Non-SSP Performer Questions

[Peter_M]

I’m looking at picking up my first non-SSP.

I prefer the older one with the black frame and the stainless front panel.


On the newer style with the grey frame and painted front panel, is the bottom shelf stainless?


Are the shelves interchangeable? Can I install the Stainless(?) shelf from a painted frame unit onto a black frame unit?

Anything to be aware of when looking at these?

They seem a lot more durable in the elements than an SSP.

 

[Mike-GA]

Th newer metal table on the SS front panel/black Gen 2 frame would look great. I believe the tables are interchangeable. I thought I read the metal table was sent out as a warranty replacement for cracked plastic table for some Performer models.

I'd suggest using several parts from the newer painted silver version which is the latest version Performer such as the whole newer lid and bowl assembly. It has the larger lid bale (which is a big plus), newer one touch ash system, Lid with taco heat shield and newer thermometer placement. It also has the electric ignition and gourmet grate. The owner already has an adapter hose for a 20lb tank (or could use a 5lb) which will save you time/money in the future over the 1lb bottles. I'd place the tank further away from the hot bowl than owner does such as on the ground. I don't think the bottom rack is SS but maybe coated because I had to scrub off rust when I had this version. It is likely interchangeable with older black rack but I'm not absolutely sure.

All Performers are awesome/durable. The old Gen 1 SSP is built like a tank and I think is the most durable of all Performers. It's like the 1990's Genesis gas grills. I think it comes down to which version Performer you like best.

 

[Peter_M]

Excellent, thank you.

I’m partial to the SSP; this grill will be in a salt water environment which is consuming my SSP.

Hopefully the new frame style will be less susceptible to corrosion. The attached pics are of the SSP that was refurbed 7 or 8 years ago, with all surface rust removed and the inside of the tubes coated with POR15. I have, admittedly, been neglectful in addressing the corrosion as it has progressed.

I’m going to move my red bowl to it, which has the new lid bale and the original One Touch which has been modified with graduations indicating the position of the one touch. It does have the SS “H” One Touch and modified to not use the bar.

For sure, I’ll get the metal table and have an electronic igniter for it.

Is the bottom shelf on the newer Performers integral or structural? Would they be sturdy without the wire shelf?

 

[Mike-GA]

Excellent, thank you.

I’m partial to the SSP; this grill will be in a salt water environment which is consuming my SSP.

Hopefully the new frame style will be less susceptible to corrosion. The attached pics are of the SSP that was refurbed 7 or 8 years ago, with all surface rust removed and the inside of the tubes coated with POR15. I have, admittedly, been neglectful in addressing the corrosion as it has progressed.

I’m going to move my red bowl to it, which has the new lid bale and the original One Touch which has been modified with graduations indicating the position of the one touch. It does have the SS “H” One Touch and modified to not use the bar.

For sure, I’ll get the metal table and have an electronic igniter for it.

Is the bottom shelf on the newer Performers integral or structural? Would they be sturdy without the wire shelf?

The graduation marks re a nice touch on your SSP. Yeah, that is a lot of rust on your SSP... tough environment. My area is more mild so the only thing rusting on my SSP is the axle rod. Looks like your axle rod somehow escaped the rust.

When you use the metal table from the newer Performer, make sure to touch up any small nicks exposing bare metal with paint to avoid rust. Occasionally in pics of Used Performers for sale listings when I see rust is present it seems to emanate from screw holes and sometimes bubbling up in random spots through finish on top.

I don't think the bottom rack on the newer Performers adds much structure. (See pic below I found on the web). It looks like 2 continuous bent tubes creates a backbone of strength with the structure coming together mostly from bowl bracket & table screwed on the top and the plastic cross members on the bottom. You could try without the rack to see if it's still sturdy and report your findings back to us.

 

[Peter_M]

This is excellent, again, thank you.

