Weber Kettle Club Forums

Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: Cellar2ful on September 04, 2017, 03:10:30 PM

Title: Shades of blue
Post by: Cellar2ful on September 04, 2017, 03:10:30 PM

Lined these up today for a side by side comparison of some variations of blue Webers over the years.  There is a greater color variation seeing them in person as opposed to in this photo.

     2011 OTP                          1996 MT                                 1979 MBH


(http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2017/09/03/DSC04491.md.jpg)
Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: Rub on September 04, 2017, 03:45:04 PM
I like all of the blues a lot, but the mbh paler blue trips my trigger for some reason. Great set!
Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: jkolantern on September 04, 2017, 03:48:05 PM
Very cool! Can't pick my favorite
Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: Larry on September 04, 2017, 05:04:46 PM
I have a blue 1997 MT, so my favorite is your '96!


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Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: mhiszem on September 04, 2017, 06:28:46 PM
It's neat to see the shade change between years. Love that!


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Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: Foster Dahlet on September 04, 2017, 07:01:49 PM
gotta love the '96 MT
Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: TD on September 04, 2017, 08:24:42 PM
When did Weber start mixing in red to get the more purple/periwinkle blue? Was there ever a true or royal blue? My Miller and Bud lite kettles are quite purplish.
Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: Cellar2ful on September 04, 2017, 08:38:29 PM

@TD -  To me, the MBH blue is like the color Ford uses on their engines.  My 96 MT is the like the Kansas City Royals blue.  The 2011 is the purple/periwinkle blue you speak of.  Here is a photo taken in the sunlight that maybe shows the color difference better.

(http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2017/09/04/DSC04494.md.jpg)

Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: TD on September 04, 2017, 11:03:50 PM
Oh, I want a 96 blue! Wish Weber was doing the Limited Edition in that blue. I have too many things red already. Oh, and those Chocolate fades side by side 18, 22 and 26. Think those wouldn't sell! Weber should purge the black from the spray guns and shoot some color. They must be scared of warranty claims on colored kettles. Poor little 18 has not seen color in the US on anything other than logo versions in forever.
Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: RottiGuy on September 05, 2017, 12:48:40 AM
Great lineup!!
Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: Cellar2ful on September 05, 2017, 12:57:40 PM
@TD - I wished I would have included my 1990 OTP in this line up. I thought they were the same color but comparing them today (the 1990 and 1996),  the 1990 is just a bit more of true Kansas City Royals blue.

(http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2017/07/18/DSC01582.md.jpg)
Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: MDurso on September 05, 2017, 01:05:03 PM
Among the reasons for a shift in color was the outlawing of certain chemicals (pigments) which are toxic when heated such as the yellows and reds.  That was the primary reason for the drop in colors for many years.

Once the porcelain was able to have color again (desired colors) that was when the browns, greens and that darker red began showing up again in the late 2000s.

I have a late 2000s blue gumball with this interesting lever action that raises the charcoal closer to the cooking grate.
Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: mhiszem on September 05, 2017, 03:57:25 PM
Got any pictures of it?


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Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: toebone on September 05, 2017, 04:18:18 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170906/c86587f970231784b810810cab622e74.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170906/56da1971c927f8c8a027c2f6801550ec.jpg)

Not the best pictures to tell the difference in but that's my blue 84 compared to my nib 2012


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Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: TD on September 05, 2017, 09:31:23 PM
You guys stop it. Hard to look at those beauties that you can't get anymore.
Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: Cellar2ful on September 06, 2017, 06:07:03 AM
Quote from: MDurso on September 05, 2017, 01:05:03 PM
Among the reasons for a shift in color was the outlawing of certain chemicals (pigments) which are toxic when heated such as the yellows and reds.  That was the primary reason for the drop in colors for many years.

Once the porcelain was able to have color again (desired colors) that was when the browns, greens and that darker red began showing up again in the late 2000s.

I have a late 2000s blue gumball with this interesting lever action that raises the charcoal closer to the cooking grate.

