iQue 110 on WSM probe question...

[caseydog]

I have an iQue on my 18.5 WSM, and love it. I currently have my probe dangling by it's wire though the top vent of the WSM. That puts to probe a couple inches below the dome.

I'd like to get my probe closer to the food, but don't want to run it under the lid.

I'm thinking about putting a hole and grommet on the side of the WSM for the probe, but I'm not sure where I want to put it, and and where the tip of the probe should be, and how to hold it in place, for best results.

I've read about the BBQ Guru grommet that apparently replaces a bolt on the side of the WSM, but I can't find it on their web site. Maybe it has been discontinued.

I have a few ideas, but would like to hear some others.

CD

[---k---]

I clip mine to the Maverick thermometer probe holder. This puts it about 1" below the grate. Which I think is good, but if you put a big cold brisket over top of it, the cold meat will throw it off for about 20 minutes. I think there would be similar issues above, so I guess it is just one of those things...


To thread my probe through, I drilled a 1" hole in the side of my drum. Then I took an electrical conduit knockout cap and plugged the hole. Then, I drilled a 1/4" hole in the center of the knockout and used tin snips to cut a slot to the knockout center. This allows me to pop the knock out and thread big thermometers and such quickly and easily through a big 1" dia hole, which is nice when the smoker is 250*. But, the knockout seals the hole well enough. I can snap a photo later if you want. I'm not saying that this is the best method, just what I've done on two UDS and has worked well enough.

Also, I've seen in the Pitmaster videos, he has just cut a slot in the top lip of his WSM. It looks like a method that would work very very well. If you haven't watched his vid, check it out. Probably could cut that slot with a dremel or tin snips.

[swamprb]

I haven't seen the Guru eyelets on their website for a while. They are by far the cleanest application, but the Stoker and Cajun Bandit eyelets are available.

Some people have used Rivnuts and there are some homegrown alternatives on the bullet site.

I made my own from brass truck tire valve stems.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/Weber/IMG_4386.jpg

Cut off the stem, used a drill to enlarge the hole and ground down the backing nut.

Removed the grate holder bolt, drilled the hole a little bit to accept the stem and tightened the backing bolt.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/Weber/IMG_4384.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/Weber/IMG_4385.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/100_2406.jpg

[nexpress]

I do what K does as far as clipping it on the Maverick probe. I bought a set of the cajun bandit grommets. I can fit the Ique probe and both probes for the Maverick in the same hole with no issues.

[nthole]

Easiest solution is to just run it through the side door, up the side and clip it to the grate. Door closes tight enough.

I clip it to the end of my regular probe that is stuck through a cork that I sit into on of the exhaust vents. That way I can make sure the iQue is running correct. It also puts it smack into the middle above the top grate.

[BBQ4FUN]

http://www.thebbqguru.com/products/Eyelet-Assembly-for-WSM-%282-per-pack%29.html But, NOTE: The Maverick ET-732 has a larger probe and does NOT fit through the eyelet holes.

I put this in mine so it's big enough for 4 probes.

http://quinbyhardware.com/Products/SKU/6103253/2IN-NM-SE-WATERTIGHT-CONNECTOR/ELECTRICAL/ELECTRICAL-FITTINGS/HALEX-COMPANY

but mine is a 1" I believe.

[Goin Que Que]

A coax cable connectors also work well, just drill out the center. You can use the nuts it comes with to snug it down.

[jimithing78]

I tried this earlier this summer. Same situation - trying to find a way to put the iQue probe somewhere other than through the lid vent. In the end I was never able to find a grommet that was big enough for the Ique probe. The guru eyelets aren't big enough.

[Dave Russell]

I used to hang my therm in the vent but now am sold on measuring grate temp, even on my 18.5" wsm's rather small grate. Weather conditions simply play a bigger role when you measure at the lid, even if in the stream of circulation at the vent. Not to mention the inconvenience of taking it out when removing the dome everytime.

I've got two Guru grommets installed to slide my probes through and so meat temps won't affect the measured temp as much, I generally attach my Maverick clip to the UNDERSIDE of the grate like "K" mentioned, but not positioning the probe tip directly underneath the meat. I simply try to get as close to the grate center as possible and stay out of the outer heat zone. If cooking in a pan, it's probably best to clip to the edge of the pan, but you'll need a gator clip or something for that.