It’s great to see the naked frame. My concern with the bottom shelf is not that I don’t want it, but, more what will happen when it rots away. Hopefully, I can I can mitigate rust on the two frame members. Fewer joints will help for sure.

I’m going to try to grab the black frame Performer above.

RE axle: I always use 3/8” SS rod when I rehab an SSP. I make anything SS that can be made SS. (I also use nicer wheels.)

 

[Mike-GA]

This is excellent, again, thank you.

It’s great to see the naked frame. My concern with the bottom shelf is not that I don’t want it, but, more what will happen when it rots away. Hopefully, I can I can mitigate rust on the two frame members. Fewer joints will help for sure.

I’m going to try to grab the black frame Performer above.

RE axle: I always use 3/8” SS rod when I rehab an SSP. I make anything SS that can be made SS. (I also use nicer wheels.)

Good plan... it should turn out good looking. Post some pics as you make it your own. We love pics.

SS Axle: Where is a good place to buy a 3/8" SS rod?

 

[Peter_M]

I don’t know how this compares to other suppliers, this is where I have purchased it. They used to have a location near my house, but have moved to a different part of town. I think it was the only location, the seem to have multiple locations, or maybe partners now. I recently bought some 3/16” rod to use as a hinge rod for a SSP table lid (which I ended up not needing) and it came from a different city, not the facility closest to me. You can order them cut to size.

I’ll try to look up what alloy and sizes I have ordered.

Online Metals

At any rate, they may not be the best source, but, are easy to order low volume.

 

[Peter_M]

These are my orders from 2016 & 2017.

The shorter one is for the OEM wheels and the longer for heavier duty aftermarket wheels.
Aftermarket wheels (In couldn't find this wheel this fall and used a similar from Tractor Supply where I bought my latest 5gal. LPG tank; Tractor Supply site offline now or I’d send the new wheel.)

Note that the after market wheels require 3/8” to 5/8” bushings to work on the 3/8” axle.

The square tubes were for use as frame rails which weren’t available at the time. I had them powdered coated and they were indistinguishable from oem.

At that time, I built an SSP from new old stock replacement parts: frame rails, tank holder, control panel, and charcoal bin were not available new; everything else was. I didn’t keep track of the cost, but it is likely the most expensive SSP ever built, much more than retail.

Looking for the bushings I used for the wheels above, which I could not find, I did run across the invoice from Appliance Factory Parts where I bought the SSP frame pieces and have attached it for your amusement, from March 2016.

 

[Mike-GA]

These are my orders from 2016 & 2017.

The shorter one is for the OEM wheels and the longer for heavier duty aftermarket wheels.
Aftermarket wheels (In couldn't find this wheel this fall and used a similar from Tractor Supply where I bought my latest 5gal. LPG tank; Tractor Supply site offline now or I’d send the new wheel.)

Note that the after market wheels require 3/8” to 5/8” bushings to work on the 3/8” axle.

The square tubes were for use as frame rails which weren’t available at the time. I had them powdered coated and they were indistinguishable from oem.

At that time, I built an SSP from new replace not parts: frame rails, tank holder, control panel, and charcoal bin were not available new everything else was. I didn’t keep track of the cost, but it is likely the most expensive SSP ever built, much more than retail.

Looking for the bushings I used for the wheels above, which I could not find, I did run across the invoice from Appliance Factory Parts where I bought the SSP frame pieces and have attached it for your amusement, from March 2016.

Great info! Going to look into this more. Thanks.

 

[Brian B Atlanta]

I have a gen 3 and did get the metal table as a warranty item. Its stupid expensive now I replaced the screws they gave me with stainless not noticed any rust around those screw holes but mine is also covered. For sure on the gen 3 that rack is not stainless. I am not a heavy charcoal user I never saw the need to go to a 20lb tank I usually get over a year and a half out of the 1lb. I put 14 briqs in my chimney starter light it for about 4 minutes shut it off and let it do its thing.

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