Thermometer access

Having got my Maverick thermometer, I was worried about pinching the wire between stackers. I've been using the top vent for access, but this is not ideal, so I decided to put an eyelet into the top of each stacker.

I bought a couple of 1/4" panel mount guitar input sockets from my local guitar shop (cost less than £2) with a couple of extra lock nuts.



I cut off the 'connector' bits leaving just the threaded shaft. I filed it flat & cleaned up any potential sharp bits from where I'd cut.

I then took the stackers from my frontier, put a couple of planks of wood on the floor to rest the edge on & marked a point inside about 1" from the top & 4" from the handle fixing screw.

The idea was that the wire would come in above the grate (though on mine, one of the grates is mounted at the very top of the stacker)

From the inside of the stacker out, I then drilled a small pilot hole (I used 7/16") through the metal into the wood below. I drilled inside out so I didn't put any pressure on the stacker & turn it oval.

I then went through with a 9mm drill, into the wood again. I cleaned up the edges put in the threaded socket, with a nut & washer one side, & a nut & washer on the other side locking it all in place. I Repeated the process with the second stacker & here are the results.









If I'm not using one of the holes, I just push a bit of paper in to block it

Man that is outstanding!!!!!

I'm going to have a rummage through my junk box this weekend to see if I have one. Thanks for the brilian idea!

The mod's I can do, it's the cooking I struggle with

There's a unique idea...hadn't seen that one yet. Good show!

I'm having trouble finding those and we don't have a Radio Shack anywhere I can think of, any ideas where to find them?

Any good guitar shop will stock them, give me the area you are in & I'll advise a good shop for you. It's a 1/4" barrel type guitar input socket your after.

Great idea!

Hey Adie, I'd reply but all the posts from yesterday have disappeared, so I can see you've posted... but I don't know what you've put

How bizarre, I was just posting to Al a link to Maplin in Swindon:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/NearestStore.aspx?doy=22m9&scmd=viewStore&StoreID=106&location=415300.00,185800.00

I would assume that they are likely to have the part in that you mentioned.

I have one nearby here so I might nip in and see if they have that plug.

You need a Guitar shop. Kempster & Son in Swindon, 98 Commercial Rd, Swindon SN1 5PL (01973 533 523) will definitely have one, as for Nottingham, I would think Nottingham Drum & Guitar Centre, Cranbrook St. Hockley. Nottingham NG1 1ES (0115 8414148) would be worth a try.

Thanks Novice I picked them up today.

It's a pleasure, let me know how you get on.

Will do.
I picked up three of them but I have to say I'm a bit about drilling my smoker.

It's all for the Q gods so what the he!! right.

Novice I think you should reconsider your name... "Novice" seems a little redundant now!

Dr Ky, I was worried to, I used a small dot punch (a small dent with a nail will do) so I wouldn't slip, & then a pilot hole (the drill sizes are listed above). The sides are just painted metal, not porcelain coated so it was easy no chips. (make sure you have metal drills, not masonry or wood).

AWG, thanks for your vote of confidence, I'm not sure it's warranted. I've never really used a forum before this one & to be honest I thought I would only use it initially to ask stupid questions (i don't know anyone else with a smoker to ask). I never expected to be posting after I got to understand the basics, but you kind of get hooked don't you. Maybe I'll have a think of a more appropriate name.......

'not quite as much as a novice as he was before'?

Doesn't really roll of the tongue does it

I'm all set with the equipment ( I left the Hilti bits for another day lol) except for I didn't pick up the extra bolts from the store so grabbed some from work...but I left them in my locker. :doh:

At some point I need to get my head hard wired to my a..!

You got the right sockets. I just pulled off the long connectors & plastic insulation with some pliers & cut down the part they were seated on flush. You end up with a threaded tube with what looks like a thick washer fixed at one end. Just smooth off any rough edges with a file & some emery paper & your away!

Good luck, but I don't think you'll find it hard.

Did you find time to do this Al?

Hey guys I finally got around to doing the mod over Christmas.


Thanks Adie there couldn't have been an easier mod on the planet. We should all get around to knocking this one out.