Heating Elements ... the Good, the Bad & the Ugly

[devo]

The end of the element is sealed and the insulator just slides on, what I was wondering if it might be better to seal the insulator to the rod so there is no chance of moisture to get in. The nice lady I talked to at Bradley told me that moisture was most likely the problem for early failed element. But than again she is told what to say to keep us happy.

[Tenpoint5]

Devo,
I am quite sure that she wasn't told to say that. I do know that the powers that be at Bradley and at the element Manufacturer are exploring every possibility as to what is causing these element failures. What we need to have is patience. For those of us who have been around for awhile, we have faith in the fact that this issue will be resolved. It wasn't long ago when the most common complaint was the faceplate was cracking. We almost never hear of this anymore. That issue was investigated, researched and Solved. I am quite sure that this issue with the elements will be handled with the same resolve.

[devo]

Oh i,m sure they will figure this out Tenpoint. I,m not complaining at all. The service is excellent. The lady at the end of phone is very helpfull and i,m sure she has to handle some not so nice custumers.

[KyNola]

Devo,
I am quite sure that she wasn't told to say that. I do know that the powers that be at Bradley and at the element Manufacturer are exploring every possibility as to what is causing these element failures. What we need to have is patience. For those of us who have been around for awhile, we have faith in the fact that this issue will be resolved. It wasn't long ago when the most common complaint was the faceplate was cracking. We almost never hear of this anymore. That issue was investigated, researched and Solved. I am quite sure that this issue with the elements will be handled with the same resolve.

Well said Chris.  This forum exists thanks 100% to the folks at Bradley.  They can take it away at their discretion.  Devo, let me say I am not directing these comments toward you at all.  Please believe that.  I do believe that we as a group do need to be mindful of the nice folks at Bradley who give us this forum to meet each other, learn from each and just have some good natured fun.  Bradley knows they have a problem that needs addressing and they will do just that.  Let's give them the time to figure it out.   

[classicrockgriller]

I know it is frustrating to buy something and either not have it work or

stop after a short period of time.

And I think no one feels your pain more (most of the time) than the

supplier of that product. I am sure Bradley didn't buy or manufacture

bad elements to send to out to customers so they would have a failure.

I haven't had to experience this problem and I have 2 BPS & 3 Bradley

Smokers plus a Smoke Gen for my big smoker. 100% perfect out of the

box. Have I had any problems other than the ones I caused? A cracked

face plate is all. They sent me a new one and I did the mod to make sure

it didn't happen again.

AGAIN .... BRADLEY IS AWARE OF A ELEMENT PROBLEM!

Don't beat a dead horse into the ground.

They will find out what is wrong and make it right.

In the same token, if you bought a smoker during this time that

seems to be in question, you might want to plan for the worst. Have

a back up way of cooking what you are smoking. Keep an eye on your

smokers temp during a smoke/cook.

In a short while from now this element problem will be a distant thought.

Bradley is not going to leave you standing in the middle of the road with

no way home.

Let's Smoke some Meat!

[SouthernSmoked]

Well said Sonny.

Let the smoke flow !

Sent from my HTC Glacier using Tapatalk

[Quarlow]

I have to mention to those that are unaware.Bradley is not some huge corporation that sells a product and that's it. I happen to live ten minutes from the head office. You can walk into the office and simple ask if Brian or even Wade Bradley himself are availible. What other company do you know of where you can do that. This is a company that was started in the backyard by a guy and his friends that loved to smoke and just wanted a better smoker, then realized they had something everyone might want.  I can't tell you how many products I have purchased that was a piece of crap and if the store wouldn't do anything for you, just try and get any satisfaction from the manufacturer. I usually end up just throwing it in the garbage. In fact I have 2 or 3 items here right now that are headed for the trash. These guys will bend over backwards to make you satisfied.

[devo]

I have to mention to those that are unaware.Bradley is not some huge corporation that sells a product and that's it. I happen to live ten minutes from the head office. You can walk into the office and simple ask if Brian or even Wade Bradley himself are available. What other company do you know of where you can do that. This is a company that was started in the backyard by a guy and his friends that loved to smoke and just wanted a better smoker, then realized they had something everyone might want.  I can't tell you how many products I have purchased that was a piece of crap and if the store wouldn't do anything for you, just try and get any satisfaction from the manufacturer. I usually end up just throwing it in the garbage. In fact I have 2 or 3 items here right now that are headed for the trash. These guys will bend over backwards to make you satisfied.

I would think that most of us who have posted about this problem just wanted to add some in site. I for one did not mean to get everyone up in arms. Like I said when I phoned the very nice lady at the desk she answered all my questions as best she could and said i would have a new element by weeks end. And I did and I'm back up and running. Way to go Bradley. I am by no means an engineer and can only give them what I have observed. Like its been said before lets just smoke some meat and move on.

[classicrockgriller]

Let's Smoke On and make some Bread!

[Quarlow]

Hey Devo don't take any of this the wrong way. We are not chastising anyone, simply trying to inform you new guys about the ways of a company we believe in. I personally got my brand new smoker home and when I unpacked it, it seemed to be over insulated. The walls were bulged to the point where you could not pull the racks out or push them in. As I said I live 10 minutes away so I gave them a call and they told me to come right over cause they wanted to look at it. I jumped in the car and went right over. They sent me around the back to there shipper and when he looked at it he call I believe Brian who came right out and looked at it. They both agreed with what they saw and gave me a whole new smoker which they opened up to make sure it was right. They even let me keep the original smoke generator for my trouble. Now that has to be a pricey item in it's self. As I said Devo we are not raising our voice at you. Just calmly letting you in on the 411, and those who come after you and happen to read this.