Weber Kettle Club Forums

Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: Zrschaef on April 05, 2022, 04:18:18 AM

Title: Tips for Frozen/stuck rusted in place sweeps?
Post by: Zrschaef on April 05, 2022, 04:18:18 AM
The sweeps on my recent roadside find are completely stuck. The grill is a 2019 so they aren't  that old. They have a decent amount of surface rust on them but not rusted through at all. Anyone have any tips on freeing them up?

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Title: Re: Tips for Frozen/stuck rusted in place sweeps?
Post by: bamakettles on April 05, 2022, 05:25:09 AM
Heat and patience.  They'll work free with a little coaxing.
Title: Re: Tips for Frozen/stuck rusted in place sweeps?
Post by: Zrschaef on April 05, 2022, 06:28:18 AM
Do you ever use penitrating oil or anything?
Quote from: bamakettles on April 05, 2022, 05:25:09 AM
Heat and patience.  They'll work free with a little coaxing.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=91018)

Title: Re: Tips for Frozen/stuck rusted in place sweeps?
Post by: bamakettles on April 05, 2022, 06:41:29 AM
Quote from: Zrschaef on April 05, 2022, 06:28:18 AM
Do you ever use penitrating oil or anything?
Quote from: bamakettles on April 05, 2022, 05:25:09 AM
Heat and patience.  They'll work free with a little coaxing.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=91018)
Depends on what's stuck really.  If the sweeps are stuck to the bowl, it could be old grease that's solidified and some heat will/could loosen them up.  If you're talking about the older thumbscrew underneath then yes, lots of penetrating oil and heat never hurts maybe with a small torch.  The only thumbscrew sweeps I've ever tried to loosen I broke the screw and drilled out the whole thing then replaced with an entire new set of the modern version.  If you could elaborate on exactly what is stuck, others may chime in with their experiences.
Title: Re: Tips for Frozen/stuck rusted in place sweeps?
Post by: bamakettles on April 05, 2022, 06:42:31 AM
Pictures of what you're working on would also help.
Title: Re: Tips for Frozen/stuck rusted in place sweeps?
Post by: stillgriller on April 05, 2022, 08:41:23 AM
Stills fix for every Weber problem. Just send it to me.
Title: Re: Tips for Frozen/stuck rusted in place sweeps?
Post by: Dave in KC on April 05, 2022, 03:41:43 PM
Post a pic or 2 for sure.  I have never seen a kettle that new
with such an issue.
On older kettles, I just take a grinder/cut-off wheel
and cut it off from the underneath side of the bowl.
Title: Re: Tips for Frozen/stuck rusted in place sweeps?
Post by: Zrschaef on April 05, 2022, 05:30:31 PM
Quote from: bamakettles on April 05, 2022, 06:41:29 AM
Quote from: Zrschaef on April 05, 2022, 06:28:18 AM
Do you ever use penitrating oil or anything?
Quote from: bamakettles on April 05, 2022, 05:25:09 AM
Heat and patience.  They'll work free with a little coaxing.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=91018)
Depends on what's stuck really.  If the sweeps are stuck to the bowl, it could be old grease that's solidified and some heat will/could loosen them up.  If you're talking about the older thumbscrew underneath then yes, lots of penetrating oil and heat never hurts maybe with a small torch.  The only thumbscrew sweeps I've ever tried to loosen I broke the screw and drilled out the whole thing then replaced with an entire new set of the modern version.  If you could elaborate on exactly what is stuck, others may chime in with their experiences.
Thanks for the help! A healthy dose of heat did the trick! I guess I didn't give it enough torch the first time. Looks/smells like a ton of grease and ash had it glued together

Sent from my SM-G991U using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=91018)
Title: Re: Tips for Frozen/stuck rusted in place sweeps?
Post by: Zrschaef on April 05, 2022, 05:47:57 PM
Quote from: Dave in KC on April 05, 2022, 03:41:43 PM
Post a pic or 2 for sure.  I have never seen a kettle that new
with such an issue.
On older kettles, I just take a grinder/cut-off wheel
and cut it off from the underneath side of the bowl.
Judging by the amount of ash and grease in this one when i found it, I don't think it was taken care of very well

Sent from my SM-G991U using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=91018)

Title: Re: Tips for Frozen/stuck rusted in place sweeps?
Post by: 502BBQ on April 05, 2022, 07:23:52 PM
Easy Off oven cleaner does wonders as well.
Title: Re: Tips for Frozen/stuck rusted in place sweeps
Post by: stillgriller on April 06, 2022, 04:33:43 PM
If it's the newer design one touch, the sweep handle may have a small tab that secures it in place, and it must be twisted 180 degrees to get the handle out. That tab can snap, as I recently figured out. Good luck.