Picked up a SS Performer. Restoration to be started this weekend


 

JohnS NJ

TVWBB Fan
Picked up a free SS Performer just before it’s about to rain. Everything looks to be the original parts along with a friable Weber grill cover.

Looks to be in decent shape for a grill that is dated on 2000. Never restored one before. But do you restore the frame the same way as a x000 gas grill?
Will take more pics tomorrow since the downpour started.
 

Attachments

  • E1548EFF-DE7B-4F2F-8A30-24BD388695D9.jpeg
    E1548EFF-DE7B-4F2F-8A30-24BD388695D9.jpeg
    238.8 KB · Views: 38
Yeah, the frame is practically identical to a Genesis of the same era. Just remember that the gray end plugs go next to the bowl when it goes back together.
 
Very similar to the gas grill frame. After you take it apart, you'll probably want to use some new bolts when you put it back together. Like most Weber grills, the bolt thread is 1/4-20.

And you might want to order some of these.


 
Oh, and when you have it all broken down. make sure to spray the INSIDE of the frame tubing...not to make it look pretty, but to prevent it from rusting from inside-out.
 
Thanks. I still have a stock pile of various bolts for my x000 gas grill restos.
This will be my first charcoal restoration. Hoping for good weather this weekend so I can break it down.
 
Tested the gas and it works! The burner looks intact. Looks intact with cracks but might change it out for safety reasons. It even came with the Charcoal scooper and adapter to refill the tank.

can someone chime in on removing the bowl from the frame. Bolts look aged. Concerned I might crack the porcelain. Any advice?
Below are some pic
 

Attachments

  • 4771668F-A5A5-4201-8A6B-5C5E27D0554F.jpeg
    4771668F-A5A5-4201-8A6B-5C5E27D0554F.jpeg
    283.6 KB · Views: 42
  • 92757A4C-BABB-4CF3-A3BE-2E835B99720D.jpeg
    92757A4C-BABB-4CF3-A3BE-2E835B99720D.jpeg
    224 KB · Views: 37
  • 59F50763-C9E5-4CBC-BCD0-46AE80CFD9DA.jpeg
    59F50763-C9E5-4CBC-BCD0-46AE80CFD9DA.jpeg
    224.1 KB · Views: 36
  • 77411B01-CD94-4A7A-ACF7-F281D0484928.jpeg
    77411B01-CD94-4A7A-ACF7-F281D0484928.jpeg
    229.3 KB · Views: 36
  • 8CFD2427-7233-4C1B-8800-CCC381630C42.jpeg
    8CFD2427-7233-4C1B-8800-CCC381630C42.jpeg
    192.3 KB · Views: 33
  • 71C41656-3F0B-4CBD-B95E-EB112E27267C.jpeg
    71C41656-3F0B-4CBD-B95E-EB112E27267C.jpeg
    133.4 KB · Views: 38
  • A0408A4F-B366-47F7-BC9B-EEF31DAE6B7F.jpeg
    A0408A4F-B366-47F7-BC9B-EEF31DAE6B7F.jpeg
    157.1 KB · Views: 39
No worries on the bolts that hold the bowl to the frame. Take them off and toss them. Replace with new bolt, nut, washers. You might want to reuse the black washers.

The bolts that hold the burner tube on to the bowl are usually a huge PIA. I usually use a ratchet on 1 side and vice grip on the other
 
Decided to start breaking it down and letting nature give it a natural shower. Starting to remove the bolts that holds the bowl to the frame and noticed 2 issues. One is the external rust and cracks on the porcelain. Some have a good amount of putting and I’m concerned that it will break through soon. Then found one that did make a hole already. I’m sure I can paint over the cracks. But what to do able filling them (if that’s possible).
 

Attachments

  • 9AF22118-EA34-4367-AF5F-53779C7957F1.jpeg
    9AF22118-EA34-4367-AF5F-53779C7957F1.jpeg
    150.4 KB · Views: 32
  • 354EDC36-3885-4C3E-B1F2-BCFA073EADBF.jpeg
    354EDC36-3885-4C3E-B1F2-BCFA073EADBF.jpeg
    220.1 KB · Views: 33
JohnS, not sure I have seen a bowl like that before my quess did not use charcoal baskets kept banking coals on the bottom did it have a charcoal grate? I did a friends recently but no damage like that filled it with JB weld but those holes were not burned in all the way thru used a high temp paint over the jb weld.

Let others way in to me that is toast cracks are no big deal in an old kettle rusting all the way thru is a big deal. I did a performer for a friend recently had to drill those screws that had the burner tube to get them out if the burner is cracked near the end that is not an issue his was also and did not bother anything only using the assist to get your chimney or whatever going.
 
