I give up.... new door hinge received a few weeks ago already cracking

Dean405 · September 06, 2011, 05:06:19 PM

I am the only one that has even open or closed the door on my smoker. I can tell you it has not been abused. The first plastic bottom that came from the factory was busted in many pieces under the plastic after I got it off. I inspected the second one before I installed it and didn't see any cracking. I was shocked to see the crack in the new hinge because I knew for sure that it not seen any rough treatment and I great care when I installed it. I cant say for sure what happened to the original one before I got it, but I can tell you without hesitation that the replacement hinge kit has not ANY rough treatment.

muebe · September 06, 2011, 05:28:56 PM

I did not treat my OBS door rough at all either. The plastic is simply becoming brittle and cracking. There were no cracks or damage when I first received my unit from Amazon.com There is some type of problem with the plastic on the door and it is becoming more of a issue for other forum members. My door was close to falling off and I had no idea until a post from another member convinced me to take a closer look.

And I mention the elements because Bradley did recognize the problem and take corrective action. I was giving them kudos for acting on the problem promptly. I am not blaming Bradley for the elements because an outside supplier provided them with faulty elements.

I love my Bradley and this forum but I am not going to tell other forum members that there is not a problem when I had it happen to me. A crack in the front panel is one thing and mostly cosmetic unless water/grease gets into the electronics but having a door fall off your new smoker is not cosmetic.

wthr_dude · September 07, 2011, 02:34:39 PM

Trust me I hear ya, I have voiced my concerns more than once on this forum. I have gone through 3 heater elemnts a door and the hinges/base plates so far. The last heater element was one of the "New Supplier" elements or at least I am assuming it was because the serial numbers matched, and it only had abt 12hrs of use on it. I just did my first 20hr smoke with the new element so I'm keeping my fingers crossed it holds out for a while.

I love using the smoker but as of right now it is the last Item I would recommend to a potential new buyer. Everyone talks about how great it is for the price but I don't consider 600$ a great deal for a steel box with plastic parts that aren't made to last

GusRobin · September 07, 2011, 05:23:02 PM

$600? I got my OBS for $245

Smokin Soon · September 07, 2011, 06:13:16 PM

Have they always had plastic hinges? I keep looking at my 2008 DBS and I cannot tell.

wthr_dude · September 08, 2011, 12:46:18 PM

@ Gus,

Retail on new 6 rack digital smokers at Cabelas is 599.00 and BassPro is 550.00

GusRobin · September 08, 2011, 02:56:48 PM

Quote from: wthr_dude on September 08, 2011, 12:46:18 PM
@ Gus,

Retail on new 6 rack digital smokers at Cabelas is 599.00 and BassPro is 550.00

You shop at the wrong stores ;D ;D ;D
Amazon: 4 rack digital= $339; 6 rack =$459 free shipping also (I think)
WalMart: 4 rack digital = $380; 6 rack = $463 free shipping

northof60girl · September 08, 2011, 03:23:34 PM

Buying from a local family run business might be an option as well. I phoned a family run fish and bait place and told them everything I wanted (Digital Smoker, 4 extra racks, pucks, and cover) and asked them to put their best price together and asked what they could throw in. I got the $25 Bradley cookbook. I know, lol, not much but hey smaller (non-national companies) may not be able to give you a break on the price but sometimes you can barter for other items they may sell and it supports local family run businesses! ;D

mikecorn.1 · September 08, 2011, 04:07:04 PM

Quote from: northof60girl on September 08, 2011, 03:23:34 PM
Buying from a local family run business might be an option as well. I phoned a family run fish and bait place and told them everything I wanted (Digital Smoker, 4 extra racks, pucks, and cover) and asked them to put their best price together and asked what they could throw in. I got the $25 Bradley cookbook. I know, lol, not much but hey smaller (non-national companies) may not be able to give you a break on the price but sometimes you can barter for other items they may sell and it supports local family run businesses! ;D

Be sure and get 3 bubba pucks, a stand alone digital thermometer like the Maverick et732, and you might as well get some frog mats. You can get these items at
http://yardandpool.com
Then, when you hang around here long enough, you'll start reading about the other TOYS :). Then you'll get the itch and take the plunge. In the last 2 months I broke down and got a Auber PID dual probe, a Charbroil SRG, and a Traeger
Pellet Grill. 8) ;) :) :eek:

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- Mike.
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