Hi Everyone

[Leslie]

I am new here.  I did not know this forum existed until 15 minutes ago.
I have seriously been considering a Bradley smoker.  I saw one at a local store over the weekend, it was red, I believe the price tag was in the $80 - $90 dollar range. 
It is a smoker, but you can also grill with it if you rearrange the heating element on top, I believe.
It did not appear to have a thermostat.

Since I have not yet purchased one, I could use some advice, based on your own experiences, of which models have worked well for you, and what are important features to consider.

Thanks,
Leslie

[classicrockgriller]

Leslie, welcome to the Forum.

What you saw at that store was not a Bradley.

It sounds more like a Brinkman.

Click on this to see what Bradley Smokers are about!

[beefmann]

Leslie,

first things  first  welcome to the forum.

second do some research into smokers and ask questions to make an educated choice that fits your  needs

if it was red , round and in 3 pieces, Bottom where the heater is. a long middle tube for smoking or larger volumes of food and then the top it is a brinkman and not a Bradley.

while it is nice to use for grilling you  have no temperature control or good way to smoke, you  have to use chunks of wood which will provide a Smokey flavor and you will have to keep your  eye on it during the smoking process.

with a bradley it can be a set it and forget it process  with the digital unit or a original  with a PID ( temperature Control ) which makes it so much nicer

[Leslie]

I stand corrected, it was a Brinkman.
I have been researching this.
The Brinkman DID get me interested in the concept of an electric smoker, but it does not have the features I'm looking for. I am definitely sold on Bradley, I just now have to decide which one will fit my needs the best.

Thanks

[TestRocket]

Welcome Leslie,

We like questions so if you have any to help you find what will more fit your need, ask away!

[SoCalBuilder]

Leslie - Let me welcome you too and say that this is the place to find out which Bradley is best for you. I do know that there are regulars here that own both the digital and the original version and can give you their personal take on both. There are those that just pull them out of the box and start smoking and are quite pleased with the outcome. Then there are those that won't leave well enough alone and want to make modifications that would make Tim 'The Toolman' Taylor proud. Welcome and have fun!

[hal4uk]

Welcome Leslie!

One of the great things about a Bradley is that you will find plenty of help here on this forum if you get one.

[Jim O]

Welcome Leslie,to the wonderful world of Bradley. A good choice !


Jim O

[KyNola]

Welcome Leslie!

[punchlock]

welcome Leslie, I am fairly new around here as well. I can tell you that a person only needs to do a little looking around here for some of the most outstanding examples of customer service. I have a Bradley digital and I am very pleased so far.

Glad to have you along....

[DTAggie]

Welcome Leslie.  Brinkman makes some good charcoal smokers and I have used them for many years.  Never have tried one of the electric ones.  I will say the Bradley smoker is awesome!

[SouthernSmoked]

Welcome to the forum...Enjoy!

http://www.susanminor.org

Remember we like pic's!!

[Gunny]

welcome Leslie...

I'm a newbie myself but these folks on here are more than eager to help. They're super people! I too have several smokers and grills. I love using them all but I must say the Bradley is the best of the lot. And if you do have problems their customer service is AWESOME! They will have you up and running in no time at all. It took me months before I decided to get the Bradley but I was getting tired of sitting up all night tending the fire and such. The Bradley is "kinda" like the "set it and forget it" deal. I still set up but like I said earlier.... I'm still a newbie!

I love it!
Semper Fi

[watchdog56]

Welcome Leslie and Gunny. Which one? First of all it depends if you plan on doing sausage or anything else that requires tight temp. control. I planned on using it for sausage and fish but have found out I have smoked alot of things from prime rib (which is excellent),beans,pork butt,fatties,peanuts,ribs,steaks,
hamburgers and the list goes on. I bought the digital but soon realized the temp had a +/- 20 degree swings. When making sausage you need to have a tighter control of +/- 2 degrees so I had to buy a PID (programmable device that keeps temps in that range) it was spendy $150 but well worth it. So if I were to do it again I think I would buy the original and then a PID. I will say the food that comes out great and the help[ around here is second to none so don't be afraid to ask questions.

[punchlock]

So if I were to do it again I think I would buy the original and then a PID.

I feel the same, Origional with a PID..