NOTHING BUT TROUBLE!

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nano911

Newbie
Original poster
Sep 2, 2012
8
11
Southeast Wisconsin
Alright, I just gotta know....I bought a Bradley Smoker almost a year ago. I assembled it and the puck feeder did not work. I thought I would jump on line and see what I could find out. I did some trouble shooting, took the thing apart and discovered that the wiring harnesses were not plugged in. I hooked them up and put it back together, with a small burn on my arm and a hole in my fleece jacket, it worked. There was a certain amount of satisfaction with resolving the issue. Next use the heating element went out. More trouble shooting and fixed again. Next use temp would not heat up, replaced parts again. Next use the temp was not consistent so I bought a pid to keep the temp consistent. Next use it won't get to temp with more parts on the way. Each time I jump on line I can find people who are absolutely passionate about rebuilding these smokers. I however just want it to work. I am passionate about cooking and recipe research, not building smokers. Does everyone spend most of their energy trouble shooting and rebuilding a better smoker or do you actually get to smoke with it?
 
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I'm sorry to hear the problems you have had with your Bradley. I know several members have one model or other of Bradley smokers and are quite pleased with them. Hopefully you have fixed all the problems.

I have an MES40 that I've been smoking with for about 18 months or so. I smoke everything from brisket and butts to jerky and sausages and I'm usually smoking 3 or more times per week on average. 

My first major issue occurred a couple weeks ago when it started losing temp and then wouldn't heat at all. I contacted MB and they sent a replacement element, which did not fix the problem, but then followed up by sending me a new body unit. I've done no mods as of yet to it but I will be in the near future. 
 
Nano, evening and welcome to the forum.... You ain't a "dyed in the wool" smoker unless you are tinkering and fixing and modding your smoker to make it work or what ever.....  Sounds like you have passed all the tests and are definitely "dyed in the wool"......  

Smoking is so much fun when it goes right....  and the food is soooo good....   Congrats on the fixes and finding this great forum....   Sounds like you will enjoy this place and enjoy the long smokey ride....    Dave  
 
Welcome to the forum from Wausau Wisconsin. I have a Lang and just have to build a fire and put in wood occasionally. There there are many types of cookers out there, some are more reliable than others, and some were just shall we say were made on a Monday morning. No I would not own a maintenance queen that I could not trust. Why not build a UDS. Great cookers and cheap to make, If you are close enough I have a drum you can have for free. I have 3 spares.
 
Funny you say Monday because I was thinking free alcohol Friday. Either way I broke down and bought a large big green egg today and a ton of eggcessories. The nice people at the store are assembling it for me now. Hopefully the egg will keep me happy for awhile. If not, I have a feeling I will be calling you for a custom build!:biggrin:
 
Nano, afternoon...... Congrats on the EGG.... Several folks on here think they are a great cooker...  I hope you can relax and cook comfortably and the learning curve is very small....  Pics and more please....   Dave
 
I did smoke cheese this morning and grilled a pizza for lunch. I took some pictures but have no idea how to get them on the forum. I will get some pictures of the egg and my first meal on it. Hopefully they will have it assembled before dinner! :yahoo:
 
Funny you say Monday because I was thinking free alcohol Friday. Either way I broke down and bought a large big green egg today and a ton of eggcessories. The nice people at the store are assembling it for me now. Hopefully the egg will keep me happy for awhile. If not, I have a feeling I will be calling you for a custom build!
biggrin.gif
If an egg dont make you happy, nothing will, Congratulations, you will love it.
 
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