Over time, lid thermometers can become stuck or even break leaving you with no proper heat indicator on your grill. Replacing it with a new one can be very simple - just follow the steps below!

Replacing the lid thermometer on your BBQ is generally an easy task that should only take a few minutes to complete. We always recommend using the correct manufacturers replacent part if possible as it will provide the best fitment and ensure a correct temperature reading.

Step One: Removing The Damaged Thermometer

Most lid mounted thermometers are held on by a retaining nut on the back side of the BBQ lid similar to the picture below:

 

Open your grills lid and have a look on the back side behind the thermometer for the post and retaining nut. Some brands will use a wing nut, others a standard retaining nut, but either way you are going to want to loosen off the hardware so that the old thermo can be removed.

If the nut is stuck and you can't turn it by hand, try using a set of channel locks or pliers to get a better grip, but do not use excessive force. If the nut still will not budge, we recommend spraying a small amount of penetrating oil onto the threads and allow it to sit for at least 15 min before attempting again to remove. Always clean off the oil and do a short burn off to ensure no chemicals are left behind.

In extreme cases it is sometimes helpful to bring the grill up to temperature in an effort to losen the stuck nut - but be very careful as you will now need to use protective gloves etc while working with the hot grill. If you are able to loosen the nut allow the grill to cool significantly before installing the replacement.

We hope this article is helpful! But if you're still having trouble with your thermometer, feel free to give us a call at the store and we will do our best to come up with a solution.

 

- The Johnstone's Team