This is a review of the Bradley Digital 6-Rack Electric Smoker – and we have to say we thoroughly enjoyed our experience with this smoker!
At The Grilling Dad, you should know that whatever products we present to you, we’ve researched and tested thoroughly, giving you the best information possible.
So take a look at this review and see if the Bradley Digital 6-Rack Electric Smoker is for you!
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Overview of the Bradley Digital 6-Rack Electric Smoker
Overall, the Bradley Digital 6-Rack Electric Smoker is a great smoker. In fact, it landed as the “best high-end” on our best electric smokers guide!
It is easy to use, and you can smoke just about anything in it with its large size. At 3,432 square inches of cooking capacity, you could fit 26 whole chickens at once!
It’s stylish, convenient to use, and easy to set up–all the makings of a great smoker!
There were a few downsides to the smoker however, the main one is that you have to use the Bradley briquettes rather than normal wood pellets or wood chips. These briquettes aren’t available at all sellers, and it can be difficult to find some last minute when needed. But, if you are good at ordering things online and in advance, this shouldn’t be a problem for you.
Secondly, this smoker holds temperature REALLY well! If all the parts are in order. We had no issue setting up and using ours, but door magnet and sealing issues are common with this smoker. If you receive one and have this issue, Bradley will replace the part, but you need to be vigilant for this issue the first time you try it. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure your meat is done!
But, despite those two flaws, we really recommend this smoker! Keep reading to learn more!
What Does the Bradley Digital 6-Rack Electric Smoker Do?
The Bradley Digital 6-Rack Electric Smoker was designed to be a “set it and leave it” smoker perfect for those just getting into smoking. It also has multiple racks, allowing you to smoke many cuts at a time or feed a large family without a hassle.
Whether you want to hot smoke, cold smoke, or even dehydrate your own jerky, this Bradley smoker can do it for you. Plus, at the size of a small refrigerator, we find that this smoker fits even on balconies and in other small yards where a normal pellet smoker might just be too large.
The feeding system is automatic and can feed the smoker for 9 hours without needing to be refilled, meaning you can leave your dinner in this smoker while you head to the office and come home to a nice smoked meal!
Once you are done cooking, you will love how easy this smoker is to clean, and to be honest, this is one of our favorite aspects of this appliance. The metal is rust-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about it being outside, and the racks slide out for easy cleaning.
Truly, this model is great for those long smoking sessions where you would rather be inside watching the game.
Features of the Bradley Digital 6-Rack Electric Smoker
Temperature Control
Many people complain about smokers which don’t hold their temperature. With the unique sealing properties and the thick, reinforced carbon steel on the 6-rack Bradley, this won’t be a concern as it is specially modified to keep all the smoke inside. You can even adjust the vent at the top to control how much smoke exits your device.
This ability to maintain temperature is solely dependent on the door seal and magnet, so if your device has issues with holding temperature, contact Bradley while your smoker is still under warranty to get a replacement.
Automatic Pellet Feeder
While this smoker does require special wood pellets from Bradley, we love that you don’t have to constantly check back in and ensure your smoker has enough wood. When fully loaded, this smoker can smoke for 9 hours without you needing to refill anything.
It’s also neat that you can clearly see how many briquettes remain and top off the hopper without needing to shut off or stop the smoker. This makes this smoker ideal for the longest smoking sessions, especially those which may last overnight.
The best part of this automatic pellet feeder is that with the Bradley pellets, it burns consistently and evenly all the time, so there are no surprises. The pellets also don’t create any ash, which is what makes cleaning this smoker such a breeze compared to others on the market.
Large Capacity Smoker
This smoker is perfect for a large family that loves to smoke on a regular basis. It has 6 racks and a massive 3,432 inches of cooking space, but since it’s a vertical smoker, it doesn’t take up that much space on your porch.
The racks can easily be removed, giving you space to hang sausages or smoke many large cuts of meat at the same time.
Alternatives to the Bradley Digital 6-Rack Electric Smoker
While we enjoyed our experience with the Bradley, it isn’t for everyone, especially those who are prone to last-minute BBQs that don’t have time to order the special pellets. In those cases, we recommend the following products.
