Does the Temco 900 watt element last?

[Dean405]

I had decided to buy a new smoker because I am tired of working on this thing, but a plan to buy replacement windows for the house has punched a hole in the new smoker budget.

I have not used the smoker since the last heating element failure because I don't trust it to make it through another smoke without quitting me, so I am considering installing the Temco 900 watt mod that others have done. Right now the digital smoker is sitting in the garage with a brand new heating element installed and I am afraid to use it.

So... has there been enough users use the 900 watt element to know if it will last?

Also, does anyone know where to buy those nifty little ceramic covers for the electric terminals that Temco makes for their elements? Seems like a lot of people sell the elements, but have not found anyone that cells the little ceramic covers. I would like to use those if I do this.

I still have not decided what I am gong to do to stop the hinge failures.... I don't see a good option for that.

[matrifia]

I am curious, how old is your smoker?

[beefmann]

I had decided to buy a new smoker because I am tired of working on this thing, but a plan to buy replacement windows for the house has punched a hole in the new smoker budget.

I have not used the smoker since the last heating element failure because I don't trust it to make it through another smoke without quitting me, so I am considering installing the Temco 900 watt mod that others have done. Right now the digital smoker is sitting in the garage with a brand new heating element installed and I am afraid to use it.

So... has there been enough users use the 900 watt element to know if it will last?

Also, does anyone know where to buy those nifty little ceramic covers for the electric terminals that Temco makes for their elements? Seems like a lot of people sell the elements, but have not found anyone that cells the little ceramic covers. I would like to use those if I do this.

I still have not decided what I am gong to do to stop the hinge failures.... I don't see a good option for that.

i have been running a temco 900 watt element with a blower for over 5 years with zero failures with the heater, blower and pid, you  do have to bypass the bradley smoker wiring and run the heater directly to the pid, or ssr  controlled by the  pid. only issue i have is the blower does  remove to much heat from the puck burner. so my avenue of choice is cold smoke them cook in the bradley.. and what i have  done is  added a timer and  pid to my  unit  set the  timer at 3 hr 40 minutes for  smokinf and  32 hours for  cooking .

this way you  can have up to 3 hours of  smoke and up to 32 hour of cook time...  every  smoke i  ever done was  not  over  20 hours  with stubborn meat

[Dean405]

I am curious, how old is your smoker?

Around 8 months or so.


beefmann:
I didnt really want to install the fan, but I realize the heating element would be under les stress with some moving air.
My neighbor has a Southern Pride smoker that has a fan in it. He likes it.

[beefmann]

Dean,

I understand you  do not want to, however  take into account that  500 watt elements  have  went  bad, due to a bad manufacturing process, others also have installed 900 watt elements  with out  a  fan and they also went out over time, they  lasted longer ,,, though  still burnt up.

and  yes it is your choice in  what you  do,  just take in all the  information and make an educated choice  for your  self

[matrifia]

Fan? where do you install a fan in the bradley? is it only used to extend the life of the element or does it have other fonctions?

[mikecorn.1]

Fan? where do you install a fan in the bradley? is it only used to extend the life of the element or does it have other fonctions?

It helps even out the temp inside.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[beefmann]

matriffa

here is how i have my  heater and blower installed, and it helps  even out cabinet temps and prolong  heater life

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

[matrifia]

Thanks beefmann,

But wow  :o I have been reading on putting a fan into the smoker but i was not expecting
to see one like yours. I have seen instalations on this forum with 2" fans and i found it a little small
so i was going to go for a 4" fan. if it prolongs the life of my elements ( 2X 500watts ) and distributes the heat
more evenly i think its worth the effort.
I did notice these discusion about dual elements and fans go back to 2006, i am suprised Bradley has not yet picked up
on it and made it optional or offer it as kits? They would make some good sales $$$
The dual element has worked great for me.

[beefmann]

your welcome and good luck  in your  decision hope it   works out for you