Probe Port?

Tooslim

Club Member

Joined: Mar 2016

Posts: 4

Location: Portland, Oregon
#1

Probe Port?

February 8, 2018, 11:34 PM

Hey-
Long time member, first time poster (I think).

I am ordering a new Horizon 20" RD Special. Question- Shall I have a probe port installed or can I just run probe cables under the lid?
Thoughts, reflections, experiences..?
Tags: None
Jerod Broussard

Moderator

Joined: Jun 2014

Posts: 9867

Location: East Texas

Pit Barrel Cooker "Texas Brisket Edition"
Weber One Touch Premium Copper 22" Kettle (gift)
Slow 'n Sear for 22" Kettle
Weber One Touch Premium Black 26" Kettle (gift)
Slow 'n Sear XL for 26" Kettle (gift)
Weber Smokey Joe Gold
Weber Rapid Fire Chimney
Vortex
Maverick ET-732 White
Maverick ET-732 Copper
2- Auber SYL-1615 fan systems(Awesome!!!!!!!!)
Thermoworks Thermapen w/ Back light (gift)
Thermoworks Timestick
Cambro Model 300MPC110 w/ Winco SS Pans
B & B and Kingsford Charcoal
B & B Pellets
#2

February 8, 2018, 11:54 PM

Welcome to the "forum posting family" and please click on the link below and dive in if you have not already become familiar with the contents of the link.

I prefer a port myself. Even on a Weber Kettle, drilling a hole big enough to accept three probes has no ill effects.

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/fo...ork-assignment
Comment
DWCowles

Founding Member

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 9703

Location: Smiths Grove, Ky

Hi, my name is Darrell. I'm an OTR truck driver for over 25 years. During my off time I love doing backyard cooks. I have a 48" Lang Deluxe smoker, Rec-Tec pellet smoker,1 Weber Genesis 330, 1 Weber Performer (blue), 2 Weber kettles (1 black and 1 Copper), 1 26" Weber kettle, a WSM, 8 Maverick Redi Chek thermometers, a PartyQ, 2 SnS, Grill Grates, Cast Iron grates, 1 ThermoPop (orange) and 2 ThermoPens (pink and orange) and planning on adding more cooking accessories. Now I have an Anova sous vide, the Dragon blower and 2 Chef alarms from Thermoworks.
#3

February 8, 2018, 11:56 PM

First of all, welcome to The Pit! Second, congrats! That's a good lookin' smoker. Yes I would have the probe ports install.
Comment
Henrik

Founding Member - Moderator Emeritus

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 4418

Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Author of the book Barbecue, fire and smoke
Manufacturer of:
Hank's Bonafide Beef Rub
Hank's KC Royale Pork 'n Poultry Rub
Hank's Signature Steak Rub

Grills
Big Green Egg (M)
Weber 22" kettle (lime green)
PK TX
8 noname 22" kettles (black)
"Rude Boy" - my own custom built offset smoker

Thermometers
iGrill 2
Thermapen
Fireboard

Accessories
BBQ Dragon
Slow n' Sear

All my recipes, photos and information can be found at
https://hankstruebbq.com

YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/c/Hankstruebbq
#4

February 8, 2018, 11:58 PM

Welcome to the pit, thanks for joining!
Comment
Nate

Banned Former Member

Joined: Apr 2015

Posts: 3808

Location: Quarantined
#5

February 9, 2018, 04:38 AM

Welcome from Indiana.

Install the probe port.
Comment
Mr. Bones

Charter Member

Joined: Sep 2016

Posts: 9746

Location: Kansas Territory

Grills / Smokers
*********************************************
Kingsford 24" grill (Free) 'Billy'
Brinkmann Smoke n Grill
Oklahoma Joe Highland, gaskets, LavaLock baffle / tuning plate. 'Big Joe'
Weber 18" Kettle ($30 CL) 'Lil' Feller'
Weber Smokey Joe ($25 CL) 'Lil' Brother'
Weber 22.5 Master Touch '93 P Code Blue($85) from fellow WKC member Bmitch 'Elwood'
Weber 22.5 Bar-B-Q Kettle '69-'70 "Patent Pending" Red ($80) from fellow WKC member dwnthehatch 'Maureen'
Weber 22.5 OTS DD Code Black ($40 CL) 'DeeDee'
Weber 22.5 OTS DO Code Black ($15 CL)
Weber 22.5 OTS E Code Black ($20 CL
Weber 22.5 OTS EE Code Black ($20 CL

Weber "C" Code 18.5" WSM '81 ($50 CL) 8-0!!!
Weber "H" Code 18.5" WSM '86 ($75 CL)
Weber " " Code 18.5" WSM

Weber 26.75, $199 NFM clearance !!!
Weber SJS AH 'Lil' Brother'
Weber SJS AT 'Lil' Sister'
Weber SJS DE Code (FREE) 'Lil' Helper'
Weber SJG M Code 'Lil Traveller'
Weber SJS AH Code 'Kermit' (Lime Green)
Horizon 20" Classic, w/baffle/tuning plate (FREE)
Good One Open Range, (FREE), Monthly Prize from AR giveaway!!!!

