DBS vs OBS

[RedJada]

 I haven't been around here long. But it sure dose seem that the DBS have a lot of problems. Being a OBS owner with no mods. I dont have a problem with it. Not trying to bash anyone. But just seems to be that way. My vote here would to go with the OBS with no mods. But I do have the materials for the extra element. Just wondering what everyone else thoughts are on the Bradley DBS/OBS smokers. Could possibly help the next Bradley buyer.

[mikecorn.1]

I have a DBS and never had a problem. I did put an extra 500w way after the warranty was up to keep the temps up with big cooks. I still have the original element in there also along with the newer one.


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[beefmann]

while i like the obs , i do like the better control of temps with a  pid over  no pid and heat  recovery  with a  higher element and blower...

[TedEbear]

I had my OBS for about a year before I added anything to it.  After I installed a second 500W element and put a PID controller in the SG it was like night and day compared to what it had been before.

Preheat times now take 8-9 minutes versus 45+ minutes with just one element.  Heat recovery times take just a few minutes and I don't need foil wrapped bricks to help it.   ;D  The PID controller maintains the chamber temp to within 2-3 degrees.  I no longer have to get up in the middle of the night and adjust the slider temp control to compensate for the sun going down and the ambient air temp dropping. 

My OBS was a good smoker.  Now it's a great smoker.

[Habanero Smoker]

I had my OBS for almost 5 years before I did the additional element mod. If Mike (Mr. Walleye) had posted his modification earlier, I would have made the mod much sooner. :)

As mentioned above the difference is like night and day. It's not all about cooking at higher temperatures, although you will now have that option, it is about cooking more efficiently, and obtaining more consistent cook times; while still maintaining the ease of use of an electric smoker. It is a great mod; especially for us who live in cooler climates.

[paulsnapp]

The temp control is so poor that a PID is a must.  I would guess that those who think everything is fine without mods is because they do not know what the real temps are inside their smoker.  Not saying anything bad here, but if you don't know what is really going on you believe what you see.  My smoker is night and day compared to before my mods.

[RAF128]

HMMMM.    Lets see.     Well, I had an OBS and it worked fine except it was small for my needs.   Wanted something larger to hang sausage.   I could have made shorter sausages but then I'd run out of space, so I opted to buy the 6 rack DBS.    Right out of the box it didn't heat up.    Found a loose wire in the smoke generator.   Fixed that.     Was disappointed in the temp swings and control, so bought a PID.    Now everything is good.    I guess you have to decide what you're needs are.    For most applications an OBS with a PID should be good.    If you need more space, the 6 rack is the way to go but I think a PID is a must.

[lumpy]

I have a BDS 4 rack, dual element with circulation fan, PID and have been using this set-up for almost 4 years now.
Used the BDS as original for 2+ years.
Only think I would change, get myself a 6 rack as the 4 rack is not tall enough to hang 20" chubs.

Going to pick up Amazn smoker rack as the BDS mechanism jams when not clean.

One more thing, I removed and replaced all the back of the cabinet wires with silicone wires as the original ones were getting very brittle and when I converted to to dual element, I installed 2 brand new ones.

Lumpy