WSM Tel-Tru Mod...

[JD McGee]

Hi folks...I just finished installing a Tel-Tru BQ300 in my new WSM (I did the same mod last summer to my first WSM). Here are a few pics.

Installation tools...

1/2 inch NPT and #4 uni-bit...

3/4 hole drilled...

Tapped with NPT...

Ran the tap down until I got the correct dial orientation...

Inside view of probe...

Finished product...

I now have twin WSM's just waiting for the summer BBQ competition season. OK partner...time to practice!

 

[gpalasz]

looks great. Is there much difference in temp from grate level, to where the tel tru is at?

 

[Harbormaster]

Nice job JD.
When I did mine, instead of tapping the hole, I made it big enough that the threads of the thermo went through, and then used a conduit "nut" on the inside. Made it pretty easy to get the dial lined up.
Looks like yous will work too.
Nice job not chipping any porcelain around the hole. I had to drill out large washers to go on the outside of my dome to cover the chips I made.

 

[Professor Salt]

Beautiful job, JD! Great photos, too. This oughta be a good reference for anyone who wants to make this mod for themselves. Well, anyone who's willing to invest in the right tools, anyway!

I cheaped out and didn't splurge on a step drill. I just bought a hole saw and did mine the way Harbormaster described.

 

[JD McGee]

looks great. Is there much difference in temp from grate level, to where the tel tru is at?

About 25 degrees cooler at the grate on average...during a long smoke they'll get to within 5-10.

 

[HB-BBQ]

Great job JD, it is amazing how clean the Unibits drill in thin materials. I did the same mod on my old WSM and was real happy with the results. I have never understood why Weber doesn't offer a thermo as a standard on their cookers...

 

[ZBQ]

Good job JD, looks like a professional job!

I have a therm from BBQ GURU for my WSM and I just had to drill a hole big enough for the shaft to go down in because it has a silicone rubber "cork shaped" thing that slides up the shaft and snugs up against the inside of the lid.

I placed mine a couple of inches lower so that I could read the temp from inside the house without having to go out on the deck. I rotate the therm so that 250 is in the 12 o'clock position that way if the needle is not at 12 I know there has been a change without actually reading the numbers.

I got a tip somewhere (not sure where) that if you cover the area where you are going to drill with masking tape that the porcelain won't chip as bad.

 

[Smokin Gator]

Very nice indeed. I love the black face on the thermometer.

 

[DaChief]

Looks good. Definitely one of my future projects!