Smoker trips the household breaker or GFCI outlet when turned on or when heating starts.

Safety first: Unplug the smoker and do not reset the breaker repeatedly without finding the cause. Risk of fire or shock.

• Inspect power cord: Look for cuts, crushed sections, or melted insulation. Replace the power cord if any damage is found.
• Check for moisture: Open the control box and rear access panels. If there is condensation or water, dry thoroughly and allow 24 hours before retesting.
• Inspect heating element: Look for spots where the element touches the metal cabinet. Check for cracks or burn-through. A shorted element must be replaced.
• Examine wiring harness: Follow wires from the control board to the element, thermostat, and sensors. Repair any pinched or bare wires using high-temp wire and proper connectors.
• Test on non-GFCI outlet: If only GFCI trips and no damage is found, there may be minor leakage current. However, persistent tripping indicates a fault that should be corrected, not bypassed.