Smoker Temperature

[hecXCV]

I'm having a hard time getting my smoker to temp all of a sudden. It stalls out around 140 degrees set on the highest setting. It's never done this before, but it's happened the last two smokes. Any advice? I have a Royal Gourmet vertical electric smoker.

 

[Brokenhandle]

Do you have a pic of your smoker? It's been too long ago. And JLeonard I enable you to buy her a new smoker!

Ryan

 

[forktender]

Sounds like either your heating element or the controller is pooping out. I'd call the manufacturer and speak to a Rep, to see what they recommend.

Good luck.
Dan.

 

[hecXCV]

Do you have a pic of your smoker? It's been too long ago. And JLeonard I enable you to buy her a new smoker!

Ryan

I'm not home so I grab two offline. And I've already been looking at new smoker's myself. lol

 

[Brokenhandle]

If your controller has the little light that comes on when it's calling for heat keep an eye on it. I've replaced element and control knob already but still have issues at times... not getting a good connection. I have a bungee strap around it up to the handle to hold pressure against it. Not the most correct fix but it works lol.
Also have gained a few more smokers so mes doesn't get used much.

Ryan

 

[JLeonard]

If you’re looking at new vertical smokers like the one you have look at propane. Less working parts.

Jim

 

[tallbm]

View attachment 662885View attachment 662886
I'm not home so I grab two offline. And I've already been looking at new smoker's myself. lol

Like forktender said it's going to be either the element or the controller (box on the plug).

These analog smokers are pretty simple. If you take a screwdriver and open the controller box you can see if anything is melting, burning up, warping, etc. in there.

Getting a new controller should be simple.

Testing your heating element is not complex but takes a $7-$10 tool to do so:

https://www.amazon.com/Aicevoos-Multimeter-Voltmeter-Resistance-Continuity/dp/B09WHM42Y5/ref=sr_1_34?crid=3TVT06WJAGVOS&keywords=multimeter&qid=1681602107&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011%2Cp_72%3A1248909011&rnid=1248907011&rps=1&s=hi&sprefix=multimeter%2Caps%2C132&sr=1-34&th=1

In short, to check the heating element you put it to the 200 ohms setting (Omega sign section of the dial) and teach each end of the heating element lugs and see what it reports (10-11ohms) for a 1400-1500W element.

That's all you check.
Both should be easy and neither part probably runs $25 or more and should be easy to replace :)

I hope this makes sense! :D

 

[Chiefsfan]

I hope someone here can help me.. I have a Landmann Model 32901 Smoky Mountain Series electric smoker. Yesterday was gonna smoke 4 racks of ribs.. I warmed it up for an hour..Had wood chips in the box etc.. It may have got to 150. Put meat in and this was at 1PM, at 5 PM it hadnt got to 180... Finally got to 201..Finally removed the rubs and wrapped and finished in the oven... Anyone know what Im dealing with here?..Can an element work "some" ans still be bad? Prefer electric with draers so use water and chips so I dont have to open the smoker itself. Is there a better one than Im using

 

[1MoreFord]

How do you know it only got to 201°. I.E., What thermometer(s) were you using? Is it (are they) calibrated?
Sorry I can't be more help.

 

[Chiefsfan]

I guess dont know much about it... Except that it has always done ok. Am just using the digital readout from the unit..Thats the thermometer so I cant verify its accuracy.. Ive done 6 racks in it before at 225(according to the same digital readout) and Im assuming it didnt get up to temp cause I had to take the ribs inside to the oven to get them done. It only read 201 after 6 hours....

 

[bill1]

You haven't started using an extension cord, have you? For high-current loads like electric cookers, you can lose a lot of power in one. If you have to use one, make sure it's as short as possible and at least 12AWG (12-gauge, 10 gauge of course is better.)

 

[Chiefsfan]

You haven't started using an extension cord, have you? For high-current loads like electric cookers, you can lose a lot of power in one. If you have to use one, make sure it's as short as possible and at least 12AWG (12-gauge, 10 gauge of course is better.)

Yes I actually did, maybe that would help at least..Im really not sure what guage it is, its not one people use upstairs in the house I know that, I try to get it way from the house as much as possible but the cord on the smoker is pretty short too. I can get a 10 guage thats shorter for sure. The outdoor plug kept tripping the breaker, not only the smoker but a saw, anything just about. So I had a dedicated circuit ran to a newly installed plug thats exclusively for the smoker and that seems to fix that issue.