Kyle in Woodstock
TVWBB Guru
I recently found some great bargains on a couple Q200s and now I've got 3 of them. These grills are amazing when cooking for a couple people, the only thing they are missing is a thermometer. I've never had a Q with a thermometer so I've always just guessed when it was hot enough for food.
I'm going to paint the lids on two of my 200s and either sell them or give as gifts. I figured I would use these two as a testers for drilling and installing a thermometer. Also thinking it might make the grill more appealing for a potential buyer. I searched around Amazon and found this two pack at a decent price:
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B07CWN9QDB/tvwb-20
$11.99 for two is really cheap and the reviews are decent.
I read that some people use those step bits, but I figured even when using one of those I'd need a pilot hole. I measure and marked a spot right in the middle between the handle. Then I moved it up to get it further from the grate. These thermometers are kind of long and don't want them coming in contact with my food if possible.
I started with a very small drill bit and drilled a pilot hole. It was much easier to drill a hole in this lid than I had thought it would be. It was so easy that I just kept using standard metal drill bits instead of the step bit. After the pilot hole, I went a few sizes up then I used the 5/16" drill bit. 5/16" is the hole size you need to install this particular thermometer.
Also want to mention that I laid a towel inside my grill to catch any metal shavings.
Very easy job. Took a few minutes. Highly recommend this upgrade to anyone with a thermometer-less Q.
I also purchased this Weber thermometer and am going to be putting it on the Q200 I end up keeping. I'll report back when I install that, but I imagine it'll be same easy install just a different size hole.
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B005DMVY4G/tvwb-20
Here are some pictures:
I'm going to paint the lids on two of my 200s and either sell them or give as gifts. I figured I would use these two as a testers for drilling and installing a thermometer. Also thinking it might make the grill more appealing for a potential buyer. I searched around Amazon and found this two pack at a decent price:
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B07CWN9QDB/tvwb-20
$11.99 for two is really cheap and the reviews are decent.
I read that some people use those step bits, but I figured even when using one of those I'd need a pilot hole. I measure and marked a spot right in the middle between the handle. Then I moved it up to get it further from the grate. These thermometers are kind of long and don't want them coming in contact with my food if possible.
I started with a very small drill bit and drilled a pilot hole. It was much easier to drill a hole in this lid than I had thought it would be. It was so easy that I just kept using standard metal drill bits instead of the step bit. After the pilot hole, I went a few sizes up then I used the 5/16" drill bit. 5/16" is the hole size you need to install this particular thermometer.
Also want to mention that I laid a towel inside my grill to catch any metal shavings.
Very easy job. Took a few minutes. Highly recommend this upgrade to anyone with a thermometer-less Q.
I also purchased this Weber thermometer and am going to be putting it on the Q200 I end up keeping. I'll report back when I install that, but I imagine it'll be same easy install just a different size hole.
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B005DMVY4G/tvwb-20
Here are some pictures: