Which is more valuable, old SS Performers or the newer ones?


 
G

Greg Y

TVWBB Pro
Which are more valuable, old SS Performers or the newer ones?

There have been a couple of the older SS Performers pop up on my local Craigslist lately, but they are both kind of expensive ($200 -$255). I always thought that these were worth less than the newer ones, but these sellers seem to think that the opposite is true.
Who's right?
 
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Each to their own opinions I guess. I have a stainless, it has a coal bin that will hold a 20lb bag of blue with room to spare, cleans up like new with a scotch brite pad or a majic eraser pad.
My Genesis Gasser has the palstic side tables and do not clean as easily....... but the bottom line is ... same great kettle.... same great taste..... I'd go for the best deal.......and that did not help you one bit now did it..... sorry....:cool:
 
Greg Y said:
There have been a couple of the older SS Performers pop up on my local Craigslist lately, but they are both kind of expensive ($200 -$255). I always thought that these were worth less than the newer ones, but these sellers seem to think that the opposite is true.
Who's right?
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Here we have a couple of grill flippers that have been trying to sell 3 SSP's for $235 (x2) and $300 since last fall.
The SSP's that get listed for $50 - $125 seem to move.
 
I've been wanting a SS Performer to convert to a 26.75" Performer. The frames on the older ones are easier to widen and since they are a little shorter the bowl sitting up higher in the frame would be fine. I don't want to spend $200 though, even though the $200 one does have Craycort grates.

Where in the world do you find one of those goofy little propane tanks after they need to be recertified before filling?
 
In Canada we have an online-classified site in addition to CL called Kijiji. Personally I like the interface better.

There has been a "seller" on there with a SS Performer for sale for $400 for as long as I can remember (at least over a year). It looks to be in nice condition but it's not original and looks to be missing some stuff like the bottom shelf. The way the seller's ad reads it suggests he/she feels the old SS units are better quality than the newer plastic units.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-bbq-outdoor-cooking/mississauga-peel-region/weber-22-5-performer-charcoal-grill-bbq-with-touch-n-go-propane/555681604?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

I've seen several newer Performers go up and get sold in very short order - in some cases for under $200, all while this $400 SS unit sits and sits.

My take, I don't really think either is better or worse than the other. The kettle which is really the heart and soul of a Performer is basically the same with the exception of minor things e.g. thermo location. I wouldn't pay any more (or less) for a well kept SS unit compared to a newer style.
 
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G Savrnoch,
That one has the newer style thermometer that is not right under the handle. I wonder what's up with that. I guess it has a newer lid?
 
I have a newer performer platinum and like it just fine I bought mine at an estate sale in mint condition for $50, which was pretty cheap. One nice feature of the newer model is the coal bin tilts out the back so you don't have to lift the lid to get at it. I guess it's just what you prefer, as far as value goes I think it's more about condition. I’ve seen them both all over the price range.
 
I think the value thing is like buying old cars or old guns, they are worth what people will pay for them. Personally, I would never pay more for one of the old ones vs. a new style. I have both and generally prefer to cook on the newer one because it is a little taller. I also like the throw away bottles because I use them on the Q grill so I always have them on hand. I have not had to replace the gas bottle on my SS but I sure don't look forward to that day. My local Ace Hardware has them for something like $49 empty. Ouch! I don't use the charcoal bin on either one except to store my charcoal baskets so I could care less one way or the other about it. To me it is wasted space. That said, that is my opinion on old vs. new Performers which in the bigger scheme of things is worth nothing. Buy what you like because at the end of the day, they both will cook great food.

Performercomparisons_zps803b439a.jpg
 
I've owned one of each. Bought an original Performer new shortly after it was introduced. After 10 years or so, I rebuilt it from top to bottom -- new bowl, new everything that could be bolted on. Eight years later, the original cart was about ready to collapse from rusted connectors. Rather than another rebuild, I figured that, after 18 years of year round use, it didn't owe me anything. So I replaced with a new style Performer in 2011. I converted that one to run on the 5 lb propane tanks I had from the original rebuild. Those tanks are about to expire, so I'm getting an 11 pound tank.

To make room for the propane tank, I scrapped the charcoal bin and use a weather-proof Kingsford Kaddie instead. It slides in right behind the propane tank. I could acutally fit a 20 pound propane tank on the cart, but that would be overkill for the Performer.
 
For me its not about the money, I like the older SS version better. To my eye it looks better and seems to be built better.
The newer version looks more cheaply made in comparison.
 
Well for me i would have to say this that both performers cook about the same and if you are lucky enough to own both styles you are in heaven, if not the one you own now is the best...
Kevin
 
Other than the difference between the gas bottle options (there are pros and cons to both). I've not found any functional difference between the two generations of Performer. The new cart, from a design standpoint is probably more stable than the old one. It's quite nicely engineered, relying on the curved shape for strength rather than the 90 degree corners of the square tubing on the old one. I won't know for 15 more years, but I don't think the new stand will be subject to the same ultimate failure mode of the stand corners rusting. The attachments on the old one are threaded inserts welded into the ends of the tubes. Bolts thread into the inserts, tightening the legs. Those inserts will eventually rust. When they do, the cart starts swaying back and forth like a wobbly old table.

I didn't really have much choice to make when my first generation Performer cart rusted apart after 18 years out in the New England weather. The cost of rebuilding it a second time, piece by piece, starting with a brand new cart, just didn't make sense. It's a working grill for me, not a collectors item.
 
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I have both styles of Performers. I converted my old Performer to accept the smaller 1# disposable propane tanks that I refill from my 20#. Given that both have the same style propane tanks, my complaints with the older style are that the lid swings up to access the bin (which is a pain if you have something sitting on it) and it sits too low. My complaint with the newer style is the plastic top which I can't get clean.

If the newer style Performer had a stainless top it would ideal.
 
I used this stuff on the plastic top:

http://www.clorox.com/products/clorox-kitchen-cleaner-bleach/

Keep it off your clothes! It will bleach them.

It will clean just about anything off the plastic top if you let it sit for a couple of minutes. Probably lightens the top over time, but who cares?

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I just got a new propane cylinder for my Performer. The little 5-pounders I've had since the first gen Performer expire this month. So I got a new 11 -pound cylinder:

41cZktXGqdL._SY300_.jpg


It's the same diameter as the little one's about five inches taller. Holds 2.6 gallons -- more than double the small ones and about half of a full size 20-pound tank. Should last a year between refills, I think.
 
The Clorox cleaner is also awesome for plastic cutting boards. Put the board in the sink, spritz it with the cleaner, let it sit for 15 minutes. Even gets rid of BBQ rub stains on white cutting boards.... :)
 
Harold C said:
The Clorox cleaner is also awesome for plastic cutting boards. Put the board in the sink, spritz it with the cleaner, let it sit for 15 minutes. Even gets rid of BBQ rub stains on white cutting boards.... :)
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I am amazed that the Clorox cleaner had brought back my performer plastic table to like new condition with no scrubbing. Thanks again Harold. I will try it out on my cutting boards.
 
Yeah. It's really good stuff. You can also buy it in the large refill size and just keep topping off the spray bottle.

I use it on cutting boardsanytime I cut meat or something that stains -- it even gets rid of chipotle pepper stains. It's also excellent for the inside of enamel cast iron cookware (like Le Creuset). There's also a green gel cleaner with bleach that's good for that.

But, heed the warning about keeping it off your clothes. I have unintentionally bleached a couple of nice shirts and sweaters with the stuff.
 
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