Thermometer holder adapter for smoker hood

[Paul Jones]

I have an electrically heated smoker I have used for almost twenty years. I like the electric version because it is easier to maintain a constant temperature (unless there is a strong wind with a wind chill factor) provided there is an accurate thermometer to monitor the smoking temperature.


Years ago I drilled a small hole in the dome above the smoking grates for a thermometer designed for another brand of smoker. It worked well but had to be removed each time I removed the hood to prevent it from falling out and breaking. I made an adapter with a set screw from 303 stainless steel rod for holding the thermometer. The adapter seats into a 1/2" hole the hood and has an extended boss, short threaded extension and secured with 1/2X13 nut. The thread on the adapter was single point chased on the lathe.

Shown below is the adapter in place on the smoker hood and photos of the part.


Electric smoker with dome temperature thermometer installed


New 303 stainless steel thermometer holder added to top of smoker dome


The 303 stainless steel thermometer holder is threaded 1/2-13 and uses a stainless steel nut and washer from the local hardware store. A 8-23 stainless steel set screw holds the thermometer is place but a knurled knob with an 8-32 threaded rod could be substituted,


Photo of completing the machining of the thermometer holder. Note the raised boss area fits into the thin sheet metal dome and prevents the holder from moving in the 1/2" hole in the dome.


Thank you for looking,

Paul Jones