What to buy

[chandlersmoking]

I am going to buy a smoker.  Do I want the new digital or the stainless steel non digital. When I cook I like to attend and check things.  So I am thinking non digital. 

[Gizmo]

Based on your note, I would suggest going with the non-digital.
If you want more temp control, you can add a digital controler with better temp control than the digital offers.
The biggest advantage of the digital is the puck contoller timer.  With the digital, you can tell when the motor will cycle when the timer hits a 00, 20, or 40.  The digital also has a minor drawback of only allowing to be set up to 9 hours 40 minutes, so when you are making a pulled pork or brisket, you will need to reset the timer at least once.

[GusRobin]

I understand the SS is being discontinued. I have the OBS, with an auber PID. You can get that set up for $239 plus $185 for the PID. It will probably do everything that the digital can do for the most part. The digital has temp swings that will probably lead you to buy a PID if you want to do things like sausage that require closer temp control than the digital provides. So that is an added expense.

You can control the start of the puck controller with the OBS and the PID. That is you can control when the smoke generator starts and stops. With the digital you can leave the generator on and control the puck advance. To me if you add the second element it doesn't matter if you leave the generator on or of after the pucks are done.To me it would boil down to your budget and whether or not you would need a 6 rack vs a 4 rack. If you think you need the 6 rack than go digital. Otherwise I would go OBS and a PID. Either case I would also install the second element no matter which one I bought.
My personal opinion.

[chandlersmoking]

What is PID

[Gizmo]

PID is a temperature controller.

[Quarlow]

Well one thing you should know is that the stainless steel non-digital is no longer available. So you have to ask yourself whether you want a 6 rack or a 4 rack. If you want a 6 rack you have to go digital. If you are fine with a 4 rack then you can get a Original (OBS) non-digital or a digital. If you are fine with an original 4 rack then you can later add what is referred to as a "PID" which is a very precise temperature controller. Many of us have them and many more are going to get one. You can also use it with a digital and they are plug and play so there is no wiring to do or anything else. They cost about $160 to $180 for the dual probe model. They really help with the temp swings which is important when smoking salmon or sausage and is real nice to have for the longer smokes like pork butts and brisket. It is programmable to shut off at a set temp so you will not overcook during the night. Yes I said night. A pork butt or brisket can take up to 34 hrs to reach the desired IT(internal temp).
With the 4 rack non-digital you save on the price over a digital which helps to offset the price of the PID. But if you want the larger 6 rack then you will have to shell out the extra dough.
Now all that said you can get any Bradley and do an awesome job, you just have to watch it closer.
So really you just have to decide whether you need a 6 rack or a 4. Geez I am long winded today. Welcome to the forum and if you have anymore questions just ask.

[Quarlow]

Dang you Gus. You out typed me.

[chandlersmoking]

I was at Cabelas yesterday and they had a stainless steel model still there.  Would the stainless be the way to go if someone could get one?  I am going with the four rack original and the PID with a second element.  Ive been reading and seems that alot of others have all this.

[Quarlow]

Does the stainless come in a 4 rack? I thought it was a 6 rack. If it is a 6 rack non-digital that would be the way to go. Then add the PID and a second element and maybe even a fan kit which you can get from one of our sort of in house suppliers and you have the best set up you could ask for in my opinion.

[Quarlow]

Oh yeah. The 6 rack stainless non-digital is dis continued. So if Cabela's has one you are in luck. But don't worry about parts as they all use the same ones so you will not be left out in the cold. Not to mention that Bradley has the very best customer service around.

[GusRobin]

depends if you want to spend the extra money. I am not sure that the $$ is worth it unless they have some good mark downs. You can get the OBS on line with free shipping for $259 at cabelas- (I erroneously said $239 in my other post)

[chandlersmoking]

They had a SS 4 rack.  I think a 4 would work great.  Thanks for the help.

[Quarlow]

I am pretty sure that the SS 4 rack and 6 rack are digital. The only way to get non-digital is with the OBS. Unless I am cross-eye again. But looking at cabela's website that is what I come up with.

[chandlersmoking]

How does the fan kit work? 

[Habanero Smoker]

Here are a couple of examples of a PID's;
Auber Plug & Play PID

Here is a link to some of the acronyms you may come across on this board:
Acronym