PartyQ hole on Performer Deluxe

[jfmorris]

Hi all, I’ve read through the sticky topic on the top of this forum, but Rod shows installing a pit viper or similar fan on the kettle in his photos. I got a PartyQ for Christmas, and the fan is attached to the controller on that one, with about 1 foot or flex between them.

Seems my only options are to install to the left side of the bowl, so that the PartyQ is not up under the table on the Performer, or the back, where I won’t see it, and can avoid interfering with the vent handle and removal of the ash pan. I’ve also got to avoid the burner tube coming in from the right of the bowl. The sticky guide seems to indicate I really need to stick to the 3 spots the ash sweeps don’t hit as well.

Thoughts? Before I start drilling a hole I thought I would see if anyone has installed a PartyQ on their Performer Deluxe.

Tonight’s cook is some chicken wings (son’s request for his birthday) so I am in no rush to do this until later in the week.

Thanks!

Jim

[Rod]

If you install it on the left, won't it interfere with the lid holder? Not sure if it will help or not, but you can rotate the bracket that holds the ash pan. That might re-locate your ash sweep handle to a less desirable position.

[jfmorris]

Crap I didn’t think about that. Guess I can hold it up in different positions and work it out one way or the other. I have to date been using my SNS in the very front as the lid seals best with the vents to the rear - plus that way the handle and thermometer work out right.

I hope I don’t end up wishing I had bought the DigiQ for the extra $60 before I am done with it.

[RustyHaines]

I installed one on my Performer last weekend. I chose the back and to the right (when looking at the Performer from the front). Could not do the left because of the lid holder. Could not do the right because of the table. Could not do the front because of the vent and ash pot handles. My sweet spot has zero interference with ash sweeps.

Have you seen a sticky or post about hard wiring a PartyQ? As in no batteries?

[Black99vette]

Google "battery eliminator", if you want to buy something. Or you can make them with dowel rods (https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Battery-Eliminators) or (https://www.youmagine.com/designs/4x...ery-eliminator) . I made mine 4 or 5 years ago. There was a better DIY website but I can't find it.

[jfmorris]

I just got done looking, and actually think the PartyQ in the front can work, and if right under the grate, it will clear the vent and ash handles. To the left might work, as the older Performer lid holder doesn’t allow the lid to drop down too far next to the kettle.

In the back RustyHaines can you see the PartyQ from the front, or do you need to go around the back and adjust it?

Sadly while inspecting the kettle I found a pinhole all the way through the bottom of the kettle below the charcoal grate. Not sure how that happened as the finish is in great shape, and I’ve never seen rust inside.

[RustyHaines]

I twisted the display a bit and yes I can see it from the front if I lean over the table (not the kettle!) a bit.

Bummer on the pin hole. Maybe you can replace it with a 26 inch Performer; but wait that does not exist but it should !

[coupster]

I've got mine installed in the front right about 3-4" up the kettle from the 4th hole from 'Closed' end of the ash sweeper assembly. I didn't consider the sweeper arm motion so mine blocked the sweeper arm. My solution - cut off the top 2" of the sweeper. Both work fine now. The fan module does block the control arm of the sweeper, but only from 3/4 to full open. I just have to remember to close the vents before I start to cook. Its does seem to be battery hungry . But I found that after I built a full wind break, battery usage was cut in half. I'll get 1 long or 2 medium cooks out of a new set of batteries. I find the gauge either broken or useless. Its looked the same from day 1.

It doesn't seem to have been mentioned but you also want it on the other side of the kettle from the fire. Seems obvious, but has anybody ever overlooked the obvious until it was too late?

[jfmorris]

Well, I done went and drilled a hole in my Performer today! Eek! I know the instructions called for 1", but I only had a 7/8" step bit, which is surely close enough.

I went for the area to the front, slightly right, in the gap between where the two ash sweeps move, just below the charcoal grate. It means I'll have to flip my SNS to the rear, instead of front, and spin the lid 180 degrees with the vent up front, but I like having the PartyQ in the front. Also, its high enough to where I can still work the ash sweep and vent handles without hitting the fan, so all is good.

I have yet to do a cook with the PartyQ, but bought two of the biggest chuck roasts I've ever seen while at Sam's today, and will cook them later this week. I'm making a ham for New Years Day, and will probably just do that in the oven...

[Henrik]

Cool! Take photos when you smoke those roasts, I'd love to see the PartyQ in action.

[jfmorris]

Will do Henrik !

[jfmorris]

Well, finally doing the inaugural cook with the PartyQ.

Here's where I made the hole in the kettle:

It seems to be running about 10 degrees off from my Smoke probe, side by side on the grate. I.e. the PartyQ is set to 225, and the Smoke reads 235, but that is "close enough". It took a little bit to stabilize at that 10F difference, started about 15F different.

Anyway, I am excited. The inaugural cook is two of the biggest chuck roasts I've seen - about 8 pounds for a 2 pack at Sam's.

[jfmorris]

UPDATE: an hour later and now the temp on the Smoke and the PartyQ are within 3 degrees of each other.

[jfmorris]

UPDATE 2: Now the PartyQ and Smoke temperatures are still staying +/- 3F of each other. This is awesome! I think I need to do what others had mentioned and bend the PartyQ clip slightly, to expose the thermistor on the probe to the ambient air more. I imagine the PartyQ probe had to "soak" longer at kettle ambient to reach equilibrium with the grate probe of the Smoke.

[Maineac]

I wish my grocery sold ckucks like those.

[Henrik]

Very cool, keep us posted!!

[Red Man]

That chuckie on the right is beautiful!

[Maineac]

If you run the sweeps back and forth you will see three triangular areas that the sweeps miss. There is plenty of room there for a hole and adapter below the charcoal grate.

[jfmorris]

Maineac that is exactly what I did to find the spot I drilled in - ran the sweeps with ash in there, then drilled.

[SparkDog]

jfmorris I have a performer and a smoke like you show above. I am looking at automating my temperature control. Now that about 6 months has gone by, is the PartyQ a good option or should I go to a fireboard? I have no concerns with the smoke. It seems to do a good job and I get signal through out my house. I guess the temperature graph would be nice but I don't see needing 6 temp ports. if I have that much meat, it won't go on my kettle.

[jfmorris]

jfmorris I have a performer and a smoke like you show above. I am looking at automating my temperature control. Now that about 6 months has gone by, is the PartyQ a good option or should I go to a fireboard? I have no concerns with the smoke. It seems to do a good job and I get signal through out my house. I guess the temperature graph would be nice but I don't see needing 6 temp ports. if I have that much meat, it won't go on my kettle.

I’m pleased with the PartyQ. My only complaint is the AA batteries are good for about 2 cooks. I’ve only been using it for cooks longer than 4-5 hours - butts and briskets mainly. It gives me peace of mind on the overnight cooks, and maintains temperature very well.. If you didn’t already have the Smoke, Fireboard and a fan are a good option, but at 2-3x the cost of the PartyQ. That was the deciding factor for me.

I’ve found some hacks on wiring up the PartyQ to power, and may do that, but we always have a bin full of batteries, so it’s been a non issue so far.

[JimLinebarger]

I use Panasonic rechargeable batteries in my PartyQ. I usually recharge after 2 cooks. I have been using it on m PBC but just started on my kettle.

[SparkDog]

Thanks for the reply! The PartyQ is on the way.

[jfmorris]

SparkDog I hope you have fun with it! The PartyQ has gone a long way towards calming down my MCS desire for a pellet smoker.