Product Update

Chez Bubba · April 04, 2004, 01:06:32 AM

Bradley has replaced their glass heater tubes with stainless steel ones! No more worries about breakage.

All smokers currently in the distribution pipeline still have the glass version but newer smokers entering the chain in April should have the stainless.

For those with questions, like me, I had to experiment. Here are the results from today's test:

Smoker was in the CB Laboratories (my garage) so wind wouldn't be a factor. I had the top vent closed up to the 30 minute reading & then opened it full. Temp probe was hung below the 2nd rack from the top. No food, no bisquettes, nothing else other than to test the temp. All temps F.

Glass Steel
Start 68 65
10 min 133 158
20 min 214 237
30 min 265 287
45 min 235 232
1 hr 265 264
90 min 258 244
2 hr 252 278

Seems to me the new version heats up faster but for the most part maintians the same characteristics as the original. I did notice with both that in-between checkpoint times after 1 hr, the temp seemed to spike up & down. Maybe Bradley designed a cut-off so that it would not get too hot?

The SS glows bright orange just like the glass.

You're welcome,

Professor Bubba [:D]

ps. Previewing the post, apparentley my nice little temp chart got scrunched. Sorry, I'll figure out a better way next time.

http://www.chezbubba.com
Ya think next time I check into a hotel & they ask "Smoking or Non?" they would mind?

ruffinit · April 04, 2004, 03:32:29 AM

thanks for update kirk.just a question or two tho,is it same price as glass replacement?and do all bradley distributers have them?

mike

Bassman · April 04, 2004, 02:12:38 PM

Good job Professor, Thanks for the info! Give my regards to the Skipper & Gilligan![:D]

Jack

Oldman · April 04, 2004, 02:50:42 PM

And here you sold me an extra glass one...shame on you~~!

Chez Bubba · April 04, 2004, 08:15:03 PM

Sorry Olds,

I only heard about them a little over a week ago & actually got them Thursday. Other than their penchant for getting broken while installed in the smoker during shipping, I see little difference in the two.

If you want, send us back the glass one & we'll switch you out, no problem.[:)]

Kirk

http://www.chezbubba.com
Ya think next time I check into a hotel & they ask "Smoking or Non?" they would mind?

Chez Bubba · April 04, 2004, 08:17:48 PM

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Bassman
 Good job Professor, Thanks for the info! Give my regards to the Skipper & Gilligan![:D]

Jack
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Personally, I'd prefer Ginger or Mary Anne.[:D]

http://www.chezbubba.com
Ya think next time I check into a hotel & they ask "Smoking or Non?" they would mind?

Kummok · April 05, 2004, 11:42:15 PM

Kirk:
Checking your website to order......are the SS the same price as glass ($15) [?] The pics missing so I couldn't tell.

I'm thinkin' that this should be a busy smokin season and I'm gonna be building up some spare parts, "just in case".......So far, I haven't been able to break or wear anything out! Soooo, I need some EXPERT partsman counsel......what, (if anything [;)]), seems to be the most ordered parts, meaning most likely to break or wear out first?
RC

Kummok @ Homer, AK USA

Chez Bubba · April 06, 2004, 04:03:34 AM

I don't know yet how much the SS tubes will be, we haven't gotten our invoice from Bradley yet. Anne is going to call them tomorrow & see if we can get a copy. They told us they might be "slightly more", but depending, we might have to reduce the price on the glass ones.

Regarding parts, our experience has been half CYA & half the SHE factor. That stands for Stupid Human Error, so please, no hate mail from the feminists.[:D]

The light tube is the most common part bought (CYA). The second most common part is the lower face & temp control board, but most of them have been covered under the 1 year warranty. It seems a lot of learning users don't get the fact that a lot of liquid running out the bottom of the smoker could be a bad thing. Not to demean them though, Bradley's manual is somewhat lacking in certain respects. They have been updating it positively.

