Taking the Temperature

Following on my last BBQ experiment, I did a google on how feasible it is to retro fit my Weber Kettle with a grill thermometer. Note that I already have a meat thermometer, but the idea of the grill meter is to measure the actual temperature of the grill when using it with the lid on.

The current version of my grill comes with this fitted, and it seems there are lot of people who are drilling the lid of their old models and fitting a part obtained from Weber’s spares dept, or similar. However this means drilling through steel coated on both sides with porcelain enamel. As a result many people choose not to drill, but merely place the thermometer loosely clipped in the top vent hole. As the top vent is usually used only to put out the grill (temperature is controlled by opening and closing the bottom vent), this isn’t too bad a compromise.

Anyway, while researching this, and costing grill thermometers (which are not very expensive at all), I came across a wireless meat thermometer going cheap on eBay. Unlike normal meat thermometers, which are used to take spot readings, this is left in the meat while it is cooking, and gives a voice alert when the food is ready. They normally go for 35-50 quid in the UK, this one had one bid on it only. In the end, I picked it up for 5.50 plus postage, new and still in the box.

This isn’t actually what I was looking for, and I think I still need a grill thermometer too. However, this was too good a bargain to miss.

One Comment

  1. chris
    July 26, 2010
    Reply

    I have just picked up a grill thermometer, also on eBay, for just 6 quid. Last night I was reading how some people – rather than drill through the enamelled lid (and risk chipping it) – are drilling out the rivet that serves as a pivot for the top vent. The grill thermometer then replaces the rivet in its hole, and secures the top vent in place, allowing it to be opened and closed.

    When my purchase arrives, I can take a look to see if the business end is the right diameter to do this. If so, it looks like a fairly straightforward job. Otherwise, I will us the old “dangle it through the vent hole” method

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