Long time listener... first time caller

[First State Smoker]

Hello All! I've read and referred to these forums so often that I figure it's about time to join the conversation.

I've had my original for a few years now and the biggest crowd pleaser by far is Spyguy's cold smoked salmon. It's quite labour intensive but well worth the effort. Last batch was on the 4th of July and even though I started early I was fighting the temperature as it climbed towards the high 90's here in Delaware. I loaded the smoker with ice and it came out great. Used a home made cold smoke box that I made out of cardboard along with a dryer hose (looking forward to getting the Bradley version).

My heating element quit working and I finally got around to calling Bradley for a replacement. Everything I've heard about the service is true. Parts arrived in 2 days and it seems like they didn't charge me much for shipping, even though my smoker is well outside of the warranty period. Not to mention that they were significantly cheaper than anything I saw online. Just great.

Looking forward to getting some ribs done this weekend! ;D

[Uncle Pigfat]

sorry to hear about the element, but it's good to see you're back up and running.  Since you've been lurking around in the shadows for a while, I shouldn't have to remind you that if there are no pictures, you didn't smoke it.  Seriously.  No one ever says they want to be a food voyeur.  It just happens. Cheers and happy smoking!

out of curiosity, what kind of cash did Bradley want for a new heating element?

[BuyLowSellHigh]

Welcome FSS!  Newark DE huh ?  Brings back memories - lived there for 5 years when I was a grad student at U of D.

[TestRocket]

Welcome First State Smoker (FSS),

It look like once your get your new parts installed your back in business.  So happy smoking and keep in mind: Help is but only a question away! We like to help and like Uncle said we like PICS too! I have a feeling CRG will be along soon with some helpful links! So read on!

[First State Smoker]

Thanks everyone, for the welcome!

Ya, I could throw a rock and hit the U of D. Enjoying DE although I'm a transplant from a little town outside of Ottawa, Ontario. My back is liking the decreased snow-load.  ;)

I put the parts in this morning and I have heat! I replaced the heating element first - no luck - and then the control switch. I suspected it was the switch as it was a little rusted inside and the slider had broken off some time ago. Bradley wanted $9 for the element and I believe about $16 for the switch. Only charged me $5 for shipping and it made it to DE from IL in 2 days!

As a side note, before I replaced the parts I got a volt meter across all the various parts inside and I had 120v going to everything - even across the heating element, but no light or heat. After checking that all the connections were sound I ran out of troubleshooting techniques but thankfully it was the switch.

[classicrockgriller]

Congrats on getting that Baby fixed.

Now it's time to rock and roll.

Welcome to the Forum.

[Tenpoint5]

Now you have a second element to make the modification to a 2 element Bradley. Glad to see you posting and joining in on the fun.

[BuyLowSellHigh]

FSS, just curious -- is Herman's Meat Shoppe still in Newark ?

[monty]

welcome to the board FSS. good to see you're back up and running.

small world - i'm from a small town outside of Ottawa, now living in Ottawa

[First State Smoker]

BLSH - I couldn't tell you if Herman's is still there. I actually don't get into Newark proper very often. Mostly driving north to Wilmington for work.

Monty - It is a small world. My small town was Almonte (population 4k or has it grown?). And even then I lived a good 15min outside, about halfway to Middleville. Which small town is yours?

[monty]

FSS - i'm from Perth!

too funny...

[First State Smoker]

Ah, Perth. Home of the Maple Festival. :)