Got my first Weber Kettle, So I'm Here to Say Hello!


 
R

Rick Michaud

New member
Hi, I'm Rick! I'm from Dallas, Texas. I was today years old when I got my first Weber Kettle.

I saw this old thing on FaceBook MarketPlace and thought, "Wow! I've never seen one like this before!" Snatched it up and have started cleaning it up. It's not new, but it's new to me.

It was between this and a new Ivory Master Touch 22". So, I went super retro. It's in really great condition, too, so I figure it'll be great to learn on since I don't have to worry about messing it up.

I've looked all over for different old Weber Kettle models and haven't found any that quite look like this. I'm hoping some of you good people can help me nail down the exact model and when it was made. The woman I bought it from said it was given to the women that sold it to her as a wedding present in July of 1976.

I've been interested in grilling for a long time and I've looked at this forum plenty of times over the years. But I finally have my own Weber Kettle and am happy to join the club and get to grilling, at least when I get it put back together!

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Hi Rick,welcome from PA! Cool grill looks like a Happy Cooker, very similar to Weber.
Here’s some info that Chris A. posted awhile back about them.

Chris Allingham

Thread '1980s The Happy Cooker Recipe Booklet'

1980s The Happy Cooker Recipe Booklet

The Happy Cooker was a Weber kettle knock-off made by Unarco Industries in Paris, IL in the late 70s to late 80s. Unarco made 18.5" and 22.5" charcoal grills selling for $58 and $68 respectively, as well as some gas kettle grills. The Happy Cooker had some innovative features including a hinged lid and a removable ash catcher liner located below the charcoal grate. There was a deluxe version with adjustable height cooking grate and portable versions with two lid dampers and legs that could be adjusted so that the grill could stand tall or short...
 
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Welcome Rick, it probably says Happy Cooker on the handles or the base. They were a company that made Weber clones until Weber threatened to sue them for copyright infringement. At least I believe that's the story.
 
Steve Hoch said:
Welcome Rick, it probably says Happy Cooker on the handles or the base. They were a company that made Weber clones until Weber threatened to sue them for copyright infringement. At least I believe that's the story.
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DuaneMac said:
Hi Rick,welcome from PA! Cool grill looks like a Happy Cooker, very similar to Weber.
Here’s some info that Chris A. posted awhile back about them.

Chris Allingham

Thread '1980s The Happy Cooker Recipe Booklet'

1980s The Happy Cooker Recipe Booklet

The Happy Cooker was a Weber kettle knock-off made by Unarco Industries in Paris, IL in the late 70s to late 80s. Unarco made 18.5" and 22.5" charcoal grills selling for $58 and $68 respectively, as well as some gas kettle grills. The Happy Cooker had some innovative features including a hinged lid and a removable ash catcher liner located below the charcoal grate. There was a deluxe version with adjustable height cooking grate and portable versions with two lid dampers and legs that could be adjusted so that the grill could stand tall or short...
Click to expand...

Okay, now I just feel foolish. I'll show myself out...
 
No need to feel foolish, they’re really cool grills. They’ve got some neat features and I’d imagine are pretty rare being as they were only made for a short time. Get some wheels for it and cook on that awesome grill!
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Steve Hoch said:
Welcome Rick, it probably says Happy Cooker on the handles or the base. They were a company that made Weber clones until Weber threatened to sue them for copyright infringement. At least I believe that's the story.
Click to expand...

It does say Happy Cooker on the post. It's faded on the handle too, and now that I've cleaned the top vent really good, it looks like it says it there too.
 
Looks like you have the premium model with the adjustable grill height lever. I like the interior ash catcher they use too. Be sure and show us it all cleaned up and your first cooks too!
 
Joan said:
Hi Rick, WELCOME!!!!

I'm working on my PORK/RIB binder. What do you like to grill?
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I don't know what that means. I haven't grilled anything yet, I'm still cleaning up the one I bought. Plus, I'm feeling a little weird about posting here since I don't actually have a Weber, as it turns out...
 
DuaneMac said:
Looks like you have the premium model with the adjustable grill height lever. I like the interior ash catcher they use too. Be sure and show us it all cleaned up and your first cooks too!
Click to expand...
I would love to show progress pictures. I'm just not sure which forum to post them in. I've got most of the gunk off it.
 
Rick Michaud said:
I don't know what that means. I haven't grilled anything yet, I'm still cleaning up the one I bought. Plus, I'm feeling a little weird about posting here since I don't actually have a Weber, as it turns out...
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It would be nice if it WAS a WEBER, but grilling is grilling. I was just wondering if you have done any grilling and what was it.
 
Joan said:
It would be nice if it WAS a WEBER, but grilling is grilling. I was just wondering if you have done any grilling and what was it.
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Sorry! I guess my smiley face emoji didn't show up. :D

I'm a novice griller. I've recently burned some chicken on a Wal-Mart grill. It was both crispy and chewy at the same time, but at least it tasted horrible.

And I managed to catch a park grill stand completely on fire in June of this year. There wasn't even anything cooking, it was just charcoal. The fire dept. sorted that out

Oh! I once cooked a pork chop until it was resurrected as a hockey puck. Otherwise I'm a wizard in the kitchen. An evil wizard that starts lots of fires, my nick-name in the kitchen is "Stay Out!" I'm rather endeared to it.

😇
 
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