Roadside Find


 
G

GMcMaster

New member
Hello fellow Weber enthusiasts. It has been a few months since my last post, but just had to share my story.

While heading to the driving range last night I spotted on the side of the road the distinctive profile of a Weber charcoal grill hood. After nearly locking up the brakes and doing two U-turns to circle back the homeowner confirmed it was indeed set out for the trash. I proceeded to unload a mountain of baseball equipment, golf clubs, etc. to make room in the van.

What made its way home was a Performer series -- post stainless table and pre gas assist with the charcoal bucket underneath. It needs new grates, a massive cleaning and a full bag of charcoal to cook off whatever may be left after the cleaning. My thinking was to clean it as is, and then dissemble to the bones to super clean. Everything is there and feels very solid.

A few questions to those who may have encountered the same level of grease, grime and stains.

  1. Any suggestions of how to best clean the composite table of the rust stains, grease, grime, etc.? My wife suggested a Mr. Clean sponge with a cleaner de-greaser after power washing.
  2. Any recommendations of how to stop the rust that is forming around the handle posts -- both inside and out? Anyone have a preferred brand or style of paint that could aid in this effort?
  3. The wire loop lid holder -- the way the loop attaches to the bracket seems incorrect, see picture. Is this correct?
Any recommendations for an aftermarket or Weber original dome thermostat?

Here are few pics:

Performer001.jpg
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Performer002.jpg
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Performer004.jpg
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Congrats on the find. I would try BarKeepers Friend on the table. If I painted anything, it would only be on the outside and I would use a high temperature Rustoleum. Remove the handle first. Regarding the lid holder, it looks like someone had their way with it. Here is the way it should look. Good Luck!

holder%20002-L.jpg


holder%20003-XL.jpg
 
You've landed what is known as the Weber Platinum kettle, the older series - a step above the tripod kettle, but a couple steps beneath the Performer.

1. I have a 2005 Performer and can't help much with the embedded grease on the thermoset/plastic table. Probably better off calling Weber and ordering a replacement. You could saturate it with Simple Green (or equivalent), hit it with 00 steel wool, rinse really well, and repeat a couple of times. Even then it won't get you that "like new" clean that it seems you're looking for, but it'll be a LOT better than it is. But that's about the worse case I've ever seen! :eek:

2. As far as the rust around the handles, that's a common occurrence with kettles that are well used, have been subjected to multiple instances of very high heat grilling. It'll happen to any kettle given enough time and usage. My recommendation is to sand all the rust away and, depending on the look, use either gloss black caliper paint, or black stove paint. The black stove paint needs to be fired in order to properly cure, and can probably withstand higher temps than the caliper paint. The caliper paint on the other hand will best match the finish of your kettle, both in terms of color and finish. It's nearly seamless on the black kettle, as I have used it in those same areas on my 1998 model Bar-B-Kettle.

3. I don't have my Performer near me, but the threading does look incorrect on the lid bale/wire holder.
 
You made a great find. I keep seeing so many here who get there grill for next to nothing. Unfortunately, I paid full price for both of mine. That will never happen again. Congrats.
 
I've cleaned quite a few gassers with the thermoset table and they've all came out great. I've never found a spray-n-wipe that works to my standards, so it's a bit of a time consumer. Super easy though. Find a container you can fill with water and submerge the table. I use an extra large Rubbermaid storage container, but a trash can also works. Fill it with water (cold works, but hot is best) and squeeze a GOOD amount of Dawn dishwashing soap and mix it up. Submerge the table and wait overnight. The next day, hit the table with a scrubbie (SOS pad) and you'll love the results. Hasn't failed me yet...

Good luck with the Platinum clean-up. As someone else said - no paint on the inside. Just clean off the rust and either 1) spray it with PAM 2) Cook some burgers and let the problem correct itself. :D
 
I have the same grill, but mine was bought new. A great find, I paid over 500USD for mine.. :)
If anything else fails when you try to clean that table, you can wet- sand it using sanding paper ment for cars. Remember to soak the paper for at least 12 hours, use a sanding block, and I'm sure you will get a great result.
 
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