WSM Thermometer Mod (pr0n)

BobM · 12-17-2012, 01:16 PM

After much reading, and a couple of posts, I decided to go with inexpensive units.
I got 2 - F&C, 2" thermometers, with 3" stems, off of eBay, both delivered for $20.58. The units come with a wing nut for mounting.

The required hole is larger then the 1/4" claimed. I marked the holes with blue tape, drilled a 1/4" pilot hole, then a slightly larger hole and reamed it a bit until the stem fit tightly.

I tested them in boiling water when I got them, and they are accurate. I haven't tested them on a cook yet.

They do look good.

On my 22 1/2" WSM.

On my 18 1/2" WSM.

The pair.

Bob

ToddM · 12-17-2012, 03:54 PM

Nice job. Let us know how they work.

Just Pulin' Pork · 12-17-2012, 03:58 PM

It will be interesting to see the difference in temp.

PatAttack · 12-17-2012, 04:59 PM

Can't wait to see some results, Bob. They do look good, though!

Toast · 12-17-2012, 05:02 PM

Good install Bob!

NickTheGreat · 12-17-2012, 05:43 PM

Looks factory

BobM · 01-04-2013, 09:36 AM

Some more pictures.

Close up.

Side view.

Inside, through top grate.

Inside, no top grate.

Bob

Bluebird · 01-04-2013, 09:41 AM

Good job on the install.

JP7794 · 01-04-2013, 09:43 AM

I have an Auber temp control probe mounted a couple of inches above yours and the probe is about +30f then the dome lid thermo on my 18.5 WSM.

Jaskew82 · 01-04-2013, 10:32 AM

Looks good but keep in mind that there a few factors that could mislead that gauge.

1. The heat comes up the outside walls of the WSM because of the diverter (water pan). That might lead the gauge to show higher temps than is really happening at the grate.
2. The door is right below it. Unless you have a good seal on the door, it could effect temps either up or down depending on outside weather conditions.
3. If you have food directly over the gauge, dripping could effect it as well.

Looks great!

Freddy j · 01-04-2013, 12:41 PM

Nice modification bob, I'm interested to hear how they read compared to the dome.

BobM · 01-10-2013, 07:46 PM

I finally did a couple of cooks since I did the thermometer mod to my WSMs.
The added thermometer reads from 5-25F degrees higher than a thermometer at the grate. The readings seem to get higher the longer the cook goes on.
It works pretty good, much better than the dome thermometer, which always read 40-50F lower.
I'm happy with the results.

Cook #1 CyberQ pit probe reading.

Cook #1 modded thermometer reading #1.

Cook #1 modded thermometer reading #2.

Cook #1 dome thermometer reading.

Cook #2 CyberQ pit probe reading.

Cook #2 modded thermometer reading #1.

Cook #2 modded thermometer reading #2.

Cook #2 dome thermometer reading.

Location of CyberQ pit probe.

Bob

NickTheGreat · 01-11-2013, 08:21 AM

Interesting. I always struggle with where to put the pit probe. Seems that especially if I'm doing several butts, I'll get the probe too close to the meat, and it'll give a really low temp. Sometimes I've actually had to move it a little bit into the cook, which is easier said than done.

HankB · 01-11-2013, 08:41 AM

I have an eyelet just below grate level on my 18.5 WSM. I used to route the cooker probe on my ET-73 up to the grate and mount it with the clip but any more I just stick ii through the eyelet far enough so it doesn't fall out (and not below meat that would drip on it.) I find that the dome thermometer (I guess I'm not the only one who calls it the dome thermometer.

) reads up to 50° lower than the grate because it is close to the cold meat. Later in the smoke as the meat gets hot, the two temperatures tend to converge. I don't consider a 10° or 20° difference significant.

Were I not using a second thermometer and controlling to 250° at the dome, I'd probably get 300° at the grate which is where a lot of us like to smoke anyway. Perhaps it is even by design that holding a steady temperature at the dome results in hotter temperature early in the cook.

Freddy j · 01-22-2013, 02:58 PM

Think ill put one of these into the mini that I am working on...... I'd really like to have me be of them cyber q's though

12-17-2012, 04:59 PM	#4
PatAttack is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-19-11 Location: Mt. Pleasant S.C. Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Can't wait to see some results, Bob. They do look good, though! __________________ 18.5" WSM Weber SJS Maverick ET-732 Stealthy Fast Black Thermapen "You have never lived until you have almost died". "For those who fight for it, life has a flavor the protected will never know".-Unknown Vietnam Soldier

12-17-2012, 05:02 PM	#5
Toast Babbling Farker Join Date: 03-17-12 Location: Shreveport, LA Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Good install Bob! __________________ Cooking Equipment: Weber WSM Weber Spirit S-320 Charbroil Oilless Turkey Fryer Weber GA Wife LuzziAnn 1956 model. Maverick ET-732 Superfast LSU Purple Thermapen

12-17-2012, 05:43 PM	#6
NickTheGreat is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 05-08-12 Location: Iowa Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Looks factory __________________ 18.5" WSM ; Weber E-330 ; Weber Q200 (tailgating) . . . Guess I'm a Weber fanboy!

01-04-2013, 09:36 AM	#7
BobM is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 02-16-12 Location: Long Island, NY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Some more pictures. Close up. Side view. Inside, through top grate. Inside, no top grate. Bob __________________ "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." - Benjamin Franklin \| Weber 18 1/2" & 22 1/2" WSM, 22 1/2" & 26 3/4" OTG, Genesis S-330 \| \| BBQ Guru CyberQ WiFi \| Maverick ET-732 \|

01-04-2013, 09:41 AM	#8
Bluebird Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-11-12 Location: Floyd Va Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Good job on the install. __________________ Weber 18.5"OTS, Weber SS Performer, 18.5" WSM, Chargriller Akorn & Weber Genesis.

