RIP: Original Bradley Smoker

[fishhaggis]

My Bradley smoker just died..... I bought it on a whim over ten years ago.  I have put some miles on that thing and it has held up well over the years and all the smokes. 

It was in really rough shape having gone through a big move and ten years of smoking all sorts of goodness. The bottom end just failed, fell off, the door fell off, bending the hinges on the way down and no matter what I do, the door does not seal, and the bottom end just has no attachment points left. I need my Bradley. I remember hearing the six shelf units were under-powered and never got the heat levels needed. I am happy with a four shelf unit. I built a nice PID for my old basic Bradley so I could set the temp and it maintained it, rater than using the rheostat slider it came with and broke off about five years ago. Do I buy a basic model and plug my old PID into it or should I buy a digital one? From what I see, the digital one is nothing more than the original with a thermostat rather than rheostat, meaning its like my old basic version with my home made PID. Maybe I should just buy a whole new shiny system, and just get the digital one.

I think I have two options, repeat what I had by buying a basic Bradley and use my old PID, or buy a new digital Bradley......  looking for advice.

[tailfeathers]

I would replace your old faithful unit with another like it. I have a 6 rack digital and the only advantage I see is the additional capacity. If you were happy with what you had, and it sure sounds like you were, why would you want to change?

[hutcho]

No need for digital if you have a pid in my opinion.   Hell mine digital doesnt even display the same temps as my pid or maverick.   I got mine used for a steal though so there is always that option for you too.  Seems to be the trend lately anyway.  Some guy buys one hates how it works and comes on here and complains.  Seems like those could be picked up cheap.  Anyway I seem to have gotten sidetracked. ...

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2

[ragweed]

First of all, welcome to the forum from Nebraska.  And second, I've had an OBS since 2008 and added a PID a few years ago.  When its time comes, I plan to replace it with a new OBS.  I can't imagine anything better.

[Saber 4]

You might check with Bradley and see if they have scratch and dent 4 or 6 rack cabinet you could get at a good price since your SG and PID are still good. Might be cheaper than buying a whole new unit.

[CoreyMac]

You might check with Bradley and see if they have scratch and dent 4 or 6 rack cabinet you could get at a good price since your SG and PID are still good. Might be cheaper than buying a whole new unit.

I tried this and was told they don't do that. I was hoping to convert mine to a 6 rack but no luck.

[Saber 4]

You might check with Bradley and see if they have scratch and dent 4 or 6 rack cabinet you could get at a good price since your SG and PID are still good. Might be cheaper than buying a whole new unit.

I tried this and was told they don't do that. I was hoping to convert mine to a 6 rack but no luck.

To bad, but it was worth a try...