Operator error! Smoker abuse trigger warning

[BuckRimfire]

I am an idiot.  I pulled a chicken out of my Model 2 at 9 PM and while wrapping it up forgot to unplug the smoker, so it ran all night with the door wide open, about 12 hours.

In the morning the heating element was still glowing, so that's good.  How bad is it that it ran constantly for so long?

 

[old sarge]

That is a first!  I would remove the back of the smoker and check all the wiring, replace anything that doesn't look right. As for the element, if the glow is BRIGHT and uniform with no dark spots, it is OK.

 

[BuckRimfire]

The first to run their smoker all night or the first to be shameless enough to admit it on the forum?

I just turned it on and it took 2-3 minutes to start seeing any red, after 5 to 6 minutes it looked like this.  Not sure if this is "bright."  Anyway, it looks uniformly red.

 

[Lonzinomaker]

Looks good to me.

 

[old sarge]

You are good to go on the element. And to answer your question, first to be honest and admit to leaving the door open and running. And you are not an idiot. Smoke on!

 

[BuckRimfire]

And you are not an idiot.

Oh, how I wish that was true!
8)