26.75 legs help


 
Dustin Flavell

Dustin Flavell

TVWBB Pro
Okay so I have had my 26.75 now for close to 2 years now. There are a few things that bug me about it like the small fins on the ash sweep and the chintzy legs holding this beast up. This is my go too grill I use it for everything. The performer and WSM just set green with envy covered in the corner as I use the 26er :) I am able to deal the ash sweep, but the legs are driving me nuts. Since I use this one the most I am concerned that the weak legs are going to give out on of these days.

Currently the grill surface is off level in the front. I cook weekend breakfast on this big dude and am having a hard time evenly cook things like omelets in the CI since the eggs want to move to the down side of the skillet. I have been using a block to level it up, but would prefer to strengthen the legs instead of shimming.

Looking for some ideas. Thought about putting wood or steel bar inside the legs to strengthen? Anyone else out there tried this? Other ideas to beef up the legs?

Thanks
 
Although I've owned my 26.75 for about a year and a half the legs on mine are still as good as new. Grill's only been used 7 or 8 times so it hasn't been moved around much. I consider Gary S the resident "expert" on the 26.75. I'm sure he'll chime in.
 
Mine is on a concrete patio, so no issues there. But, I've heard standard copper pipe is a direct fit inside the legs. Take the front leg to Home Depot to be sure, but a 10' length of pipe might make you at ease.
 
W Tyler said:
Although I've owned my 26.75 for about a year and a half the legs on mine are still as good as new. Grill's only been used 7 or 8 times so it hasn't been moved around much. I consider Gary S the resident "expert" on the 26.75. I'm sure he'll chime in.
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W Tyler I agree with you about Gary S being the resident expert on these 26ers! I've only been a member since June and read through a lot of old posts that he chimed in on that have been real helpful. I was complaining about the ash sweep on these big guys and he suggested going to a smaller charcoal grate...I did that and it really help getting the ash down to where the fins to sweep it away. What do you think Gary S? Got any suggestions regarding my wimpy legs :D
 
the problem with those legs is that they are not really very secure. I don't move mine much at all so don't worry about it.
have renovated many that had loose legs. to me all three legs need to be braced together. use some braket material or thin conduit pipe. just flatten it
where you would wrap it around a leg. then secure with a bolt. doesn't need to be a big bolt thus not weakening the leg.
 
Though i've not done it, I've heard of guys puting a dowel rod in the leg and then using a self tapping screw thru the fitting in thru the metal into the wood.
 
Hi Guys. The real problem you are dealing with is leverage. Leverage works the leg mounts which are tack welded to the bowl. The leverage causes a stretching of the metal at the weld point and it's not something you can easily repair unless you find a way to join the legs together. Black iron pipe as an example might work as long as the legs were connected together. This way you have the resistance of three legs as opposed to only one. So much depends on how handy you are or what you are willing to spend or have done for you. Unfortunately the 26 is known for this problem. It is a shame Weber would not just put a frame under this kettle. If they did that along with a handle at the front it would be so much better.
I recognised that problem before I bought mine and that's why I built my frame but unfortunately I know of no easy fix for you.
 
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@ George: George no disrespect calling Gary S. the resident expert on the 26ers. I've read a lot of your posts and I consider an expert on all Weber grills! I like your idea, but I wonder if bracing that way would get in the way when removing the ash bucket. I guess I could run some twine where I think I could brace then see if it works before I start adding the thin steel to brace.

@Dwain: Yeah when I said using wood this is kind of what I was thinking. The only reason I hesitate on this route is taking a leg off and going into town (45 min. 1 way from the ranch) to get the right size. I have a some dowels here but they are all too big. I have a pile of steel in the bone yard that might work, but it would be more difficult to work with...
 
Gary S said:
Hi Guys. The real problem you are dealing with is leverage. Leverage attacks the leg mounts which are tack welded to the bowl. The leverage causes a stretching of the metal at the weld point and it's not something you can easily repair unless you find a way to join the legs together. Black iron pipe as an example might work as long as the legs were connected together. This way you have the resistance of three legs as opposed to only one. So much depends on how handy you are or what you are willing to spend or have done for you. Unfortunately the 26 is known for this problem. It is a shame Weber would not just put a frame under this kettle. If they did that along with a handle at the front it would be so much better.
I recognised that problem before I bought mine and that's why I built my frame but unfortunately I know of no easy fix for you.
Click to expand...

Gary, I remember reading a post awhile back about the frame you built for yours. If you don't mind me asking how did you attach the kettle to the frame? Did you weld it or drill and attach to the frame? I'll go do a search and see if I can find that string. I have a performer and have thought about building something like this for the 26 just to beef up the base it sets on. Doesn't need to be like the performer just somthing more heavy duty than those dog gone light weight legs. I use this 26 for everything and would really like to beef it up...
 
http://tvwbb.com/showthread.php?38610-Webber-26-75-OTG-Mods&highlight=Webber+mods

Don Houston started the post and at the time I was beginning to do my custom kettle. I posted pretty much everything under this post.

I have the leg sockets sitting at the back on two tabs and on the front sitting on the pipe frame I made. You will see the kettle photos of how it's fastened. I also have two 1/8" straps on either side of the bowl where I drilled and bolted the kettle to the straps. The holes are oversize and lock washer tight but not so tight as to cause any deflection of the metal.

Really guys what I did was decide I wanted a 26 and copied the OTP frame as best I could. It is so simple I just don't get Weber not doing something like this for the 26 because the kettle is so versatile yet so well known for its weak legs.
 
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Dustin, you can drill a 1/4" hole thru each leg socket and leg. Then insert a bolt and tighten with lock washer and nut. You can also run self tapping screws thru the leg sockets and legs.
 
I like the idea of putting a 26 on a cart similar to to old stainless Performers.
Of course it would be a project, but would eliminate the aggravation.
 
Thanks for the input all. George that picture helped I like the look of that but agree with Gary about the legs needing to be stronger as well.
After cooking on the performer last night and talking with Gary S a bit I think I am going to address the legs in a way that will also yield a work table.

Going to put some thought into it today. I don't really care for the functionality of the performer and the large cart. I might build something similar to Gary S's design but with one side table. Then again I might build something similar to his since it is so dog gone cool. If I do that I'll call call it my big dog 26 sitting on a Gary S. frame! 😎
 
I think the legs are strong enough. seen bent legs that didn't collapse. yes they get small in the sockets from the constant pounding when being moved.
but collapse ? not that i'm aware of. these were never deigned to be used much "off road" and for sure not moved constantly that many do.
so granted, some mods need to be made according to our usage. but in the end its yer grill so whatever you do will be the correct answer.
 
not sure how long I've had my 26"OTG (2 years possibly...), but I haven't had any issues with it.
And it's cooked on nearly everyday.

my biggest peeve is the last guy using it, never cleans the damn thing....
 
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