Got New 4 Rack Digital Today

projump · July 26, 2006, 07:22:17 PM

I'm very impressed with it so far. It was packaged real good, all parts there and functions great. I look forward to smoking some pork steaks this weekend.

Arcs_n_Sparks · July 26, 2006, 07:30:15 PM

projump,

Guess I forgot what a clean inside looks like.....

Fire that baby up and start giving us reports. We need some more digital feedback... ;D

Arcs_n_Sparks

projump · July 26, 2006, 08:30:59 PM

Yes indeed, I'll fire it up, post info about its performance and post pics of the end result-----the meat.
projump :D

icerat4 · July 27, 2006, 07:49:01 AM

wow the inside of my box looks like the outside of his.lol :D

iceman · July 27, 2006, 08:27:31 AM

That thing is WAY to clean projump! Get er seasoned and get some critters in there. :D
Have fun.

Oldman · July 29, 2006, 11:44:03 AM

QuoteGuess I forgot what a clean inside looks like.....

Funny I was thinking the same thing.

projump · July 30, 2006, 04:18:48 PM

Well I used the new Bradley last night. I smoked pork steak and chicken thighs. I use a dry rub that I mix up myself. I smoked them for 4 hrs and 15 min at 200 degrees. I preheated the smoker to 230 degrees for 1.5 hrs, loaded all 4 racks, then when the temp got back up to 200 I set the temp preset to 200. The temp of the digital heats to 201 and stays for a few minutes, then over about a 15-20 minute period will drop to 185 and then heat back up to 201. So there is approx a 15 degree fluxuation in temp throughout the process which seems ok to me. You guys with the PID"S, how much does your temp vary durring cooking? Is a 15 degrees variation good?
Here's some pics of the meat, it was really good!!!

West Coast Kansan · July 30, 2006, 09:02:39 PM

projump, the pics look great. My 4RD will overshoot the temp point about 5 to 7 degrees and then drop in a similar fashion (seems to drop less and overshoot less when it is in the sun). Anyway the look and as you say - it was really good tells me the temp swing is just right. A PID will however drive a more accurate temperature. Not a big deal to me but I know some guys really enjoy the pursuit of temperature perfection and while I will not move to a PID I can appreciate the pursuit. All a part of the fun. Looks like a great first result. How long until you try another smoke? I lasted two days between my first and second on the Bradley. It may have been a record (but then I am kinda weak on this kind of thing)!

heinz · July 31, 2006, 04:56:08 AM

Projump, was that your total time (4:15) after the meat went in?

Those pics make me want to try pork that way. Was the chicken skin eatable or a throwaway? Just asking because when I did a whole chicken it was real good, except for the skin which was too touch to enjoy. Haven't smoked for a couple of weks. About time to do some again.

TomG · July 31, 2006, 09:12:56 AM

WCK, I'm not sure anyone has suggested using a PID with the BSD. PIDs are an option to the slide rheostat for temp control in the original BSs.

-Tom-

Arcs_n_Sparks · July 31, 2006, 12:38:14 PM

Quote from: TomG on July 31, 2006, 09:12:56 AM
WCK, I'm not sure anyone has suggested using a PID with the BSD. PIDs are an option to the slide rheostat for temp control in the original BSs.

-Tom-

TomG,

I think Projump is asking a comparision question: digital BS PID loop control tightness versus other PID controllers that people have put on their original BSes.

Arcs_n_Sparks

TomG · July 31, 2006, 01:42:57 PM

Quote from: Arcs_n_Sparks on July 31, 2006, 12:38:14 PM

I think Projump is asking a comparision question: digital BS PID loop control tightness versus other PID controllers that people have put on their original BSes.

Arcs_n_Sparks

AnS,

I didn't realize that the thermostat in the Dig.BS has been IDed as a PID. If it is a PID, good on BS.

Arcs_n_Sparks · July 31, 2006, 06:57:37 PM

TomG,

Got me there and a good question. I guess in this day and age of $2.49 microcontrollers, I had assumed that the digital BS had a PID control loop. Given the temp swings of projump, that is a very good question.....

Arcin' & Sparkin'

bubbagump · July 31, 2006, 08:02:10 PM

Quote from: TomG on July 31, 2006, 01:42:57 PM
AnS,

I didn't realize that the thermostat in the Dig.BS has been IDed as a PID. If it is a PID, good on BS.

I doubt it's a PID controller, especially with the temp. swings noted by its users. It's more likely just a digital thermostat, which IMO is still better than the slide rheostat on the original.

Bubbagump

Arcs_n_Sparks · July 31, 2006, 08:12:27 PM

Quote from: bubbagump on July 31, 2006, 08:02:10 PM
Quote from: TomG on July 31, 2006, 01:42:57 PM
AnS,

I didn't realize that the thermostat in the Dig.BS has been IDed as a PID. If it is a PID, good on BS.

I doubt it's a PID controller, especially with the temp. swings noted by its users. It's more likely just a digital thermostat, which IMO is still better than the slide rheostat on the original.

Bubbagump

Agree with Bubbagump on that point; digital setpoint still better than the slider (unless you want to watch the temps while drinking adult beverages. :D :D :D)

Arcs_n_Sparks