OEB or Digital

Started by viper125, April 13, 2011, 06:03:34 PM

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viper125

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.
A few pics from smokes....
http://photobucket.com/smokinpics
Inside setup.

beefmann

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

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.
A few pics from smokes....
http://photobucket.com/smokinpics
Inside setup.

Quarlow

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
I like to walk threw life on the path of least resistance. But sometimes the path needs a good kick in the ass.

OBS
BBQ
One Big Easy, plus one in a box.

KyNola

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

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.
A few pics from smokes....
http://photobucket.com/smokinpics
Inside setup.

devo

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

Great idea! I like doing things myself. Also like saving money.
A few pics from smokes....
http://photobucket.com/smokinpics
Inside setup.

BAM1

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.
Pork Stars KCBS BBQ Team
Bradley digital 6 rack w/Auber PID/900w mod
Bradley counter top two rack
Traeger Texas model w/Savannah Stoker
2 Weber Performer charcoal grills
Charbroil SRG
Backwoods Fatboy
KCBS CBJ

muebe

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.
Natural Gas 4 burner stainless RED with auto-clean
2 TBEs(1 natural gas & 1 LP gas)
OBS(Auberins dual probe PID, 900w finned element & convection fan mods)
2011 Memphis Select Pellet Smoker
BBQ Grillware vertical smoker(oven thermostat installed & converted to natural gas)

BAM1

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.
Pork Stars KCBS BBQ Team
Bradley digital 6 rack w/Auber PID/900w mod
Bradley counter top two rack
Traeger Texas model w/Savannah Stoker
2 Weber Performer charcoal grills
Charbroil SRG
Backwoods Fatboy
KCBS CBJ

muebe

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?
Natural Gas 4 burner stainless RED with auto-clean
2 TBEs(1 natural gas & 1 LP gas)
OBS(Auberins dual probe PID, 900w finned element & convection fan mods)
2011 Memphis Select Pellet Smoker
BBQ Grillware vertical smoker(oven thermostat installed & converted to natural gas)

viper125

#12
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.
A few pics from smokes....
http://photobucket.com/smokinpics
Inside setup.

beefmann

#13
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

Well I ordered the 900W finned element from Grainger ;D
Natural Gas 4 burner stainless RED with auto-clean
2 TBEs(1 natural gas & 1 LP gas)
OBS(Auberins dual probe PID, 900w finned element & convection fan mods)
2011 Memphis Select Pellet Smoker
BBQ Grillware vertical smoker(oven thermostat installed & converted to natural gas)