Weber Kettle Thermometer Wire Question

[Woodson]

And be careful to the shards of ceramic coating flying off.

[Woodson]

This is exactly what I did. I would send a picture, but my Weber is in my comp trailer on a storage lot. Have an extra grommet or two on hand, also.

[RonB]

If I ever replace my kettle, this is what I would use.

[Troutman]

I've done 3 of them. You have to be careful not to overdrill the hole or it won't hold. That would indeed be a bummer.

[Rolo Tomassi]

I thought I had seen a comment from someone here that their WSM grommet eventually “fell out of the hole they had drilled for it in their kettle. Apparently that has not been an issue for you. Thank you Troutman.

[Rolo Tomassi]

Thank you Rod. That’s a great guide to your setup.

[Rolo Tomassi]

Thank you Woodson.

[Troutman]

Invest in one of these step bits, you can get one for around $9....


...drill a pilot hole then open it up to 1-1/4". Be careful to get it as close to that size as you can. Take a small rasp and dress up you hole and smooth it out. Then buy a Weber probe bladder.....


They can be a little tricky to get on, one trick is to use some vaseline, seems to slip on a little easier. I like this because you can fit 4-5 wires through the slit part, and just stick your temp probe into the small hole on the top, no need to have that wire within the kettle.

[Rod]

Or you can add a fan control. Below is my set up. There are several of us running this way. I just smoked a couple meatloafs Sunday on my 26" and had three probe wires running under the lid. Zero issues. Sure they created leaks, but it doesn't matter with the fan control. Ran rock solid at my set temp.

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/grills-and-smokers/charcoal/kettle-cookers/609951-how-to-weber-kettle-and-fan-combo

[Woodson]

Drill for a grommet in the bottom of the kettle, near the lid, right at grate level. That’s the money. Just be aware of it when lighting the fire. Hot side/cold side and all of that.

[mountainsmoker]

Your welcome I drilled my hole right above the food grate, as all the probes go above the grate. The grate is far enough down your not drilling in the lid.

[Rolo Tomassi]

Thank you Richard Chrz

[Rolo Tomassi]

Thank you mountainsmoker.

[Rolo Tomassi]

I’ve seen that in a related thread, but had forgotten about it. Makes sense — smaller hole/slot, since it only has to accommodate wires. Thank you.

[Richard Chrz]

I run them under my lid, I have seen people use lamp fittings (like the brass area that the pull cord pulls through, I have seen people cut a small notch (I think that is worst thing), and the rubber gaskets. I guess if I did one of them I would choose the rubber gasket. My wsm has that, I think I prefer that, but, I have not damaged a lead in the 5-6 months that I have been using temp probes (on my kettle), my wsm is significantly heavier, maybe it might be worse on that. p.s. I would never put the gasket in the lid, you take that on and off to much, the leads would be a pain in the ass, if I drilled a hole, I would drill it right under the grill grate, never in the lid.