Heat Elements

Fernslinger · March 07, 2011, 04:51:40 PM

I just received my replacement element in the mail and noticed the numbers are different than what was stamped on my dead one. Decided to post em up for comparison.

Old/dead element- DF 120V 500W 1006 GYQ series

New Element- E217286 GYQ DF 120V 500W 1101

We shall see how long this one lasts. Looks like some change has been made? Batch numbers to track maybe?

SmokinEverything · March 07, 2011, 05:00:04 PM

Quote from: Fernslinger on March 07, 2011, 04:51:40 PM
I just received my replacement element in the mail and noticed the numbers are different than what was stamped on my dead one. Decided to post em up for comparison.

Old/dead element- DF 120V 500W 1006 GYQ series

New Element- E217286 GYQ DF 120V 500W 1101

We shall see how long this one lasts. Looks like some change has been made? Batch numbers to track maybe?

Hopefully this is a step in the right direction. Good thing is the newest element was made after failures started to be reported. Doesn't necessarily mean anything was changed yet, but with the time frame difference it is, at the least, a fresh batch. Time will tell the tale.

33SMET · March 08, 2011, 08:36:59 AM

So is the 1006= 2010/june
and the new 1101=2011/january

Fernslinger · March 08, 2011, 09:14:53 AM

Dont know...but most of the failures I saw were from the DF 120V 500W 1006 GYQ series I think. Both mine were at least...

Quarlow · March 08, 2011, 03:10:00 PM

Good luck Fern I hope this works out. Alot of people are watching.

Fernslinger · March 08, 2011, 06:40:05 PM

Doing a butt Saturday....that ought to test her :)

oakville smoker · March 09, 2011, 08:59:21 AM

Hi all

I can now add myself to the element failure population
Wonder if Viagra will help that?.... LOL

I am out of warranty now and have been contemplating a dual element for a while now
As it turns out I am going to be in Maine for the week next week and thinking I should order the kit from Y and P
Any thoughts or suggestions? Either way this costs me money

mjdeez · March 09, 2011, 09:36:59 AM

QuoteHi all

I can now add myself to the element failure population
Wonder if Viagra will help that?.... LOL

I am out of warranty now and have been contemplating a dual element for a while now
As it turns out I am going to be in Maine for the week next week and thinking I should order the kit from Y and P
Any thoughts or suggestions? Either way this costs me money

Call Bradley first and tell them your situation. Describe the problem though (may not be an element failure but something else that seems like it). Since they know they have an issue with heat elements maybe they will help you out even though it is out of warrantee... I don't know but the worst they can say is no. Worth a call.

SmokinEverything · March 09, 2011, 10:24:00 AM

Quote from: 33SMET on March 08, 2011, 08:36:59 AM
So is the 1006= 2010/june
and the new 1101=2011/january

That would be it. Last two are the month first two year. Did notice on one earlier, April of 2010 was 2010 04

PS, note to mods. Using my phone, I accidentally hit a report this post button. Please ignore, it was inadvertent.

Cleaver · March 12, 2011, 07:51:22 PM

Lost my 3rd element today. I actually had the opportunity to watch it burn out. It was time to move racks around a bit. And when I saw a red glow was brighter that earlier I looked under the V tray. Only the center inch was red and extremely bright. Is it possible the elements are shorting then blowing at the weakest point. I'm going to contact Brian and see if he want this one back to investigate.
I had a spare so did the quick change so I didn't have to finish in oven. lol, lost a set of finger prints but ribs were awesome.
Almost wish Bradley would install the connectors as push on fittings. 7mm wench suck when everything it hot.

Quarlow · March 12, 2011, 07:59:43 PM

Quote from: Cleaver on March 12, 2011, 07:51:22 PM
7mm wench suck when everything it hot.

Ok this is just to easy. ;D Sorry to hear this but glad you had another.

gbritten_nh · March 16, 2011, 02:33:21 PM

I have to commend Bradley's response to my recent heat element failure. I have used my smoker around 6 times (Lox, Bratwurst twice, Beef ribs, Pastrami, Baby back ribs) And the element failed after the smoking part of the Pastrami. I called them today, and I should receive the elements Saturday or early next week.

I was able to recover the pastrami in the oven, and the baby back were purposefully cold-smoked 3 hours then oven cooked (I would not have done that with a working element, but by then I knew it was not working so I adapted the recipe). I shall do cold-smoked cheese this week, and resume smoking-cooking once I get the element replaced.

Thanks for the quick response Brian and Mikeala.

Cleaver · March 17, 2011, 12:12:11 PM

My wife thought I was nuts for trying to hotswap the element as well. I noticed that the sealant was cracked at either end of the element and a white powder had been produced at the ends.
And I just finish a shoulder and the element made it through that. I think I'm pretty much using my bradley once a week now if not twice.
And I never did speak to Brian, just got another element on warranty, and it should be here for the next smoke just in case.

Thanks Bradley!

gbritten_nh · March 22, 2011, 01:38:53 PM

I received my replacement heat element, thanks Bradley.

I will be installing after work tonight. Does Bradley need my old element back for testing/failure analysis? ???

mitchf350 · March 22, 2011, 01:43:36 PM

Another one bites the dust!! My element justt died. The old one was glowing off to one side and after a hour my temp never climbed past 115* But my power light on the front panel is on wierd. This is the second obs. It has 5 smokes on it. Called Bradley and they are going to ship me one. They are only 30 mins away from me. I should have it within a day.