Where does everybody run their temp probes on the kettle. All my smokers have access points but the kettle??? Thx!!
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Vent holes work well... -
Top vent, bottom vent, or under the lid are the easiest, but some here - me included - drill one or more holes in the kettle bottom to run probes through. There are two ways to do this:
A hole for each probe, or
One large hole for all your probes.
I chose to drill one hole large enough to fit a 1/2" close nipple through. (If I ever drill a hole in another kettle, I think I will use a 3/4" nipple.) That will allow you to use at least 4 probes - maybe more. You can get a threaded cap to close the hole off when no probes are being used. Try to find brass because galvanized may not be safe, although I wonder if there is enough galvanization to really be a problem. I drilled my kettle just below grate level because I do use a rotisserie, and a hole any higher would be in the way. If you have no plans to use a rotisserie, then place the hole(s) just below the rim of the lid to make using the holes easier. Do make sure the lid will fit tight with the cap in place.
One last thought. My probes are the "L" shaped probes and will not go through the close nipple probe end first . So I run the connector end through the nipple. I also have some probes that have a right angle connector that will not fit through nipple. Fortunately, those probes are straight, so I can still use them. Please make sure your probes will go through the nipple before drilling a hole.Last edited by RonB; April 9, 2017, 02:38 PM.Comment
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I dropped mine through the top vents, worked fine with the lid holder.Comment
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I go through the bottom vents. Sometimes run under the lid in a pinch.Comment
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I run mine under the lid all the time, and have had zero problems. But, now that I have no more warranty on the kettle, I may drill a hole.Comment
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I have always run mine under the lid but after reading this post I might start going through the vent at the top.Comment
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Under the lid works for me. Never had a probe fail from doing that and temperature control doesn't seem to be an issue.Comment
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I drilled two little holes in the body of my kettle. I run the probes up through the holes. They leak a little bit, but it is minimal once the probe cable it backing the hole.Comment
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I run mine under the lid. I just added a gasket so I will have to see if that changes anything. I also have a pk 360 and I have to run those through the top vent which works great on that grill. I wish more of the grill companies would take probes into consideration when they design their grills.Comment
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I am running the Probes Under The Lid without Problems So Farâ“ A typical Cook will have 2 Probes for DigiQ DX-2, 4-6 Probes for the FireBoard, with the option of running 2 more Probes from the Maverick! If I Use all the Probes I could the Easiest Thing to Do Is Leave The Lid Offâ“ I have Considered Getting a Gasket for the Lid and Cutting Gaps for the Probe Cables! My Holdup So Far is that Each Cook is Different and the Cables End Up Routed Differentlyâ“
Just Another Minor Setback In Life's Never Ending Struggle for Survivalâ“
Eat Well and Prosper! From a Backyard Cremator in Fargo ND, DanComment
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I never realized anything other than under the lid was necessary. Is it really? Where's the official study on temperature control and charcoal efficiency of the under the lid method vs. using the vents vs. drilling holes? Is our mythbuster squad on this yet?Comment
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JPGators17 - you only need to do this if you are having trouble controlling your temps, and you don't want to use one of the vents.
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