
Bradley Technologies of British Columbia perfected their design for the Original Bradley Smoker in the 1980's. It was designed specifically for cold smoking salmon, of which there is obviously a bountiful supply on the western pacific coast of Canada. Fitted with an internal heat element the machine is equally capable as a hot smoker, barbeque or slow roasting oven.
Before designing their smoker, when attempting to smoke salmon with a traditional 'burn-box' type smoker, the Bradley Family faced two principal challenges. Firstly, the importance of not allowing the wood chippings to ignite, or to burn completely to an ash soon became apparent. When this happens residues and unpleasant after-tastes are readily absorbed by the salmon. But to prevent this required almost constant tending of the wood chippings. The second challenge was that of consistency and repeatability. The timing and the quality of the finished product would be affected by variations in temperature, and in the type, the quality, and the moisture content.