Got my Vieluxe, now what??
- Thread starter Loc
- Start date
Not many people are blessed to own a Vieluxe today.
Loc
TVWBB Fan
Thanks a lot Bruce, a more upbeat perspective for me to adopt.
If I do revive it, it may end up killing me instead. Earlier, I said there were a few bolts and nuts missing. One missing nut belonged to a bolt that holds the front of the sideburner down to the frame. Without it, a fully loaded and open shelf might seesaw the burners up off the frame. Luckily, I found replacements k-lock nuts at Fastenal.
However, while tightening the nut, it forces sideburner down onto the cam valve attached to the gas supply line to the sideburner.
I believe the cam valve is designed to be a safety feature, shutting off gas to sideburner when side table is closed. The sideburners were hardly used when I acquired the grill but I imagine when loaded with heavy pots, there would be even more pressure gradually rocking the cam valve loose??? I must secure the sideburner, but will I risk inadvertently getting torched by the cam valve safety feature???
Loc
TVWBB Fan
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I see your logic of keeping my working Gennie. Large+jumbo grill is ultimate combo. I must make more friends and family to justify this.
Len Dennis
TVWBB Diamond Member
Vieluxe: The Weber Luxury Grill You've Probably Never Heard Of - The Virtual Weber Gas Grill
Background In 2001, grilling was more popular than ever. According to the Barbecue Industry Association, over 15 million grills were sold in America the previous year, up 32% from 1997. About 75% of households owned a grill, and over 50% used them all year long. The most popular book at the time...
virtualwebergasgrill.com
Loc
TVWBB Fan
In contrast to the fully dressed form, this is the nearly naked skeleton underneath the Vieluxe (I’ve had no success lifting out the heavy heavy firebox):
Getting a bath:
The leg and fat ankles:
The underbelly (notice how the igniter cable is tucked neatly, care and pride taken during the hand build):
Roy-Parallax
TVWBB Pro
My God, that thing's build like an aircraft carrier.
Jon Tofte
TVWBB 1-Star Olympian
Loc,
It has so cool that you are posting these detail pictures. THANKS
! Most of us have never seen a Vieluxe in person. Yes, these grills were hand built and the attention to detail definitely shows. I doubt there are any gas grills with as much thought and detail put into their design and construction. Don’t get me wrong, there are some superb all stainless grills such as Fire Magic, Wolf, Lynx and a few others. I don’t think they have quite the reach for the stars design and craftsmanship, though. Hang in there - we are all enjoying the ride!
It has so cool that you are posting these detail pictures. THANKS
! Most of us have never seen a Vieluxe in person. Yes, these grills were hand built and the attention to detail definitely shows. I doubt there are any gas grills with as much thought and detail put into their design and construction. Don’t get me wrong, there are some superb all stainless grills such as Fire Magic, Wolf, Lynx and a few others. I don’t think they have quite the reach for the stars design and craftsmanship, though. Hang in there - we are all enjoying the ride!
Loc
TVWBB Fan
By contrast, this is the nearly naked skeleton underneath (the firebox is too heavy to lift out):
View attachment 44071
View attachment 44072
Ed P
TVWBB Platinum Member
When I look at something like this, it makes me think of the Jaguar automobile, that was the #1 luxury car for losing it's resale value after purchase at one time. Beautiful cars, but the people that can afford those cars can afford to buy new ones rather than maintain or repair their aging vehicles.
Jaguar has arguably made some of the most beautiful cars ever made (think XKE), and to me those cars are truly timeless. I think you have one of those timeless objects in the Vieluxe, and the previous owner's loss is definitely your gain! It's good to see these grills fall into the hands of people that care. Like I say, timeless...ageless. Congrats again!
Loc
TVWBB Fan
According to Chris Allingham’s writeup which includes the link to the Vieluxe brochure, the 56” version weighs in at:
440lbs
Perhaps Amazon adds 260lbs of:
Seriously, after I dragged the Vieluxe down the driveway, my first rehab purchase was ibuprofen. The second was ball bearing caster wheels (https://thecasterguy.com/product/3-12-x-1-14-polyurethane-on-polypropylene-wheel-15190/).
The third should have been antibiotic creme. A nightly ritual, an unforeseen consequence, of dismantling a Vieluxe is tweezing out metal splinters:
Ed P
TVWBB Platinum Member
The picture seems to show 2 people moving it out of the trailer...2 people would not be able lift 700lbs between them without some sort of apparatus, I don't think...but they are movers, after all! I saw 2 guys easily lift a 19cf refrigerator with a sling-like affair.
Yeah, I was looking at those earlier...are the originals rubber on a metal wheel? They look like metal in the pictures.
Sometimes you don't know you have them until they fester up.
Loc
TVWBB Fan
Movers had 8ft trailer with ramp to unload grill. Unfortunately, each wheel was either flatsided or seized from rubber debanding from plastic core due to age. It was figuratively and literally limping in.
As replacements, I ordered polyurethane on polypropylene core but upgraded to ball bearing shaft. Costing $6.84 each, it’s a guiltless splurge.
Btw, regardless of model or vintage, the Vieluxe shares one immutable trait: the scent. It was instantly familiar. You know, charred bits, cold grease, faint dish soap…it fills the hatchback and garage.