Old Smokey electric smoker timer does not count down correctly or shuts off early.

Safety first: Unplug the smoker before opening the control housing.

Steps to troubleshoot timer issues:

• 1. Verify power stability: Ensure the smoker is on a dedicated circuit without frequent power dips or outages.
• 2. Perform a control reset: Unplug the smoker for several minutes, then plug back in and set a short test timer to see if behavior improves.
• 3. Observe pattern: Note whether the timer always shuts off at the same incorrect time or behaves randomly. Consistent errors point to internal timing circuitry.
• 4. Replace the control board: If the timer remains inaccurate after resets and power checks, replace the OEM digital control module, which contains the timer circuitry.
• 5. Use an external timer: Until repaired, use a separate kitchen timer to track cook times and manually turn the smoker off.

Note: Do not rely on a faulty timer for food safety-critical cooks. Always verify doneness with a food thermometer.