I have been wondering about the propane tank on those old performers. What size are they, and how can they be filled if older than 12 years? I heard it is prohibitively expensive to have tanks recertified.
Thanks
 
John NJ,

You've got burn-through on that bowl. That happens when you bank the hot charcoal against the side of the kettle...if you do that a lot for years, that's what happens. Not really a fix for it, just worn out unfortunately.
I had a Performer with a similar issue. I ended up buying a newer used Performer off Facebook Marketplace and swapped the bowl and lid from it over to my stainless steel frame. Put the old bowl and lid over to the one I bought and re-sold it....guy that bought it wasn't bothered with the burn-through issue when he bought it.

Joe,
Getting the tank recertification, I've heard is pretty easy and cheap in the Midwest. I can't even find a company that offers that service on the North Georgia area.
But you can actually self-fill those tanks using a big 20 lb tank...it's just maybe not super safe, but I live dangerously.
 
John NJ,

You've got burn-through on that bowl. That happens when you bank the hot charcoal against the side of the kettle...if you do that a lot for years, that's what happens. Not really a fix for it, just worn out unfortunately.
I had a Performer with a similar issue. I ended up buying a newer used Performer off Facebook Marketplace and swapped the bowl and lid from it over to my stainless steel frame. Put the old bowl and lid over to the one I bought and re-sold it....guy that bought it wasn't bothered with the burn-through issue when he bought it.

Joe,
Getting the tank recertification, I've heard is pretty easy and cheap in the Midwest. I can't even find a company that offers that service on the North Georgia area.
But you can actually self-fill those tanks using a big 20 lb tank...it's just maybe not super safe, but I live dangerously.
Good to know. I fill the 1lb bottles my self also.
 
If you don’t care about looks, just drill out the hole, oil it and put a SS bolt through it with a flat washer and a nut. Gently tighten it so as to not crack anymore porcelain and done. If you want to spread out the stress of the washer to stronger metal use a fender washer. I did this around a rusted out leg hole in my old SJ and three years on it is still fine.
 
I have been wondering about the propane tank on those old performers. What size are they, and how can they be filled if older than 12 years? I heard it is prohibitively expensive to have tanks recertified.
Thanks
The tanks were 5lbs size.
 
Last edited:
Don’t want to go down a rabbit hole with this. Wasn’t planning on flipping this ….yet. Might just drill it and put a SS bolt in it. I mainly use gas and if I charcoal it’s on the Kamado. What I was thinking about was doing rotisserie on this where the hole doesn’t affect performance and control of the temp.
Now I have to work on getting the bolts off the bowl. They are rusted out. To be continued…
 
Disassembled and ready to clean. Good amount of rust with some areas of concern. Don’t think I need to weld so hoping I can spray some rust killer over it. Bowls looks heavily used. Do have some questions and assistance is always appreciated.
Not sure if I should remove the stainless brackets or not. This bowl was heavily used and I’m concerned about the porcelain cracking either further especially the inside of the bowl. Thoughts?

the stainless steel cover doesn’t seem to be able to come off the hinge. Can it be removed?
 

Attachments

  • 8A900E24-5F2E-4234-9309-F4F8F59748FE.jpeg
    8A900E24-5F2E-4234-9309-F4F8F59748FE.jpeg
    294.7 KB · Views: 27
  • 2DBCDB7A-E075-4D97-95F1-C2C6CA335272.jpeg
    2DBCDB7A-E075-4D97-95F1-C2C6CA335272.jpeg
    164.9 KB · Views: 26
  • 2EED4A44-73A9-4010-B295-3C00FEF3CEA4.jpeg
    2EED4A44-73A9-4010-B295-3C00FEF3CEA4.jpeg
    169.9 KB · Views: 26
  • 706E8FB3-B3A7-4A90-B6F3-4E759765C5DF.jpeg
    706E8FB3-B3A7-4A90-B6F3-4E759765C5DF.jpeg
    299.1 KB · Views: 24
  • 149806C8-1ADA-4C09-8D2B-290889B4959D.jpeg
    149806C8-1ADA-4C09-8D2B-290889B4959D.jpeg
    285.6 KB · Views: 26
  • B7AB441B-3A79-4061-AEC1-C8DC88DBB9C7.jpeg
    B7AB441B-3A79-4061-AEC1-C8DC88DBB9C7.jpeg
    358.7 KB · Views: 27
Did somebody whip that bowl with a crusty chain or something? I have not seen one that abused. What could have happened?
 
Don’t want to go down a rabbit hole with this. Wasn’t planning on flipping this ….yet. Might just drill it and put a SS bolt in it. I mainly use gas and if I charcoal it’s on the Kamado. What I was thinking about was doing rotisserie on this where the hole doesn’t affect performance and control of the temp.
Now I have to work on getting the bolts off the bowl. They are rusted out. To be continued…
If you change your mind about the whole rabbit hole thing, I'll be selling a nice blue performer bowl and lid in a few weeks.

As for the stainless bin cover, I believe I bent the hinge rod out of shape to get the cover off. It felt like something I shouldn't be doing but it worked.
 

 

Back
Top