Hello! Restored the 18" kettle I bought way back in 2003.

[acreative007]

Hello from Maryland everyone! My first post here and I'm so excited. Back in 2003, as a then college student, my mother bought me a 18" Weber Kettle. At the time I was struggling with a finance degree and started cooking a ton. I was hoping to explore a career in culinary arts and my mother being the loving person she is, thought this would cheer me up and give me direction. Long story short, I cooked on it like crazy for a year and then life got busy and it sat in her backyard from late 2004-2011. I bought a home in 2011 and thought to finally take it along. So I cleaned it up and set it up at the new house....and it sat again....until 2019. My gas grill finally rusted out and it got the call. I went about sourcing parts and spent way too much time and money, but it's done! I figured what better way to introduce myself than unveiling it.



Purchased 2003, DH so appears to be a 2004 build.
Weber Updates-

• Thermometer and Bezel
• Hinged Cooking Grate
• Charcoal Grate
• Charcoal Baskets
• Updated One Touch System
• New 6" Hubcaps/Wheels
• Updated 18" Ash Catcher
• NOS Weber Sidekick Table
• Premium Cover

I used a lot of elbow grease to clean the grill up but I left some patina on rusted spots at handles, lip of the lid, triangle and on the legs where the old ash tray clips rested. To be honest I got tired and I could only answer my wife, son and neighbors so many times....why am I polishing this tiny grill yet again . I'm looking forward to buying a newer Master Touch 22" soon, but I think my days of grilling on gas are on hiatus. It had been so long, I lost the art of grilling over a fire, and now I've rediscovered it.

[Erictag]

A great restore and story- welcome aboard!!


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[HoosierKettle]

Nice work!  It looks fantastic. Great first post and welcome from greenwood, IN


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[michaelmilitello]

Welcome from Plainfield Indiana!   Cool story.  I have a 2000 22 inch kettle with a similar story.  I call mine #1.


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[DaveG74]

Sure looks pretty, Nice work. Welcome from just outside Chicago, IL!

[Firemunkee]

Welcome! Excellent story, introduction, and restoration!! Where in MD are you from?

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[RRRanger99]

Welcome from Virginia Beach, VA.

[Grillagin]

Welcome from Wisconsin.  Nice looking kettle!  I love the side table.  BTW, your triangle is upside down.

[acreative007]

Welcome from Wisconsin.  Nice looking kettle!  I love the side table.  BTW, your triangle is upside down.

It is! Go figure I must have had that thing every which way sanding rust off of it. Need to fix that.

[acreative007]

Welcome! Excellent story, introduction, and restoration!! Where in MD are you from?

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Thank you! I'm in Ellicott City!

[Firemunkee]

I grew up in Montgomery County and then spent a lot of time in Columbia/Ellicott City during my college and post college years.

Welcome! Excellent story, introduction, and restoration!! Where in MD are you from?

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Thank you! I'm in Ellicott City!

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[JEBIV]

Welcome from Doraville,Ga. awesome restore and upgrades that sweet grill will make you happy every time you cook on her

[acreative007]

Thank you all for the warm welcome!

I was able to flip the triangle around and the grill feels nice and sturdy again! Next meal on this thing is cedar plank salmon tonight so we'll see how it goes.

Eventually I'd like to make some longer legs for this or find a riser, like those heavy duty blocks HVAC technicians put compressor units on to. I'll have to ponder that a bit. The 22" Master Touch has also got my attention. I've been cooking for family on this in the week+ it's been done, and they're hooked. I do a lot of Mediterranean food and the kettles just concentrate that flavor so well. I simply haven't got much space on this for extended family and friends. Now I understand why many members have multiple grills!

[pancho2017]

That's a sweet little grill and I love the side table. I've been wanting a 18" for a year, might just have to buy a new one.

[Filibuster]

   Welcome from the nation's capital. What you need is a 26". Check Craigslist for free to cheap 22's to tide you over then when that 26 shows up jump on it.

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