Long story short, I have been a brethren for years, and have only ever smoked on a UDS:
Days after an estate sale/auction in my neighborhood, in northern Wisconsin, this was found in the bushes, where it had been abandoned. The new owner told me to just take it, as he knew I was a bbq guy.
I will need to reverse a Mod, as the original owner converted it to propane, I believe, as evidenced by the holes in the base.
I will use 2 washers and a bolt to block off the round hole, but I may need to cut two tin patches and sheetmetal screw them inside the edge of the squarish hole; will probably cut it clean also . . .
(https://i.imgur.com/4504gMl.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/0mFaI1z.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/Oiov1Eq.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/MlRIM5m.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/zXnRM40.jpg?1)
Oh, and its a 'B' code. :o
(https://i.imgur.com/t24sPbG.jpg?1)
I was showing another neighbor the WSM, when I realized it was a B, and it was kind of lost on him ;D
So, after patching the holes and wire brushing the grates, should I switch out all the bolts with stainless?
Will probably give it a nice flaxseed oil rub, too.
If this was yours, where would you take it from here?
Thanks in advance, Kevin in Cedarburg, Wi. (feeling blessed)
Apparently PhotoBucket does not like me. How can I upload my pics of this bruiser?
Quote from: Beef on October 01, 2017, 06:17:15 PM
Apparently PhotoBucket does not like me. How can I upload my pics of this bruiser?
Tapatalk and please hurry! Congrats!
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Quote from: Beef on October 01, 2017, 06:17:15 PM
...How can I upload my pics of this bruiser?
I like the hosting done here -> http://pics.weberkettleclub.com
Sign up anew; its a separate account from your account in the forums.
Pics Updated. Actually IMGUR is much slicker than photoshop . . . imho
Give me your feedback folks!
From what I am reading, the handle was Real Teak back then.
Well that was certainly an ordeal!
Sorry for the delay folks. All pics inserted in OP
Nice score! I would completely disassemble it and evaporust all the rust off the steel bits. I would then get the bowl patched by a welder who knows their way around sheet metal. I would pull the steel from a donor 18.5" bowl.
Great insights! both of which I had not considered.
Keep it coming Y'all
Tx Gummi
nice Rescue
Let us know your progress!
Such a beauty! I would do a full on restore, if time allowed. Keep us posted !
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Only the 2nd?? "B" code 18.5" that we've seen. I believe
@Harbormaster has one
Wow that thing is sweet!
Nice rescue, can't wait to see the restore. I can already feel the respect.
Nice find beef.
Interesting that it's a B date code but has a single screw wood handle. Mine a has a dual rivet handle.
Still pretty sweet.
No one can explain the B date code WSMs with any certainty.
Had a N code 1991 18" WSM that I got for free but the bottom bowl was rusted through but everything else was in decent condition. Really liked the smoker with the wood handle and Weber sells a replacement bowl somewhere in the mid $50 range plus flat shipping of $7.00. So ordered the bowl and thermometer with bezel for another $15 and hardware kit was $5. The only pic I have is when I used it like a Jumbo Joe Platinum.
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Wow! I thought C was the first WSM.
Pretty sweet . Cool find
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Quote from: TheDude on October 03, 2017, 09:01:33 AM
Wow! I thought C was the first WSM.
Technically, you are correct. "C" is the first year. There are a few "B" code WSMs out there...not many though.
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Quote from: Mike in Roseville on October 03, 2017, 12:41:54 PM
Quote from: TheDude on October 03, 2017, 09:01:33 AM
Wow! I thought C was the first WSM.
Technically, you are correct. "C" is the first year. There are a few "B" code WSMs out there...not many though.
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And I thought C codes were rare.
Nice find! Looks like you got some work ahead of you
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Nice find! Looks like you got some work ahead of you
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WoW ... that is a fantastic find/score. Take your time to fully restore this venerable smoker, glad she's in the WKC family at last.
SJ
Am I the only one that loves the rust on this? Personally I would patch the holes as simply as possible and put it into service. I'd let the grease prevent it from rusting further. I love those rusty doors.
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Quote from: HoosierKettle on October 04, 2017, 03:18:42 AM
Am I the only one that loves the rust on this? Personally I would patch the holes as simply as possible and put it into service. I'd let the grease prevent it from rusting further. I love those rusty doors.
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Uhh yeah! It has awesome patina! I'd rest a piece of stainless inside large enough to cover the holes. Light a full ring to burn it out...then cook on it!
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Here was my solution to the holes in the base.
I solved the center hole with washer and bolt.
Then I spied a scrap piece of a tamale pot bottom from an older mini wsm project. I decided to just leave it in a Swoosh pattern
Doing some last minute cleanup, etc and getting it into service.
BTW, I have never used a WSM before. Just a UDS.
(https://i.imgur.com/NxuMcDJm.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/bPirtZwm.jpg)
It wont be perfect, but I will post pictures soon of the finished product