Drilling a hole for ET-73

[johnnyo]

Hi, I got a Big Block coming.. Can I just drill Holes for inserting the probes for the ET-73, rather than inserting them through the chimney?

 

[pigcicles]

johnnyo - it's your show, you can do whatever you like with your smoker. But before you go drilling a hole in your GOSM, What concerns do you have that you would want to drill the hole instead of using the vent? There are many ways to get around problems, we'll help you find a good solution.

Keep Smokin

 

[johnnyo]

Thanks for your reply PigCicles.. Really no huge concern , only a couple of dumb thoughts.. one is the ditance for the probe wires to go, a foot or so to the chimney hole, then down to the ham or whatever on the bottom rack.. I was going by the old theory of mine, shortest distance between 2 points.. Second, I read somewhere on this forum that there were some concerns of the probe wire getting too hot, & to be careful.. so again I figured the chimney might get pretty hot.. Just trying to figure things out ahead so I don't screw something up..

 

[vulcan75001]

johnnyo
Hello there... I use the et-73 myself and have never had any problems with the probe wire....if you are concerned about the wire being too short..maverick has probes with 6' wires...check their web site...or if you still have the instruction sheet...they are listed there...

Later
Richard

 

[larry maddock]

yo johnyo,
theres no better approach--
than thinking ahead.

 

[smokin stang]

Johnnyo.
I drilled a small diameter hole in the back of my smoker like you are wanting to do probably to keep the probe wire out of your way. Just drill the hole large enough so you can insert the probe with .003 clearance or so for example.

 

[johnnyo]

Thanks all, yup I'll order the 6 Ft. probes... living in the land of 1 month summers & 11 months of tough sledding, I think I'll be looking at putting insulation on the outside in the future.. And reading about others putting insulation on & screwing it on, I kinda figured "what's one more hole",(no pun intended), of course that was before I got all your answers here.. now I just have to wait for it.. in the meantime, back to my little old wooden crapper style smoker, not fancy but it smokes..

 

[oillogger]

I own the ET-7 and Big Block. I have only used the top vent on my Big Block to insert the ET-7 probes thru and never had a problem reaching the lowest cooking grate. There should no need to drill holes in your new smoker.

 

[Dutch]

johnnyo- if you plan it right, mount the insulation where the mounting bolts for the rack supports are-You'll need to use a longer bolt to allow for the insulation and you don't have to worry about drilling any extra holes.

 

[johnnyo]

Thanks Oillogger, & Dutch , you should put Whiz in front of your name.. Great idea.. NOW, judging by the pics, the shiny part goes against the smoker, and the joints are all covered with the silver tape.. How about the insulation, will it get weathered bad?
looks like the blue plastic or paper is to the outside..