Digital Old Smokey electric smoker will not heat and displays E3 shortly after startup.

Safety first: Unplug the smoker and allow it to cool fully before accessing the heating element or wiring.

Steps to check the heating element circuit:

• 1. Access the heating element: Remove the wood chip pan and drip pan. On Old Smokey electric smokers, the heating element is typically mounted at the bottom of the cooking chamber with two terminals passing through the base.
• 2. Inspect terminals and wiring: From underneath or through the rear access panel, locate the two element terminals and their spade connectors. Check for loose, burnt, or discolored connectors and wires.
• 3. Tighten or reseat connectors: Gently pull off each spade connector, inspect for corrosion, and push it back on firmly. Replace any connector that is loose or heat-damaged.
• 4. Test element continuity: Disconnect both wires from the element. Using a multimeter on the resistance setting, measure across the two element terminals. A typical Old Smokey element will show a finite resistance (often 10–40 Ω). If the meter reads OL (open), the element is burned out and must be replaced.
• 5. Check the high-limit cutoff/thermal fuse: Many digital models include a thermal cutoff in series with the element. Locate the small inline thermal fuse or high-limit thermostat near the element wiring and test for continuity. Replace if open.
• 6. Inspect wiring harness: Follow the element wires back to the control board, checking for cuts, melted insulation, or rodent damage. Repair or replace damaged sections with high-temperature wire.
• 7. Replace the heating element if open: Install a new OEM Old Smokey heating element assembly. Ensure the mounting bracket is secure and that the element does not contact the smoker body except at its mounting points.
• 8. Reassemble and test: Reinstall all covers, drip pan, and chip pan. Plug in the smoker and set a low temperature. Confirm that the E3 code is gone and the element heats evenly.

Note: If the element and thermal cutoff test good but E3 persists, the control board's element relay or sensing circuit may be defective and the control module may need replacement.