Thermometers:
*********************************************
Ol' Skool Bi-metal probe pocket thermo, that has checked / served ~ 1,000,000 meals in my possession, easily...
Maverick ET-732, (Black)
Thermopops, (Red, Yellow, Green)
ThermaPen Mk4 (Black), THANKS!!! to jgjeske1
Blue ThermaPen Mk4
Orange Thermapen Mk4
Pink Thermapen Mk4
ThermoWorks IR-GUN-S
ThermoWorks Smoke
ThermoWorks Open Box Smoke
4 Pro Series cable extensions
Smoke Gateway

Accessories:
*********************************************
2 Slow 'N Sears, Slow 'N Sear XL, Grill 'N Griddle
BBQ Vortex, 2 Hovergrills, Top Deck
Warming shelf
MyWeigh KD-8000Kitchen Scale
Backyard Grill marinade injector
Acoustic Guitars/Electric Guitars/Basses/1928 National Duolian/Harmonicas/Banjo Washboard, Spoons, kazoos, pocket comb with wax paper, egg shakers ;-)
Bear Paws
Meat Rakes
BBQ Dragon/Chimley of Insanity, Dragon Wing Shelves (x2 ea.)

Cookware:
Probably a ton of cast iron, mostly very old...still cookin'
G'Ma's Piqua skillet, :-)( They went out of business in 1934~)
'60's Revere Ware (Mom's), + others found elsewhere
60's CorningWare 10-cup percolator (Mom's) Daily driver
50's CorningWare 10-cup percolator (G'Ma's), for a backup! ;-)
Carpy Wally World stock pots, in approx 2 gal/3gal sizes, blue speckledty-porcelain enameled
Tramontina 6.5 qt Dutch Oven

Cutlery, etc.:
Shi*-ton of kitchen/chef knives, most sharper than my straight-razors are. (Better steel!) Chicago Cutlery, Old Hickory, various, including some nice German stuff ;-)
Dexter 12" slicing knife, 6" Sani-Safe boning knife
Smith's Tri-Hone Natural Arkansas Knife Sharpening System
Multiple steels, from all over the planet
Crock sticks
Diamond stones, various
Lansky Sharpening System

Tableware
Daily driver:Washington Forge Mardi Gras, Navy / Cobalt Blue
Dinner: Guests: Washington Forge, Town and Country
Fancy / Formal: Family silverware
#6

February 9, 2018, 06:46 AM

Howdy from Kansas Territory, Welcome to Th Pit!
I'd definitely order th port...
Comment
RonB

Club Member

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 13128

Location: Near Richmond VA

Weber Performer Deluxe
SNS
Pizza insert
Rotisserie
Smokenator 1000
Cookshack Smokette Elite
2 Thermapens
Chefalarm
Dot
lots of probes.
CyberQ
#7

February 9, 2018, 07:19 AM

Welcome to The Pit. Add me to the list of members voting for the port.
Comment
fzxdoc

Founding Member

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 5252

My toys:
Weber Summit Charcoal Grilling Center (WSCGC) aka Mr. Fancypants
Pit Barrel Cooker (which rocks)
Weber Summit S650 Gas Grill
Weber Kettle Premium 22"
Weber Jumbo Joe Premium 22" (a weird little 22" kettle mutant on 22"-long legs) (donated to local battered women's shelter.)
Camp Chef Somerset IV 4-burner outdoor gas range

Adrenaline BBQ Company's SnS, DnG and Large Charcoal Basket for WSCGC
Adrenaline BBQ Company's Elevated SS Rack for WSCGC
Adrenaline BBQ Company's SS Rack for DnG
Grill Grate for SnS
Grill Grates: five 17.375 sections (retired to storage)
Grill Grates: six 19.25 panels for exact fit for Summit S650 gasser
2 Grill Grate Griddles
Steelmade Griddle for Summit gas grill

