Modifications and the Finish of the Weber


 
J

Jody Smith

New member
I see a lot of mods here on the forum but with the ceramic coating of our smokers, does drilling a hole not create a problem for the coating and it later chipping, thus making rust more possible?

I'm new to the WSM, love it, and before I drill holes for things like temp nodes and handles, I'm curious on the opinions here..

(Obviously its not a huge issues since so many have drilled/modded their smokers but I'll ask before I drill the 1st hole)

thanks!
 
if you chip the porcelain on the outside, you may want to touch that up with some paint to prevent rusting.
if you chip the porcelain on the inside, cook something. the grease/gunk/grime build-up will prevent rust the same as paint.

i've drilled a few holes in my WSM's without chipping the porcelain... chances are you can also drill holes without chipping the porcelain.

good luck!
 
Painters tape and a step drill bit (Uni-bit)will minimize chipping. Use the fiber washers on the outside for your handles just like Weber uses on the grate strap bolts,that will give you a buffer instead of metal on metal.
Good luck!

Tim
 
I didn't drill a hole...I cut a small slit in the rim where the lid joins the body. That way, I can remove the lid, remove the grill with meat and probes still intact, and replace the lid in a matter of seconds so I don't loose heat. I want to do this so I can wrap the meat and return it to the cook ...and I never remove probes.
 
Well, Dwain....I awoke several nights ago with the rim notch probe wire solution. I thought as well that when the wire is not used you could just rotate the cover a few degrees and the groove disappears....and voila, no leak. Do you have a pic, per chance ? What tool did you use to make the groove? Gotta finish my performer redo very soon !
 
Originally posted by David DeVivo:
Well, Dwain....I awoke several nights ago with the rim notch probe wire solution. I thought as well that when the wire is not used you could just rotate the cover a few degrees and the groove disappears....and voila, no leak. Do you have a pic, per chance ? What tool did you use to make the groove? Gotta finish my performer redo very soon !
Click to expand...

Sorry for the delay in this reply. I used a dremel tool.

IMG_0462.jpg
 
I'm really kind of liking this idea Dwain. It would definitely be a plus to be able to remove the grates, meat, wires, and all at times vs. having the wires of the probes routed through a hole in the sides. Any down sides at all to this approach in your opinion? I know it wouldn't make much difference, but how badly does it leak smoke around the slot? Does it make much difference in the leaking if any when the probes aren't in use?
 
I know a lot of us have some anxiety about piercing the skin of our beloved smokers, but I just wanted to add my voice to the many who say, "It's no big deal".

I was really worried about it, even though I had already collected the parts for the threaded lamp sleeve grommet mod that has been written about on other threads. But today while I was setting up for a cook I just grabbed a drill and did it. I couldn't find my blue painter's tape, so I just used masking tape and made a small dimple with an 8-penny nail and then drilled a small pilot hole followed by a 3/8" hole for the grommet mod. As suggested by others, I used a slow drill speed with some solid pressure behind the drill, and it worked perfectly. No chipping of porcelain on either side.
 
I just did this yesterday on a new 18.5" that has had two smokes on it. With painter's tape it was a piece of cake and no chipping issues. I just started small with a pilot hole and worked my way up till I got to the size I needed.
 
Originally posted by Chad M. Anders:
I'm really kind of liking this idea Dwain. It would definitely be a plus to be able to remove the grates, meat, wires, and all at times vs. having the wires of the probes routed through a hole in the sides. Any down sides at all to this approach in your opinion? I know it wouldn't make much difference, but how badly does it leak smoke around the slot? Does it make much difference in the leaking if any when the probes aren't in use?
Click to expand...

I have not noticed much difference at all with all probes in or just one for grill temp. It's a very small slit and can't imagine it would be any more that the holes others drill.
 
I would be careful when using a nail or punch to make a dimple in the porcelain. Tap it too hard and it will pop some off. I just tape it and the tape will keep the drill steady until it starts to bite.
 
I just did a second damper to my WSM dome as well as a grommet so that's 5 holes I drilled. Not a chip in any of them but I would not punch anything. 2-3 layers of tape, mark the spot, use a 1/8" bit nice and slow with moderate pressure and it's that easy. I opened up with a Uni bit...worked great.
 
Originally posted by Lew:
I would be careful when using a nail or punch to make a dimple in the porcelain. Tap it too hard and it will pop some off. I just tape it and the tape will keep the drill steady until it starts to bite.
Click to expand...

+1. I used a sharp small drill to create a pilot hole and went up from there.
 
Drilling a hole in the Weber kettle is not difficult; however, you MUST avoid chipping the porcelain. Here's what I did.

First, I used a spring loaded punch to make a small starter hole. This punch came from Harbor Freight and was not at all expensive. It has countless other uses.

Second, I used a brand new, high-quality bit in my drill press and set the dp speed to its lowest setting. The hole I drilled was in the lid - for a thermometer - and I was able to hold it on the dp very easily. If you don't have a dp, use a drill with a slow speed but BE SURE YOU USE A SHARP BIT.

Easy peasey Miss Louisy.
 
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