Weber Kettle Club Forums

Grill Talk => WSM: Weber Smokey Mountain => Topic started by: TheDude on March 07, 2016, 06:43:15 PM

Title: For those with older WSMs: question?
Post by: TheDude on March 07, 2016, 06:43:15 PM
How do you get your Maverick probes in? Really don't want to drill.
Title: Re: For those with older WSMs
Post by: iCARRY on March 07, 2016, 06:51:49 PM
Run them up through the door opening or just lay the lid down nice and gentle.


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Title: Re: For those with older WSMs
Post by: TheDude on March 07, 2016, 06:57:35 PM
@iCARRY Won't that break the seal?
Title: Re: For those with older WSMs
Post by: blieb on March 07, 2016, 07:03:38 PM
You can dremel out a slot.  I sort of did this, but didn't go very deep.

http://virtualweberbullet.com/cutting-a-probe-thermometer-slot.html
Title: Re: For those with older WSMs
Post by: iCARRY on March 07, 2016, 07:05:12 PM
It would a little bit. If you put a gasket on it, it will help. Otherwise you can go through the lid vent or start drilling.


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Title: For those with older WSMs
Post by: kettlecook on March 07, 2016, 07:26:22 PM
Quote from: blieb on March 07, 2016, 07:03:38 PM
You can dremel out a slot.  I sort of did this, but didn't go very deep.

http://virtualweberbullet.com/cutting-a-probe-thermometer-slot.html

I did that with my big WSM and liked it so much that I pulled the BBQ guru probe grommet out of my 18.5" wsm and took the dremel to it as well. No more fishing probes and cables through a hole. Quick and easy.


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Title: Re: For those with older WSMs
Post by: SmokenJoe on March 07, 2016, 09:59:30 PM
I feed mine through the upper hole of one of the cooking grill holders.  I took out the bolt and nut.   Works great, but I'm planning to drill at least one hole soon like I did on my 22's.   I like the light fixture mod.                             SJ
Title: Re: For those with older WSMs
Post by: Big Dawg on March 08, 2016, 03:19:43 PM
Since both of mine now have Lid Hinges, I just run them down through the top vent.





BD
Title: Re: For those with older WSMs
Post by: Harbormaster on March 09, 2016, 09:55:19 AM
When I was new to the WSM and still using thermo probes I ran them under the dome.
Harder on the probes than anything. It did not affect temp control or anything one iota.
Title: Re: For those with older WSMs
Post by: MaxBobcat on March 09, 2016, 12:36:14 PM
I dremeled a notch on the lip of my WSM.  works great
Title: Re: For those with older WSMs
Post by: Harleysmoker on March 09, 2016, 03:13:36 PM
Quote from: SmokenJoe on March 07, 2016, 09:59:30 PM
I feed mine through the upper hole of one of the cooking grill holders.  I took out the bolt and nut.   Works great, but I'm planning to drill at least one hole soon like I did on my 22's.   I like the light fixture mod.                             SJ


I do what SmokinJoe does but I remove the bottom bolt on one of the grate straps and feed them in the hole. When I'm done smoking I put the bolt back in.
Title: Re: For those with older WSMs
Post by: tb80 on March 09, 2016, 06:51:13 PM
I just run them through the lid and middle section. Never had any problem.


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Title: Re: For those with older WSMs
Post by: TheDude on March 09, 2016, 06:55:31 PM
Thanks everyone! If there isn't a seal issue running under the lid... I'll sacrifice my probes for my smoker. Thing is incredible shape and probes are relatively cheap.
Title: Re: For those with older WSMs
Post by: Harleysmoker on March 10, 2016, 04:57:45 PM
If you have money to burn, buying replacement probes will be no problem when one gets smashed or cut. If you go that route, I would buy a set now so when they fail, you have a back up waiting.

And a little smoke escaping from the lid and the door is no problem unless it is effecting temp control and shut down to put the coals out
Title: Re: For those with older WSMs
Post by: Filibuster on March 12, 2016, 07:25:33 PM
   I say drill a grommet hole just like the modern wsm's have then go get the unknown bbq hanger and digiq dx2 hanger to hold your electronic toys close to your wsm and your set, everything is nice and neat.
Title: Re: For those with older WSMs
Post by: javahog2002 on March 17, 2016, 07:57:31 PM
My vintage WSM has a lamp threaded tube in the main body.  Cheap and works great.  But you do have to drill a small hole. Have the same setup on my SS Performer.   Much cheaper than buying new probes when the wires get crushed.
Title: Re: For those with older WSMs
Post by: TheDude on March 25, 2016, 08:17:28 PM
Should mine have an ash pan?
Title: Re: For those with older WSMs: question?
Post by: jcnaz on March 25, 2016, 09:04:28 PM
Quote from: TheDude on March 25, 2016, 08:17:28 PM
Should mine have an ash pan?
The pan below the bottom section of the  newer WSMs  is a heat deflector, not an ash pan. Unless you are using your WSM  on a combustible surface, like a wooden deck, it is not really necessary.