Weber Kettle w/ DigiQ - drilled in not the best place

[cdub24]

So I drilled a hole for my DigiQ on my Weber kettle... it works great. Smokes like a champ with my Slow n Sear... but I really don't like where I drilled the hole after actually using it.

I drilled it so the damper can't make a full rotation... While I was drilling I was just worried if I could open them to let air in... forgetting how the full rotation is great for clearing coals... It wasn't very smart I know but in their drilling instructions are a little confusing and have a really bad small black and white photo where you can't see anything clearly. Oh well...

So can I drill a hole in a better place and patch the hole with some more of that high heat tape they provided?

It still smokes fine but clearing the coals is a little but more of a pain in the but now.

 

[dwfisk]

This is a high temp silicone gromet Weber makes for the WSM but should work just fine on the Kettle.
[ame="https://www.amazon.com/Weber-85037-Replacement-Grommet-Mountain/dp/B0131L1P8A"]Amazon.com : Weber #85037 Replacement Grommet for Weber Smokey Mountain Cookers : Patio, Lawn & Garden[/ame]
Not sure I understand where you drilled the hole on the kettle? On the lid near/in the exhaust vent? A lot of folks use a flexible refrig magnet to cover holes on the UDS's or other smokers. I'm sure the high temp tape would work too, maybe just not as durable?

 

[effinUker]

Not sure I understand where you drilled the hole on the kettle? On the lid near/in the exhaust vent? A lot of folks use a flexible refrig magnet to cover holes on the UDS's or other smokers. I'm sure the high temp tape would work too, maybe just not as durable?

Sounds like the drilled the bowl, not the lid. Now he can't use the sweeps to clear the ash.

I'd try the high heat tape, one inside and one outside. Be sure to 1) clean the bowl really well so the adhesive sticks to the porcelain on the inside, and 2) burnish the edges really well to make sure there are no sharp edges your ash sweep will catch on.

 

[cdub24]

Yeah sorry I should have posted pics. I'll take some later.

I drilled on the bottom of the kettle where the sweeper (what is that thing called) is. I thought I was placing it in a fine place to open up the vents... that instruction manual really needs a diagram not a hard to read small black and white picture... anyways...

Any hardware store has that tape? Is it called sometime in particular?

 

[cdub24]

A lot of folks use a flexible refrig magnet to cover holes on the UDS's or other smokers. I'm sure the high temp tape would work too, maybe just not as durable?

A fridge magnet is a pretty good idea too.

 

[cdub24]

This is a high temp silicone gromet Weber makes for the WSM but should work just fine on the Kettle.

Does that gromet fit a 1 inch hole?

 

[effinUker]

Yeah sorry I should have posted pics. I'll take some later.

I drilled on the bottom of the kettle where the sweeper (what is that thing called) is. I thought I was placing it in a fine place to open up the vents... that instruction manual really needs a diagram not a hard to read small black and white picture... anyways...

Any hardware store has that tape? Is it called sometime in particular?

I'd use something like this. You can probably find it at your big box hardware locations, or a mom & pop shop that knows their stuff.

[ame="https://www.amazon.com/3M-High-Temperature-Flue-15-Foot/dp/B00004Z4DS"]3M High Temperature Flue Tape, 15-Foot Roll - Hi Temp Foil Tape - Amazon.com[/ame]

 

[THoey1963]

Would one of these work? Probably find it at HD or Lowe's...

 

[effinUker]

Would one of these work? Probably find it at HD or Lowe's...

If you put it flat side in, I don't know if it's flat enough to let the sweeps past it, they may hang up on that button. If you put it flat side out, the prongs would definitely get in the way.

I'm afraid he may have borked up a perfectly good kettle.

 

[4ever3]

Wow...

 

[cdub24]

I'm afraid he may have borked up a perfectly good kettle.

Hey you live you learn....

 

[THoey1963]

Um, if he puts it in from the inside out, he can tap the prongs down. I don't know. Just throwing an idea out there...

 

[effinUker]

Ya know, I been thinking about this. Maybe all isn't lost. Just leave it alone and use a broom. I took an old fireplace set, and took the little broom out of the big long handle, and use that to sweep the ash down into the catcher instead of the metal sweeps. I use wood and lump charcoal often, and them little chunks are tough on the sweeps. I have an old SS Performer, and for storage, I keep it under the lid near my gas controls.

 

[effinUker]

Um, if he puts it in from the inside out, he can tap the prongs down. I don't know. Just throwing an idea out there...

I'm not sure if the cap will be flat enough. Those sweeps are really tight to the inside of the bowl.

 

[Rounder]

If you put it flat side in, I don't know if it's flat enough to let the sweeps past it, they may hang up on that button. If you put it flat side out, the prongs would definitely get in the way.

I'm afraid he may have borked up a perfectly good kettle.

Can always just dump the ashes. Is it a mistake yeah..but it'll still cook and work with the guru.

 

[cdub24]

Can always just dump the ashes. Is it a mistake yeah..but it'll still cook and work with the guru.

Yes it certainly still cooks fine. It's just a PITA.

 

[charcoal4brains]

No problem. Just get a small tube of red RTV silicone gasket maker from Walmart's auto dept. for a couple of bucks. Clean the outside well, apply with a good (1/2") overlap, let dry and cut off excess on the inside with a razor blade.

 

[cdub24]

Okay I think I repaired it.

I drilled a new hole in a better spot... to repair it I ended up using heavy duty aluminum foil and sandwiching the metal hole that was cut out of the new spot into the aluminum foil sandwich and then taping that all back on with the new metal plug pushed in and all taped up with the high heat foil tape. Not pretty... but functional so far.

Also... using painters tape to mark off the "safe zone" for drilling is a good idea too.

Their recommendation of 90 degrees to the handle does not work on my grill. That would put it straight in the path of the sweepers.

So I just taped off the section furthest from the coals in the safe zone and drilled away.

Photos of the mayhem below.

 

[cdub24]

And a final one seen from the inside. Did one cook already... so far so good.

 

[effinUker]

Hey! Way to go! Glad you got 'er fixed.