WSM 18.5 has a new probe modification now? Anybody else know about this?

exromenyer · Dec 23, 2014

So today I got my new WSM 18.5 home and my son and I started putting it together. I bought all the parts to drill holes for the MODS I have been reading about. When I pulled the middle barrel out I noticed this round hole to the right of the cheap (and I mean cheap piece of crap door) door they provided. So there is this rubber wheel shaped gasket that is TOUGH to fit in but once you do it is for your probes..... WoW am I excited that I might not need to drill or cut mine. What I did do was add 2 washers to ever single bolt inside on the top and bottom to push those bars out and glad I did.... Really makes a difference..... As luck would have it, it is raining tonight however I fired it up anyways....I was able to follow some of the posts here by using a 20 oz. can loading it with hot coals, pulling it and dialing in the vents. I got it to sit at 226 + - a few degrees for a solid hour with almost no effort. I figure once I get use to it where the vents should be and all this is gonna be NICE!!!!

Any suggestions on sealing the door? I can see it is cheap and needs to be re-enforced....

Thank you,
Tony

image.jpg

exromenyer
Dec 23, 2014

image.jpg

exromenyer
Dec 23, 2014

image.jpg

exromenyer
Dec 23, 2014

image.jpg

exromenyer
Dec 23, 2014

image.jpg

exromenyer
Dec 23, 2014

image.jpg

exromenyer
Dec 23, 2014

noboundaries · Dec 23, 2014

Yep, that's the 2014 model that came out the end of last year. Mine is exactly the same. Makes life so easy threading probes through that slot. I don't use the probe hole at all, just the slot. I've had 5 probes through that slot no problem.

My WSM was slightly out of round and my door was so bad there was no way to seal it. It smoked fine, just at higher temps, like 275F. What irked me though was how much charcoal turned to ash after I shut it down and sealed it off. The hot coals were still getting too much air.

After 6 mos I picked up a Nomex gasket kit off Amazon for like $25 or $30. I expect there's something cheaper you could find at HD or Lowes. I was using fun money I won at work in the form of Amazon gift cards so it didn't cost me anything. Works like a champ! Sealed it up and when I shut it down, it snuffs the coals. Sealed the lid too.

ogtbagger · Dec 23, 2014

I just bought a 22 and it had the same port for probes! The door is cheap but I haven't had any issues getting the temp to stabilize. I have only used it 4 times so far. I will be putting a set of wheels on it. Wind kicked up the last time and it was a real pain to move.

b-one · Dec 23, 2014

You're going to love it!! Had mine about 6 months no problem with the door. I run mine with 1 bottom vent full open most of the time and the top fully open always.

bama bbq · Dec 23, 2014

Weber listened to the users that were having to cut slots and drill holes in their cookers so they did it for us with a silicone grommet. Pretty cool huh? A company that actually listens. Now if they'd just sell the warming rack for the 22.5" Kettle in the US.

exromenyer · Dec 23, 2014

Ogtbagger said:
I just bought a 22 and it had the same port for probes! The door is cheap but I haven't had any issues getting the temp to stabilize. I have only used it 4 times so far. I will be putting a set of wheels on it. Wind kicked up the last time and it was a real pain to move.

If you don't mind me asking how do you plan to add casters to those 3 bars at the bottom? Any one else done this please weigh in because THAT would be a nice addition.

Thanks,
Tony

ogtbagger · Dec 23, 2014

exromenyer said:
If you don't mind me asking how do you plan to add casters to those 3 bars at the bottom? Any one else done this please weigh in because THAT would be a nice addition.

Thanks,
Tony

I think I am going to drill the legs and bolt them in. Check out this link it has a bunch of options.
http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/wheels.html

krubby · Dec 23, 2014

I JUST got a WSM myself about a week ago. I had a heck of a time getting the round rubber thing in just right but then I did some goofy twist push thing and got it.

I have only used it once but I just used the slot thing too. I tried a probe through the round hole part and it seemed like it was too tight going to push out the rubber thing so I just skipped it.

I have had it 'fired up' twice - once to season and then 2 days later to use. I didn't have any issue with smoke coming out of the door, but maybe I just got kind of lucky. I did get some out of the lid

here is a picture from my one time of use - you can see the smoke coming from the top lid but not door.

Smoker 031.JPG

krubby
Dec 23, 2014

noboundaries · Dec 23, 2014

Here's what the fig of my door looked like when I got it a year ago. I worked it and worked it to get it to fit a little better then eventually got the gasket kit. Sealed it right up. .

Damaged door 002.JPG

noboundaries
Dec 23, 2014

Weber Gasket Kit 001.JPG

noboundaries
Dec 23, 2014

krubby · Dec 24, 2014

wow that is pretty bad noboundries...

Mine was nowhere close to as bad. I didn't adjust my door a single inch and you can see it fits pretty well.

