My old weber kettle is an old friend

[smokenoob]

So now that I have upgraded my old friend with an SNS hinged grate and a slow n sear deluxe I am wishing for a smoke port and probe port. I woke up last night and thought “maybe I should just get a new SNS kettle with all the bells & whistles!!!”. So this morning I googled up the SNS site and my heart sank (along with my wallet). $3-4-500 for what I wanted…..😟. Then one synapse fired off and said “just drill a few holes in the old weber kettle and call it done”. Another quick google search looking for probe port ideas turned up a link to SNS where I can actually buy the SNS probe port and smoke port! Yea! $25 delivered for both of them.
Now the Jimmy Buffett song is playin’ in my head: Spending money, money to burn…..money that you did not necessarily earn…..
What else should I buy? 🤣
Stay tuned for the installation update! 😎

[HawkerXP]

I don't know what a smoke port is, but I've drilled a hole, just above the cooking grate to snake my probes in.

[efincoop]

+1 here to that approach as well.

[barelfly]

Yes to drilling the hole! That’s what i did and use the gaskets, and in fact I should probably buy a few more. My last one is starting to lose its shape a bit.

Will be waiting to see how your project goes today!

[captainlee]

Just drill it, you can't screw that up, I hope.

[smokenoob]

Thanks for the vote of confidence! 🤣

[Panhead John]

Even better Jerry ! Only $479. on Amazon…..😁

[smokenoob]

Saw that! My solution was $25! 🎼 🎶 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

[jayjordan]

I added a probe port to my Weber Kettle with a LavaLock part. Quick and easy solution. $10 at the time, now $14.

https://www.amazon.com/LavaLock-Smoker-THERMOMETERS-Probes-Controllers/dp/B098TSGDJD?sr=8-1

[Richard Chrz]

Drill

[Purc]

Drill Baby Drill...

[efincoop]

I was waiting for that one!

[FireMan]

My thoughts xactly!

[Panhead John]

What is wrong with you people, are you new here?!! This is The Pit! We’re supposed to always recommend the most expensive option when someone asks for advice!!! Geez, it’s like I don’t even know y’all anymore.

[Steve R.]

This place is going downhill fast. 🤣

[FireMan]

Sorry dear sir. MCS, you betcha! But Mods are not far behind!

[bbqLuv]

You Tell Them Panhead John
About time we agree on something.

[Steve R.]

The only other thing you need is a step drill bit (even a cheap, crappy one from Harbor Freight is fine). And maybe a rounded file to clean up the sharp edges of the newly drilled hole.

BTW, is this how you treat all your old friends? Drill holes in them? Not judging, just curious. 😉

[smokenoob]

Thanks, I have a set of RotaCut bits which are AWESOME for cutting holes in steel!

[Donw]

If we were closer I would lend you one of these

[bardsleyque]

I like that!

[Lynn Dollar]

I used my angle grinder to cut a notch. Did the same with my 26 Kettle. Never looked back.

[TripleB]

I drilled a hole. I like your idea better. Kudos to you sir!! This is exactly why I love this website. You think you got it covered and someone presents a better solution.

[HawkerXP]

Ooooo nice!

[mrichie1229]

This is a great idea!

[Johnny Booth]

smokenoob, Panhead John - THIS is what you really need!

[Panhead John]

What are you a moderator or somethin’? 😂🤣

[smokenoob]

sheriff Sheila gonna be here soon…..gonna put you in timeout!

[Jessterr]

Close, but not quite frilly enough. Has to look like something out of Czarist Russia or 15-16th century France.

[Oak Smoke]

Oh crap! I realize I left my old Weber of at least 30 years at our old house. I feel like a bum. I’m normally very loyal.

[jfmorris]

And unless it was someone like us here in the Pit that bought your old house, the average person would just look at it and see an old worn out junky kettle, and toss it to the curb...

[bardsleyque]

I was gifted my 26' in '88, a little worse for wear but still going strong!
I did drill a probe port.

[Jessterr]

You must make amends, Oak Smoke. Not quite sure how, but karma must be dealt with here. Perhaps, purchase a new Weber product and dedicate the first cook as an homage to the venerable old kettle? Or, maybe some type of BBQ and Bourbon laced ceremony offered in honor to this Weber, one that has served you so well over so many years, but then abandoned. Otherwise, in the vein of HawkerXP, is there any realistic chance of getting it back?

[FireMan]

As’n I said before, Mods are a staple of this’n here forum, yessir! Drill baby drill!!!

[smokenoob]

says the guy who watched The Mod Squad…..

[FireMan]

And Columbo!