Red Rescue

[MikeH_MKE]

I rescued a red 22” kettle yesterday, but it has really seen better days. I’m hoping it cleans up ok, but there’s just nothing I can do about the chips. Metal bowl handles, but a wood lid handle. Also, the legs are held in with thumb screws. Was that a thing, or is it a kludge that the previous owner did? Oh, and check out the massive layers of build up around the vent. I would have been scared to eat anything coming off this grill for the last year or so of use!

 

[Brad Olson]

The thumbscrews, wheels and lid vent (no date stamp and "Bar-B-Q-Kettle") tell me it's definitely an old-timer!

 

[MikeH_MKE]

So the thumbscrews were an original thing, not a mod, good to know. Definitely an old timer, I’ll have to see if I can bring it back from the brink of the scrapper truck!

 

[Kelly C]

Nice find Mike! Thinking it may be in the 69-72 date range if not a little earlier based on the wheels. I rescued this red one dated 73-76 the other day. Love the redheads!!! Here are pictures before and after cleaning it.

 

[MikeH_MKE]

Nice find Mike! Thinking it may be in the 69-72 date range if not a little earlier based on the wheels. I rescued this red one dated 73-76 the other day.

That one is in better shape than mine, and gorgeous. I agree though, the wheels on mine are older than yours.
I hope mine looks at least passably as nice when I'm done.

 

[Kyle in Woodstock]

Wow, those top vents are nearly sealed up! Haha. Should clean up pretty nicely. After you clean up those rust spots, make sure you get some oil on them to keep them from further rusting.

Do you collect old kettles? Or will you be cooking with this one?

I'd rescue one if I had the chance, I'm just not sure the resale value is there unless you have a rare one and throw it on eBay. Or maybe post on the WKC forum.

 

[Jon Tofte]

Rough, but not beyond all hope I think. When I get moved, experimenting with kettle finishes is something I hope to have some time to do. I bought JB Weld Ultra High Heat to use like bondo to fill in the chips. You would have to then tape around the repairs and do some sanding to get things a smooth and level as possible. Then tape and spray the closest shade of high heat red, probably top with gloss clear coat and then buff around the transitions to feather out the repair to the good porcelain. Not saying you can make perfect fixes, but I think a lot better than black blemishes. I know that many of our friends at the Weber Kettle Club would disagree. Many like to stay original and recommend just keeping the dings oiled to prevent more rust and just enjoy them as part of the grill's history. I get it, but I would rather try to bring one back to looking nicer if at all possible.

Here is a red kettle that I touched up with paint only and not doing all the steps I described above. Yeah, you can see the repair but it looks a lot nicer than when it had a big gouge. Some of the smaller repairs are hardly noticeable but came together to make it a way more attractive grill.



Here is a "Before" picture:



Here is the BIG project I look forward to taking on. A 1970's 26" flat-top "Aristocrat."

 

[MikeH_MKE]

Rough, but not beyond all hope I think. When I get moved, experimenting with kettle finishes is something I hope to have some time to do. I bought JB Weld Ultra High Heat to use like bondo to fill in the chips. You would have to then tape around the repairs and do some sanding to get things a smooth and level as possible. Then tape and spray the closest shade of high heat red, probably top with gloss clear coat and then buff around the transitions to feather out the repair to the good porcelain. Not saying you can make perfect fixes, but I think a lot better than black blemishes. I know that many of our friends at the Weber Kettle Club would disagree. Many like to stay original and recommend just keeping the dings oiled to prevent more rust and just enjoy them as part of the grill's history. I get it, but I would rather try to bring one back to looking nicer if at all possible.

Here is a red kettle that I touched up with paint only and not doing all the steps I described above. Yeah, you can see the repair but it looks a lot nicer than when it had a big gouge. Some of the smaller repairs are hardly noticeable but came together to make it a way more attractive grill.

View attachment 3918

First: that's great work
Second: I don't know yet whether I want to do that with quite the vintage I have. There's maybe one spot that I think needs structural reinforcement, but the rest are just tragic porcelain loss. We'll see.
Finally: I my gosh, you're allowed to keep kettles in the living room?!!!! I mean, it's clean and has a contained ash catcher, but I have a black one of those and there's no chance I'd be allowed to wheel it into the living room. Maybe, if we had a fireplace, I could bring Smoky Joe in for a January steak, but that's the limit. Bravo, my friend!