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Not sure what the gripe is about the taco handle. I find it very useful when I have a screaming hot kettle, the handle stays cool. IMHO, I think it's a grate idea. Just sayin'...

Pure speculation but I bet the taco bolt on handle change had more to do with packaging and shipping savings than it did with function.  For me, I just prefer the classic kettle look over the new handle. Plus, I don't have any problem using a towel or hot pad once in awhile.


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Quote from: HoosierKettle on March 31, 2017, 05:59:11 AM
Pure speculation but I bet the taco bolt on handle change had more to do with packaging and shipping savings than it did with function. For me, I just prefer the classic kettle look over the new handle. Plus, I don't have any problem using a towel or hot pad once in awhile.

I dunno about that. Butt that heat shield works wonders, a grate improvement in design IMHO. And it helps save the zav wood handles during a Vortex cook.  8)

I don't think my hands are extraordinarily tough, but the only time my handle is too hot to touch is when I do a 700 degree pizza cook. Baskets in the middle do not get it too hot to handle. Maybe vortex is hotter, not sure.


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In fact, I find the plastic piece on the top damper is more useful to keep from burning yourself than the taco and they don't put that on the original kettle today.


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On my original CopperTop (welded handle), using the Vortex, I could not pick the lid up without a glove. On my new CopperTop with the taco, no issues. Anywho, I think it is a grate idea.

Weber is a business and when they change things there's a reason.  They would not change the handle to please the consumer.   It is to protect them from getting sued by some moron who burned his hand and reduce claims on damaged and rusted handles. 

Quote from: Josh G on March 31, 2017, 06:58:59 AM
Weber is a business and when they change things there's a reason.  They would not change the handle to please the consumer.   It is to protect them from getting sued by some moron who burned his hand and reduce claims on damaged and rusted handles.

There is summa dat I'm sure. Butt along with all the shit that happens, design improvements happen. There's a reason for everything. I just love the idea of the taco heat shield, and don't care why it happened. I'm just glad it did. It works. Butt they need to replace the cheap assed tin nuts with REAL nuts and washers tho... they loosen up.

They could have done the heat shield on a welded handle right? Probably along the lines of easier to ship and replace the handle rather than a lid. Cheaper too. They are just ugly and I can't stand the way they look. Some here have done a mod to change the shape and it looks tolerable that way.


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This looks good

Replaced the taco. With a fire place handles

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?share_fid=63141&share_tid=25669&url=http%3A%2F%2Fweberkettleclub%2Ecom%2Fforums%2Findex%2Ephp%3Ftopic%3D25669&share_type=t


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 Those that don't like it refer to it as a "Taco Handle".
 
I like to call it a " Firefighting Heat Shield" like when slaying Fire Breathing Dragons. You don't need bulky gloves to  loose your grip when battling and it keeps your fingers from the direct 3rd degree flash burns. lol

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170331/4dc2c6ca0b368304eebe6cedd78307bd.jpg)


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So basically, I guess it's the looks of it that folks don't like... not so much to do with functionality? Hmmmm. Interesting. This thread was just a curiosity why people are apposed to it. Personally, I like its function and don't mind the look of it. Butt hay, Mongo just a pawn in game of life...  :)

I'm outrageous and cutting-edge innovative. I wear a glove.  ;D

The taco handle is ugly, gross, a crime against humanity, and antithetical to the natural beauty of the Weber kettle grill.

My guess is the main motivation was to reduce costs associated w/ shipping and warranty lid replacement due to handle weld rust.

The taco may function well for deflecting heat but it looks cheap...I can remove it...the main problem is how the handle attaches to the lid. Even if you tighten it correctly it still gets loose, a weld would after 50 years maybe but the new version could be 5 days or 5 weeks. Either way as soon as it does and the lid is lifted and twisted you risk a porcelain pop. Having to retrofit some sort of patchwork fix to simulate a welded handle leaves you with something that does not match up look-wise. Just buy old....it's easy.

I don't care about Weber's costs or what is easy for them. I want a properly functioning piece of machinery and will pay what it takes. If that means charging me an extra 20 or 40 bucks so be it. I do not want something that looks and acts cheap. Not in a bbq, not in a woman.

