Craigslist find...

[JBaker]

I'm in the process of planning the build of a 500 - 600 square foot deck off of the back of the house. Access only from inside the house initially. It's a 50's ranch, LR on the back side. Has a walkout basement, and we look out from the living room towards Boston (45 miles) well over the tops of the houses the next street down. Residential, house fairly closely spaced. For the most part great neighbors. We've owned the house 30 years and are returning to it to eventually die. Life is good.

Just did a complete redo of the house, most of the work done by myself, only bring in electrician and gas fitter at the final stage. With the $$$ I saved I was able to put those towards a BlueStar range, a few upgraded appliances. It's still a simple 50's ranch, about 1000 square feet. Nothing special.Full unfinished walkout basement.

So, the deck has been in the festering mode in the back of my brain for a few years. I've been collecting stuff...

Found a big very nice quality stainless sink at the ReStore for about $40 last year. Stashed away.
Picked up water feed quality PVC to plumb the deck at a yard sale. Cheap.
Outdoor rated electrical cable and watertight boxes. Yardsale.
Found 4 pieces of laboratory counter slabs, unused, Craigslist freebies.
Vintage cast iron outdoor tables, chairs etc. Yard sales. Cheap.
Lots of other items.

For the past few weeks I've been looking and watching an ad on Craigslist for a Weber Silve 3 burner sidewinder. Natural gas....
Not ready for it yet. Next year maybe, when the deck is finished.
Last night needed to fire up a couple of items on the Weber LP on the driveway. Halfway through tank runs out. Replace it with a partial tank that was "acting funny" a few months back. Still acting funny. Finished up the food inside the house. Damn.

So, this morning, cruising Craigslist I notice the Weber NG is still available. I figured what the hell, sent an offer I was sure he'd refuse but maybe it might get something in motion. Pics looked good, but no real information.

Was contacted back within the hour. Offer accepted if I could pick it up immediately. Say what? Got the address, got the wife's Forester, got some tools together (must make up a Go Bag soon...), got the address. About an hour away.

He met me in the driveway, invited me to drive around back. Residential, but on an old main road (New England style). Big, I mean big two car garage in the back. Tall.
Opens the right side, there's the grill. I was pleased. I'll let the pics speak for themselves.

Pulled off the head, pulled out the grates and flavorers, loaded it in the back of the Forester. He stated "you seem to know what you're doing?".

We ended up having another half hour chat. Nice, nice gentleman. And a nice garage. With a full lift. Jealous....

It was a good morning.

But then I went to IKEA, it was close by. Oh my.

I'll end up doing a full restore on the grill with stainless, then mothball it in the basement until the deck is complete. Not much needs to be done.

 

[Rich Dahl]

Nice find, looks like it's really well taken care of. I have an NG sidewinder E320 plus a 1998 LX sidewinder I've had since new, great grills. The best part is the NG E320 no more hassling propane tanks.

 

[LMichaels]

Well damn whatever you paid for that you didn't pay enough

 

[JBaker]

Well damn whatever you paid for that you didn't pay enough

I did feel a little guilty, but I gave him $5 more than we agreed on. I didn't have the exact amount on me.

It was a good day. Now if I can just get started on the deck....

 

[Kevin L (NKY)]

That sir is a sweet grill that has been taken care of like his garage it sounds. I have never gotten a grill that clean you could cook on that tonight.

 

[JSaus]

I'll end up doing a full restore on the grill with stainless, then mothball it in the basement until the deck is complete. Not much needs to be done.

After 20 years with my Silver B and stainless grates, I got a new Weber with cast iron grates. I know they will not last as long, but I like them a lot better. Do not be too quick to replace.

 

[JBaker]

I prefer the cast iron. These are in excellent, almost new condition. I'm still amazed at the condition overall of the grill.

 

[Jay D in Jersey]

Don't be too quick to lose the cast iron grates. I have them on both of my Weber Spirits one that lives outdoors 40 yards from the Cape May County NJ back bay and remains uncovered for every season but Winter. It's an extremely harsh environment with high winds, salt air, high humidity and the cast iron grates do just fine with minimal effort to keep seasoned.