Dial Thermo for Center Grate Temp

[DDave]

I finally got around to installing the deep fryer thermometer in the side of UDS 1.0a so that I don't have to do the temp conversion anymore.

Here it is with its original thermometer -- a Teltru BQ300 with 3" stem.



Nice thermometer but the stem isn't long enough to measure the center grate temp so I always had to add (by my observation anyway) 50° to 70° and also wasn't much help when the drum was warming up.



Got a 3/4" bolt to cover the existing hole and had a buddy who owns a fab shop drill it out for me.



Here's the bolt installed.



Covers the hole nicely.

A shot from the inside.



And the thermo in place with the grate on.



Thermo slides in and out in so it doesn't get in the way of the charcoal basket and the long bolt supports it so it doesn't need any other support from the inside.

Doesn't look quite as nice as the Teltru, but I'll use it this way for awhile.



If Teltru ever makes a smoker therm with a 12" stem, I'll be all over it.

Dave

[Gunslinger]

Sweet Dave. I like the bolt w/hole drilled through the center. Nice job.

[ptt49er]

Ah ha! I'll have to remember the bolt for my UDS. Nice work!

[DDave]

Sweet Dave. I like the bolt w/hole drilled through the center. Nice job.

Ah ha! I'll have to remember the bolt for my UDS. Nice work!

Thanks. You could get by with a smaller bolt but I had the original thermo hole to fill.

Dave

[Bbqgoddess]

Nicely done Dave, you guys are sooo handy!

[Zeeker]

That is one sweet setup bud. Neat idea. Kudos

[wutang]

I have been thinking about installing one in mine but always thought it would be in the way when removing the lower grate or charcoal basket. I like you method since it still makes for easy removal of the thermo. Nice work

[DDave]

I have been thinking about installing one in mine but always thought it would be in the way when removing the lower grate or charcoal basket. I like you method since it still makes for easy removal of the thermo. Nice work

Thanks. I got the idea from the BBQ Brethren. In fact, I think Bubba has been doing his this way for awhile. Where is Bubba anyway??

Nicely done Dave, you guys are sooo handy!

Well, thanks Kelly but I don't know about that. A friend with a fab shop is a friend indeed.

I can't weld or do any of the really fancy stuff like Zeeker or many of the others on here but I'm okay with a drill, pliers, wire, nuts and bolts, etc. Actually the whole UDS was no-weld except I had another friend tack-weld the intakes. But that wasn't really required. I do like to tinker with them though.

Dave

[Bbq Bubba]

Thats a nicely done mod bro, although i really like my "easier to see" BQ 300!

[DDave]

Thats a nicely done mod bro, although i really like my "easier to see" BQ 300!

Well hey Bubba. Good to hear from ya. I thought you were using the fryer thermos. Anyway, I like the BQ300 better too. It looks better and it's easier for me to read since I am kind of near sighted. The Teltru is MUCH higher quality as well.

If you can locate a Teltru thermo with a 12" probe and a 3" dial, I'd buy it from you in a second.

And there is also the distinct possibility that I will get tired of the small dial on the fryer thermo after awhile and put the Teltru back on. Just shoot for 180° to 200° (on my drum it seems) after it warms up,and I'm good. But there's this little stickler thing that bugs me about not seeing the "actual" temp on the dial thermo. Maybe it's an "IT guy" thing.

Dave