From what I've seen, it needs to be placed where the food is cooking indirectly. Since the vent is going to be over the food, to draw smoke and heat that way, the thermometer should be located closer to the vent. Also, a step drill bit works great.
The new Weber Kettles show the temp gauge opposite the vents but at the same height. Some say at 90 degrees from the vents but at the same height. Some like it lower down the lid. Only one solution. Put in more than one.
@@francoisroberge5882 Ok, so I've installed 11 different gauges but while cooking, they're registering different values. Some Fahrenheit, some Celsius, some PSI, some KW/h. What should I do?
One way to keep the enamel from chipping while drilling the whole is to use duct tape on both sides and drill through the duct tape. The way it was done in this video is quite risky. Glad it worked out fine for him
@@deldzl exactly. I might need to do that with the thermometer I installed to my old kettle. I t never went above 170F even while it was raging inside and the meat thermometer went to 200F
Was wondering why you chose to place it opposite of the vent. Just bought a temp gauge for my kettle and been doing research. Seen all kinds of answers. I smoke a lot with mine so thinking about placing it by the vent since the vent goes over the food when you smoke. Just wondering your thoughts. Great video! Nice tip on the high heat paint after drilling.
I just thought the vent is drawing air so its going to tend to be a little hotter then an area off to the side. I wanted a accurate temperature in the cooking area where the food is cooking. The closer you get to the vent the more the air is funneled and the temps are a little bit hotter there, I assume. I could be wrong. I'm with you, there are many different opinions and to be honest we are probably only talking 5-10 degrees difference either way no matter what. I think the hardest part was drilling the hole without damaging the enamel. Thanks for watching and good luck on the install.
I had the exact same taught. I started to smoke and I realized that, depending on where the vent is, the thermometer is not reading the same temperature. So I wanted to add a second thermometer beside the top vent.
Thats a good idea but those Thermometers aren't very accurate so I just use my Chef Alarm to monitor the probe in the meats temp as well as the ambient temp right at the grills surface.
Curious why you want the thermometer on the opposite side of the vent. The vent is usually opposite of the heat source because the smoke moves over the meat and out the vent. The thermometer placed there is more accurate than if you put it over or close to the coals. Placed over or close to the coals, you could see temperatures in excess of 600 degrees. Make sense? If you don't smoke ribs or briskets or the like, I doesn't really matter what the internal temperature is. But if you ever do consider a brisket type of cook like low and slow, temperature reading closer to the vent and away from the coals will be much more accurate in my humble opinion.
I didn't want the thermometer near the vent because thats the hottest air inside the hood. All the air funnels out there and therefore it creates much warmer temps. If you place a probe down near the grates and then a thermapen just inside the vent, you'll see a significant difference in temp. I didn't want to gauge the heat inside the hood based on a inflated temperature. I really use probes and other devices anyway for more exact temps but its nice to have several resources to get the most important info you need when grilling/smoking. Thanks for watching and I appreciate the question.
The warmest temperatures are near the vent and not reflective of the temperatures at the cooking surface. I'd rather have my temp from an area as close to the cooking surface as possible but to each their own. Thanks for watching and commenting.
@@DelmarvaBackyard Not true but whatever. The hottest temps are going to be over the coals. I don't care what the temp is over the coals, I care what it is over the food.
Santa brought my WSM in 2019. I don’t think they had thermometers then. My smoker still looks brand new on the outside. We use the WSM 15-20 per year. I’ve never seen the need to modify it. By the time it was made, in Santa’s workshop, the Weber elves already had a pretty good idea of how to build a smoker/barbecue/grill. I say: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
To each their own but the old Kettles didn't have any gauge. You have to know your temps in order to produce great smoked food. WSM is a legend. Happy cooking.
@@DelmarvaBackyard I misspoke. I haven’t had my WSM since 2019, I’ve had it since 2009-no thermometer. We have several grills and pits including a competition rig which has seen eight states. When we put an expensive cut on the WSM (for just us two) we do what everyone did, stick the thermometer through a cork in the top vent, then cork the other holes as needed. Reason for multiple pits & grills: we raise cattle on 3840+ acres (lil mo than 6 Sq miles) in Lee Co, TX. When ANY holiday rolls around. We invite all of Dime Box, Tx and half of Lexington, TX. Happy smoking
First, start with a much smaller bit to start a pilot hole. Starting at the bigger size you are just asking for trouble. I also agree, it should be placed right in front of the vent over the food. I placed mine and then used a digital probe to get the exact temp and then calibrated mine.
