Let's Talk BBQ
Outdoor Cooking Equipment => Grills & Smokers => Electric Smokers => Topic started by: RandyG on May 31, 2016, 08:43:54 PM
-
In the near future I would love to expand my arsenal by adding a smoker.
I was looking at the Masterbuilts, but after researching here now I am leaning toward a Bradley or a Smokin-It.
I've read most of the old threads but would love for updated input from everyone after having used them for a few years on the pros and cons of each. I'm open to other brands as well but leaning toward these two.
The Smokin-It seems to be built like a tank and I love the heavy duty casters and door latches.
The Bradley is appealing with the auto feed convenience of the Bradley Bisquettes. Also the tall vertical design.
Hope everyone will chime in and make the case for their favorite.
-
Randy, you kind of get what you pay for in these electric boxes. I have owned most brands. Currently I own a Smokin' Tex ( which is a Smokin' It with only minor cosmetic difference.
I will advise against Bradleys for their proprietary "pucks"...and their tendency to need to be "babied" in order to remain reliable. The puck - pusher can become jammed from sawdust from the pucks, and it is common for the electronic models to succumb to the effect of moisture. Atmospheric - and what can drift out of the side of the cooker where the electronics sit.
Masterbuilt, Cajun Injector and all of the others in this price range are not known for longevity and given to wiring and controller failures. As well - they - nor the Bradleys are that well insulated, and all of the above are built with the thinnest materials possible to keep their shipping weight down.
Seriously - you may think you want " fancy features" but inevitably - what you really NEED is reliability.
The Smoking Tex, and the Smoking It offer solid, commercial grade construction. heavy gage stainless steel and industrial insulation. And a simple, knob adjustable rheostat for temp. control. It works and it lasts for long, long time with NO issues.
Hope this helps!
-
I like my Bradley but I had to make mods to get it where I wanted.
I added a second element (comes only 500 watt) to get better recovery times
Bought an Auber PID to control temp swings - ok as is for briskets, butts, etc but too wide (20 -30 degree) for sausage
I bought the original (non-digital) which I was glad since even with the digital you would need a PID to control temp swings
I had a number of times where the puck pusher didn't work properly but those have been far and in between.
Do I enjoy my Bradley, yes as it has been reliable for a while now, but it took some work to get it where I want it. As Tee said, it needs to be babied, but I didn't have to baby mine as much as some others.
Bradley does have excellent customer service.
All this said, look for reliability, its less of a pain in the ass then good customer service.
-
Smokin-IT......get model #3 built like a brick $$$$-house and will outlast more Bradleys and Masterbuilts than you can shake a stick at.
Great customer service, they have their own brand specific forum.......cry once my friend....cry once.....
-
I'll second the SI #3, love mine! It's also NSF certified for commercial use!
-
Smokin-it. The largest your budget will allow.
-
I like my Bradley but I had to make mods to get it where I wanted.
I added a second element (comes only 500 watt) to get better recovery times
Bought an Auber PID to control temp swings - ok as is for briskets, butts, etc but too wide (20 -30 degree) for sausage
I bought the original (non-digital) which I was glad since even with the digital you would need a PID to control temp swings
I had a number of times where the puck pusher didn't work properly but those have been far and in between.
Do I enjoy my Bradley, yes as it has been reliable for a while now, but it took some work to get it where I want it. As Tee said, it needs to be babied, but I didn't have to baby mine as much as some others.
Bradley does have excellent customer service.
All this said, look for reliability, its less of a pain in the ass then good customer service.
Like Gus I have a Bradley and do enjoy it. Many mods on mine to get it perfect. Dual probe PID. I even installed a convection fan to make it the perfect smoker/dehydrator.
No problems with puck jams. The door eventually started falling off due to the weak hinges but I just created new ones that won't fail :)
I would suggest getting a smokin-it. Like a cook shack but without the premium price.
-
I also have a modified Bradley but I only really use the cabinet and racks. I put in a 900w element that I control with an Auber single probe pid and generate smoke with A-maze-n products and pellets. I use it a lot less since I got my RecTec but I wouldn't want to be without it. Probably wouldn't buy it again though.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
With all the electric smokers i have had from a cookshack, masterbuilts, bradley then back to master built, I finally broke and bought The Sausage Maker 30lb digital. Best $900 i have spent on a smoker. Its a monster. I'll put it up against any CS, Smoking It, Bradley or MES.
-
A Masterbuilt was my First & LAST electric smoker!
Mine burned out the wiring about 30 days after warranty went out :-[
No help from company!