Pimp My 26.75" Kettle


 
Steve Porter

Steve Porter

TVWBB Super Fan
Everyone knows the legs are not steady for the Weber 26.75" Kettle and I read about replacing them with the legs from the Weber Ranch Kettle on this forum so I decided to try that.
Here's a picture of the stock kettle:
https://plus.google.com/photos/115959677589766166852/photo/6090158537608439106
Here's the replacement legs before attaching:
https://plus.google.com/photos/115959677589766166852/photo/6090158638624166210
Next, the legs are modified by removing the ash tray supports and also taking 8.75" out of the cross braces:
https://plus.google.com/photos/115959677589766166852/photo/6090158647574121346
The new legs were then attached to each other using SS hardware, I was able to use the stock wheels in back, and found the castor wheels for the front at a local hardware store:
https://plus.google.com/photos/115959677589766166852/photo/6090158657239640914
The kettle bowl is attached to the legs using SS hardware, the bolt heads had to be on the inside to allow just enough clearance for the grill grate and the attachment tabs were bent slightly to conform to the bowl:
https://plus.google.com/photos/115959677589766166852/photo/6090158673577062802
https://plus.google.com/photos/115959677589766166852/photo/6090158694392344242
Plastic caps and some touch up high heat grill paint add the finishing touches:
https://plus.google.com/photos/115959677589766166852/photo/6090158743974095522
As part of the "Pimp My 26.75" Kettle" project I also ordered a rotisserie ring from Cajun Bandit and the spit and corded electric motor from One Grill. Both companies have great customer service and offer great products:
https://plus.google.com/photos/115959677589766166852/photo/6090158755043987634
The grill and rotisserie in action:
https://plus.google.com/photos/115959677589766166852/photo/6090158761522336130
By the time the chicken was done we were all hungry and I forgot to get pictures of the finished bird. The new legs work great, making the kettle extremely steady. I am very happy with the results and impressed with the difference the new legs make. I can't believe it would cost Weber that much more to offer these legs with this kettle, they already have the metal stock on hand and would only need to make the legs the same height as the Ranch grill but with no ash catcher supports and with shorter cross braces.
Next thing for my "Pimping" project is to attach a side shelf or shelves to the kettle. The legs are more than up to the task of handling extra weight of the shelves and whatever I would put on them. I'm going to look into using electrical conduit, bending it to the correct shape needed to attach to the legs below the kettle bowl and coming up to support the shelves.
Thanks to Stu for his great idea and to Gary for originally bringing it to my attention.
 
I get a 403 error "you do not have access to this page for each of the links that I tried. Maybe cause a Apple and Google aren't buddies these days?
 
image_zpsc1bf98dd.jpg
 
That does look awesome. If you have time could you give more details on removing the original ash pan supports and shortening and reattaching the cross brace tubes. Thanks
 
Here's a link to the original post on adding the Ranch Kettle legs to the 26.75" Kettle:http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/solution-to-wobbly-legs-on-a-26-otg/
This link will explain in greater detail what needs to be done to adapt the legs from Weber's Ranch Kettle to apply to the 26.75" Kettle. Basically you have to cut a section out of the center of the cross brace for each set of legs, thus making them fit the diameter of the 26.75" grill versus the Ranch Kettle, then rejoin the legs back together using square metal tubing available at most big box stores. Drilling some holes in the cross braces to hold the legs together again, drill a hole in the center of the cross braces to bolt the 2 sets of legs together where they overlap, and drill some holes in your kettle to attach the kettle to the legs. The whole project took about 8 hours to do, which includes disassembling the kettle, measuring, cutting, drilling and reassembly. I took my time with some breaks taken to eat and watch some football.
Only thing I am considering changing so far is to reverse the screws that attach the kettle to the legs, I mounted them the way I did to enable me to insert and remove the cooking grate, but after thinking about it I think if I reverse the screws and have the nuts on the inside of the kettle the cooking grate could just set on top of the screws and nuts and it would still work fine and I could still remove the grate then when needed.
This has been a fun project and I'm not done with it yet, shelves are next, it's just a matter of deciding just how I want to add them on, and if I want a shelf on both sides or just one side.
Here's another link to the website I ordered the Ranch Kettle legs from:http://www.ereplacementparts.com/we..._193086.html?gclid=CJvnkqiGhr0CFaw-MgodJlcAaw
They provided great service to me, there was a mix up on my order when they shipped me 2 of the same leg parts and I was missing another, they corrected the problem very quickly and professionally and I would buy from them again!
And once again I cannot overstate the difference the new legs make in the stability of the 26.75" Kettle(shouldn't we come up with a better name for this kettle?). It is just rock solid now sitting on it's new legs and I am absolutely glad I decided to switch to the new legs.
 
Whats your ideas for shelves or side tables?

I have some folding shelf brackets that would likely need a frame fab'd to bolt onto the legs since they are angled. I'm thinking something along the lines of what I did my Backwoods - going for the Stainless Steel Performer feel!

IMG_5553.jpg


IMG_5554.jpg
 
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Whats your ideas for shelves or side tables?
I like the idea of folding SS shelves, fabricating a way to attach them to the angled legs is the hang up for now. I'm bouncing some ideas around in my head but I want to be able to use off the shelf available hardware to do it. I think it can and will be done but need to study the options. Thanks Stu, your idea of using the Ranch legs was inspired! I still can't get over the difference the new legs make for the use of the grill.
 
Steve Porter said:
Whats your ideas for shelves or side tables?
I like the idea of folding SS shelves, fabricating a way to attach them to the angled legs is the hang up for now. I'm bouncing some ideas around in my head but I want to be able to use off the shelf available hardware to do it. I think it can and will be done but need to study the options. Thanks Stu, your idea of using the Ranch legs was inspired! I still can't get over the difference the new legs make for the use of the grill.
Click to expand...


You have to wonder why Weber would ever let that kettle on the market with such flimsy legs.
 
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