I don’t trust this style thermometer for accuracy. I usually have a probe on the grates for cooks that are very sensitive to temp. However, I have found this thermometer is usually within 5 F of the probe. Thanks for your comment.
That thermometer would be directly over the coals for indirect heat with the Kingsford coal plates. I feel the best place is right by the vent cause the heat is circulated and that's where the heat is the most accurate is right by the vent.
The heat is concentrated at the vent because of the tunneling air flow from the bottom to the top. A thermometer right by the vent will always read hotter than the temp at the grill surface.
Been using weber forever, always thought thermometer was kind of useless. Sure it's good to tell you when hot enough, but my guesses were good enough all these yrs evidently. They want extra $100 bucks for thermometer. Again, not that imp.
Is it okay to install the sensor *and* use an infra red probe? I am using grillgrates on my weber jumbo joe and they make things a little hotter inside the kettle than with just the original grates. Anyone??
I would say yes if you don't want it to start rusting. By drilling the hole you have areas that have no protection from the elements. Check the video out at about 3:27 and you can see exactly what I using and why. Thanks for your comment.
The tunneling effect should keep the hottest flow of air will be above the meat as its going to the vent holes so under the vent holes works fine in my opinion.
You can buy different price points. This one was around $75.00 when it was purchased. Its been quite a while ago. Thanks for watching and I agree, it should have been and should be standard.
I located it directly as Weber locates theirs on the newer style. If its located towards the vent temps won't reflect the temps at the cooking surface. For me thats whats most important however everyone has their own objectives. The vent area will always read a little higher than that at the cooking surface. I appreciate the comment and thanks for watching Allan.
@@DelmarvaBackyard I understand your reasoning but I think the purpose of a grill thermometer is not to measure the cooking surface temperature; no grill manufacturers ever put a thermometer near the crates; a local hot spot could complete defeat the thermometer reading. You want to have a reading of the overall air flow smoking the food and better indication of the cooking area temperature.
From what I've seen, it needs to be placed where the food is cooking indirectly. Since the vent is going to be over the food, to draw smoke and heat that way, the thermometer should be located closer to the vent. Also, a step drill bit works great.
Exactly right
The new Weber Kettles show the temp gauge opposite the vents but at the same height. Some say at 90 degrees from the vents but at the same height. Some like it lower down the lid.
Only one solution. Put in more than one.
@@francoisroberge5882 Ok, so I've installed 11 different gauges but while cooking, they're registering different values. Some Fahrenheit, some Celsius, some PSI, some KW/h. What should I do?
Lol I’ve just written virtually the same before reading your post 👍🏴🇬🇧
One way to keep the enamel from chipping while drilling the whole is to use duct tape on both sides and drill through the duct tape. The way it was done in this video is quite risky. Glad it worked out fine for him
Excellent suggestion Patrick. Thanks for watching and contributing.
Oh man this is a life saver. I didn’t have enough to get the one with thermometer. Thank you for saving my grill’s life.
New charcoal griller here, thanks !
So awesome to have you in the Backyard. Thanks for watching and commenting.
would adding some high-temp silicone help in the seal? or is the seal already 100% tight on the thermometer hole?
If it’s off in temp you should be able to calibrate the thermometer by testing it in boiling water. Thanks for taking time out to make this vid.
how?
@@stradus Place the probe in some boiling water, should read 212F or 100C. Calibrate from there to see how off the thermometer is.
@@deldzl exactly. I might need to do that with the thermometer I installed to my old kettle. I t never went above 170F even while it was raging inside and the meat thermometer went to 200F
Was wondering why you chose to place it opposite of the vent. Just bought a temp gauge for my kettle and been doing research. Seen all kinds of answers. I smoke a lot with mine so thinking about placing it by the vent since the vent goes over the food when you smoke. Just wondering your thoughts. Great video! Nice tip on the high heat paint after drilling.
