Probe grommets


 
M

Mike K

New member
What is the best/safest way to drill holes in the "body" of my 22.5 WSM in order to install some probe grommets (in terms of minimizing damage to the metal/porcelain of the body of the smoker while drilling the holes)? Am using the 3/8" Cajun Bandit grommets...

Also, any recommendations/suggestions regarding the location of holes on the body of the smoker for the grommets?

Thanks!
 
Ok, I looked up those grommets to be sure how they work. First, put tape both inside and outside of where you plan to drill. This will stabilize your bit. (I've seen instructions to also tap a dimple with nail or sharp tool to prevent slipping and I did that myself. But there is a good chance if you do that of cracking the porcelain coating and causing a chip. That happened to me and I think the cause was the dimple.) Then using a small bit (say 1/8") slowly drill through from outside to inside. (It's tempting to try inside to outside to reduce even more the possiblity of the bit slipping, but where the bit breaks through is the greatest possibility of a chip.) You can then go to a 3/8" bit to enlarge the hole. Again, go slow to actual cut through the steel. I then painted the opening edges with a high temp black enamel (mainly because of the small chipping I had).

This isn't difficult and the small pilot hole you drill first is the key to success. Rich
 
Welcome to the forum Mike!
CB grommets should replace the nuts and bolts holding your food grate brackets in place.
I have two CB grommets on my 18" WSM and they worked well replacing the stock hardware.
 
Another suggestion: get a small, round ended abrasive bit for a Dremel tool (something like this) and use it to grind away the porcelain before you drill. You can use the bit in an ordinary 1/4 or 3/8 drill. Removing a spot just slightly larger than the hole you'll be drilling eliminates the need for drilling in the porcelain.
 
I put two layers of blue painters tape (its what I had handy) over the area I was going to start drilling at. Then took a pointy tipped punch and gave it one good whack to create the dimple. The dimple keeps your bit from wandering around till it finds a purchase. Then I just drilled with my 3/8" bit.... but I also put some cutting fluid on the bit to lubricate it as it cuts, you could use 3-in-1 oil as well. Then I hit both the inside and outside of the hole with countersink bit to deburr the opening.

I have a post from a month back or so with pictures.
 
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