New Bradley Smoker User Question...........Again

[raf315810]

Sorry but I am getting ready to smoke some ribes this weekend and had another dumb quesiton.  This forum has really helped and made me more comfortable.  Thanks for everyones help.

1.  When I preheat my smoker, do I need to fill the bowl and tray with hot water or just wait until it reaches the pre-heat temp of say 225 degrees then insert the tray and bowl?

2.  Do I need to fill both the tray and bowl with water or just the bowl?

3.  Should I put a brick in the smoker while it is pre-heating or just wait until the smoker has reached the desired temperature of 225 degress then insert the brick at the bottom of my smoker?

4.  Do I really need the tray in the bottom or is the bowl good enough?   I am guessing the tray is to help with spills and to keep the smoker clean? 

5.  Should I have a smoker puck inside the smoker on the tray when I hit the smoke button on my generator?  Or do I need to hit the advance button so many times to have the pucks begin?  I am a little confused on how the pucks begin and to make sure they keep moving.  I just want to make sure there isn't some little secret on the buttons to hit while I start the smoking process.

[Kahunas]

Hi,
Relax you will do great.
1. I put my tray and pan in with water in the tray. The water will heat some and help a little with recovery.
2. Just the bowl.
3. If you are going to use a brick let it pre heat with the smoker.
4. Yes
5. I load the puck feeder and turn it on while pre heating. It will be an hour before a puck hits the burner. If you get to temperature before the hour, advance a puck until it hits the burner and you are rolling.

Have fun with it.

[mikecorn.1]

Ditto!  :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TedEbear]

2.  Do I need to fill both the tray and bowl with water or just the bowl?

Many of us have replaced that small bowl with a 9x13 aluminum baking pan.  It holds much more water and if you're going to be dropping 3-4 hours worth of pucks in it they won't stack up and lead to a fire.