For the past 5 months, I've been using a 2002 Weber OTS that was left behind at a house we bought in early Spring. The kettle is in decent shape, although the lid does not seal especially well to the base. I've had some success improving the lid seal with binder clips. I've added a SnS and a Thermoworks Smoke. I like the grill (and love the SnS!), but not as much as my 16 year-old OTG that we left behind when we moved. So I will be upgrading. Experience with this grill along with my previous OTG, helpful comments from the Pit, and the space available on our patio, have me inclined to buy a new Weber Performer Deluxe.
My questions/issues have to do with routing of temperature probes while maintaining a seal between lid and base in a Performer Deluxe. It would be helpful to get some input from the Pit before I acquire a new kettle.
One option is drilling holes for grommets. After reading about Pit members adding WSM grommets and other drill-related solutions, I followed the suggestion (and video tutorial https://vimeo.com/134139647) from former member Jon Solberg. I drilled two 3/8" holes (about 1/32" larger than Smoke probe transitions) in the OTS. That seems to work well enough.
Another option is to install a gasket.
Should I drill holes? Install a gasket? Both? Other suggestions?
Questions:
1. Will a lid gasket accommodate temperature probe wires and maintain a tight seal between lid and base?
2. Is a lid gasket preferable to drilling probe holes in the kettle's base?
3. Will the integrated table on the Performer Deluxe get in the way of binder clips, if they are needed to seal the kettle?
4. When is the best time to install a lid gasket? Before the initial use of the kettle? Or does that matter?
5. Lava Lock's seller on Amazon suggests that their "Fireblack" gasket is better for the Kettle than Lava Lock. Any comments?
6. What is the preferred location for the SnS in a Performer Deluxe? 12 O'Clock? 9 O'Clock? ?
Thanks for any advice.
My questions/issues have to do with routing of temperature probes while maintaining a seal between lid and base in a Performer Deluxe. It would be helpful to get some input from the Pit before I acquire a new kettle.
One option is drilling holes for grommets. After reading about Pit members adding WSM grommets and other drill-related solutions, I followed the suggestion (and video tutorial https://vimeo.com/134139647) from former member Jon Solberg. I drilled two 3/8" holes (about 1/32" larger than Smoke probe transitions) in the OTS. That seems to work well enough.
Another option is to install a gasket.
Should I drill holes? Install a gasket? Both? Other suggestions?
Questions:
1. Will a lid gasket accommodate temperature probe wires and maintain a tight seal between lid and base?
2. Is a lid gasket preferable to drilling probe holes in the kettle's base?
3. Will the integrated table on the Performer Deluxe get in the way of binder clips, if they are needed to seal the kettle?
4. When is the best time to install a lid gasket? Before the initial use of the kettle? Or does that matter?
5. Lava Lock's seller on Amazon suggests that their "Fireblack" gasket is better for the Kettle than Lava Lock. Any comments?
6. What is the preferred location for the SnS in a Performer Deluxe? 12 O'Clock? 9 O'Clock? ?
Thanks for any advice.
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