Eric Aarseth
TVWBB Super Fan
I noticed a 2-3" band of cracking in the porcelain of my 26" weber kettle. The band spanned the full 360 around the kettle; parallel to and at the height of the charcoal grate. I called Weber Customer Service, they asked me what type of fuel I used in the kettle. When I told him lump charcoal, he told me that Weber kettles are not designed or warranted for the high heat of lump charcoal. He said the instructions warned to only use briquette-style charcoal but it doesn't burn as hot.
Maybe all of you knew this; I did not. So be forewarned, your kettle finish may crack from lump charcoal use.
My use is that I build a fire on one-half of the kettle and leave the other half without fire as the cool side. I do a lot of grill-roasting. I also will do chickens in the middle, and build fires on either side. Pretty typical grilling techniques, but the 26" kettle didn't handle the heat. I have not noticed that same cracking in my 22" kettle's.
Eric
Maybe all of you knew this; I did not. So be forewarned, your kettle finish may crack from lump charcoal use.
My use is that I build a fire on one-half of the kettle and leave the other half without fire as the cool side. I do a lot of grill-roasting. I also will do chickens in the middle, and build fires on either side. Pretty typical grilling techniques, but the 26" kettle didn't handle the heat. I have not noticed that same cracking in my 22" kettle's.
Eric