cookshack model 105, made 1-18-93

This is another pic of the control panel.

Paul B

I wasn't sure from your post---does it turn on and work? If yes, for 50 bucks it's a good deal

So far it buzzes and the temp digital lights try and light. I don't know the last time it worked, I have had my eye on it for three years and decided to ask about price. It's been in a surplus kitchen supply house for years and the last two not protected from the weather.
Here in Florida its been raining everyday so no time to work on it.

Paul B

Am I allowed to bump??

Thanks,
Paul B

Paul,

Have you taken it apart and done some basic trouble shooting with a meter to see what is still viable and what needs replacing?

Not yet, will try and do some troubleshooting tomorrow.

I'm really asking "if" the controls don't work, what else besides $600+- new controls can be done to use what I have.

Any work around hacks, not with the controls, but with other means??

Thanks,
Paul B

OK, got some troubleshooting time in this morning...Hmmm seems to work. someone has worked on the electronics before. The on/off toggle switch has been bypassed, no biggy, just plug in and unplug for power, will fix in future.
Since I don't have an owners manual I was winging the controls on the outside board. The led read out is not showing completely so I was guessing at some numbers. At this point I don't know if the set and forget settings work, but the smoker temp works. I increased the temp by 50* by some led read out and quesswork.
Got it up to 300 +.
Now, somewhat of a problem....the contactor works but buzzes when pulled in?? Fix for that? Maybe just some more cleaning and lubing where appropriate?
I cook by doneness and not by temp. so if the set and forget doesn't work I'm ok with that.
So far it works, so for the $50 I spent and it keeps going I think I've done good. Mind you this is a 1993 model!!!!!
Now I just need to scrape, rust treat, and paint and clean......What to smoke first????

Paul B

Ok, got it working, sort of.
Got my first cook under my belt, usually use a UDS or mini Uds's. Have learned constant temp is a must for these. I smoke by temp not by time.
Since the LED readouts are not working fully it is hard to determine where I am at. My four chickens came out fine except the were slightly over cooked, still juicy though.
Is there any workaround fixing my LED display so I can know what's going in my cooker??
Again it is a 1993 sm105 commercial cookshack!!!!

Paul B

Just put a temp probe in smoker to give you the inside air temp?

I bought one just like yours. The board went bad and I replaced the brain with a solid state relay (SSR) and PID controller. IIRC ~$75. There is a thread on here and Google it. (The concept is also used for brewing beer so don't get alarmed) Works great.

Do you have pics and or where you got it?
only pid type things I can find are in the $200 to $300 range. Don't know if I am going to keep, so don't want to sink any more in. Only got $50 now.

Paul B