Welcome to the Forum MDurso. Beings that you worked for Weber, was the release of toxins just in the manufacturing heating process or do the older Webers continue to release toxins in the cooking process?  Also, do you have a picture of your blue gumball?
Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: TheDude on September 06, 2017, 10:44:04 AM
Quote from: TD on September 05, 2017, 09:31:23 PM
You guys stop it. Hard to look at those beauties that you can't get anymore.

They are out there. You'll find yours.
Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: LightningBoldtz on September 06, 2017, 10:58:07 AM
@Craig you might like this
Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: Neil_VT00 on September 06, 2017, 11:07:30 AM
Great looking lineup!  Really interesting to see the color shift through the years.
Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: RottiGuy on September 06, 2017, 01:58:33 PM
Really love the Blue's!!
Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: Darko on September 06, 2017, 07:16:33 PM
Quote from: MDurso on September 05, 2017, 01:05:03 PM
Among the reasons for a shift in color was the outlawing of certain chemicals (pigments) which are toxic when heated such as the yellows and reds.  That was the primary reason for the drop in colors for many years.


That's interesting. My understanding was that the issue was always about disposal of the residue after enameling. The blues, yellows & reds used different cadmium salts to produce the colours. It was the disposal of those that was the issue.

Are you saying that our blue, yellow or red kettles are toxic if used?
Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: Cellar2ful on September 07, 2017, 06:47:31 AM


@Darko - I sent MDurso a PM just now, asking for clarification. 
Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: Mr.CPHo on September 07, 2017, 06:56:37 AM

Quote from: MDurso on September 05, 2017, 01:05:03 PM
I have a late 2000s blue gumball with this interesting lever action that raises the charcoal closer to the cooking grate.
Cool, I'd love to see this lever action in pics. 


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Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: HoosierKettle on September 07, 2017, 07:12:26 AM
Yes. They are toxic when cooking. But good news is I will accept any unwanted toxic colored kettles. Pm me for address


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Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: MDurso on September 07, 2017, 07:26:36 AM
Thanks for the heads up on the questions.  I set up the imgur account yesterday and need to migrate some of the stuff from photobucket, etc to the more friendly host service.

In regards to the color and toxicity, Proposition 65.  Lead, cadmium, other metals used to pigment and assist with the porcelain enamel finish were outlawed due to handling and use during the manufacturing process and some follow on.

Now your house may have lead paint and your kids school may have asbestos here and there.  But as long as it's encased and not disturbed, you should be alright.

I don't recall any "hard evidence" to not using a vintage grill for outright cooking.  Maybe some fumes are toxic, but how much?  You may not want to scratch at it or eat or lick the finish any more than a vintage car or your childhood bedroom from 1956.  I haven't used the red gumball in years and years.

Remember that grilling in itself is packed with carcinogens.  I read where you shouldn't cook with aluminum foil, but once or three times a week I ball up some green peppers and onions and toss them on the grate.  I have a brass fitting on the end of my garden hose and when I'm done rinsing the lawn mower, I take a drink.

I don't feel I'm really answering the question with FACT other than it was definitely present in manufacturing.  And the Stephens family seemed annoyed they had to drop some successful colors and options..
Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: Cellar2ful on September 07, 2017, 07:39:21 AM


Thanks for the clarification @MDurso
Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: MDurso on September 07, 2017, 07:45:31 AM
Quote from: Cellar2ful on September 07, 2017, 07:39:21 AM


Thanks for the clarification @MDurso .
I could see where I may have caused an alarming reaction.  If there were hard evidence, it's be well known with some class action lawsuits.  Who's in?   ;D

I think this just makes the case for putting all the colors you have into regular rotation!
Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: kettlebb on September 07, 2017, 08:07:08 AM
I'd think if it was the case Weber would have a buy back program to rid the world of the old grills and destroy them. Everyone get your 5lb sledge ready and start scraping 

Kidding. I'll cook on my redheads.


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Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: MDurso on September 07, 2017, 04:33:44 PM
Here's my unremarkable blue gumball.

While at Weber, I sat right next to Bob Stephen (1 of 6 sons of 12 kids of George Stephen).  It was right outside our office and mentioned I didn't have a kettle.  He gave me this as a gift and loaded it into my car.

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: Shades of blue
Post by: MDurso on September 07, 2017, 04:35:14 PM
Argh!!!  It's not really laying on the ground!!