Weber Kettle Club Forums

Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: swamprb on April 11, 2016, 05:16:36 PM

Title: *Brown Happy Cooker*
Post by: swamprb on April 11, 2016, 05:16:36 PM
Picked this up yesterday, the seller wanted to "save it from the landfill". Was told it has rusty and wobbly legs - I asked if it had the internal ash pan which it did, so I basically went into it for that alone. Not knowing what I was going to be coming away with, I was pleasantly surprised at some of the features of this kettle.

(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/Weber/IMG_1742.jpg)

The legs are indeed rusty and horribly unstable, but all in all not a bad looker.

(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/Weber/IMG_1736.jpg)

stainless steel vents all in top shape

(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/Weber/IMG_1737.jpg)

(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/Weber/IMG_1738.jpg)

Ash pan in good condition - charcoal grate- meh?

(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/Weber/IMG_1739.jpg)

Cook grate is heftier than the Weber plated grates, no handles

(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/Weber/IMG_1740.jpg)

Hinged lid feature is a nice touch

(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/Weber/IMG_1741.jpg)

Happy Cooker bowl handle upside down

(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/Weber/IMG_1745.jpg)

Stainless steel lid vent in center, same size as bowl vents, handle says "Exclusive Hinged Lid". Vents all read: The Happy Cooker  Unarco Home Products Paris Il 61944

(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/Weber/IMG_1744.jpg)

I will defer to resident Happy Cooker aficionado @Idahawk for more info on this grill.
Title: Re: *Brown Happy Cooker*
Post by: Idahawk on April 11, 2016, 05:28:49 PM
This is the " deluxe " model , the first versions had wooden handles and towards the end of their run they started using bolt on plastic handles instead , nevertheless it's a great kettle . The porcelain on the semodels is heavy and stays in really great shape . Happy Cooker ran from 79-87, you could call it an early 80s


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Title: Re: *Brown Happy Cooker*
Post by: WNC on April 11, 2016, 05:33:32 PM
Nice find!
I've never seen one in person, but that heavier gauge grill seems cool.
Title: Re: *Brown Happy Cooker*
Post by: Hell Fire Grill on April 11, 2016, 06:41:10 PM
Im glad you got it. It seemed like it was worth going after. Should be fun to play with & fix up.

I like it.
Title: Re: *Brown Happy Cooker*
Post by: brewtownbeatdown on April 11, 2016, 07:48:16 PM
Awesome grab!!!   Other than the legs, it looks to be in excellent condition. Congrats!!! 

I have it's twin here in WI.(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160412/379a9c38fa344ea63ded2b705b204b04.jpg). Unfortunately, I'm missing the original top handle.  So glad you posted a pic of the "Exclusive Hinged Lid" script.  I might be able to get my wife's friend to duplicate it on the generic, blank handle I found last Friday.
Title: Re: *Brown Happy Cooker*
Post by: 1911Ron on April 12, 2016, 01:47:13 PM
Nice find, I wonder if Weber legs would fit?  One thing I have noticed is the Varity of styles that the Happy Cooker came in, very interesting.
Title: Re: *Brown Happy Cooker*
Post by: Idahawk on April 12, 2016, 01:56:25 PM
Quote from: 1911Ron on April 12, 2016, 01:47:13 PM
Nice find, I wonder if Weber legs would fit?  One thing I have noticed is the Varity of styles that the Happy Cooker came in, very interesting.

Sure weber legs will fit you just need to drill a bolt hole in the top , weber legs will be about an inch shorter as well.
Title: Re: *Brown Happy Cooker*
Post by: MikeRocksTheRed on April 12, 2016, 02:35:39 PM
Cool score!  Too bad the legs aren't great.  Everytthing else looks to be in good shape.  CAn you reaplce the legs with weber legs?  or is the problem more with the leg sockets?
Title: Re: *Brown Happy Cooker*
Post by: swamprb on April 12, 2016, 03:01:27 PM
Quote from: 1911Ron on April 12, 2016, 01:47:13 PM
Nice find, I wonder if Weber legs would fit?  One thing I have noticed is the Varity of styles that the Happy Cooker came in, very interesting.

I have had 2 Black HC's that were pretty roached out, both of them basic kettles with plastic handles. They were both sacrificed to the Drum Smoker gods.
Years ago I answered a CL ad for a Red Weber kettle and it turned out to be a metal/wood handle Brown HC and it was missing the ash pan and it too was in bad condition.
Over the last year I've seen 2 of the "Exclusive Hinged Lid" models both were listed as being Red, but the pics showed them to be more of a Plum/Maroon. $25-45 asking prices
Title: Re: *Brown Happy Cooker*
Post by: SmokenJoe on April 12, 2016, 09:33:50 PM
Glad to see you did the drive South to pick that HC up.  She's in great looking condition.   The steel legs always seem to take the brunt of the weather, but they are std size tubing as I recall, or you could use Weber legs.   The internal ashpan looks like it's in fine condition.   Great pickUP.                         SJ