12-17-2012, 01:16 PM	#1
BobM is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 02-16-12 Location: Long Island, NY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	WSM Thermometer Mod (pr0n) After much reading, and a couple of posts, I decided to go with inexpensive units. I got 2 - F&C, 2" thermometers, with 3" stems, off of eBay, both delivered for $20.58. The units come with a wing nut for mounting. The required hole is larger then the 1/4" claimed. I marked the holes with blue tape, drilled a 1/4" pilot hole, then a slightly larger hole and reamed it a bit until the stem fit tightly. I tested them in boiling water when I got them, and they are accurate. I haven't tested them on a cook yet. They do look good. On my 22 1/2" WSM. On my 18 1/2" WSM. The pair. Bob __________________ "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." - Benjamin Franklin \| Weber 18 1/2" & 22 1/2" WSM, 22 1/2" & 26 3/4" OTG, Genesis S-330 \| \| BBQ Guru CyberQ WiFi \| Maverick ET-732 \| Last edited by BobM; 12-17-2012 at 02:41 PM..

12-17-2012, 03:54 PM	#2
ToddM On the road to being a farker Join Date: 09-23-10 Location: Fullerton, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Nice job. Let us know how they work. __________________ 22.5 WSM, 22.5 OTG, 1992 Smokey Joe

12-17-2012, 03:58 PM	#3
Just Pulin' Pork is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 03-08-08 Location: Overland Park Kansas Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	It will be interesting to see the difference in temp.

01-04-2013, 09:43 AM	#9
JP7794 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 04-13-12 Location: KANSAS CITY MISSOURI Downloads: 2 Uploads: 1	I have an Auber temp control probe mounted a couple of inches above yours and the probe is about +30f then the dome lid thermo on my 18.5 WSM. __________________ "You don't win friends with salad" - Homer Simpson Jim - KCBS CBJ 18.5" WSM - Packer Green Thermapen - Auber PID Temperature Controller - Mini WSM GO PACK GO!

01-04-2013, 10:32 AM	#10
Jaskew82 is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-20-11 Location: Airmont, NY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Looks good but keep in mind that there a few factors that could mislead that gauge. 1. The heat comes up the outside walls of the WSM because of the diverter (water pan). That might lead the gauge to show higher temps than is really happening at the grate. 2. The door is right below it. Unless you have a good seal on the door, it could effect temps either up or down depending on outside weather conditions. 3. If you have food directly over the gauge, dripping could effect it as well. Looks great! __________________ Hillside BBQ 2013 Stumps Classic - Delivered 4/15/13 Large BGE - Rescued 2012 2010 WSM 22.5" 2010 Weber genesis gas grill Rescued 22.5 Weber One-touch gold Yellow Thermopen BBQ Guru CyberQ 2011 Built UDS - Retired

01-04-2013, 12:41 PM	#11
Freddy j is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 11-22-12 Location: Boston Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Nice modification bob, I'm interested to hear how they read compared to the dome. __________________ Big Joe Kamado WSM 22.5" wsm mini

01-10-2013, 07:46 PM	#12
BobM is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 02-16-12 Location: Long Island, NY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I finally did a couple of cooks since I did the thermometer mod to my WSMs. The added thermometer reads from 5-25F degrees higher than a thermometer at the grate. The readings seem to get higher the longer the cook goes on. It works pretty good, much better than the dome thermometer, which always read 40-50F lower. I'm happy with the results. Cook #1 CyberQ pit probe reading. Cook #1 modded thermometer reading #1. Cook #1 modded thermometer reading #2. Cook #1 dome thermometer reading. Cook #2 CyberQ pit probe reading. Cook #2 modded thermometer reading #1. Cook #2 modded thermometer reading #2. Cook #2 dome thermometer reading. Location of CyberQ pit probe. Bob __________________ "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." - Benjamin Franklin \| Weber 18 1/2" & 22 1/2" WSM, 22 1/2" & 26 3/4" OTG, Genesis S-330 \| \| BBQ Guru CyberQ WiFi \| Maverick ET-732 \| Last edited by BobM; 01-10-2013 at 08:57 PM..

01-11-2013, 08:21 AM	#13
NickTheGreat is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 05-08-12 Location: Iowa Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Interesting. I always struggle with where to put the pit probe. Seems that especially if I'm doing several butts, I'll get the probe too close to the meat, and it'll give a really low temp. Sometimes I've actually had to move it a little bit into the cook, which is easier said than done. __________________ 18.5" WSM ; Weber E-330 ; Weber Q200 (tailgating) . . . Guess I'm a Weber fanboy!

01-11-2013, 08:41 AM	#14
HankB is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 01-16-12 Location: Winfield, IL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have an eyelet just below grate level on my 18.5 WSM. I used to route the cooker probe on my ET-73 up to the grate and mount it with the clip but any more I just stick ii through the eyelet far enough so it doesn't fall out (and not below meat that would drip on it.) I find that the dome thermometer (I guess I'm not the only one who calls it the dome thermometer. ) reads up to 50° lower than the grate because it is close to the cold meat. Later in the smoke as the meat gets hot, the two temperatures tend to converge. I don't consider a 10° or 20° difference significant. Were I not using a second thermometer and controlling to 250° at the dome, I'd probably get 300° at the grate which is where a lot of us like to smoke anyway. Perhaps it is even by design that holding a steady temperature at the dome results in hotter temperature early in the cook.

01-22-2013, 02:58 PM	#15
Freddy j is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 11-22-12 Location: Boston Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Think ill put one of these into the mini that I am working on...... I'd really like to have me be of them cyber q's though __________________ Big Joe Kamado WSM 22.5" wsm mini