I just thought the vent is drawing air so its going to tend to be a little hotter then an area off to the side. I wanted a accurate temperature in the cooking area where the food is cooking. The closer you get to the vent the more the air is funneled and the temps are a little bit hotter there, I assume. I could be wrong. I'm with you, there are many different opinions and to be honest we are probably only talking 5-10 degrees difference either way no matter what. I think the hardest part was drilling the hole without damaging the enamel. Thanks for watching and good luck on the install.
For indirect cooking your vent and thermo should be over the meat
I had the exact same taught. I started to smoke and I realized that, depending on where the vent is, the thermometer is not reading the same temperature. So I wanted to add a second thermometer beside the top vent.
Thats a good idea but those Thermometers aren't very accurate so I just use my Chef Alarm to monitor the probe in the meats temp as well as the ambient temp right at the grills surface.
Placing thermometer below vent opposite of charcoal would be best for grill temps when smoking meat.
What a job. Good thing I watch this. I was gonna install mine on the bottom.
That's that's exactly what I've done thanks for the video just cuz it's nice to see somebody else do the stuff first
Curious why you want the thermometer on the opposite side of the vent. The vent is usually opposite of the heat source because the smoke moves over the meat and out the vent. The thermometer placed there is more accurate than if you put it over or close to the coals. Placed over or close to the coals, you could see temperatures in excess of 600 degrees. Make sense? If you don't smoke ribs or briskets or the like, I doesn't really matter what the internal temperature is. But if you ever do consider a brisket type of cook like low and slow, temperature reading closer to the vent and away from the coals will be much more accurate in my humble opinion.
I didn't want the thermometer near the vent because thats the hottest air inside the hood. All the air funnels out there and therefore it creates much warmer temps. If you place a probe down near the grates and then a thermapen just inside the vent, you'll see a significant difference in temp. I didn't want to gauge the heat inside the hood based on a inflated temperature. I really use probes and other devices anyway for more exact temps but its nice to have several resources to get the most important info you need when grilling/smoking. Thanks for watching and I appreciate the question.
Unfortunately putting it near the vent on this model messes with the lid hook
Ordered one of the thermometers through your affiliate link :)
Super awesome, thank you so much Chad. That means alot
But great job, for those who want one. Well done.
Add on temp gauges look much better if you also install the bezel. It should be closer to the vent, since that is where the meat will be.
The warmest temperatures are near the vent and not reflective of the temperatures at the cooking surface. I'd rather have my temp from an area as close to the cooking surface as possible but to each their own. Thanks for watching and commenting.
@@DelmarvaBackyard Not true but whatever. The hottest temps are going to be over the coals. I don't care what the temp is over the coals, I care what it is over the food.
Just installed this one! Thanks for the video!!
Nice & Easy 👍🏽
Yes it is! Thanks for watching.
Thanks bruh
Thanks for watching.
Santa brought my WSM in 2019. I don’t think they had thermometers then. My smoker still looks brand new on the outside. We use the WSM 15-20 per year. I’ve never seen the need to modify it. By the time it was made, in Santa’s workshop, the Weber elves already had a pretty good idea of how to build a smoker/barbecue/grill. I say: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
To each their own but the old Kettles didn't have any gauge. You have to know your temps in order to produce great smoked food. WSM is a legend. Happy cooking.
@@DelmarvaBackyard I misspoke. I haven’t had my WSM since 2019, I’ve had it since 2009-no thermometer. We have several grills and pits including a competition rig which has seen eight states. When we put an expensive cut on the WSM (for just us two) we do what everyone did, stick the thermometer through a cork in the top vent, then cork the other holes as needed. Reason for multiple pits & grills: we raise cattle on 3840+ acres (lil mo than 6 Sq miles) in Lee Co, TX. When ANY holiday rolls around. We invite all of Dime Box, Tx and half of Lexington, TX. Happy smoking
First, start with a much smaller bit to start a pilot hole. Starting at the bigger size you are just asking for trouble. I also agree, it should be placed right in front of the vent over the food. I placed mine and then used a digital probe to get the exact temp and then calibrated mine.
