Sound Decision?

Hiram · April 29, 2010, 10:20:01 PM

Ok, I've read all the posts on the original Bradley and the digital and made some decisions which I need input on. After much pondering I plan to go with the OBS and a Auber PID with single probe. I think (there I go thinking again) the plan is mounting the single probe on the inside back of the cabinet and getting a Maverick remote for the meat temp.
I chose the Auber Because it seems like a better solution to temp control than the digital smoker and I like the single probe over the dual when using the Maverick. Please blow holes in this plan if I've slipped up somewhere, thanks.

classicrockgriller · April 29, 2010, 10:37:34 PM

Personally, I think you are right on Target.

OBS, Great unit, lowest cost.

Single probe auber, great unit lowest cost.

Maverick (ET-7 or ET-73) great units at a great price.

So you control the OBS with the Auber and monitor the cabinet temp and meat temp with the Maverick.

You are my Hero.

ArnieM · April 29, 2010, 10:49:31 PM

I'm with CRG all the way on this one. Plus, he sings nice ;D

Chuck the batteries that come with the ET-73 and use quality alkaline or rechargeable NiMH batteries. Better range and more reliable.

classicrockgriller · April 29, 2010, 10:52:58 PM

Also, Welcome to the Forum.

3rensho · April 30, 2010, 01:48:41 AM

Hi Hiram and welcome to the forum. The setup you are contemplating is exactly what I have and I'm really happy with it. That is a winning combination IMHO.

Tom

KevinG · April 30, 2010, 06:35:17 AM

Welcome to the forum Hiram, that's not the way I went, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with what you're doing.

FLBentRider · April 30, 2010, 06:54:31 AM

W E L C O M E to the Forum Hiram!

A Sound decision indeed.

I have the OBS, and later added the PID.

Tenpoint5 · April 30, 2010, 07:44:02 AM

A great decision but If you even remotely think that at sometime in the future you might want to get into making your own sausage. I would suggest the dual probe PID to go with your OBS. Only for the fact that it will ramp temps by IT not just time. It also has the added benefit of the ability to turn your smoke generator on and off for you.

Hiram · April 30, 2010, 10:47:27 AM

It's good to know I'm on the right track, I've used a brinkman for the last 15yrs. and have been looking for a simpler solution. My wife , neighbors and friends are alarmed that I'm changing my technique of smoking as they've been the benificary of my smoking (I usually give away more than we eat) over the years. Most say no way it will be as good as the old school style, but when we have friends over for pulled pork suppers at 5-6 pm no one out there with me staring the fire at 2:00 AM and checking and stoking the fire every half hour throughout the day.
I've studied a lot of posts and I think although I may have to start it at 2AM and watch it for 3-4 hrs smoking, after the smoke the Maverick and me can have some cat naps. Only question I have is I usually smoke ribs with hickory for 2hrs, butts for 4hrs then kingsford for the remaining time. On the Brinkman any more smoke than that is overkill, you can't really tell any difference if they are smoked longer in the final product.
Do I follow this rule with OBS or do I need to increase my smoking times, thanks for the replies.

classicrockgriller · April 30, 2010, 11:06:37 AM

You are on Target again.

ribs 2 to 3 (3 for me)

Butts 4 plus (i like 6 or so) but 4 is the general rule.

Hiram · May 02, 2010, 08:36:15 PM

I ordered the OBS but stalled on the Maverick, lots of negative feedback on the unit from various sites. Looking at others such as NuTemp, I have a suspicion the Maverick failures might be attributed to higher temps than are recommended by manufacturer (such as use on a grill) I fried one on my grill.
Sooo, I opted for the dual probe Auber as TenPoint5 suggested, for the extra 40.00 it was a no-brainer. Now I sit and wait, thanks again for the help.

ArnieM · May 02, 2010, 08:55:10 PM

The Maverick will work OK with decent batteries. Squirt recommended LiIon - can't afford 'em. Either quality alkaline or rechargeable NiMH work well. My smoker is in the garage. I can put the receiver on my desk on the second floor of the house and watch the temps.

Quarlow · May 02, 2010, 09:00:54 PM

Sounds like you are good to go. Most of the guys and gals use the mavericks with no problems. And they have figured out an upgrade to extent the range for the receiver. They are nice to have so you don't have to run out to check the temps all the time.

starship · May 03, 2010, 12:51:07 AM

I did the same thing, and no regrets.
Auber Plug and play PID, mounted sensor through the back, between 2 and 4 rack.
And yes, keep fresh batteries in the Mavrick!

Hiram · May 06, 2010, 07:59:52 AM

Best laid plans of mice and men I call it, ordered the OBS and some bisquettes from amazon, pucks from Y&Pool and dual probe Auber. The OBS came in 2 days, the Auber 2 days and the pucks in two days. The bisquettes won't be shipped untill the 7th so here I sit with all my stuff and the closest bisquettes are 100 miles away in Charlotte.
The amazon order told me 5-7 days for shipping so I figured everything would come in about the same time. Spent some time yesterday looking locally nada, I have a Bradley listed dealer 25 miles away, he's never heard of the Bradley Smoker.
My wife says she'll throw me a pity party if it will help, no retort back from me as the poor girl had to have oral surgery yesterday (on her birthday). She suggested I go stand outside WalMart with a sign "will work for bisquettes, nothing like twisting the knife.