Has anyone run a kettle in a ring instead of on legs?

[bluewhisper]

I used to watch a country property where I found a small Weber kettle that had no legs. Otherwise it was in fine shape, sitting dumped with a bunch of clutter behind the house. There also was a passenger car wheel rim.

So, the kettle went into the rim like a ball in a socket. We used it in our campsite like a fire pit, that could cook. There was a slight slope, but we could pivot it to level.

It handled like an ordinary kettle, but my method was different. Because I couuldn't reach the bottom vents when it was hot, I left them open and controlled airflow with the top vent. My fuel was windfall young maple, the diameter of my wrist. It wanted to burn like a campfire and sometimes we did that. I could get just the right whisper for smoking or I could open it a bit more for griling.

So I'm just curious to see if others have done that.

[MacEggs]

I built this stand back in the summer of 2014.  It holds a 22" kettle.  Primarily it is used as a fire pit.  Works great!
I no longer use the sweeps.  I removed them and placed a OTS ash pan underneath the charcoal grate.
It gets plenty of airflow from above.













Here are the materials I used:

FLAT BAR

UPPER BAND: 2" wide, 69" long, ⅛" thick (rolled)
LOWER BAND: 3" wide, 69" long, ⅛" thick (rolled)
LEGS: ¾" wide, 16" long, ¼" thick

The bottom of the ashpan is 16 gauge sheet metal

I got the upper and lower bands rolled at a machine shop. There was no way I could do that myself.
I watched the guy do it. Probably took him less than 10 minutes, and that was cool.

[bluewhisper]

That is sweet! I miss being in metal shop in school, I would love to fabricate stuff likke that.

[MacEggs]

That is sweet! I miss being in metal shop in school, I would love to fabricate stuff likke that.

Thanks!  I am considering making one for an 18" kettle .... Potential project for 2018.

[WMT]

That is a cool idea and nice job


Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club mobile app

[robs2]

Looks similar to this:



Holy Grails: anything 1970

[robs2]

@maceggs Are the connections of the bottom pan and the legs all welds? What did you paint it with after?


Holy Grails: anything 1970

[MacEggs]

@MacEggs Are the connections of the bottom pan and the legs all welds? What did you paint it with after?


Holy Grails: anything 1970

Yes, all welds.  I used a high-temperature automotive paint of some sort for headers, or mufflers ... Pretty sure I used it all.
It did not hold up so well on the top ring.  Plus I left it outside for 3 winters.  I got it re-done last spring, so it is now inside (garage).

[MacEggs]

@robs2 , here is the stuff that I used.

[robs2]

@robs2 , here is the stuff that I used.

Thanks @maceggs


Holy Grails: anything 1970

[Rings Я Us]

I used to watch a country property where I found a small Weber kettle that had no legs. Otherwise it was in fine shape, sitting dumped with a bunch of clutter behind the house. There also was a passenger car wheel rim.

So, the kettle went into the rim like a ball in a socket. We used it in our campsite like a fire pit, that could cook. There was a slight slope, but we could pivot it to level.

It handled like an ordinary kettle, but my method was different. Because I couuldn't reach the bottom vents when it was hot, I left them open and controlled airflow with the top vent. My fuel was windfall young maple, the diameter of my wrist. It wanted to burn like a campfire and sometimes we did that. I could get just the right whisper for smoking or I could open it a bit more for griling.

So I'm just curious to see if others have done that.

Cool find

Sent from my H1611 using Tapatalk

[bluewhisper]

Dang thing is, I never got a pic of that kettle in a rim, unless there's one in my old hardcopy photos before the digital days.

[Rings Я Us]

Dang thing is, I never got a pic of that kettle in a rim, unless there's one in my old hardcopy photos before the digital days.

  hey.. have fun and see ya around the internet.

Sent from my H1611 using Weber Kettle Club mobile app

[bluewhisper]

You! You're ... you're running rings around me!

I should explain, we know each other from smokingmeatforums which is a good board. There are many Weber users there, mostly WSMs but you'll often see a kettle in the background of a pic.

[MacEggs]

I am considering making one for an 18" kettle .... Potential project for 2018.

Ended up getting it done this week. Just need to get it painted once the weather gets warmer.
One project down for this year ...