Smoke thermometer is on the way - advice on drilling hole in Weber kettle for probes

[Skinsfan1311]

My set-up is a 2005 Weber Performer, (the one with the gas start), with a SnS. Before the SnS, I used a Smokenator. I've been using a couple of Maverick thermometers to track grill & food temps. I've been sticking the probes under the lid.

My new Smoke thermometer is in-transit. The probes on the Smoke look to be larger, and I'd rather not stick them under the lid. I've decided to drill a couple of holes, in the kettle, to accomodate the larger probes, or maybe a notch.

Any suggestions, tips or advice, on how to proceed, would be greatly appreciated.

[cgrover60]

I drilled a hole for probes in the wrong spot and to do it over would drill directly across from the SNS placement just above the grill grate so probes can be placed anywhere in the indirect space with minimum cable tangle inside the grill.

[Skinsfan1311]

Thanks for the heads-up

[RonB]

First, I have the same Weber you have, and I have drilled one hole large enough to run all the probes I need through.
I suggest using a step bit and placing the hole high up as close as you can to the lid without interfering with the lid when it's in place. I drilled mine at the back "corner" where the table meets the tubular frame - about 1:00. You will have more room placing it there. However, if you place the SnS at 12:00 I suggest drilling at about 7:00, (my SnS is at 9:00). The hole was drilled so that a 3/4" close nipple would thread into it and I added a lock nut just to make sure it didn't move. I did cut one end off so that it would be easier to get the grate in and out, but if you place it at 7:00, that may not be necessary. I cover the hole with foil to reduce the leak, and to prevent critters from trying to make their home inside the grill. I suggest getting the close nipple first to make sure that the probes will fit through it. Make sure the nipple is brass or ss - not galvanized.
If my suggestions aren't clear enough, let me know and I will try to make them clearer.

Here are a couple of pics of what I did - scroll down a bit.

[Skinsfan1311]

Thanks everyone!

[Skinsfan1311]

First, I have the same Weber you have, and I have drilled one hole large enough to run all the probes I need through.
I suggest using a step bit and placing the hole high up as close as you can to the lid without interfering with the lid when it's in place. I drilled mine at the back "corner" where the table meets the tubular frame - about 1:00. You will have more room placing it there. However, if you place the SnS at 12:00 I suggest drilling at about 7:00, (my SnS is at 9:00). The hole was drilled so that a 3/4" close nipple would thread into it and I added a lock nut just to make sure it didn't move. I did cut one end off so that it would be easier to get the grate in and out, but if you place it at 7:00, that may not be necessary. I cover the hole with foil to reduce the leak, and to prevent critters from trying to make their home inside the grill. I suggest getting the close nipple first to make sure that the probes will fit through it. Make sure the nipple is brass or ss - not galvanized.
If my suggestions aren't clear enough, let me know and I will try to make them clearer.

Here are a couple of pics of what I did - scroll down a bit.

Thank you very much, that's exactly what I was looking for. Just for clarification, in the pics that you posted, the SnS looks like it's at 12:00, not 9:00. Maybe we're looking at the orientation, differently? When I look at the Performer, facing the controls, I consider the lid-holder at 9:00 and the table 3:00

After using your set-up, does the hole location at 1:00 work out for you or, if you had to do it over again, would you have drilled the hole somewhere else?

Thanks, again!

[RonB]

The SnS is at your 9:00 and the hole works well for me at 1:00. That way the cables are out of the way. If you put the hole at 5:00, they will drape over the front of the grill and be in the way if you want to mess with the ash catcher or things stored below.

[RonB]

The only thing I would do different is drill the hole closer to the lid to make it easier to get the probes in and out. It isn't hard, but does require a bit of fiddling.

[Paulie Brisket]

Here's what I did:

[Lowjiber]

A step-drill is definitely the way to go. Those kettles are hard suckers.

I ordered a dozen silicone grommets (minimum order) from McMaster-Carr for my kettle... see below.

If you want to send me your snail-mail address via PM, I'll drop a couple (you only need one, but a spare is nice) in the mail tomorrow (Jan 2nd) to you.

Added later: Woops! Tomorrow is a Federal holiday. I'll send 'em Tuesday, Jan 3rd.