Hello friends!
I'm grateful for your forum and looking forward to your correspondence.
Last night, as I was finishing some Korean-style honey/ginger baby-backs on my go-to charcoal Original Outdoor Cooker (OOC), when I walked around the house and found that someone left a Kettle grill in my yard. Oddly, stuff gets left on our corner regularly, but usually it's a child's toy, shelves, chair, filing cabinet---never anything good.
Naturally, I grabbed it without inspection. I was already in love before I got her to my backyard (unknowing of what I had just found). In the darkness, I couldn't find any markings or brand names--nor did I care too much, I was thinking "functionality" and "cleanliness." So I transferred hot coals from the OOC into the Kettle and started a new fire thinking the best way to get her ready for service is to have a fire.
I'm a BBQ junkie. I have owned a Kettle in the past but it was many years ago, and I certainly don't know ANYTHING about what I've found--and that's why I'm here. With your help I'd like to learn about what I've found, and also how to restore and repair it.
1. What year is this? I suspect '69 to '72
2. Whats the best way to clean it?
3. How can I fix the bottom vents--2 are broken.
4. Should I buy a new ash catcher for $20 or try and find the original?
I've attached some pictures. I'm going to give her a bath with soap & water, some elbow grease, but leave the chemicals and cleaning products aside until you've shared your thoughts on more harsh compounds.
Thank you for reading and I hope everyone is staying healthy, and doing lots of BBQ during this time.
Cheers,
Andy aka B-SIDE