Fireboard Extreme BBQ Thermometer Package
Fireboard control unit in addition to that in the Extreme BBQ Package
Additional Fireboard probes: Competition Probes 1" (3) and 4" (1), 3 additional Ambient Probes. 1 additional Food Probe
2 Fireboard Driver Cables
Pit Viper Fan (to pair with Fireboard Fan Driver Cable)
Pit Viper Fan new design (to pair with Fireboard Fan Driver Cable)
Thermoworks Thermapen MK5 (pink)
Thermoworks Thermapen MK4 (pink too)
Thermoworks Temp Test 2 Smart Thermometer
Thermoworks Extra Big and Loud Timer
Thermoworks Timestick Trio
Maverick ET 73 a little workhorse with limited range
Maverick ET 733
Maverick (Ivation) ET 732

Grill Pinz
Vortex (two of them)

Two Joule Sous Vide devices
VacMaster Pro 350 Vacuum Sealer
Instant Pot 6 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker
Instant Pot 10 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker
Charcoal Companion TurboQue
A-Maze-N tube 12 inch tube smoker accessory for use with pellets

BBQ Dragon and Dragon Chimney

Shun Classic 8" Chef's Knife
Shun Classic 6" Chef's Knife
Shun Classic Gokujo Boning and Fillet Knife
Shun Classic 3 1/2 inch Paring Knife
#8

February 9, 2018, 07:45 AM

I wish my WSCGC had a probe port, especially for when I want to run 3 or more probes.

I say go for it, Tooslim .

Welcome! You're going to love this place.

Kathryn
Comment
1 - 2

2 comments

#8.1

Polarbear777 commented

February 9, 2018, 08:11 AM

Editing a comment

If I had that awesome grill, I’d find a way. Does it have a fan port built in, it looks like it. I wonder if you could run cables up through that if you are using the SNS on the other side to constrain the coals?

#8.2

fzxdoc commented

February 9, 2018, 08:52 AM

Editing a comment

I've thought of rigging something to do just that, Polarbear777 . It's annoying to feed cables over the rim. I can't believe something so well designed didn't include probe ports.
K.
Troutman

Club Member

Joined: Aug 2017

Posts: 7465

Location: aka Troutman Taco - Hanging Free in Tejas

OUTDOOR COOKERS
BBQ ACCESSORIES
WOOD & PELLET PREFERENCES
SOUS VIDE
INDOOR COOKWARE
#9

February 9, 2018, 07:57 AM

Welcome to the Pit. Port O Call matie !!!
Comment
Polarbear777

Club Member

Joined: Sep 2016

Posts: 1789
#10

February 9, 2018, 07:58 AM

I put a probe port in everything. I used to drop them through the air vents but they are always getting in the way.

You can buy silicone plugs cheaply in different sizes that let you seal the port with or without cables in it. Just make sure your port doesn’t have any rough edges.
Comment
fzxdoc

Founding Member

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 5252

My toys:
Weber Summit Charcoal Grilling Center (WSCGC) aka Mr. Fancypants
Pit Barrel Cooker (which rocks)
Weber Summit S650 Gas Grill
Weber Kettle Premium 22"
Weber Jumbo Joe Premium 22" (a weird little 22" kettle mutant on 22"-long legs) (donated to local battered women's shelter.)
Camp Chef Somerset IV 4-burner outdoor gas range

Adrenaline BBQ Company's SnS, DnG and Large Charcoal Basket for WSCGC
Adrenaline BBQ Company's Elevated SS Rack for WSCGC
Adrenaline BBQ Company's SS Rack for DnG
Grill Grate for SnS
Grill Grates: five 17.375 sections (retired to storage)
Grill Grates: six 19.25 panels for exact fit for Summit S650 gasser
2 Grill Grate Griddles
Steelmade Griddle for Summit gas grill

Fireboard Extreme BBQ Thermometer Package
Fireboard control unit in addition to that in the Extreme BBQ Package
Additional Fireboard probes: Competition Probes 1" (3) and 4" (1), 3 additional Ambient Probes. 1 additional Food Probe
2 Fireboard Driver Cables
Pit Viper Fan (to pair with Fireboard Fan Driver Cable)
Pit Viper Fan new design (to pair with Fireboard Fan Driver Cable)
Thermoworks Thermapen MK5 (pink)
Thermoworks Thermapen MK4 (pink too)
Thermoworks Temp Test 2 Smart Thermometer
Thermoworks Extra Big and Loud Timer
Thermoworks Timestick Trio
Maverick ET 73 a little workhorse with limited range
Maverick ET 733
Maverick (Ivation) ET 732

Grill Pinz
Vortex (two of them)

Two Joule Sous Vide devices
VacMaster Pro 350 Vacuum Sealer
Instant Pot 6 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker
Instant Pot 10 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker
Charcoal Companion TurboQue
A-Maze-N tube 12 inch tube smoker accessory for use with pellets

BBQ Dragon and Dragon Chimney

Shun Classic 8" Chef's Knife
Shun Classic 6" Chef's Knife
Shun Classic Gokujo Boning and Fillet Knife
Shun Classic 3 1/2 inch Paring Knife
#11

February 9, 2018, 08:56 AM

Thanks, Polarbear777 . I've been patient with it up to now, but will look for a silicone plug to fit that fan port opening. However, I bought the Fireboard setup and a Pit Viper fan, so the port may be occupied much of the time.