I've had my smoker for going on 3 years & not a single thing has worn out or busted, less my stupidity. I guess that's why we feel the need to stock all the parts because we never know what we might do next![:I]

Kirk

http://www.chezbubba.com
Ya think next time I check into a hotel & they ask "Smoking or Non?" they would mind?

Oldman · April 06, 2004, 10:07:30 AM

Talking about the water running out the bottom, this past weekend while I was doing 4 ribs and two chickens I had this problem. I'm going to take a closer look asap and see what I can come up with that might stop this. I've got a feeling the moisture is forming on the sides of the box and then flowing down past the edges of the "flat" pan in the bottom. Then it runs out the door.

Now I'm kind of guessing here, but I got the flavor from reading a couple of postings that this water will short out the unit. Is this the case? If so, I need to water proof this area. I also know that by covering my food while smoking that action holds in moisture and may very well contribute to this problem.

Chez--EE-BaBy where do I get a complete diagram for this unit. Now don't go getting your Bradley pants in a tight by saying you open the box you loose your warrenty. I'm not worried about that.

Over the years I have designed, built, and created new thought-lines in my industry in the area of cleaning equipment. One case in point I remember 19-20 years back being told that the way I was doing it was complete 180 degrees from the established industry. My reply was: Correct. And while you are using 600,000 BTUs to get the job done I'm only 120,000 BTUs... Needless to say, while some manfactures never change, many in my industry now do it my way. I could go on with many more examples, but no need.

So let's not get into worrying about me opening the box. That is my call.

BTW Concerning that glass tube I can only tell ya the check is in the mail~~Ha ha ha!
Olds

Chez Bubba · April 07, 2004, 02:15:08 AM

Olds, my thoughts,

A)Is the "moisture" water or fat?
B)Is the meat (or t-shirt) touching the sides of the smoker?
C)Is your top vent open?
D)Is the meat (or t-shirt) saturated with moisture when you put it in?
E)I see no reason a dry t-shirt that contains a meats' original moisture within the meat would cause a problem.
F)The only time I've ever had liquid come out the bottom, I had too much bacon dripping on the food & it was touching the sides.
G)I don't know if said diagram even exists, I'll ask but don't cross your fingers.
H)I doubt Bradley has too big of a worry about you opening it up. Seems their MO is to send you replacement parts & say "Here you go, replace it." Personally, I certainly don't have a problem with it, I can guarantee you you're more qualified than some owners.[;)][:)]

Now you know my ABC's [:D],

Kirk

http://www.chezbubba.com
Ya think next time I check into a hotel & they ask "Smoking or Non?" they would mind?

Oldman · April 07, 2004, 05:55:37 AM

Chez-man (HEH he he)

Ya it was water alright no doubt about that. The driveway slants just a little there and the water was comming out the bottom left. As far as the cotton touching the side that might be possible and perhaps the moisture from the meat wicked to the sides and down. When I remove the cotton are very wet so maybe that is the answer. The top I keep as shut as possible--leaving it open just enough to prevent the smoke from coming out the generator.

Let you know this next week-end...
Olds

Chez Bubba · April 08, 2004, 01:54:01 AM

Olds,

If it's water, another thing to consider would be the drip bowl and tray. If you were a bad boy[:(!] & didn't empty & clean them within a day of smoking, that could be your problem. Fat plus ash basically equals lye & aluminum doesn't like that. It will eat little pinholes right through it, making it a very nice sieve.

Kirk

http://www.chezbubba.com
Ya think next time I check into a hotel & they ask "Smoking or Non?" they would mind?

Oldman · April 09, 2004, 01:28:35 AM

Clean what do ya mean clean? Shoot I only take a bath on the first Sat of each month...even then I think it is a waste of water. Clean the Bradley never~~!

Chez Bubba · April 10, 2004, 01:11:38 AM

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

http://www.chezbubba.com
Ya think next time I check into a hotel & they ask "Smoking or Non?" they would mind?