Help with new Weber?

[SlainteBrian]

Hello to all,
Finally got around to getting a weber kettle, been on my "really, why don't I have one?" list for some time and finally have it set up and ready to go, just the basic Weber Performer, 22 inch, with the hinged cook grate. And yes, thanks to the lovely people here, I already have my Slow and Sear ordered and on its way. Looking forward to it. I did have a question regarding temperature, on my smoker I use the thermopen DOT's, two cables one for ambient temp and one probe for internal, I was able to run them through the fixed exhaust smoke stack just fine. But I don't really think running the cables through the lid of a weber would work terribly well when lifting it, and I don't want to just sit the lid on top and pinch the cables sending me off to order new ones (been down that road already). My question is, has anybody modified their weber kettle to fit a cable for a thermometer, and if so how? I'm thinking I'd have to either drill out a hold on the body of the kettle, maybe between the cooking grate and the edge of the lid, or just etch it down with an angle grinder to create a kind of gap-tooth where the cables can just lay in but not get pinched when the lid is on. If anybody has done these, or likely something clever I haven't thought of just yet, I'd love to hear any suggestions before I do something permanent to my kettle that'll just be embarrassing to explain to people for years. Thank you to anybody in advance for their time- Cheers!

[Huskee]

There are a couple different options for those who don't want to set the lid on the wires. A couple weeks ago we touched on that subject in this post. Many will drill a small hole above grate level, and grommets can be put in there but aren't necessary. You could run them through the bottom vent too, but that might be a hassle most don't want to mess with plus it stops you from being able to shut the vents completely to snuff out coals. In the post I linked you to, there's another link to another forum where someone had a really cool solution to stopping the leaky hole when not in use with a little screw-on cap.

Hope this helps.

[Breadhead]

SlainteBrian ...

I too have a new Weber Kettle. I too have an SnS on order. I've too have been seeking expert Weber advise.

Might I suggest you you consult with David Parrish & Jon N Solberg on your Weber questions. I've deemed them as the Kings of the Weber world.😆

Jon N Solberg just wrote an article on this topic in another thread that covers your question. Jon owns a herd of Weber kettles and smokers and I figure he already knows more about Weber's than I will EVER know.

Then you must factor in that David Parrish didn't invent the Weber Kettle... He just invented a product that made it better. So... One must assume he has a great understanding of how the Weber Kettle works.👌

[Henrik]

I've seen two solutions that are the most common:

​1. Drill a small hole, as Huskee and several others point out, with or without a rubber grommet.
2. Use a grinder and cut a "U" straight down on the top edge of the bottom half of your grill. This allows you to place the wires quite easily, and remove them just as easy.

Personally I'm really fond of #2, as it is so easy, and I don't have to thread the wires through a small hole. You can apply some primer or the likes with a small brush if you care about rust protection.

I did a quick search, and found some really good pictures illustrating #2 here.

[richinlbrg]

I run my probes up through the air intake. And use a pit kit to take them out when I want to shut down after the cook.

[fuzzydaddy]

I drilled holes in both my 22" and 26", opposite the SnS and above the grate level, no grommets, that will handle (3) probes, 1 for grate temp and 2 for meat. Here's a photo of my 22". If I were drilling again I would offset the hole so it's a bit further away from the grate handle on the right, which is positioned where it is so that the hinge on the grate (left side) is above and aligned with the SnS.

If I had a grinder I would definitely consider option #2 from Henrik. You've got options!

[Breadhead]

Thank you gentlemen for taking the time to educate me on this topic. I think I'll borrow a friends grinder to cut the slot that Henrik suggested and move it to the position fuzzydaddy recommended. That handles the probe wires.

Then David Parrish recommended mounting the adapter for the DigiQ Dx2 fan below the charcoal grate opposite the SnS.

Those 2 modifications will allow me to control the Weber Kettle's cooking temperature fairly easy and accurate for a long low and slow cook.👍

Today I'm leaving for a 3 day Steelhead fishing trip with my son.😆 So these mods will be done when I return on Thursday.

[fuzzydaddy]

Have a great trip with your son and lots 'o fish!

[SlainteBrian]

Best luck and prayers for lots of fish!