Quote from: charred on March 31, 2017, 08:34:48 AM
I'm outrageous and cutting-edge innovative. I wear a glove.  ;D

The taco handle is ugly, gross, a crime against humanity, and antithetical to the natural beauty of the Weber kettle grill.

My guess is the main motivation was to reduce costs associated w/ shipping and warranty lid replacement due to handle weld rust.

:) It ain't the purtyest pitcher in the frame, butt functions well. And yeah, maybe some handle weld rust issues brought out the bolts and nutz. I'm okay with a bolted on handle...

Quote from: MrHoss on March 31, 2017, 08:51:24 AM
The taco may function well for deflecting heat but it looks cheap...I can remove it...the main problem is how the handle attaches to the lid. Even if you tighten it correctly it still gets loose, a weld would after 50 years maybe but the new version could be 5 days or 5 weeks. Either way as soon as it does and the lid is lifted and twisted you risk a porcelain pop. Having to retrofit some sort of patchwork fix to simulate a welded handle leaves you with something that does not match up look-wise. Just buy old....it's easy.

I don't care about Weber's costs or what is easy for them. I want a properly functioning piece of machinery and will pay what it takes. If that means charging me an extra 20 or 40 bucks so be it. I do not want something that looks and acts cheap. Not in a bbq, not in a woman.

Replace the cheap tin nutz with washers and real nutz. It works. Trust me.

shell or no shell no problem , bolt on handles errrrrrrrrr ! at least get some kind of heat proof gasket  so you can't crack the porcelain , this is why i have zero interest in any of the fancy new colours .

I personally prefer enchiladas over tacos but tacos are ok with me too!

Quote from: hawgheaven on March 31, 2017, 05:44:23 AM
Not sure what the gripe is about the taco handle. I find it very useful when I have a screaming hot kettle, the handle stays cool. IMHO, I think it's a grate idea. Just sayin'...

I have been saying this all along....it works very well....I have no issue with it

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if it was the same shape as the old style and not bowed looking id probably not have a problem with it. but I can't stand how it looks. I also don't like change very much any how

Taco handle is fugly. You guys got girly hands or what? Put on an oven mitt if you need to for cripes sakes  :P

Put me in the puzzled why it bugs people so much camp.  I don't care either way.  I guess for those that rail against it for functionality reasons, do you toss out all of your Silvers and only purchase ones with ash catcher assemblies because they are more functional?  Or toss out any three wheelers because they aren't as functional as a kettle with ash sweeps?


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Quote from: captjoe06 on April 01, 2017, 12:18:54 AM
Put me in the puzzled why it bugs people so much camp.  I don't care either way.  I guess for those that rail against it for functionality reasons, do you toss out all of your Silvers and only purchase ones with ash catcher assemblies because they are more functional?  Or toss out any three wheelers because they aren't as functional as a kettle with ash sweeps?

Hey, who you callin' an ash sweep...  :)

All three of my 22.5" are the taco models and I love them. All three are equipped with the Vortex and zav's custom handles. The taco is a savior.  8)

Quote from: captjoe06 on April 01, 2017, 12:18:54 AM
Put me in the puzzled why it bugs people so much camp.  I don't care either way.  I guess for those that rail against it for functionality reasons, do you toss out all of your Silvers and only purchase ones with ash catcher assemblies because they are more functional?  Or toss out any three wheelers because they aren't as functional as a kettle with ash sweeps?


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I much prefer the twist style ash pan to the ash catcher assembly.


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Quote from: captjoe06 on April 01, 2017, 12:18:54 AM
Put me in the puzzled why it bugs people so much camp.  I don't care either way.  I guess for those that rail against it for functionality reasons, do you toss out all of your Silvers and only purchase ones with ash catcher assemblies because they are more functional?  Or toss out any three wheelers because they aren't as functional as a kettle with ash sweeps?


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Now I'm puzzled- what is it you're asking? The handle shield performs its function well. But, the function is nearly pointless. (Gloves boys, gloves). It's not worth screwing with the aesthetics of the grill, imHo. It's plain 'ol Fugly.  :)

For me, I think it stems from my angle of approach when diving in to remove the lid with the taco shield in place.

I always ended up scraping my fingers on its edge.

For this reason alone, I will forever HATE the taco shield and remove them from any kettle I will ever own.