Pit Boss Pellet Smoker
The Pit Boss Vertical Pellet Smoker will take up about the same amount of horizontal space as the Bradley, but you can use regular pellets in it rather than the special Bradley ones. We also like that this smoker has a viewing window, as this is something that lacks with the model here.
But that viewing window comes at a price, as the Pit Boss Vertical Pellet Smoker can have some difficulty maintaining temperature. You do get less cooking space, however, as this smoker gives you a still-impressive 1,513 square inches. Meaning you can feed any crowd with this smoker as well.
Camp Chef Vertical Wi-Fi Pellet Smoker
The Camp Chef Vertical WI-Fi Pellet Smoker is another alternative to the Bradley that uses regular pellets as opposed to the special briquettes. It’s similar in size to the Bradley but has much less cooking space. Therefore we only recommend this pellet smoker as an alternative if you don’t plan to cook for crowds very often.
The only other draw of this smoker above the Bradley is that it has wifi and Bluetooth capabilities, making it really easy to control your smoke when you are away from your smoker. It also allows you to make some great beef jerky.
Pros and Cons of the Bradley Digital 6-Rack Electric Smoker
Like with any purchase, you need to consider the pros and cons before you buy this smoker. We’ve listed them below to make it easy for you.
Pros:
- Quality build
- Hot and cold smoking possible
- 6 racks that can be arranged
- Easy, ash-free cleaning
- 9-hour automatic feeding hopper
- Large capacity
- Great temperature maintenance
- Great compact size and look for the smoking power
Cons:
- Must use Bradley briquettes for smoking
- No wifi connection
- Can’t smoke for long periods of time on temps over 250°F
- Door may have issues on arrival (but are typically quickly remedied by customer service)
Is the Bradley Digital 6-Rack Electric Smoker Worth It?
When it comes down to it, if you are a beginner smoker, the Bradley Digital 6-Rack Electric Smoker is the smoker for you. It is easy to use and offers plenty of space for you to experiment as you learn how to smoke. It is also relatively small for the cooking space and can easily fit into any yard or balcony.
That being said, the pellet situation can get quite annoying for an experienced smoker who wants to mix pellets, soak pellets, etc., and if you think those are things you may want to do, then it is probably better to look at a different smoker.
FAQ About the Bradley Digital 6-Rack Electric Smoker
Is the Bradley Smoker a Good Smoker?
The Bradley Digital 6-Rack Electric Smoker is a great smoker. It holds temperature well and is great for the person who wants to set their smoker and leave it to do something else. The results are consistent, and the meat gets an amazing smoky flavor from the Bradley briquettes.
How Long Does a Bradley Smoker Puck Last?
Each Bradley puck or briquette burns evenly for 20 minutes. A full hopper will last your smoker just about 9 hours.
Can You Use Tin Foil in a Bradley Smoker?
You can use tin foil or butcher paper in a Bradley smoker as you see fit!
How Do You Preheat a Bradley Smoker?
Bradley recommends pre-heating your smoker by turning it on to low for a full hour before you load up your meat. This will give you the best results when using the Bradley smoker.
Final Thoughts on the Bradley Digital 6-Rack Electric Smoker
The bottom line is that we love this smoker. We love how it holds temperature and yields consistent results without needing to be babysat like other smokers. The only issue is, the pellets needing to be Bradley-made briquettes could make it difficult for some users to fall in love with this smoker, which is why that is something you need to consider before you buy.
Save your money. Go buy a Masterbuilt for pennies on the dollar compared to a Bradley. May not have all the whistles and bells but when you start smoking you won’t go out and find the Damn thing not working and your meal is about 1/2 done. Next try to get parts for the Smoker from Bradley. They don’t answer their phone then you are forced to send an Email which your damn luckie if they answer it either. So now you start looking for a place to buy parts. There are only (1) and they haven’t answered my request although they say the do within (24) hours. My clock must be broke. Its been (2) weeks: nothing. Before buying just get Bradley’s number and try to call them. I have never been able to use my smoker without going thru this BS trying to get it fixed. Masterbuilt works great and ever time