Smoke generator not working......

smccreary · June 24, 2012, 09:42:32 AM

Hi,

I just got my brand new 4-rack Bradley Digital Smoker home, and the smoke generator (little area the briquettes sit on) does not heat up.

The other heating element and the digital box controls are working, so I don't think it is a power issue. I have unplugged and re-plugged everything and it just isn't going.

Are there anything else I can try? I live out of town so taking it back is going to be a huge pain in the ass. If I have to take it back I will go with a different brand. (From what I have read on the internet, other people seem to have had this problem. For $500 I expected this thing to at least turn on properly once.)

Thanks in advance for any ideas,

--steve

KyNola · June 24, 2012, 09:53:55 AM

Try this. It won't void your warranty. Turn the smoke generator upside down and remove the 8 screws around the perimeter. Don't remove the ones in the center. The smoke generator will open clamshell fashion. Check all of the connections inside the generator. Sometimes in shipment they can jar loose.

smccreary · June 24, 2012, 09:57:11 AM

k - will try that now. thx

smccreary · June 24, 2012, 10:22:25 AM

Now I'm getting an E1 error. Lovely.

Yecats · June 24, 2012, 10:23:32 AM

I have the same problem - just purchased this and I'm trying to season the smoker. I checked all of the connections - still not working. for this type of money, it should work right out of the box.

smccreary · June 24, 2012, 10:30:49 AM

K... the E1 message went away, but the problem isn't fixed. The god damn element won't start.

Does anyone know where I can buy a proper smoker that actually works?!?

Yecats · June 24, 2012, 10:42:50 AM

I'm with you. I wasted 5 hours trying to get the piece if s**t working. Now, I'm boxing it and back the the f'n store.

smccreary · June 24, 2012, 10:50:10 AM

Well... at least I'm not alone, I guess. Specifically bought the expensive one so that I wouldn't run into this type of problem and I wouldn't have to drive all the way back to the city to return it. Ugh, there goes another Saturday...

Hopefully I can find a smoker that DOES work next week for my Canada Day party on Sunday.

TedEbear · June 24, 2012, 10:57:40 AM

Guys, before giving up on your new smokers you might read some trouble shooting ideas in the link below. Specifically, look in the Digital Bradley Smoker section.

Bradley Smoker FAQ

smccreary · June 24, 2012, 11:28:47 AM

Quote from: TedEbear on June 24, 2012, 10:57:40 AM
Guys, before giving up on your new smokers you might read some trouble shooting ideas in the link below. Specifically, look in the Digital Bradley Smoker section.

Bradley Smoker FAQ

I had already done that, but in desperation, I tried one more time and now it seems to actually be working.

Yecats: take it apart in the method described above, and detach and re-attach every connector in there. Something about the second time I did it appears to have done the trick..

Edit: and now it starts to rain, of course.......

Yecats · June 24, 2012, 11:57:24 AM

smccreary

I'll try it one more time - I've already done this three time....I'll let ya know.

Yecats · June 24, 2012, 12:16:27 PM

I repeated these steps 4 times.... the fourth time EUREKA! I HAVE SMOKE....Which is a good thing, 'cause the Salmon is ready to go. ;D

sjmcdowall · June 25, 2012, 10:06:10 AM

Glad you guys got the problem solved! Also, Bradley support (granted, not the weekends) is also generally very very good and helpful .

Kahunas · June 25, 2012, 11:19:50 AM

Welcome?