Cutting "Notch" In WSM Drum For Temp Probe Wires

I put grommets in and because they have to be below the top grate when I take the top grate off to get at the bottom grate I have to remove the probes.  The grommets work well for the lower grate but are a pain for the upper.

  I cut notches in both my 22.5 and my 14.5, it was 30 seconds each with a grinding wheel.  Yes there may be a problem in the next 20 years but I will probably be dead by then or at age 80 probably won't be smoking that much.

Here is my video of cutting the notches check it out completely before commenting

Hambone1950 said:

And see post #13 why the notch is a miles better way to go. I have a grommet on my WSM and once the wire is trapped in the grommet , you are out of options. The notch allows the probe wire to come out and be removed with the rack and set aside with no disturbance to the meat probe. Not trying to cause an argument , just saying that thru painful experience the grommet is more trouble than help. Is that too harsh?

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No problem here.  I was offering a solution and I agree, with the grommet, the probe has to be finagled in order to remove a grate.

Ben Cartwright2 said:

I put grommets in and because they have to be below the top grate when I take the top grate off to get at the bottom grate I have to remove the probes.  The grommets work well for the lower grate but are a pain for the upper.
  I cut notches in both my 22.5 and my 14.5, it was 30 seconds each with a grinding wheel.  Yes there may be a problem in the next 20 years but I will probably be dead by then or at age 80 probably won't be smoking that much.

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That sums it up perfectly. Agree 100%. Nice job on the notch. Can't wait to do mine.

This is one of those thing you do what you are comfortable with. I used brass bushings. After  a year of smoking I have had very little need to remove the top grate so far away that I needed slots. Having after market temperature probes helps as they are much longer.