Quote from: charred on April 01, 2017, 05:28:06 AM

Quote from: captjoe06 on April 01, 2017, 12:18:54 AM
Put me in the puzzled why it bugs people so much camp.  I don't care either way.  I guess for those that rail against it for functionality reasons, do you toss out all of your Silvers and only purchase ones with ash catcher assemblies because they are more functional?  Or toss out any three wheelers because they aren't as functional as a kettle with ash sweeps?

Now I'm puzzled- what is it you're asking? The handle shield performs its function well. But, the function is nearly pointless. (Gloves boys, gloves). It's not worth screwing with the aesthetics of the grill, imHo. It's plain 'ol Fugly.  :)

No, I disagree. I hate glove mitts... they are clumsy and always in the way. IMHO, this was brilliant. Design? No problem. It works, and everyone has their opinion on fugly. I don't consider fugly until I cook and plate my meal. THAT is important.

Maybe they would not look as bad if they at least matched the color of the actual kettle.

Quote from: captjoe06 on April 01, 2017, 12:18:54 AM
do you toss out all of your Silvers and only purchase ones with ash catcher assemblies because they are more functional?  Or toss out any three wheelers because they aren't as functional as a kettle with ash sweeps?

Actually, yes.

I don't mind the taco. I think it's less visually appealing but it's not gonna keep me from owning the modern kettles

I'm with you there Gummi. All my cookers are either OTG or performer. I have a 3 wheeler that was gifted by some members here, she is a special red patent pending. All beat up but I'll hang on to her. When I see taco grills for sale online I pass over them.


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Quote from: hawgheaven on April 01, 2017, 06:20:00 AM

Quote from: charred on April 01, 2017, 05:28:06 AM

Quote from: captjoe06 on April 01, 2017, 12:18:54 AM
Put me in the puzzled why it bugs people so much camp.  I don't care either way.  I guess for those that rail against it for functionality reasons, do you toss out all of your Silvers and only purchase ones with ash catcher assemblies because they are more functional?  Or toss out any three wheelers because they aren't as functional as a kettle with ash sweeps?

Now I'm puzzled- what is it you're asking? The handle shield performs its function well. But, the function is nearly pointless. (Gloves boys, gloves). It's not worth screwing with the aesthetics of the grill, imHo. It's plain 'ol Fugly.  :)

No, I disagree. I hate glove mitts... they are clumsy and always in the way. IMHO, this was brilliant. Design? No problem. It works, and everyone has their opinion on fugly. I don't consider fugly until I cook and plate my meal. THAT is important.

Me, too. That's why I wear GLOVES. 5-fingered welder's gloves. $5 at HF.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=welding+gloves

I'm lazy, anyone got a part# for the taco shield handle assembly? if it works to keep the handles cool I'd like to install one. As it is cooking chicken wings with a Vortex make the handle a bit hot to not use a glove for an extended period of time handling the lid.

Does the taco shield really work keeping the entire handle assembly cool to touch? It gets a little cumbesome having to don on gloves everytime I want to open a hot lid as I don't keep them gloves on for any entire cook. It's just for the ease of use purpose handling a hot lid

looks don't matter much to me

ps thinking of getting the SS ash cleaning kit with the taco handle before it goes out of stock, who knows if it be discontinued? and just wanting go keep it on the side. Don't see the SS cleaning kit but on ereplacement website so.. .

Taco handle does its intended purpose very well and it can look very nice if you reshape the strap.

The shield was a long time in coming. When plastic handles entered the product line, they never insulated from heat the way wood does. So the shield and the extra distance away from the lid work to mitigate that.

Got a wood handle on your modern kettle? Even better ... but for each and every new owner who doesn't "know" any better, and would never even think about modifying a freaking "BBQ," the taco and taller handle strap are essential ideas realized.

So like it, or don't, but to question why it exists seems odd to me.

The biggest issue with the taco handle  is how weber designed the strap,specifically the rounded contour . Straight lines would have made it look  much better.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180402/93c07a32f95087f823f88ace5e3415ce.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180402/7e2eea0011df2c71bf06d916bbd9bb98.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180402/0f4fd35845c5f0bb97d14a56b8078d7f.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180402/74f8ebb69e654abfecb38a0afcccb844.jpg)

I think they bowed it out to make room for an oven mitt.

