I think I have finished modding my Weber.

[RonB]

The Weber Performer Deluxe has been setting on our deck for years - unchanged. Since joining the Pit early last month I have been modding the h3!! out of it, and the results are very rewarding. Within a few days of joining, an SnS was on the way. Shortly after that arrived, I ordered a gasket.

Then I decided to install a 3/4" close nipple so that I could run all the cables through the same hole. I had difficulty finding a heatproof silicon plug the correct size and wound up having to trim down a larger plug to fit.

Then I decided that i needed a temp controller, so I ordered a CyberQ. It works great, but I thought a baffle would help control the airflow, so I had a machine shot cut an 18.25" circle from SS sheet metal. Now all the air generated by the CyberQ flows directly to the SnS. I found that I needed to close the blower damper down to 1/4 and close down the lid damper to about the same.

A WORD OF CAUTION: using a baffle and a fan while searing with the lid open is essentially creating a high temp blacksmiths fire. With the lid open, the fan runs constantly blowing air over the coals and that's how blacksmiths get the high temps they need to heat metal. If you use a fan and a baffle, I highly suggest unplugging the fan when you remove the lid.

I've done all I can think of to control temps, (and did I mention that I'm somewhat of a control freek? ). The only thing left is racing stripes. LOL

[Gooner-que]

RonB what gasket did you go with? I'm on my way to doing everything you said but with a Party-Q as I want battery power.

[Danjohnston949]

RonB, I think you have done a Great Job! And you are right about Baffle and its affect on S 'n S temps!
Eat Well and Prosper! From Fargo ND, Dan

[RonB]

Thanx Dan. I didn't think about it at first, but when I heard the fire roaring, I knew exactly what was going on.

[RonB]

Gooner-que - I used the Lavarock Nomex gasket. The 15' roll is enough to do two grills.

[Thunder77]

I bought that same gasket, and nothing leaks out around the lid of kettle!

[donner]

When you installed it, did you take it all the way to the lip of the lid or did you run it around the bend in the lid?

I installed one and ran it to the lip and it made the lid fit tighter, but almost too tight. It takes some effort to get the lid to sit centered and not to a side

[RonB]

I forgot to mention that I have added the Weber Rotisserie and that I have converted to a 15 lb gas tank. That was because the fitting on the Weber is brass and I was worried that the steel threads on the little propane tanks would eventually strip the brass threads.

[Huskee]

Nice work Ron, and nice pictures!

[Henrik]

Nice work! I would love to try a reverse sear with the baffle in place and the fan on full speed

[RonB]

Thanx, but I'm not sure that would be a good idea. Running forced air through charcoal is the way blacksmiths get their fires hot enough to work metal.

[Henrik]

Yes, I figured as much, therefore the two smileys. Either way, very inspiring mods.

[RonB]

donner - When you set the lid upside down and look at it, there is a rim that fits around the outside of the bowl of the kettle. The lid the makes a 90* turn to provide an area for the lid to sit on the bowl. That's where the gasket goes, and I snug it up against the rim.

This video should make it clear: