Weber Smokey Mountain

[Chuck12335]

Hello, I'm Chuck from Illinois, Chicago suburbs. I have a question. I bought a new Tel Tru thermometer and want to install it. The hole is two small. Can I drill a bigger size hole. Recommendations please

[Dr. Dave]

Mine is a Maverick and the probe is about 1/8" OD. I can get it through the rubber grommet if I put some vegetable oil on it. Is the TelTru much bigger than that?

Dave

[jlazar]

Yes, I put one on my WSM 18 along with a hinge for the top and handles on the middle section. Easy to do just take your time. I used a step bit which worked really well.

[Chuck12335]

cool thanks

[ribeyeguy]

Instead of drilling through the metal have you considered shaving a bit of rubber away from the opening of the probe grommet? You should be able to do that to accommodate your probe while still maintaining a somewhat leak proof seal.

[CeramicChef]

Chuck12335 - welcome to The Pit and welcome to The Addiction!

Drill that hole without fear. Measure twice, drill once!

[Chuck12335]

I think some are confused. Im talking about replacing the stock thermometer on the hood to a more reliable thermonetor. The hole is onlu like 3/8th inch. the tru tel I purchased has like a 3/4 inch thread

[Chuck12335]

like so......

[jlazar]

Just remove the stock thermometer. Get a step bit and increase to the correct size. Slow and easy and you will have no problem. I got some black heat resistant paint and, after taping off the hole, sprayed the bare edge caused by the drill. Just to prevent any rust. Not sure it is even needed giving you should be putting a washer and nut over the hole.

Step bits come in different sizes. Just make sure the one you get goes to 3/4 inch.

[Huskee]

Welcome to The Pit Chuck12335! Glad to have you here, thanks for your support.

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Hope to hear & see more from you!

[Jon Solberg]

Glad to have you in the pit. Looking forward to some pics of the Weber mod and some cook action.

Postem up here:

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/grills-and-smokers/charcoal/bullet-smokers

[FLBuckeye]

I would suggest using a digital thermometer. I know Tru Tel's are pretty good but digital is better IMO. I drilled a hole in my older WSM on the side and put a threaded lamp fitting through the hole for my probes. Works well and gives me the grate temp, not the dome temp

[billg71]

Hello, I'm Chuck from Illinois, Chicago suburbs. I have a question. I bought a new Tel Tru thermometer and want to install it. The hole is two small. Can I drill a bigger size hole. Recommendations please

I'd suggest you return the Tel-Tru for a refund and buy a digital. The hole in the WSM is way above the cooking surface, temps in the top of the cooker will be hotter than at grate level so no matter how good the thermometer is you won't have an accurate reading of the actual cooking temp.

[Dr. Dave]

Sorry for the late addition to this conversation, but Bill is right. The temp at the top of the dome doesn't tell you much. I have a 10-15 degree difference between where the grommet is and the top of the dome. I figure the grate is about 1/2 way in between.

[DWCowles]

Welcome Chuck12335