Jon Tofte
TVWBB 1-Star Olympian
I recently was able to pick up a pretty old "patent pending" 26 inch red kettle. It has a number of battle scars, but nothing like the one that went for over $100 plus $120 shipping on eBay not too long ago! I got this one for $35. It has a missing handle and one of the leg holders was rusted off and put back with screws.
A fellow member of the Weber Kettle Club is helping me out with a spare metal handle, and I am hoping to get it and the leg piece welded back on. Missing the top wood handle - WKC member makes perfect replicas of these. Also missing the ash pan, but there is another guy on WKC who makes amazing replacements. The other big challenge, as many of you know, is that these old 26 flat-tops were built differently than the current 26'ers. The grates sit lower (since the dome was low and flat). Thus they are a smaller size than the current offering for replacements, making getting a new grate that fits a tall order. I am trying out a soak of the original grate in a similar product to Evaporust. I don't plan to use the grate for searing or other direct cooking, so as long as I can get the rust off and get it oiled it would be OK with me. I expect to use this grill where it shines: doing full racks of ribs! For that, the ribs would most likely be in a rib rack.
Any suggestions on replacement grates or other repairs will be gladly received!
A fellow member of the Weber Kettle Club is helping me out with a spare metal handle, and I am hoping to get it and the leg piece welded back on. Missing the top wood handle - WKC member makes perfect replicas of these. Also missing the ash pan, but there is another guy on WKC who makes amazing replacements. The other big challenge, as many of you know, is that these old 26 flat-tops were built differently than the current 26'ers. The grates sit lower (since the dome was low and flat). Thus they are a smaller size than the current offering for replacements, making getting a new grate that fits a tall order. I am trying out a soak of the original grate in a similar product to Evaporust. I don't plan to use the grate for searing or other direct cooking, so as long as I can get the rust off and get it oiled it would be OK with me. I expect to use this grill where it shines: doing full racks of ribs! For that, the ribs would most likely be in a rib rack.
Any suggestions on replacement grates or other repairs will be gladly received!