Weber Kettle Club Forums

Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: tb80 on April 06, 2015, 11:33:28 AM

Title: Is it heresy...
Post by: tb80 on April 06, 2015, 11:33:28 AM
If I like the gray handles that come stock on the new kettles better than the old wooden ones?

I know everyone seems to like the old wooden ones, and I appreciate the look, but I think I actually prefer the standard handles that come on the new kettles.

Let the lashings begin. ;D
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: MINIgrillin on April 06, 2015, 11:39:42 AM
Do what you want bro...it's your stuff. It's on your porch and you gotta look and cook on it. It still turns out great food. That's the point IMO.

I doubt you'll get flamed here. It's not that kind of forum. To each their own.
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: LightningBoldtz on April 06, 2015, 11:44:06 AM
Not at all, choose your preference.

This is heresy and needs to be stamped out immediately and at all costs.

(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/1d/e6/16/1de6163e330c4e94a22151256a978f6d.jpg)
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: LightningBoldtz on April 06, 2015, 11:46:13 AM
Do what you want bro...it's your stuff. It's on your porch and you gotta look and cook on it. It still turns out great food. That's the point IMO.

I doubt you'll get flamed here. It's not that kind of forum. To each their own.

That and you just won't be as cool or as sophisticated as us wood handlers........   8)

Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: indy82z on April 06, 2015, 12:21:20 PM
Nothing wrong with that...now send me all your wood handles and I will send you my plastic ones ;-)
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: ramsfan on April 06, 2015, 12:36:24 PM
You like the plastic handles better? I'M CALLING THE COPS...
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: Chuck on April 06, 2015, 12:52:40 PM
I like the look of the wooden handles, but the plastic handles have their own look to them that I admire.

I think the bigger issue between the two styles one of function. The plastic handles, particularly on the lid, conducts more heat at the higher cooking temps and makes it more difficult for those with 'tender' hands to take off/put on the grill.
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: tb80 on April 06, 2015, 01:54:39 PM
Maybe eventually the wooden ones will grow on me.  I do admire the craftmanship of some of the wooden handles that are custom made. 
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: WNC on April 06, 2015, 03:25:11 PM
I like those dark greys too, especially on the Reds. I changed one of mine over from the wood to dark grey, but changed it back after I stained the handles dark.

But really it's to each their own...
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: mrbill on April 06, 2015, 04:42:38 PM
I kinda dig the plastic ones myself for the newer/more common cookers. but an old warhorse should be dressed in a more traditional manner.
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: Troy on April 06, 2015, 05:10:48 PM
for the longest time I really preferred the newish plastic handles (dark gray) over wood.
I didn't really get into wood handles until @zavod44 made me some cool exotics. Then I had to put woodies on my whole fleet
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: MrHoss on April 06, 2015, 05:20:16 PM
This is heresy and needs to be stamped out immediately and at all costs.

(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/1d/e6/16/1de6163e330c4e94a22151256a978f6d.jpg)

(http://i62.tinypic.com/2ivgtg8.jpg)
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: MINIgrillin on April 06, 2015, 05:43:52 PM
^^^^thats funny!
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: mrbill on April 06, 2015, 07:08:23 PM
This is heresy and needs to be stamped out immediately and at all costs.

(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/1d/e6/16/1de6163e330c4e94a22151256a978f6d.jpg)

(http://i62.tinypic.com/2ivgtg8.jpg)

I'm coming Elizabeth! It's the big one!!!
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: zavod44 on April 06, 2015, 08:32:45 PM
The wood performs better than the plastic, no doubt.  and really let's face it the wood looks a thousand times better........What's cooler than wood handles on your Weber grill.....
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: pbe gummi bear on April 06, 2015, 09:21:45 PM
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71Hv5BQbWdL._SY355_.jpg)

These are my favorite handles- @zavod44 can you cnc these out of Koa for me?  :D
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: austin87 on April 06, 2015, 09:56:38 PM
I had the dark plastic handles on my kettle when I picked it up, but you can't tell me these light wood @zavod44 handles don't look awesome on the dark green kettle

(http://i60.tinypic.com/dqg7m9.jpg)

I'll need some wood, maybe dark, to go on the black 18.5" OTG I just picked up.

I do think wood makes for easier handling of the lid than plastic when doing high heat cooks. But if you are happy, then all the more power to you. And more wood handles for me  ;)
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: zavod44 on April 07, 2015, 03:36:03 AM
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71Hv5BQbWdL._SY355_.jpg)

These are my favorite handles- @zavod44 can you cnc these out of Koa for me?  :D


If you do the data work I'll try to cut them
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: addicted-to-smoke on April 07, 2015, 05:18:41 AM
^^ That curved plastic style ... I don't mind it too much on my WSM but truly dislike it on kettle lids, because with kettle lids I'm lifting and turning the lid at an angle to hang it or to roll it back into a lid bale. And the curve, while conforming to the hand better, limits the leverage there, so you have to turn or rotate your hand more. With a straight, flat handle it's easier to accomplish the task.
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: Craig on April 07, 2015, 05:21:55 AM
To each their own. The kettles will perform just as well and the food will taste every bit as good on a plastic handle kettle. There was a time when I thought my mid 60s 18.5 needed to have a modern OTS leg kit because I wanted it to have an "upgraded look" this was when I was starting out.

It has long since been put back to original legs, pan and metal wheels.

