PBC Mod: Lid Exhaust Vent

[hogdog6]

I did this mod a few years ago, it's great for chicken. I leave the bottom vent alone and open my top vent full open. Don't know what temp it runs because I don't monitor my PBC temps just food temps, but it does run great for crispy skin chicken. On my other cookers I monitor and control pit temps but with my PBC it hates being controlled and I've found my life is better if I just let it do what it does.

[MBMorgan]

NapMaster - Sound advice. Much like "measure it with a micrometer, mark it twice with a piece of chalk, then cut it with an ax. That way everybody will be happy" 😎👍

[hogdog6]

Exactly! 🔥

[hoovarmin]

Just bought mine

[TBoneJack]

Just bought mine

The PBC or the lid exhaust vent?

[RonB]

Or the .44?

[hoovarmin]

TBoneJack the exhaust vent. Just arrived in the mail this morning.

[New2Cue]

For you guys that modded the lid, did you do anything to coat the exposed steel after drilling? Just wondering if I need to coat it given that the porcelain coating is being removed.

I'm buying the vent tonight from the guy on Easy - thanks for the tip!

[New2Cue]

Thanks! I was a little worried about even using high-heat paint, given that it could flake off and drop into the food. Seems better to just replace the lid if there's an issue with a lot of rust, but I agree, seems like the gunk should help.

[RonB]

Ya might want to spread a little oil on the exposed metal to keep rust from starting before natural greases can coat it.

[mnavarre]

I drilled 5/16 probe holes in the bowl of one of my webers about 5 years ago. No rust at all, they sealed with gunk the first cook I did. I wouldn't worry about it.

[fzxdoc]

Does rotating the vent scratch the coating?

K.

[hoovarmin]

I have the same concern

[Skip]

No. I put the Weber Vent on mine. I drilled the holes to 3/8" because that's the largest bit I had and enlarged the holes to the required size with my die grinder. All went well. No extra paint used and no scratches either. I recommend doing it. No need to crack the lid anymore.

[HawkerXP]

It says steel. Have you had any rusting?

[HawkerXP]

Wait, you think I'm going to believe somebody named RUSTY? RustyHaines

[RustyHaines]

HawkerXP we do not use that term in that context in our house :-) I believe you are referring to corrosion !

[mnavarre]

So your family calls you Corrosion? Seems kinda harsh, but you do you.

[TBoneJack]

Does rotating the vent scratch the coating?

K.

No Kathryn, at least not on mine.

The center screw (bolt) is spring-loaded, and can be tightened to just the right amount of pressure to prevent air leaks, but without creating enough pressure to cause scratches in operation.

[fzxdoc]

Thank you for the additional information. I appreciate it.

Kathryn

[TBoneJack]

For you guys that modded the lid, did you do anything to coat the exposed steel after drilling? Just wondering if I need to coat it given that the porcelain coating is being removed.

I'm buying the vent tonight from the guy on Easy - thanks for the tip!

I sprayed the exposed metal with high-heat grill paint. But that may have been overkill, seeing that grease from cooking would have sealed it anyway.

[OmegaDog12]

TBoneJack ..where did you place the vent? Knowing what you now know regarding the mod, would you change the placement? If so, where?
The OmegaDog

[TBoneJack]

TBoneJack ..where did you place the vent? Knowing what you now know regarding the mod, would you change the placement? If so, where?
The OmegaDog

Very good question that I stressed over myself. For several days, before I applied the drill and committed myself.

Pics forthcoming. And YES, after using for several chicken, brisket, and rib cooks, I'm pleased with the vent placement.

Again, I questioned the placement as you have. But the placement I chose seems to have worked out fine, although I can't explain exactly why.

[OmegaDog12]

@TBoneJack..where was the final placement? I’m unable to see it well in your original post

[Skip]

This is where I put mine. My reason was then it is directly opposite the air intake on the bottom of the PBC. It seems to work well. As you can see I also use the Tru Tel Thermometer off my BGE to monitor the pit temp. I drilled a small hole just big enough to drop the thermometer in. That mod works well for me too. I'm learning to let PBC do it's own thing and let the Weber vent be my only adjustment and not chase temps all afternoon. I also added a lid gasket. My setup works for me.

[Dadof3Illinois]

I'm thinking it really doesn't matter because you can rotate the lid to any position you need it, or am I missing something?
This looks to be a great mod and something PBC might want to offer in the future.