Issue wtih smoker puck push mechanism

chronos · August 09, 2005, 10:38:35 PM

Everyone,
I went to do some smoking yesterday and I found that the little arm that pushes the wood chip puck won't move more than 1/4th the way. So it can no longer get it onto the heater element.
When you turn it on (with no bricks in it), the arm attempts to come out but stops and then goes back. It keeps doing this for several minutes before it gives up. The smoker is only a month old so I can't believe anything serious is wrong with it. I've gently tapped it to get any leftover debris out but it's still not working.
Any ideas what to do? Is it possible to take it apart to clean it without voiding any warranty?

Thanks,

Jerry

nsxbill · August 09, 2005, 11:09:33 PM

Sorry to hear about your problem. Contact Bradley asap, and I suspect they will send you a brand new smoke generator under warranty. You can try cleaning it out, but like you say, if you mess it up, it isn't under warranty. In another post, one of our members, SueBn, is looking for a gear for her generator. Maybe you could get a new generator, and help her out with the gear??

http://bradleysmoker.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2168

Most folks have much better luck calling them. I know I called and had part to fix mine within two days.

Good luck,

Bill

There is room on earth for all God's creatures....on my plate next to the mashed potatoes.

Chez Bubba · August 10, 2005, 03:52:34 AM

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by nsxbill
 You can try cleaning it out, but like you say, if you mess it up, it isn't under warranty.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
In my experience, they would prefer you do this first, then claim a warranty replacement. Unless you are a complete idiot & trash the thing due to your ineptitude, they'll still stand behind it.

Kirk

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

MallardWacker · August 10, 2005, 02:05:46 PM

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Chez Bubba
 ......ineptitude,<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Quit using those big words around here! Some of us are from Arkansas.

SmokeOn,

mski
Perryville, Arkansas
Wooo-Pig-Soooie

If a man says he knows anything at all, he knows nothing what he aught to know. But...

Chez Bubba · August 12, 2005, 02:31:16 AM

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by MallardWacker
 Quit using those big words around here! Some of us are from Arkansas.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

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

Sorry Mallard, I didn't desiderate to abash your perspicuity.[;)][}:)][:D]

Kirk

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

whitetailfan · August 17, 2005, 03:35:47 PM

Sounds like something is physically stopping it from coming out all the way. I would poke around a little with a shim or maybe some mechanics wire. My preferred method of taking care of puck debris is a shot of good old compressed air. Simple and effective, and zero chance of damaging the generator.

whitetailfan
"Nice Rack"
Lethbridge, AB

jondom6916 · August 18, 2005, 12:05:07 AM

I had the same problem. Bradley said at the time that I could not get parts for the generator as it was made as a unit in China, so had to get a new generator. When I took the Gen. apart I found that the little nylon gear that pushes the arm for the feed chute had stripped a cog, so could not advance the pucks. It happened because the feed tube was not all the way down to the stop ridge and some pucks got in crossways and jammed the feed chute, causing the little feed gear to break.
I would like to know if parts are now available for the generator ?

jondom

Arcs_n_Sparks · August 18, 2005, 02:06:43 AM

No parts available for the generator.

Arcs_n_Sparks

chronos · August 20, 2005, 06:40:05 PM

Thanks everyone for your advice. I took a fine paint brush and cleaned everything as thoroughly as I could. It moved all the way across but was definately scraping along the track. I brushed on some oil (olive) and after a few back and forths it became much more smooth and is now working fine. I'll monitor it for a while and see how it goes.

Thanks,

Jerry

SmokerJim · August 21, 2005, 08:37:21 PM

Smoking for the first time today!

Did the pre-smoke (no food) without a problem few days ago. Today I'm ready to cook and the generator won't push pucks! Brushed it out; still no improvement. I put some grape seed oil (good for hi temps) in there and now all seems to be ok. Have yet to see how this will work long term.

This forum is great - I'll let everyone know how my ribs and potatoes turn out.

Cheers!

Jim

Habanero Smoker · August 21, 2005, 09:08:19 PM

I would be careful using vegetable oils as a lubricant. My past experience I found that these oils would gum up when exposed to air for any length of time. I'm not that familiar with grape seed oil, but I know that olive oil will turn "gummy".

Oldman · August 21, 2005, 10:55:13 PM

SmokerJim,
If your unit is new then call Bradley and let them know about your problem. I would not accept having to use any kind of oil to make the unit work as it is not design with the need of oil in mind.

I think you should get a replacement unit under your warranty.

Olds

JJC · August 26, 2005, 02:14:19 PM

Welcome, Jim!

John
Newton MA