4 open... and that  is with a 900 watt finned element, blower and pid. if you  do run the duel elements or 900 watt element,,, you  better be running a  pid ( temperature controller ) or you  wont be able to control the heat

http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=17329.0

http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=25377.0

[chickenlicken]

Thanks for the responses.  I was planning on a fan and auber pid dual probe controller.  I found the threads on installation in the forum here. 

Temp wise I guess I was looking to just be able to hold at 250-270 because a few smoking recipes called for it.   I figured if I cold hit 300 I would be able to hold 250 during winter.  On thanksgiving I smoked a 14lbs turkey for about 11 hours but had trouble getting the bird to temp so ended up finishing it on the grill.  I can't remember what my high temp on my maverick was but I don't think I was over 225.  Maybe I was just getting impatient as well.

Thanks again for the help

[watchdog56]

I just put in a second element and have not tried to get it about 250 yet. Don't know why you need it to go over 300? I am in Minn. also and have smoked in the winter many times(usually have in garage).

[viper125]

Low and slow! Enough said!

[teesquare]

i have bypassed the bradley wiring including the sensor in the  back of the unit, the best i have been able to maintain is 350 with 20 lb of  meat, vent  3/4 open... and that  is with a 900 watt finned element, blower and pid. if you  do run the duel elements or 900 watt element,,, you  better be running a  pid ( temperature controller ) or you  wont be able to control the heat

http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=17329.0

http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=25377.0

I am surprised that anyone is trying to turn the Bradleys into a vertical grill.......no insult intended...I just had not thought of that as an option for mods.

[mikecorn.1]

i have bypassed the bradley wiring including the sensor in the  back of the unit, the best i have been able to maintain is 350 with 20 lb of  meat, vent  3/4 open... and that  is with a 900 watt finned element, blower and pid. if you  do run the duel elements or 900 watt element,,, you  better be running a  pid ( temperature controller ) or you  wont be able to control the heat

http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=17329.0

http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=25377.0

I am surprised that anyone is trying to turn the Bradleys into a vertical grill.......no insult intended...I just had not thought of that as an option for mods.

I'm looking into adding a 900w. Not trying to turn it into a vertical grill :). I have an SRG for that :D. I want the ability to be able to keep my smoking temps closer to 225' when loading up  Señor Bradley. ;). Just my thoughts on this. ----- back to work now. :)


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[viper125]

Did the second element my self and Im really enjoying it. But still won't go higher then 225 degrees. After that I use a oven or a grill! Slow and easy is the only way for good sausage.