Lid Therm Mod for Kettle

[DirectDrive]

I posted part of this in another thread here, but this is a little more complete...

Parts and Methods

The Weber bezel part number is 63027.
This will lead you to 18.5 WSM but it is currently being used on all units using a 1-3/4" diameter thermometer face.
It is the lower profile, smooth bezel which I prefer over the higher profile, "fluted" bezel used in previous years.
This bezel has a blind tab that keys into an auxiliary hole on production model grills.
The Weber thermometers in turn have a tab that keys into the bezel.
This is great for production, but I'm not going to need this feature so I carefully snapped it off of the bezel.

I wanted to upgrade the thermometer from the Weber offering because of their reputation for inaccuracy and fogging up.
The logical choice for me was the Tel-Tru BQ100 because it has 1-3/4" diameter face and is graduated for grill temps.
This therm has a "grill range" graduation of 150F - 700F, professional-looking face, 2.13" stem length, ±1% accuracy and requires just a 1/4" hole.
Best of all it's a Tel-Tru, arguably the best made bimetal temp gauges in the land.

I placed my new gauge in the OEM location (triangulate  5" +/- from each handle strap).
I used blue tape for layout clarity and drilled an 1/8" hole with a normal high speed drill bit.
Then I used a "step bit" (trade name Uni-Bit) to widen the hole to 1/4".
From there the rest of the install is intuitive.

There is a 1/16" + annular space between the bezel and the gauge.
To hold even spacing and simplify alignment, I used an 1/8" size Zip Tie cut into four pieces.
Spread around the dial at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock, these maintain perfect spacing and unify the two elements for easy alignment on the kettle lid.

Add a SS 1/4" cut (flat) washer to the underside and hand tighten the supplied wing nut.
Do not over-tighten....snug is all that's needed.

I purchased the Tel-Tru BQ100 from bbqeqipmentstore.com and the bezel came from ereplacementparts.com


OEM therm location is about 5" triangulated from each handle strap and it's on the left side as you face the vent


BQ100 requires just a 1/4" hole which was done with a new 1/8" pilot bit and then a Unibit (step bit) was used to finish the hole.
No need to use center punch...just carefully drill the pilot hole through the blue painter's tape.
I like to mark the Unibit with a Sharpie, just above the diameter that I want.
That way I don't over-bore.


Hole is finished and ready for touch-up paint if desired


New therm and bezel


Remove bezel tab


We will need shims


Shims ready


Shims in place
The Tel Tru leaves about a 1/16" annular space which is controlled by the shims as you tighten the wingnut.
The Weber therm has a tab that keys into the bezel....this speeds assembly at the factory.


Job complete

[jcnaz]

Thanks!
I am putting a lid thermometer on my 18" and was thinking about how to center the hole. Now I know for sure!

[1911Ron]

Great write up and pictures! Thanks

[Weber MD]

Nice job.  Thanks for sharing.

[blackdog043]

Nice detailed write up, thanks!!

[cbpeck]

Looks perfect! I just may copy that someday.

[teerhardy]

Thank you for posting this!  I was chatting with Mike S a few weeks ago about this mod and he mentioned the older post you referenced.

[addicted-to-smoke]

This looks great. I wonder why Tel-Tru doesn't sell one with a nice bezel like this.

[teerhardy]

Compared to Tel-Tru, are Weber thermometers crap?

[DirectDrive]

Compared to Tel-Tru, are Weber thermometers crap?

I wouldn't say "crap" because you can get a good one.
I have a good one in my WSM that checks out OK against a Maverick.

I have seen bad ones reported that were up to 75 degrees off, but once you know the error (if any) you can note it and live with it.

[DirectDrive]

This looks great. I wonder why Tel-Tru doesn't sell one with a nice bezel like this.

They probably could sell a line of bezels for flat surfaces but maybe they're content with the instrument side of the business.

[Winz]

Bisbee proudly wears a tel-trul based on this exact mod from DirectDrive.  Thanks for the great writeup and for including part numbers.

Winz

[DirectDrive]

You're most welcome, Winz

Bisbee looks great in his Sunday Best !

[teerhardy]

Looks great Winz. Is that a copper?


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[Winz]

Looks great Winz. Is that a copper?


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Indeed it is, a copper SS performer conversion.

Winz


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