Heating element went out.....

[SmokeyJoe]

So, I am doing a pork shoulder and started it last night at 8pm, at 9am this morning my element took a poop! I moved the shoulder to the oven at 225 (IT was at 170), Do I need to wrap it with foil or anything, I just literally moved the rack right into the stove with a pan underneath to catch drippings. I am planning on FTC at 195 for 3 hours, maybe sooner if this takes too long. Any thoughts or tips?

I called Bradley already, and there is a new element on the way. This was only my 6th smoke, I bought it less than a month ago...

[classicrockgriller]

You did good.

If you need to hurry the cooking of the butt, you can bump the oven

to 250/260*. FTC is your Friend!

[TestRocket]

Good save there SmokeyJoe and I hate you lost a element. Hopefully you will be up and smoking again real soon!  ;D

[SmokeyJoe]

Thanks for the replies! IT is up to 187, so we are on schedule for 195 IT! This is my first shoulder, first FTC and the first time I will be having pulled pork so I am pretty excited! I am not sure what sauce to use if any on my sandwiches? I am going to try the vuanted vinegar sauce and maybe some coleslaw on top, we'll see!

[Pachanga]

I've had a lot of complements on this slaw.  A half recipe will serve a family easily.  Be sure that it is on the 'wich and not on the side.

Pachanga’s Creamy Cole Slaw

This is cole slaw done right.  Plenty of celery seed, a blend of mayo and Miracle Whip, the kick of white wine vinegar counteracting the sweetness along with the tang of buttermilk balance the flavors of this recipe well.  The cream ties all the ingredients together to create a fantastic side.  This also goes well on pulled pork sandwiches and blackened fish tacos.

1/2 cup mayonnaise (Helman’s recommended or homemade)
¼ cup Miracle Whip
3 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon dry mustard
3/8 teaspoon celery seed
1/4 dash black pepper or more to taste
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup heavy cream (substitute up to 2 tablespoons buttermilk if on hand)
1/4 teaspoon sea salt or more to taste
1 large head cabbage, finely shredded

Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl.  Whisk until well blended and smooth.  Pour coleslaw dressing over shredded cabbage in a large bowl and toss until cabbage is well coated. Keep coleslaw refrigerated.

If you want to take it up another notch, serve on homemade Parker House rolls that are fat and flat.  The vaunted vinegar sauce is a good choice.

Pachanga

[jiggerjams]

I will take two sammies  :)

[mjdeez]

Just out of curiosity how did you know it was the heating element and not the switch / thermostat?

[SmokeyJoe]

Just out of curiosity how did you know it was the heating element and not the switch / thermostat?

I don't think the "switch" is a thermostat at all, it more or less is a dimmer switch I believe. I think the heating element has a much higher probability of failing, and from reading around, others have had their element fail as well. So i guess I just went with probability and whatever free parts Bradley wants to send me! ;D The answer to your question is no, I don't know for certain what the problem is.

[mjdeez]

Ok thanks.  I have the DBS, and it has a relay in the smoke generator that turns on / off. Turns on when temp gets down to set point minus 10 degrees (F), and turns back off when the temp hits the set point.  There is a short heavy power cord between the smoke generator and tower box. This cord is the same spec as the ones used for a desktop computer. You could just take a standard computer plug, plug one end in the AC outlet, and the other end in your tower box and see if it powers up (bypass the thermostat). If not, definitely the element.

I don't know how the OBS temp control works, but I have seen pics of the back of it so I know it does have the same power connection.  But if the thermostat is contained within the box (which i suspect) then I'm not sure you can isolate that the way I describe.

In any case you are probably right about the element being the problem, but I figured I'd mention this trick in case it is something else.  Actually it is a quick way to test it (double check) before ripping out your present element.

[micman]

Smokey joe sorry about your element, mine did the same thing after about six smokes. mjdeez is on the button, pull your power cord from the back of your smoke box and plug it straight into the back of the tower. This is what bradley told me to trouble shoot the element. I had mine delivered in three days and was back smokin in no time. It is also an easy replacement. two screws each side and a little nut and washer that holds the wires on.

mickey