Butt I love the straight handle adaptations.
Much more in keeping with traditional styling.

One question?
I want to know, if you had a choice of a wood Dale MLH metal handle on lid or a taco handle grill which will you choose?????
Nuff said already. I'll take the wood Dale any day


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Quote from: Speedster on April 01, 2018, 07:47:57 PM
One question?
I want to know, if you had a choice of a wood Dale MLH metal handle on lid or a taco handle grill which will you choose?????
Nuff said already. I'll take the wood Dale any day


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Ha...not me. I'd take a taco in a heartbeat.

I used to have a kettle without a wooden handle on it. A few times I grabbed it without a mitt when it was screaming hot.

There is a reason they're not made that way anymore.


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Quote from: Jules V. on April 01, 2018, 04:41:09 PM
The biggest issue with the taco handle  is how weber designed the strap,specifically the rounded contour . Straight lines would have made it look  much better.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180402/93c07a32f95087f823f88ace5e3415ce.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180402/7e2eea0011df2c71bf06d916bbd9bb98.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180402/0f4fd35845c5f0bb97d14a56b8078d7f.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180402/74f8ebb69e654abfecb38a0afcccb844.jpg)

Is that the Weber Fireplace handle strap? I like that!! I like that a lot!!!! Much more traditional design with the modern taco incorporated! Tell me more about these!?


HOLY GRAILS: 1950s era Black or Custom finish 18.5 or 22.5 Kettle, Brown Go Anywhere grill.

Quote from: Craig on April 04, 2018, 08:00:23 PM

Quote from: Jules V. on April 01, 2018, 04:41:09 PM
The biggest issue with the taco handle  is how weber designed the strap,specifically the rounded contour . Straight lines would have made it look  much better.

Is that the Weber Fireplace handle strap? I like that!! I like that a lot!!!! Much more traditional design with the modern taco incorporated! Tell me more about these!?


HOLY GRAILS: 1950s era Black or Custom finish 18.5 or 22.5 Kettle, Brown Go Anywhere grill.

Those are my simplified version of a @greenweb inspired taco handle reshaped strap. The strap was reshaped and reused.  Just add ss washer/nut. Quite simple to reshape the strap once you get the first one out of the way. It took me more than an hour to complete  the  whole process on my first try. All subsequent reshaping took less than 20 minutes. I'll gladly send you the full details if you need it.

Side note.
Other than the way it looks, the taco handle assembly has 2 major design flaws. The first one is that the taco shell is made out of aluminum. Aluminum is a very  good heat conductor and therefore a very poor choice to be used as a heat  shield.  Stainless would have been a much better choice  of material as it's a very poor heat conductor.  Stainless is also more durable, looks better,  less prone to piting and oxidization. The  second flaw has to do with  the carriage bolt. The "teeth" portion of the bolt (portion that  grabs the taco shell and strap to keep it from spinning when tightening the nut) protrudes past the taco shell and comes into contact with the holes on the lid.  As much as possible, the bolt shouldn't come into direct contact with the bowl to allow slight expansion/contraction during handling and heating/cooling cycles  This will  also create unnecessary strain on the bowl that could lead to porcelain chipping.

The thread below is when i started reshaping the strap.
My first Zav's...Imported from Canada
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?share_fid=63141&share_tid=35233&url=http%3A%2F%2Fweberkettleclub%2Ecom%2Fforums%2Findex%2Ephp%3Ftopic%3D35233&share_type=t

So ... adding a washer atop the lid mitigates the stressor point that the carriage bolt "teeth" would otherwise create, is that correct?

And then there's the plate you added to at least the red one?

Quote from: addicted-to-smoke on April 05, 2018, 05:54:18 AM
So ... adding a washer atop the lid mitigates the stressor point that the carriage bolt "teeth" would otherwise create, is that correct?

And then there's the plate you added to at least the red one?

