Another new smoker

[hktkct]

We just purchased a 6 rack BDS (I don't even know all the abbreviations to use) I'm still waiting on the cover to arrive before i put it out on the deck, if there was a book,,," HOW TO SMOKE FOR DUMMIES" I would have one, one of the questions I do have is I see some comments made on placing a brick or two in the smoker,,does this help with keeping the heat up? You will find I will probably ask some dumb questions.    Harold from Illinois

[Caneyscud]

Yes, it does.  The Bradley is essentially a simple oven with a smoke generator attached.  It is designed for low-n-slow only.  Nothing fast and fancy.  It works very well, just not a hot rod.  What it does not have is much heat storage mass, so that when you open the door, the hot air that has been generated and is used to cook you meat floats off into the wild blue.  Then the unit has to generate more hot air. There is very little stored heat to help with this.  The bricks act as heat storage devices.

[Caneyscud]

Now, where are my manners.

Welcome to the forum hktkct!  A great place to hang out.  You have only begun your journey down the road of smoking nirvana.  There may be bumps along the road, but if you get down on your knees and look at those bumps closely, you'll notice that those bumps are nothing but the bark forming on your smoking experience!  Cherish them.  Remember there are no mistakes in smoking just opportunities to experiment! 

[KevinG]

Welcome to the forum hktkct, don't worry, there's no dumb questions. We've all been at the beginning at one point.

[FLBentRider]

W E L C O M E  to the Forum hktkct!

You have questions? Ask away!

FAQ's http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?481-Bradley-Smoker-FAQ-s&p=748#post748

[KyNola]

Welcome Harold.  Don't worry about asking what you think are dumb questions.  We asked them when we first got started too.  They're not dumb at all.  We're all here to help you so don't hesitate to ask anything you want to know.

[OU812]

Welcome to the fun hktkct

Got questions?

Ask away, the folks here will fall over themselves tryin to answer them.

[classicrockgriller]

Welcome to the fun hktkct!

Nice to have you with US.

[hktkct]

Thanks for the help and the welcomes,,, you will probably hear alot of what might seem to you all simple questions..thanks again

[KyNola]

Hey Harold,
Just saw in another post that you are originally from Southern IL. Whereabouts?  Then, I saw you are currently south of Springfield.  You have two mad scientists very close to you.  Hal4UK and Squirtthecat.  STC is in Farmersville IL.  Hal is located very close to Farmersville as well.

[DTAggie]

Welcome hk.  I have not found a need to add a brick or anything else.  I have seen others who say it helps.

[hktkct]

Thanks Nola...I grew up about 12 miles from Metropolis..I live in Hillsboro now,,,very close to Farmsville

[KyNola]

And I am across the river from Metropolis in Paducah KY!  My wife Jan was born and raised in Metropolis.

[squirtthecat]

Small world!   Hal is about as far from me as I am from Hillsboro.   

[TestRocket]

Welcome hktkct. What Caneyscud said makes sense to me. That's why only on my second smoke on Sunday I added two foil warped bricks to my OBS (original Bradley Smoker). Good luck!