Thermometer Lid Placement

[DavidNorcross]

So I have always wondered why the thermometer is on the opposite side of of the vent on the kettle. There are dozens of YouTube videos out there showing folks modifying the kettle to move the thermometer closer to the vent.

I recently purchased an older model Performer off marketplace and am going to be modifying because it's fun.

Here is the placement of the thermometer. I really see no need in moving since it is closer to the food. Has anyone seen the thermometer in this location or is it just me?

[Richard Chrz]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen that location for a thermometer, but truly I don’t trust a weber lid thermometer at all, it seems to never be an accurate example of a grate temp, my summit kamado is pretty close though.

[fzxdoc]

Ditto with my Summit grill's dome thermometer. I was shocked at how accurate its temps were when I first started using it. I felt like patting its dome and saying "Good boy, Mr. Fancypants."

Kathryn

[RichieB]

Never saw that. I don't pay much attention to it. Smoke, DOT and RFX are my go to.

[RonB]

Your kettle has the same placement for both as mine does. Mine is a 2010 model. In 2015 Weber moved the vent to the opposite side of the handle from the thermometer. I have no clue why either position is is better or worse.

[DavidNorcross]

Agree with everyone on using the lid thermometer. I am thinking of installing the chefs temp Pro temp and it installs on the lid.

[Huskee]

Mine's opposite the vent. I realize mod'ing can be fun. Regardless of where it is though, if you make a few notes as to what it says vs what your grate-level probe says on your typical cooks, you can use it to your advantage when your digital therm is unavailable for any reason. When I use the SnS for instance, my lid therm runs about 75 deg (if memory serves) higher than the grate probe. I've used it in the absence of my grate probe before and it's good info to have. I recommend noting that for future reference.

[Finster]

^^^ this. My dome temp runs pretty consistently 50° higher than grate temp.. close enough to be in the ballpark

[Jfrosty27]

That’s where it is on mine. I bought it used. Don’t know how old it is. But I am certain that it was not modified.

[fzxdoc]

How pretty!

[briano52]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen that location for a thermometer, but truly I don’t trust a weber lid thermometer at all, it seems to never be an accurate example of a grate temp, my summit kamado is pretty close though.

I have read numerous times that the standard Weber ls mounted thermometer is highly inaccurate. I was doing a deep cleaning of my Weber kettle grill recently. Just for fun, I took off the 15 year old thermometer and dipped the probe in boiling water while holding it with some tongs. To my amazement, the thermometer was spot on at 212 degrees! I have new respect for Weber thermometers. But, I still use my trusty Thermoworks probes with the handy remote unit.

Of course, the thermometer on the lid will read different than one on the grate, but at least I know that the hood mounted thermometer is accurate.

[shify]

Is the thermometer inaccurate or is it like your last sentence in that the temp shown is not really indicative of the grate temp?

Candidly, I only use the lid temp when pre-heating the grill to see when its nearing cooking temp and is time to start closing some vents.

I also don't really worry about exact temps and usually just focus on a range

[briano52]

Shify, what I meant to say is that the reading of a thermometer on the kettle lid will be different (higher) than the reading of a thermometer below on the grill grate. With the kettle I don't often smoke in there, so I don't pay much attention to the thermometer. I would if smoking for a long cook. I do look at when using the rotisserie too.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

I wonder if directly on top under the handle would be a good spot? No matter where they are, they aren't right. But if you wanted an average idea of what's going on, my brain says top center makes the most sense. I understand being across from the vent would put it directly over the coals when doing 2 zone, but I think too close to the exhaust also shows way higher than what things are temps.

Maybe under the handle but slightly offset to the axis not in line with exhaust and where the fire would be in 2 zone mode?

[efincoop]

Not at all related to the thermometer placement, I am wondering what price range a circa 2010 Weber Performer in decent shape goes for these days. I just took delivery of a new Hasty Bake 357 Pro and plan to sell my trusty Weber Performer to make room for the new grill, but have no idea what a reasonable asking price would be,

[DavidNorcross]

The one I just purchased was $100. In decent shape and I think I got a very good deal.

[briano52]

Keep your Performer for a while and see if you find uses for it. I have 7 cookers and still use my Performer once in a while. Nothing rotisseries as good as a Weber kettle.

[HawkerXP]

I've paid $150 for a really good Performer. New bowl and upper and lower grates.

[Mosca]

I’ve always thought that the thermometer itself was accurate, but the kettle is so leaky around the rim that it didn’t give a good indication of what was actually happening in there.

[HawkerXP]

I have one like that and two opposite.
My two DE (2009) Performers have the thermometer, a removable probe type, mounted in the handle at the top of the lid.

[HawkerXP]

I prefer the one you are showing David. I normally have the vent over the meat not the charcoal in the SnS so this side mounted one is closer to being accurate temp around the meat.

[efincoop]

Not at all related to the thermometer placement, I am wondering what price range a circa 2010 Weber Performer in decent shape goes for these days. I just took delivery of a new Hasty Bake 357 Pro and plan to sell my trusty Weber Performer to make room for the new grill, but have no idea what a reasonable asking price would be,

Thanks DavidNorcross that's the price I was thinking as a starting point