I still might do the seal like you did just to make it super snug.

ogtbagger · Dec 24, 2014

Did your kit come with a gasket for the bottom section? I know there is not an issue there just curious.

noboundaries · Dec 24, 2014

Ogtbagger said:
Did your kit come with a gasket for the bottom section? I know there is not an issue there just curious.

The kit contains a roll of the Nomex gasket material and the silicone high temperature adhesive. There is enough to do the bottom, door, and lid. I didn't bother with the bottom because it wasn't leaking. Weber redesigned it a few years ago solving that problem. I have enough adhesive and gasket material left over to seal my Kettle lid, which I haven't done yet.

Basically you clean the surface, which was a bit of a challenge after 6 months of use (use a solvent, a glass scraper, then clean thoroughly and let dry). Next you apply the adhesive, then gasket material and cut it when you have full coverage. My cleaning and application took about a hour, and most of that was cleaning. It is easier to do it when it is new or has very little buildup. Applying the adhesive and gasket material took maybe 20 minutes.

exromenyer · Dec 24, 2014

KRubby said:
I JUST got a WSM myself about a week ago. I had a heck of a time getting the round rubber thing in just right but then I did some goofy twist push thing and got it.

I have only used it once but I just used the slot thing too. I tried a probe through the round hole part and it seemed like it was too tight going to push out the rubber thing so I just skipped it.

I have had it 'fired up' twice - once to season and then 2 days later to use. I didn't have any issue with smoke coming out of the door, but maybe I just got kind of lucky. I did get some out of the lid

here is a picture from my one time of use - you can see the smoke coming from the top lid but not door.

Smoker 031.JPG

krubby

Dec 23, 2014

My lid didn't leak like that. I have heard some guys on here state their lids were a but warped and Weber shipped them out a new one no questions asked. Their customer service was top notch when I needed a new igniter for my Genesis Grill.......

Tony

exromenyer · Dec 24, 2014

Noboundaries said:
Here's what the fig of my door looked like when I got it a year ago. I worked it and worked it to get it to fit a little better then eventually got the gasket kit. Sealed it right up. .

Damaged door 002.JPG

noboundaries

Dec 23, 2014

Weber Gasket Kit 001.JPG

noboundaries

Dec 23, 2014

Where did you get your kit?

Thank you,
Tony

gary s · Dec 24, 2014

Take your time and you can get most of the leaks sealed

Gary

exromenyer · Dec 24, 2014

KRubby said:
I JUST got a WSM myself about a week ago. I had a heck of a time getting the round rubber thing in just right but then I did some goofy twist push thing and got it.

I have only used it once but I just used the slot thing too. I tried a probe through the round hole part and it seemed like it was too tight going to push out the rubber thing so I just skipped it.

I have had it 'fired up' twice - once to season and then 2 days later to use. I didn't have any issue with smoke coming out of the door, but maybe I just got kind of lucky. I did get some out of the lid

here is a picture from my one time of use - you can see the smoke coming from the top lid but not door.

Smoker 031.JPG

krubby

Dec 23, 2014

I used the section with the slit and both my probes fit great. I felt the small hole when trying to jam the BBQ straight probe through was really tough and didn't want to chance it so I didn't. I also just purchased the 6 foot probes from Todd with Amazen Products and they are awesome, wish I did it earlier!!!!!!

Thanks,
Tony

shoebe · Dec 24, 2014

I replaced my door on my WSM 22.5 with one from these guys...works great sealed right up

http://cajunbandit.com/wsm-parts-mods/

noboundaries · Dec 24, 2014

exromenyer said:
Where did you get your kit?

Thank you,
Tony

Picked it up off Amazon. Search for WSM Gasket Kit. $23.50 + $4.50 shipping, not Prime eligible. Others may have it cheaper.

b-one · Dec 24, 2014

I use the small hole for smoker temp probe. If you buy the smoker from Ace Hardware they assemble for free.

krubby · Dec 24, 2014

exromenyer said:
My lid didn't leak like that. I have heard some guys on here state their lids were a but warped and Weber shipped them out a new one no questions asked. Their customer service was top notch when I needed a new igniter for my Genesis Grill.......

Tony

Actually when my smoker arrived originally the middle section was so bent up I couldn't even come close to getting the lid on, and I contacted Weber and they sent a new middle section immediately. now the top fits onto it just fine BUT now I am wondering if despite that I still have issues per your comment.

I may try 1-2 more smokes, and if I keep seeing leaks out of the lid like this I think I will call them and at least ask what they think may be the issue. I didn't realize it shouldn't be leaking out of the lid (outside of obviously the vent part)

WSM 18.5 has a new probe modification now? Anybody else know about this?

Meat Mopper

Epic Pitmaster

Newbie

Legendary Pitmaster

Master of the Pit

Meat Mopper

Newbie

Smoke Blower

Epic Pitmaster

Smoke Blower

Newbie

Epic Pitmaster

Meat Mopper

Meat Mopper

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

Meat Mopper

Smoking Fanatic

Epic Pitmaster

Legendary Pitmaster

Smoke Blower

Similar threads

Hot Threads