Hello..........Help me decide :)

[JTM]

Hello Everyone.  I've been scanning this forum for quite some time and I believe I'm finally ready to get a Bradley.  To be honest, I've wanted a Big Green Egg for quite some time but for now I simply can't justify the cost.  In addition, I like the idea of being able to completely walk away from the Bradley and let it do its thing (with proper temperature control).  Most of my smoking will be done while I'm at work so the "set it and forget it" aspect is important to me.  With that said, I'm still trying to decide between the DBS-4 and the OBS with PID.  I've searched/read quite a bit but there are still a few questions I'm hoping someone can answer.

1.) What's the difference in smoke control between the DBS and OBS?  From my understanding you can program the DBS to smoke for a specific time but couldn't you also just put the appropriate amount of pucks in the OBS so they'd simply run out after a given time?
2.) I'm unclear whether or not the dual PID can help with smoke control or if it's only intent is to control temp vs time.  Can someone clarify?

I thought I had more, maybe I'll think of them later.  Any advice is much appreciated!

[Ka Honu]

... the "set it and forget it" aspect is important to me.

I'll let the smarter guys answer your specific questions, but read this before you buy into the set & forget thing.

[JTM]

That's certainly a good point.  When I smoke now (kettle style smoker) I'll typically be away from the smoker for 4+ hours at a time.  My temp control is poor but I mainly do butts which are obviously forgiving.  Anyway, I have a large uncovered concrete patio out back where I keep the smoker that's a good distance from anything flamable.  So hopefully by keeping it clean and in a safe area I'll be okay.

[SL2010]

http://www.amazon.com/Jim-Beam-BTDS76JB-Bradley-Digital/dp/B001LK7916

this what have i never had a smoker and i have zero complaints and if i did some one on here is always willing to help

[ArnieM]

Hi JTM and welcome to the forum.

I'd personally go for the OBS and a PID - cause I have that combo.  :D

The OBS will smoke as many pucks as you put in, minus three.  Many people use aluminum puck pushers so as not to scorch the final three pucks.

It's as close to set and forget as you can come.  For a long smoke, the water bowl and dead pucks will have to be chucked and refreshed after about four hours.  Other than that, keep the V tray and water bowl clean between smokes and there shouldn't be any problems.

[JTM]

So, pucks smoke for 20min correct?  If I want a 4 hour smoke I simply put 12 pucks + 3 bubba pucks in and let it go?  With the DBS I can put as many pucks in as I want but I program it to 4 hours?

Thanks again!

[FLBentRider]

W E L C O M E  to the Forum JTM!

You will still need the bubba pucks with the digital.

[JTM]

:)  Right, I understand the bubba pucks.  From a smoke standpoint what is the advantage of the digital over the original?  Does the digital simply allow you to program in the amount of time you want smoke or is there more?  Thanks!

[FLBentRider]

:)  Right, I understand the bubba pucks.  From a smoke standpoint what is the advantage of the digital over the original?  Does the digital simply allow you to program in the amount of time you want smoke or is there more?  Thanks!

I have an original. In my environment (Florida) I keep my pucks in sealed bags and/or containers. I only load what I need.

So for me the programmable smoke aspect is not relavent.

My take on the digital vs original is - if you are going to be making and smoking your own sausage, then a PID add-on will be helpful. This takes over the temperature control.

If you need the space a 6 rack provides, then digital is the only way.

[Brisket Lover]

+1 for the OBS PID combo

[TestRocket]

+1 for the OBS PID combo

Ditto that!  ;D