My Ideal Weber Kettle Grill

I'm sure this has been tossed around ad nauseum, but I am not savvy enough to search for it, so hear goes;
I have a 11 year old one touch platinum. This is the model with a built in counter along side of the kettle, but not the propane lighting system. It has served me well all these years, and has lived on my deck all that time. Now, it has some serious body cancer on the bottom, with a couple of holes eaten thru. The top is also rusting out around where the handle is welded onto the body, and the plastic counter surface is broken in two ever since my son tried to use it as a ladder! So this is the last season for this old bird! Got me thinking, what to replace it with? The current side table model is the obvious choice, but I really don't want or need the propane lighting system, as I use a chimney.
My ideal, if only weber would make it, is a side table rig (preferably wood) without the propane lighting system, or the charcoal storage bin. It would have a built in thermometer in the lid, and cast iron grates! (why won't they do this? - they have them on the gas models).
I have seriously pondered replacing with a Kamado, but the expense is an issue, as is the possibility of flashback, which I hear can really be dangerous.
So, what would you do??

you can still find the ones you want without the gas or storage bin on craigs list. if yer wanting wood then build yer own. seen it done. as to cast iron you can get that easily now. much cheaper than a kamado. both are not in the same plain so to discuss them is a non issue.

You COULD do a rebuild - call Weber and see what they would charge you for the bowl and lid from the current model, and a replacement table top for your current model. Somebody on the list did this, but I doubt you can save any money over buying a new one doing this. As George suggested, buying a used model off of CL probably is the way to go. As for the propane lighting feature - don't use it if you don't want to.

I have a Kamado Joe - same size as a large BGE - and in a year I've never had anything approaching a flashback (just remember to burp it) and I really enjoy cooking on it, but yes, indeed, they are pricey!

Start hanging out on CL - I'll bet you'll find your replacement for a reasonable price and THEN you can buy those cook cast-iron grates!

Pat

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Dave Cohen:
I really don't want or need the propane lighting system, as I use a chimney. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Before getting my Performer I thought this too. After getting it I think the propane ignition is my favorite thing about it. I light my chimneys with it. Sooo much better than newspapers or oil soaked paper towels, etc.

Good luck!!

Ponder this instead,
Pick up a CL find OTG, (BTW, this is a great price)
http://washingtondc.craigslist.../for/1994692176.html
As for the table, You can build one like George suggested, or here's some other choices,http://store.weber.com/Items/A...Detail.aspx?pid=1287
http://www.amazon.com/Weber-74...id=1286724932&sr=1-2
Or look for a used Platinum on CL.
http://annapolis.craigslist.org/hsh/1957752797.html
For the CIGs I'd get them from fellow member Larry Wolfe.
http://wolfepit.blogspot.com/2...on-grill-grates.html
Then the "Burping" can be caused by some cold ones you bought with the money you saved.
JMT

I agree with Don. I didn't really care about the propane assist either, I had my charcoal starting down to a science and didn't need it. Now it is also one of my favorite accessories on my Performer.

I'm with Don and John. I used to think: "300 bucks for a Weber kettle!!?? What a rip off!!". Boy was I wrong. It is a superior piece of equipment.

I used to have an OTP and liked it a lot. But starting the chimney with the propane assist is so darn easy, and clean.