Kathryn
Comment
1 comment

#11.1

Polarbear777 commented

February 9, 2018, 09:10 AM

Editing a comment

The fire viper combo is my latest set up on my other stuff.
Polarbear777

Club Member

Joined: Sep 2016

Posts: 1789
#12

February 9, 2018, 09:09 AM

For the WSCG:

I guess you’d have to drill a port hole (hole saw) then install a stainless pipe (potentially bolt holes and brackets if the sealant won’t hold it in place) then seal it with 2000F rated sealant. Actually not that hard but a good bit of work. McMasterCarr would be helpful to get the pieces.

I did this to add a fan to my pbc separate from the intake, but that’s only one steel layer so much easier.
Comment
Tooslim

Club Member

Joined: Mar 2016

Posts: 4

Location: Portland, Oregon
#13

February 9, 2018, 12:39 PM

Interesting. So apparently running probe cables under the lid causes considerable smoke leakage?
Comment
1 - 2

2 comments

#13.1

DWCowles commented

February 9, 2018, 12:48 PM

Editing a comment

Not really but on a stickburner the lid is heavy which can cause damage to the probe cable.

#13.2

Huskee commented

February 10, 2018, 06:49 PM

Editing a comment

No. And if you set your lid down gently therell be no damage. That's how I do it. Admittedly I'm in the minority but I refuse to drill a hole for "convenience" & my smoker's old enough a probe port wasn't an option at the time. To me it's more convenient to run the wires as I please as long as I'm gentle with the lid.
Tooslim

Club Member

Joined: Mar 2016

Posts: 4

Location: Portland, Oregon
#14

February 10, 2018, 01:22 AM

Allrighty then! My new RD Special is coming with a prob port. (15 dollar upgrade-kind of a no brainer actually).
Thank you all for your informed thoughts.
Comment
DWCowles

Founding Member

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 9703

Location: Smiths Grove, Ky

Hi, my name is Darrell. I'm an OTR truck driver for over 25 years. During my off time I love doing backyard cooks. I have a 48" Lang Deluxe smoker, Rec-Tec pellet smoker,1 Weber Genesis 330, 1 Weber Performer (blue), 2 Weber kettles (1 black and 1 Copper), 1 26" Weber kettle, a WSM, 8 Maverick Redi Chek thermometers, a PartyQ, 2 SnS, Grill Grates, Cast Iron grates, 1 ThermoPop (orange) and 2 ThermoPens (pink and orange) and planning on adding more cooking accessories. Now I have an Anova sous vide, the Dragon blower and 2 Chef alarms from Thermoworks.
#15

February 10, 2018, 08:46 AM

Actually it wouldn't hurt to have 2 probe ports maybe 3.
Comment

Previous template Next

Welcome!

Announcement

Meat-Up in Memphis 2021

Probe Port?

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Announcement

Meat-Up in Memphis 2021

Spotlight

These are not ads or paid placements. These Are Some Of Our Favorite Tools And Toys.

Use our links when you buy things

If you have a Weber Kettle, you need the Slow 'N' Sear

The Good-One Is A Superb Grill And A Superb Smoker All In One

Griddle And Deep Fryer In One

The Pit Barrel Cooker May Be Too Easy

The Undisputed Champion!

Grilla Pellet Smoker proves good things come in small packages

Delta by Nuke,Stylish and AffordableGaucho Grill

Genesis II E-335 A Versatile Gasser That Does It All!

GrillGrates Take Gas Grills To The Infrared Zone

Is This Superb Charcoal Grill A Kamado Killer?

Our Favorite Backyard Smoker

Masterbuilt MPS 340/G ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker

Digital Thermometers Are Your Most Valuable Tool And Here's A Great Buy!

Track Up To Six Temperatures At Once

The Cool Kettle With The Hinged Hood We Always Wanted

Finally, A Great Portable Pellet Smoker

Delta by Nuke,
Stylish and Affordable
Gaucho Grill

Genesis II E-335
A Versatile Gasser That Does It All!