Smoker powers on but does not heat; temperature stays at ambient.

Safety first: Unplug the smoker and let it cool before working near the element.

• Visual check: Remove racks and drip tray to expose the element. Look for cracks, breaks, or heavy corrosion.
• Check connections: From the rear/bottom panel, verify that both element terminals have tight spade connectors and that wires are not burned.
• Test element: Disconnect one lead and measure resistance across the element. Replace the element if it reads open.
• Test high‑limit thermostat: Verify continuity through the thermostat. Replace if open and not resettable.