Another "Finally got a Performer" thread


 

ChadVKealey

TVWBB Pro
Just checked CL on a lark this morning and saw a SS Performer posted last night for $95 about a half hour from home. According to the seller it's only been used a few times, and it looks it. There's a bit of rust on the charcoal grate, but not a speck on the frame. There are also a few stains on the stainless top (?). It still has the 5 lb. tank, which the seller said he's never had filled. When I got home, I fired it up just to see and the gas ignition works flawlessly. I'll have to give the bowl and cooking grate a good cleaning tomorrow and it'll get a good workout cooking burgers on Saturday for my son's 10th birthday.











 
Thanks, guys! It wasn't easy fitting it into the back of my Focus, and the half-hour ride home with it hanging halfway out the hatch was a bit nerve-wracking, but it was worth it.

As near as I can tell, the only things missing are one of the tool hooks and the charcoal baskets (not sure if the SS performers came with those, but I've got a set already, so no big loss).

Now I just need to find a cover for it and figure out what to do with my old OTG. Well, to be more exact, they're probably about the same age, but the OTG has seen a LOT more action than this one.
 
Just like mine!!! That real estate is sure handy on this version of a performer. By the way, Weber has the cover for this model, About $45.
 
I started cleaning it last night and checked the date code on the lid. It's DH, which places it in 2004. Ironically, the OTG it's replacing is 2 years newer.

The bowl is in amazing condition; just a little bit of rust or corrosion on the one-touch sweepers, but they still seal pretty well against the bowl. The inside of the lid has a bit of "seasoning" build-up that's flaking in a few spots. I'm planning to just scrub the whole insides with some white vinegar on a scotchbrite pad.

The stainless panels have some water spots and a couple little spots were it looks like something rusty had been sitting on it. They should clean up pretty well with the stainless grill cleaner I use on my gasser.

Out of curiosity, does anyone sell a kit to convert these old guys to use the small propane tanks like the newer ones? When the tank I have runs out, I doubt I'll be able to get it filled; most places near me just exchange bulk tanks, so I figured I'll convert when it runs out.
 
Chad, I've mentioned before that you can get the original tank recertified at a "real" propane dealer. The ones that have huge tanks outside, not the local gas station. The place that I used is named PACER, here in town, cost for recertification and propane fill was less than $10. The recertified tank is good for several years. The small tank that comes with your performer lasts a season or more for me. Kinda nice to keep your Performer "stock". A new small tank the same size at HD was close to $50, and then you need the fittings--
 
Chad, I've mentioned before that you can get the original tank recertified at a "real" propane dealer. The ones that have huge tanks outside, not the local gas station. The place that I used is named PACER, here in town, cost for recertification and propane fill was less than $10. The recertified tank is good for several years. The small tank that comes with your performer lasts a season or more for me. Kinda nice to keep your Performer "stock". A new small tank the same size at HD was close to $50, and then you need the fittings--

Thanks, Tom. We have a place around the corner that sells all kinds of industrial gases (I buy bulk CO2 from them, and my neighbor gets his welding stuff there), but I've never thought of getting propane. I'll check with them the next time I'm there.

How frequently do you use the burner in yours? I'll most likely only use it once or maybe twice a week, so if you use yours twice as often, that same fill may last me a couple of years.
 

 

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