Big chief smoker blowing GFCI

Suther

Suther

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As the title says, my Big chief smoker is blowing the GFCI.

I got it from a friend for free. It was in need of a good cleaning (hadn't been used in at least 2 years), so I hit it with the pressure washer. No, I didn't remove the element (didn't realize it was easily removable until after cleaning it.)

It worked before I washed it, now it blows the GFCI. If I remove the element, and plug just that into the cord the element gets hot. The element is cracked in two places from me man-handling it to remove it from the bottom of the smoker, so I know it needs replacing, but I am not sure if it is the source of my problem or not.

Anyone have any experience with these guys? Any guesses? It doesn't blow a regular breaker in the kitchen, only the GFCI outside. One online source said to bake the element in the oven for 30min, as they will absorb water over time which leads to the problem I have described... No idea if that is actually a possibility though?

Any help is appreciated.
 
The element has a heating wire inside it that is insulated from the element itself. If the insulation is compromised, then current will flow from the wire to the grounded element. I think you can take it from here...
 
GFCI is doing what it's supposed to. An electrician can chime in however my understanding is the element works like a big resistor causing the element to heat up. Crack the insulation and there's less resistance hence overloading the circuit.
Then again I could be way off!!

Replace the element.

Cheers
 
plug in to regular breaker and let it heat up, Probably water in the insulation and will boil off in a bit. If it is not blowing a regular breaker then there should be no danger. Also the gfci could be weak, have seen that too.
 
Anyone know where to find a replacement element for these locally? I could also use some new racks, mine are rusty...

Edit to say i need the 450w long element, not the shorter ones with wires on the end...
 
Are you using a long extention cord.i had bad luck using one with my smoker. Short heavy cord works much better.
 
Suther said:
Anyone know where to find a replacement element for these locally? I could also use some new racks, mine are rusty...

Edit to say i need the 450w long element, not the shorter ones with wires on the end...
Click to expand...

''We'd love to hear from you. To contact our Pros in our customer service department, please complete the following form and we’ll be back to you just as soon as possible. No time? Need an answer right now before your salmon gets too dry or your jerky too crispy? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions section, or you can always call us at 877-386-3811 (during normal business hours).''

''https://www.smokehouseproducts.com/collections/parts-accessories''

Rob
 
FLHTCUI said:
''We'd love to hear from you. To contact our Pros in our customer service department, please complete the following form and we’ll be back to you just as soon as possible. No time? Need an answer right now before your salmon gets too dry or your jerky too crispy? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions section, or you can always call us at 877-386-3811 (during normal business hours).''

''https://www.smokehouseproducts.com/collections/parts-accessories''

Rob
Click to expand...

Oh finding an element online is easy enough. Amazon has it for about $40, other places its more like $18USD plus shipping(which brings it right up to the Amazon price)... I was hoping someone knew of a local GVRD store that carries parts for these though. I could also use some racks, and maybe a drip pan too, and who knows what'll need replacing in the future (I hear the cords are prone to issues...) and I simply prefer brick and mortar stores over the internet if the prices are comparable.
 
Suther, I get your point to your quest.
Have you tried Crappy Tire and even a better choice might be Berry's Bait and Tackle in Richmond.
They carry all things fishing and the Big Chief is one of those.
Sorry I wasnt more helpful in the original post, but the store in Richmond came to mind after reading your reply.
Tight Lines and/or Groups Too,
Rob
 
Had to take the GFCI out of the bathroom as it wouldn't handle a blow dryer for the old lady. Try it on a regular breaker but keep track of it until your sure it will work properly.
 
GFCI plugs work, and overload/trip more easily than a regular plug. Have had a similar issue with my Bradley.
 
underscore said:
Should be an easy test, plug it into the GFCI in the bathroom and see what happens.
Click to expand...

Both on the same breaker, actually. Lol

The smoker was tested a few weeks before pressure washing it, and it worked on the gfci so I doubt that's the issue.

My element is cracked in two places but still heats up when plugged into a regular plug inside (kitchen plug is right by the back door). Is there any danger to using the cracked element?
 
It could possibly break apart then it starts to arc and could catch you food on fire and get worse from their seen element in our electric oven do this lucky we caught it right away and no damage only to element
 
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