Second element question

[renoman]

Renoman, in your earlier posts you mentioned that you purchased your BDS less than a month ago.  If you slap a 1000 watt element in your new Bradley your 1 year warranty will be void.  That means if you fry the digital controls Bradley is under no obligation to replace them.  I would suggest you spend a little more time with your BDS before you risk your warranty.

That said, it's your smoker so drive on!

KyNola, I am aware of that for sure. I will see how things work out before I do any mods. It is going to get cold here soon though, like -25-30 and I want to be able to smoke through the winter. If the smoker won't get hot enough I will have to add some sort of element to help out with the heat regardless of the warranty. I guess I could always smoke then finish on the grill.

[NorthShoreMN]

I have been using a bradly 6 rack digital for over a year winter and summer. The only modification to it is a couple of foil covered bricks that I preheat in my oven before starting the smoke and a "cozy " made out of aluminum foil covered bubble wrap insulation. 
I live in Ne Minnesota near Lake Superior.
Wind is more of a problem than the cold temps.

[Alanfromwis]

  After my warranty expired, I removed the 500 watt element & added a 900 watt finned element. Then made a 25 amp (SSR) converter to power the new element. Used the 120vac to a 12 vdc converter to power the ssr relay. Worked fine but since purchased a Auber SYL-242 with an Auber oven probe that controls temp better. Still have the SSR mod to use if the Auber fails, this way I have a backup system.