Psst!!! Wanna see my Johnson...ville?

[brewtownbeatdown]

Found this one on Craigslist-Green Bay.    "O" code, two handle, daisy wheels.  For $10, I figured it was definitely worth the 2hr. drive each way.  He!!, even got to spend a few hours with some family while there.

On the ride home, I started contemplating the direction I was gonna go with it. Seemed such a shame to have a redhead, with a Johnsonville tattoo, be so dang plain.  Stock form wasn't gonna do, time to customize.

Got ahold of @zavod44 about making some one of a kind handles for it.  Poor Brian, it seems like I bounced a million ideas off him (he'll probably never answer another PM or text from me). We came up with Birdseye Maple.  Current Johnsonville logo.  "Since 1945" in the same font as was used in some of their advertising.

Needed a more substantial base. Switched out the 3-wire triangle.  Trimmed an inch off the back legs & added some custom 8" wheels.  Removed the Weber inserts & painted red.  Painted white under where the Weber script was gonna be.  Bought some red pushnuts from Ace & switched out inserts from the Weber pushnuts.

The bowl was in good shape other than needing a cleaning. Replaced the damper hardware (dampers all said "O", but had nuts & bolts holding them on-???).  Lid had some rash & a couple chips, so I cleaned & touched up those spots with red caliper paint  (close match + higher heat limit).  Added a @zavod44 damper tab. Put in a new charcoal grate, which I had unearthed in storage.  Bought a hinged cooking grate for $11 (50% Ace coupon).

Thanks for looking, even if the title almost scared you away.

[jkolantern]

Looks really sharp! Where's the brauts?

[MrHoss]

That'd make a beauty sausage smoker.

[varekai]

SWEET! love the red wheel insert and cap nuts.

[addicted-to-smoke]

Outstanding!

... dampers all said "O", but had nuts & bolts holding them on-???...

It's my understanding that bolt-on dampers (hell, daisy wheels in '92!) and 3-wire triangle = the Economy Kettle. Not surprising Johnsonville saved a buck for a promotional kettle.

[Hogsy]

Great job looks schmick!

[JDann24]

thats pretty sweet

[WNC]

Nice job, great improvements!

[firedude5015]

Nice! Lucky find...I,  unlike some really dig logo kettles....it's a company using a true American Icon to promote their product and relate what they have to American life.

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[SmokenJoe]

What could be more USa, an classic American outdoor cooking machine and an American favorite Johnsonville (Beer Brats for me).   Great find and restore.                               SJ

[Hybridtwin77]

Now, that's a head turner! Looks great

[indy82z]

Great job!! Looks fantastic

[firedude5015]

What kind of caliper paint did you use, and how does it hold up to the heat?

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[jcnaz]

That is awesome! I especially like the 8" wheel conversion, that has me thinking...

[brewtownbeatdown]

What kind of caliper paint did you use, and how does it hold up to the heat?

Got it at an AutoZone. Good to 900F.  The more layers you spray, the brighter the shade.