Thanks for watching and I appreciate your input.
is ther space between the surface and the back of thermometer or does it sit flush?
Very helpful video, how accurate is your temperature?
I don’t trust this style thermometer for accuracy. I usually have a probe on the grates for cooks that are very sensitive to temp. However, I have found this thermometer is usually within 5 F of the probe. Thanks for your comment.
That thermometer would be directly over the coals for indirect heat with the Kingsford coal plates. I feel the best place is right by the vent cause the heat is circulated and that's where the heat is the most accurate is right by the vent.
The heat is concentrated at the vent because of the tunneling air flow from the bottom to the top. A thermometer right by the vent will always read hotter than the temp at the grill surface.
Any RTV adhesive around hole?
What did you do about the tab on the backside of the thermometer?
Not sure what you're referring to??
Easy, thank you!!
Nice work
the thermometer needs to be away from the coals.. if not, you will not get an accurate reading of the inside temp.
Been using weber forever, always thought thermometer was kind of useless. Sure it's good to tell you when hot enough, but my guesses were good enough all these yrs evidently. They want extra $100 bucks for thermometer. Again, not that imp.
Which is why I have no damn clue why on the newer models, Weber decided to put the thermometer on the direct opposite side of the vent!
Yo
Hello theacher I would like to ask you how to set up a reference switch.
I think I'll put a high heat gasket with a stainless steel washer on top, on the inside to prevent any smoke leaks
Need to tape area where you're drilling,protects the finish
Good tip. Thanks for contributing
Is it okay to install the sensor *and* use an infra red probe? I am using grillgrates on my weber jumbo joe and they make things a little hotter inside the kettle than with just the original grates. Anyone??
Do all Weber Thermometer are 3/8 in the hole size. What model of Weber Thermometer did you buy to use on this kettle grill?
Not sure about that Victor, maybe another viewer knows....
Can the probe be cut into a into stubby probe?
what type of bit is that? (you said 3/8ths right?)
Think you should have placed it near or under the vent. Of course I use mine for smoking while using indirect heat
Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate you watching.
Do you have to use Rust-Oleum?
I would say yes if you don't want it to start rusting. By drilling the hole you have areas that have no protection from the elements. Check the video out at about 3:27 and you can see exactly what I using and why. Thanks for your comment.
If indirect cooking, I normally put the meat under the vent holes. For this reason I was thinking of putting it over that side. Any views?
The tunneling effect should keep the hottest flow of air will be above the meat as its going to the vent holes so under the vent holes works fine in my opinion.
Where did you buy the thermometer?
Amazon, heres a link if your interested. amzn.to/2GgkFOp Thanks for watching.
Legend! Thanks for the very helpful tutorial
Thanks for the awesome comment and I appreciate you watching.
I bought the Charbroil thermometer for half the price of Weber
AAA AAA is that thermometer better?
Install the thermometer teacher
Did you wash the metal filing of the inside of the grill?
3:57 That's what she said
I am embarrassed to admit that i didnt think about this
You don't know until you know. Thanks for the feedback
Slow speed, heavy feed, for hard metals.
Excellent advice. Thanks for watching.
What id the size of drill bit in mm? please
10mm
At 130 bucks you'd think they could come with a thermometer
You can buy different price points. This one was around $75.00 when it was purchased. Its been quite a while ago. Thanks for watching and I agree, it should have been and should be standard.
It should be near the vent.
I located it directly as Weber locates theirs on the newer style. If its located towards the vent temps won't reflect the temps at the cooking surface. For me thats whats most important however everyone has their own objectives. The vent area will always read a little higher than that at the cooking surface. I appreciate the comment and thanks for watching Allan.
@@DelmarvaBackyard. I just always heard that that directly over the coals gives you a hotter reading than what the actual kettle temperature is.
@@DelmarvaBackyard I understand your reasoning but I think the purpose of a grill thermometer is not to measure the cooking surface temperature; no grill manufacturers ever put a thermometer near the crates; a local hot spot could complete defeat the thermometer reading. You want to have a reading of the overall air flow smoking the food and better indication of the cooking area temperature.