Of the plastics, I DO have a sneaking admiration for the newer dark grey ones but after I slapped a set of walnut stained Zavod transitionals on my crimson OTG, the issue was settled. ;)

(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/04/07/6361b6bb57cc706106e8819d52db9acc.jpg)

(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/04/07/ca40fb3bcc920d21b10f2e244e678063.jpg)
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: MacEggs on April 07, 2015, 07:29:00 AM
I rescued an 18" OTG last year and it came with the above white handles. 
Had to replace them with some custom mahogany zavs.  I believe it looks a million times better with wood … IMHO.  :D

(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n615/MacEggs/IMG_4285.jpg) (http://s1142.photobucket.com/user/MacEggs/media/IMG_4285.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: MacEggs on April 07, 2015, 07:31:58 AM
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/04/07/ca40fb3bcc920d21b10f2e244e678063.jpg)

@Craig , did you use double-rivet handles for the bowl straps on the above kettle?
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: Craig on April 07, 2015, 08:35:33 AM
@MacEggs  Those are modern single screw @zavod44 made in the style and profile of the double rivet handles. They are just like the early '81-'82 era single screw handles. My personal favorite style!

On the current dark/charcoal grey handles, I guess its a matter of personal taste but I do like them paired with a dark blue/periwinkle kettle or a lime SJ/Performer. It gives the blue kettles a very "modern" look & feel . Maybe its because the last of the blue kettles came with them? I don't know. Having said that, classic wood is always my first choice.
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: tb80 on August 06, 2015, 05:57:10 AM
I'm reviving an older thread to admit that I am starting to come around to the wooden handles.  After I picked up a Red MT with wooden handles, the wooden handles really started to grow on me.  I still like the look of the newer plastic ones, but I the wooden handles are growing on me.
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: OoPEZoO on August 06, 2015, 07:56:21 AM
They each have their place.  I really like those newer plastic handles with the built in hooks for my 22.5" WSM.  It makes a great place to hang my iGrill when I don't have a table set up next to it.  There is no replacement for the looks of a good old (or new) wooden handle though.
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: LightningBoldtz on August 06, 2015, 10:15:52 AM
on the older style kettle handles with the two knobs I use wood handles

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/288/20355851421_11a3a5d529_c.jpg)

However in the many of the newer models the handles are flat without the knobs so the wood handles can spin.

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3833/19728811633_7400a0360b_c.jpg)

So in these cases I use plastic.
I fancy the ones with the tool holders.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/414/19728811553_258cbf4cce_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: Metal Mike on August 06, 2015, 10:23:37 AM
I admire the classic look of he woods & but the side hook feature of the new dark plastics had me sawing notches on my light plastics...

I plan to get woods & tap a small screw/hook behind (out of view) to add this feature...
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: MacEggs on August 06, 2015, 10:55:41 AM
I plan to get woods & tap a small screw/hook behind (out of view) to add this feature...

@Metal Mike , similar to what I did here?  Works great, BTW.

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/handles-was-not-aware-of-this/msg102732/#msg102732
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: LightningBoldtz on August 06, 2015, 11:23:17 AM
I plan to get woods & tap a small screw/hook behind (out of view) to add this feature...

@Metal Mike , similar to what I did here?  Works great, BTW.

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/handles-was-not-aware-of-this/msg102732/#msg102732

That is a solid solution.
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: Metal Mike on August 06, 2015, 11:47:19 AM
@MacEggs Brilliant work, I was more referencing a tool hanging mod but that is a grate tutorial to stabilize spinners.
I have yet to concept the mod, but don't want to saw @ anymore plastic handles (I almost scratched my Blue's bowl..)
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: 1911Ron on August 06, 2015, 05:53:48 PM
I like the dark plastic on some kettles, i do like the hooks on the newer handles, i do have wood handles on some of my older kettles.  I will say the light colored handles on some of my kettles look terrible and will get replaced as soon as possible!
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: Cochise on August 06, 2015, 06:18:14 PM
I had the same mindset as Troy for the longest time that the plastic's looked more modern and sharp compared to the crappy looking wood ones I had seen on old craigslist grills. It wasn't until I joined the forum and saw what the wood handles looked like new, that I realized how classy they make the kettles look.
@zavod44 Actually Brian, the only material I could think of that may look cooler on the kettle would be Elk horn or Sanbar stag. Have you ever worked with those materials for a handle? I think I would definitely be interested in a set, although I know that those materials can get pricey.
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: 1buckie on August 06, 2015, 06:35:28 PM
I had the same mindset as Troy for the longest time that the plastic's looked more modern and sharp compared to the crappy looking wood ones I had seen on old craigslist grills. It wasn't until I joined the forum and saw what the wood handles looked like new, that I realized how classy they make the kettles look.
@zavod44 Actually Brian, the only material I could think of that may look cooler on the kettle would be Elk horn or Sanbar stag. Have you ever worked with those materials for a handle? I think I would definitely be interested in a set, although I know that those materials can get pricey.

@Cochise

What about "beef rib" ?

(http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd520/1buckie/Minor%20Weber%20Modifications/Weber%20Mods%202/7-29-2011MinorWeberMod24-12-2013016.jpg)

(http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd520/1buckie/Minor%20Weber%20Modifications/Weber%20Mods%202/7-3031-2011carolynproject-fatties-elegarlic074.jpg)

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/out-west-we-call'em/msg27571/#msg27571
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: Cochise on August 06, 2015, 06:43:12 PM
@1buckie LOL!! For a moment I thought you had found Fred Flintstones old sabertooth tiger bone handed kettle on craigslist Buckie!
Title: Re: Is it heresy...
Post by: Uncle Al on August 06, 2015, 07:47:45 PM
I thought the plastic handles looked fine on my newer kettle but the lid handle is not comfortable to grip with high heat.  I had been debating on giving the wood handles a try to see if they would be cooler to the touch and well this happened...  I have wood ones now and can confirm they are cooler to the touch  8)

(http://i57.tinypic.com/jjy9s1.jpg)