2001 Weber Performer Deluxe SSP restoration


 
After much flailing and struggling, it is done except for the ignitor/burner kit and regulator which are on order. We salvaged the bail spools, cleaned up the damaged and melted one on the bench grinder, added a fiber washer to it connected by red RTV gasket filler.
Oh, I added a coat of VHT satin clear to the washers at the handle which I had sprayed with Stovebright forest green. That really worked out nicely.

We think the grill turned out passably well. There’s a vinyl Weber sticker coming for the tank.
Thanks for all of the helpful ideas and comments along the way.
 

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Great idea to put the sticker directly onto the propane tank since it's a specialized smaller tank and you will be keeping it and refilling it. I put mine on magnet sheets so that I can swap them from tank to tank on my larger tanks but in your case putting it directly on the tank is the way to go.
 
Great idea to put the sticker directly onto the propane tank since it's a specialized smaller tank and you will be keeping it and refilling it. I put mine on magnet sheets so that I can swap them from tank to tank on my larger tanks but in your case putting it directly on the tank is the way to go.
Your picture of your Performer gave me the idea, so thank you! The prospect of cutting and sewing a Weber 20 lb bag to size was a bridge too far for my talents or desires. I may ask my wife down the road… She’s incredibly crafty like that, and has a whole sewing station...
 
Very nice work, it's almost too nice to use. I did just notice that it's missing the tool hooks. I know I forget to put those back on sometimes myself, unless your grill didn't come with any for some reason.
It did not have them when I bought it, and they seem to be as rare as hens’ teeth. I would love to have them or purchase them, but otherwise I’ll have to go magnetic through Amazon- not my preferred option.
Very nice work, it's almost too nice to use. I did just notice that it's missing the tool hooks. I know I forget to put those back on sometimes myself, unless your grill didn't come with any for some reason.

Weber would be proud!
Maybe they would, perhaps they’ll see.(y)
 
This kettle has some thin spots, and the washers are nice to keep it going- doing the best we can, but in a couple of years, the firebowl and lid will need replacing.
I’ve never cooked on a kettle, so I’m going to jump in full throttle, and hope to get a replacement in the next year or two.
 
This kettle has some thin spots, and the washers are nice to keep it going- doing the best we can, but in a couple of years, the firebowl and lid will need replacing.
I’ve never cooked on a kettle, so I’m going to jump in full throttle, and hope to get a replacement in the next year or two.
Best way to replace bowl is to find a very good used donor grill. When I did my SSP, I harvested the lid and bowl off a latest model Gen 5 Performer because I liked the Copper color. There are other cool colors that came on various Performers over the years you could find, like Spring Green, Slate Blue, Red, etc...

Good upgrades I used from a Gen 5 Performer are the newer ash catcher system, electric ignition (1xAAA battery), gourmet grates, and especially the bigger lid bail that allows the lid to rest at 90 degrees for better access to grates while cooking with grill lid open. These are just nice-to-haves because all the generations of Performers are awesome grills. I just like the SSP the best. :)
 
If I was asked my opinion on a color for a new Weher kettle, I would submit the Medium Orange metallic 1973 Camaro color. Particularly as we’re leaning into Halloween, but is an absolutely beautiful, tasteful color.
 

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Best way to replace bowl is to find a very good used donor grill. When I did my SSP, I harvested the lid and bowl off a latest model Gen 5 Performer because I liked the Copper color. There are other cool colors that came on various Performers over the years you could find, like Spring Green, Slate Blue, Red, etc...

Good upgrades I used from a Gen 5 Performer are the newer ash catcher system, electric ignition (1xAAA battery), gourmet grates, and especially the bigger lid bail that allows the lid to rest at 90 degrees for better access to grates while cooking with grill lid open. These are just nice-to-haves because all the generations of Performers are awesome grills. I just like the SSP the best. :)
It is not easy to find a donor performer bowl and lid, but I’ve got a few years to look.
 
If I was asked my opinion on a color for a new Weher kettle, I would submit the Medium Orange metallic 1973 Camaro color. Particularly as we’re leaning into Halloween, but is an absolutely beautiful, tasteful color.
+1 here. I’d definitely be on board for that orange color.
 
Hi again, sorry to bother, but is this panel just supposed to lie here on top, loose? I thought the igniter button would lock it in, but no.
Thanks!
 

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Hi again, sorry to bother, but is this panel just supposed to lie here on top, loose? I thought the igniter button would lock it in, but no.
Thanks!
Correct. The original piezo ignition goes through hole in panel (and does not lock over the panel) which allows you to easily remove the loose panel to access the tank for removal.

If you use the electric ignition (Weber Igniter Kit #65737) from the Gen 5 Performer, the button's chrome bezel screws over the panel which essentially locks panel in place. In this case, you would need to unscrew bezel before removing panel to able to access tank for removal.
 

 

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