Hold on tight because  I'm not very good at explaining things and there's a lot of things going on with this taco mess. If you remove the taco assembly and look closely at the bottom of the shell, the teeth on the carriage bolt extends past through it and protrudes slightly that it will come into contact with the lid holes. This alone creates 2 problems. It deforms the and creates  downward sharp jagged edges on the taco shell. This is the portion that comes to contact with the lid. The bottom of the shell should be always flat and smooth. With the bottom of the shell deformed, it will eventually damage the lid porcelain. A workaround this issue is to grind off the teeth on the bolt,  photo below. The teeth are unnecessary once you use a regular nut. You'll be able to tighten the nut without the bolt spinning. You can reuse the carriage bolt or replace it with a ss version which I did on some of my tacos. You'll be using ss washers and bolts anyways so you might as well replace it also,(LE oddly enough has a larger metric ss carriage bolt). Actually a longer bolt is better since it allows the use of multiple washers, a 1 1/4" and 1/2" washer inside the lid.
I don't have any high heat fiber washers so I've been using ss fender washers between the shell and lid instead. The washer are 1" and trimmed on the outside perimeter. The use of a fender washer instead of a fiber will allows you to tighten the nut very tightly without having to worry about damaging the lid finish. The key here is to deform the washers to follow the slight curved contour of the lid. Just place the washer on a 2"x4" and slightly hit it in the middle with a peen hammer. Make adjustments as necessary until it mimics the lid contour.  Washer should be sanded and polished to eliminate any sharp  edges that may come into contact with the lid. Also not all washers are not created equal. Some are slightly thicker than others.  I have a caliper but i never bothered measuring it. Use the thinner version if possible. The washers i get from lowes and at a specialty fastener store tend to be thinner than those from home depot.

I've  tested my lids by holding on the handle very firmly and  abruptly flinging/swinging it around etc without any damages.  That's  something i wouldn't dare try on any welded lid handle. Not exactly really real life situation that a lid should ever encounter, but it's a peace of mind knowing that there wouldn't  be any problems down the line through regular day to day use.

At some point I'll start a thread on this taco reshaping as i have quite a few members asking for a detailed instructions.  Don't have anymore "fresh" taco to reshape. More of a centralized thread as I've been replying on the same things on 4 or 5 different threads.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180405/050f51c3ced436da67d7fc8eb6fc5b91.jpg)
R: standard carriage bolt.
L: teeth has been grinded down.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180405/80f778e76e8de4460a1e1203956d9bf1.jpg)
Outside edge of washer trimmed.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180405/43ab93d85ba9beaf15ea1677b7591166.jpg)
This is how it looks with the trimmed washer. Should've trimmed it a bit more.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180405/da24fe678c368e89f03dbb46996eb03b.jpg)
Washers are barely visible

Thanks. Interesting tidbit about the red LE having SS bolts there. I still haven't put mine together yet, but am exploring my handle options. I'd just as soon skip the taco since a wood handle takes care of most of the heat issue for your hand. But moreso than the added complexity of the taco, I don't like how tall the strap must be for it.

Quote from: addicted-to-smoke on April 05, 2018, 11:05:45 AM
Thanks. Interesting tidbit about the red LE having SS bolts there. I still haven't put mine together yet, but am exploring my handle options. I'd just as soon skip the taco since a wood handle takes care of most of the heat issue for your hand. But moreso than the added complexity of the taco, I don't like how tall the strap must be for it.

You can easily bypass the taco shell. Just reshape the strap and shorten it to your desired height. Would be an easier and faster rework. You'll have to use a fiber washer in place of the ss washer.  For me i have to have the taco since a majority of my cooks revolve around indirect using a poortex at a very high temperature, preferably a minimum of 600F at the lid thermometer. Without the taco, even a wood handle gets too hot to handle without  using gloves.

Face it. The heat shield came from burnt hands, customer base input, I'm sure. I like the idea, ugly or not... it works. Yeah, they fucked up with the strap design, butt guys here figgered out how to make it better, which I will be doing to mine.

If Weber is watching this site, maybe they'll get it right. 8)

The concept and intent is good. The design and follow through, not so much.
But nothing stays the same.. progress is inevitable.
Most of us like the "Good ole Days" It makes us feel good.
Why else do we like the vintage stuff? Food for thought..

I'm fine with having to install a handle when I purchase a grill, I just don't like the taco as I find it unnecessary and somewhat silly looking.  Fortunately, it pops right off and a couple of fender washers makes for a clean install.

I'd be happy if they would just use a fireplace style handle.

Does the taco handle rust?

Quote from: ButtevilleBBQer on April 07, 2018, 02:36:58 PM
Does the taco handle rust?

Nope.  It's an aluminum strap.

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