Old WSM: notch or grommet for temp probes?

[Lew]

I was thinking about notching the top of the upper chamber or drilling a hole and putting in a grommet. Which do you prefer?

 

[Lynn Dollar]

I notched my 18.

Factory grommet on my 22 is a PITA.

 

[JBooker]

I notched my WSM and it has a grommet.

 

[Kelley Brown]

I did the grommet. Works great for my two or three probes.

 

[Bob Correll]

Notch, didn't like the grommet at all.

 

[Geo S]

notch it, I put two probe wires through mine, even if it had the grommet, which it don't..I wouldn't use it

 

[Kelley Brown]

How about some pix of the notches? Not sure how you guys are doing that.

Too late for me, already drilled the big hole!

 

[JBooker]

How about some pix of the notches? Not sure how you guys are doing that.

Too late for me, already drilled the big hole!

All you do is cut a notch with a cut off wheel just far enough that the lid lays flat on the smoker body with the temp probe wires in place. You can finish it off with a file if you want to control how deep you go

Not my pic

 

[JimZ]

Does anybody monitor temps on the lower grate or upper only?

 

[Kelley Brown]

All you do is cut a notch with a cut off wheel just far enough that the lid lays flat on the smoker body with the temp probe wires in place. You can finish it off with a file if you want to control how deep you go

Not my pic

Thanks. That's what I was thinking but nice to see confirmation.

 

[Mike in Roseville]

I have always preferred grommets, until I bought a used 22WSM that was notched by the former owner.

Grommets will wear out, tear, and have to be replaced. Notched is the way to go.

 

[Timothy F. Lewis]

The self destruct aspect of the grommet was one thing I’d never t thought about. Previous owner notched my 18 so, I didn’t have to think about it! I’ll be firing that this weekend, butts are a buck a pound at my neighborhood Hardings market! I love giving them my trade!

 

[Rich Dahl]

Notched the mini, the 18.5WSM and my performer. I think a notch is much easier to use than a grommet.

 

[Dustin Dorsey]

I've got the grommet and I'm fine with it. I think the notch would be easier to do, and would be way more convenient. If I didn't have the grommet I'd do the notch.

 

[Kelley Brown]

I bought two grommets when I ordered mine. I'm sure that I will lose the extra long before the one that I installed wears out.

 

[Timothy F. Lewis]

That’s what always happens to me too, I buy a spare then promptly lose it by putting it somewhere that makes sense!

 

[JBooker]

Or just get a metal snap in plug for the grommet hole and notch the mid section.

 

[Lew]

My son's a welder. He's coming home Saturday and bringing his grinder and 1/4" wheel.

 

[Bob Correll]

On my 14.5 I used a hack saw, cut down 2 sides then bent the middle piece down flat inside like a tab.
A little filing to smooth out the cut edges and all done.

 

[Lew]

My son's a welder. He's coming home Saturday and bringing his grinder and 1/4" wheel.

My son decided not to come home today so I bought a $10 grinder and a $1 wheel at Harbor Freight. Notching took about 30 seconds. Job looks VERY professional!