OEB or Digital

viper125 · April 13, 2011, 06:03:34 PM

I'm going to buy a new smoker soon. Been reading a lot and I think I want a electric Bradley. My question is if you add a PID to your digital smoker does the digital really get used then. If I would add a PID to a original would I be missing any thing other than the space? Also does the two elements get it hoter or just spread the heat better. Ive heard you cant get enough eat to say crisp a chicken. By the wayIm new to the forum and live in Salem ohio.

beefmann · April 13, 2011, 06:50:39 PM

welcome to the forum,

id go with a original bradley with a pid installed in the smoke generator and go with a dual heater or maybe consider a 900 watt finned heater installed like this

http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=17329.0

the dual heater or 900 watt finned heater is for faster heat recovery rather then a higher temp, most bradleys run on the 200 to 275 F' range while most at the smoking and cooking done at 225 or so F'
I must admit i have switched to basically a cold smoker then cook ( only heat that is in the cabinet while smoking is from the smoke generator ) then i switch to cook till done.

as for having crispy chicken it would have to be cooked at a higher temp .. 350 to 400 rather then 225 for tender juiciness

viper125 · April 15, 2011, 08:07:29 PM

Ok thank you. Thats what Im thinking too! I believe if you bought a digital you wouldnt need it after insalling a PID right? THe only thing I would lose that I see is extra space. Wish you could get the 6 tray with out digital that wouldd be great.

Quarlow · April 15, 2011, 08:19:34 PM

That is a wish many of us have. But it ain't gonna happen so I am told by a reliable source. Welcome to the forum. Any questions about anything just ask and remember there are no dumb questions that CRG and Hal4uk haven't already asked. :D :D :D

KyNola · April 15, 2011, 08:25:17 PM

Welcome Viper. You mentioned the 6 rack in the original. Here's an alternative. Order the regular OBS, purchase a PID and then order a 4 rail sytem add on at www.smokeandstuff.com and turn your 4 rack into an 8 rack. smokeandstuff is a member of the forum and a good guy.

viper125 · April 15, 2011, 10:43:17 PM

I seen that. Figured turn the four to a 12 though.LOL don't even own one yet but ready to mod a fan,element with switch,shelves,PID and adding a metal box below smoker for puck feeder running vent hose to smoker for cold smoke and putting in garage hooked to my old gas heaters chimney. Did I overlook anything. Ha ha ha I think I'm going to like this smoker.almost forgot I have to get 3 pucks.

devo · April 16, 2011, 02:32:19 AM

Quote from: KyNola on April 15, 2011, 08:25:17 PM
Welcome Viper. You mentioned the 6 rack in the original. Here's an alternative. Order the regular OBS, purchase a PID and then order a 4 rail sytem add on at www.smokeandstuff.com and turn your 4 rack into an 8 rack. smokeandstuff is a member of the forum and a good guy.

Or you can just do it yourself

http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=21875.0

viper125 · April 16, 2011, 05:58:36 AM

Great idea! I like doing things myself. Also like saving money.

BAM1 · April 17, 2011, 03:20:06 PM

If you're going to hang SS or other sausages I think you would like the extra space a six rack has to offer I sure do. I bought my six rack at Christmas and so far have added a dual probe PID, replaced the stock element with the 900w finned from grainger, and had my heating and cooling buddy build a hood with a 80cfm exhuast fan that vents out my garage window. It's like a disease.

muebe · April 17, 2011, 11:02:14 PM

Quote from: BAM1 on April 17, 2011, 03:20:06 PM
If you're going to hang SS or other sausages I think you would like the extra space a six rack has to offer I sure do. I bought my six rack at Christmas and so far have added a dual probe PID, replaced the stock element with the 900w finned from grainger, and had my heating and cooling buddy build a hood with a 80cfm exhuast fan that vents out my garage window. It's like a disease.

Hey BAM1 is this the heating element you installed....

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/TEMPCO-SS-Heater-2XEF3?Pid=search

And if so does it work well? I was thinking this would be better than the dual-element mod.

BAM1 · April 18, 2011, 09:58:01 AM

That's the one. Works like a charm. The cabinet recovery time is awesome. With my PID, after it gets to operating temperature it pulses on and off and keeps the temperature within one degree of either side the set point.

muebe · April 18, 2011, 10:50:17 AM

Quote from: BAM1 on April 18, 2011, 09:58:01 AM
That's the one. Works like a charm. The cabinet recovery time is awesome. With my PID, after it gets to operating temperature it pulses on and off and keeps the temperature within one degree of either side the set point.

Thanks BAM...I am going to order one. Is there anything I need to know about the install?

viper125 · April 18, 2011, 03:09:44 PM

Wouldnt two be better. Then if one went out you could still smoke while waiting for a new one. Also it would be 1000 rather than 900. Dont know just asking.

beefmann · April 18, 2011, 03:30:31 PM

maybe two would be better, yes it would be a 1000 watt, and if you add in the blower on the 900 watt mod it becomes more of a convection smoker and decreases cooking time by 15 to 20 percent and gives you more of a even box temperature and not having a hot back and cooler front of box temps. i have had my 900 watt running for a number of years and it has never failed me, and yes i do have a back up element in case.

also good questions

Beef

muebe · April 18, 2011, 04:43:28 PM

Well I ordered the 900W finned element from Grainger ;D

OEB or Digital

beefmann

devo

beefmann