Weber Kettle Club Forums
Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: namtrag on September 22, 2014, 05:26:29 AM
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Hi guys,
I picked up the ss green performer from the DC area last Friday. The seller was a really nice guy, and refilled the propane tank for me so he could show me that the assist works. Other than a lot of black grease, the unit is in great shape, in fact, I might just go ahead and cook on it before I clean it, just to blast it with some heat first. It is a DD model. It does have one tiny chip on the top of the lid with a rust spot, so that's a slight bummer.
I scored a new grate with the hinged sides at Target for $4.99 yesterday, so I will use it and clean the one that came with it to use as a back up.
I still need to pick up some things to make life easier, like a heavy duty mitt, a thermometer for the grill surface, some wood chunks for smoking, and most of all, some charcoal lol.
I did have a question about the ash sweepers...do the DD (2000) model year units use the one that's currently being sold by Weber on their website?
Here is the condition of the bowl and sweeper. I am hoping I can get the sweeper clean and not have to replace it.
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/namtrag/greenweberbowl_zps77157ff5.jpeg) (http://s179.photobucket.com/user/namtrag/media/greenweberbowl_zps77157ff5.jpeg.html)
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BTW Here is the original CL pic.
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/namtrag/green2_zps314c85ac.jpg) (http://s179.photobucket.com/user/namtrag/media/green2_zps314c85ac.jpg.html)
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Congratulations on the new performer I think you will be very pleased with it. I have a 2000 DD performer and the as sweeper is the same design that Weber sells. However you may want to hold off until you give it a good cleaning, mine looked pretty rough at first site but they cleaned up pretty good and were actually stainless under the crud where the ones they sell now are not. You may also want to go ahead and register the grill on Weber's website as well, don't worry that you don't have a serial number I registered mine just using the DD and said it was a gift, that way they will sell you replacement parts by phone that are not listed on the website.
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I will go ahead and register it right now, thanks for letting me know!
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Beautiful looking green SS! Congrats on the pick-up.
Your performer definitely has the newer style sweep so you're safe to go ahead and order that if needed. You can also remove your existing one, clean up the bowl 100% underneath, and then very gently bend the fins back down a bit so they are flush with the bowl before re-installing. This is also a good test to see if they truly are shot, if you go to do the slight bend and they snap then they probably didn't have that much life left in them anyways.
You are going to love that rig!
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Beautiful looking green SS! Congrats on the pick-up.
Your performer definitely has the newer style sweep so you're safe to go ahead and order that if needed. You can also remove your existing one, clean up the bowl 100% underneath, and then very gently bend the fins back down a bit so they are flush with the bowl before re-installing. This is also a good test to see if they truly are shot, if you go to do the slight bend and they snap then they probably didn't have that much life left in them anyways.
You are going to love that rig!
I will try to work on that soon, I have so much crap scheduled this week and weekend, so I may not get to it for a while. I did notice that the sweepers weren't flush, so I will do that removal thing and try to bend them down a bit. It will be easier to clean them if I take them out, and the bowl will also be easier to clean.
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Nice find! It looks really solid, and I expect it will clean up very nicely.
Actually, those stainless steel sweeps might still be in stock at Weber, if you ask for stock number #90720 (big thanks to 604 for showing me that trick-- http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/question-for-the-guru's/). Otherwise the standard #7444 should work just fine.
Make sure you post up any questions that come up along the way, and for sure show us some pics of the finished project!
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Holy crap that looks awesome! congrats!
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I have the same one! Congrats on your score i think you will like it very much (i know i do!) if you don't have a chimney or baskets you might want those too.
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Thanks, everyone!
I am looking at Amazon at all the cool stuff I need to buy. I am sure I won't be the first to spend more on accessories than I did on the actual grill.
I am kind of scared to take the bowl out to clean because it has that gas line coming in...is that a big deal?
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Try here, see if that don't answer your questions, the burner tube is held in by two bolts and nuts so no big deal.
http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/weber-kettle-technical-reference-library/
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You may also want to go ahead and register the grill on Weber's website as well, don't worry that you don't have a serial number I registered mine just using the DD and said it was a gift, that way they will sell you replacement parts by phone that are not listed on the website.
I wasn't aware of this and also picked up a similar SS Performer recently. Thanks for mentioning it @weirleigh!
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Congrats on the score @namtrag!
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So you did get up there & get it....cool deal !!!!
Worth the trip, it appears !!!!
Seems like it's in pretty decent shape......just remember if you're taking out the sweeps, they go in a certain order, so mark them somehow as they come apart.....
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"and most of all, some charcoal lol."
Yeah, that's a thing right there..... 8)
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Thanks for the tips, and I wish I weren't leaving town tomorrow for four days! It will be a while before I can work on my grill :(. Oh well, at least I can keep researching charcoal, that should keep me busy:)
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I believe that there is one of these in the Philadelphia Craigslist for $100....
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Beautiful looking green SS! Congrats on the pick-up.
Your performer definitely has the newer style sweep so you're safe to go ahead and order that if needed. You can also remove your existing one, clean up the bowl 100% underneath, and then very gently bend the fins back down a bit so they are flush with the bowl before re-installing. This is also a good test to see if they truly are shot, if you go to do the slight bend and they snap then they probably didn't have that much life left in them anyways.
You are going to love that rig!
@SixZeroFour How do you know what sweeps he has? AJ
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@Heyjude
Hey AJ - If you look in the first picture you can just barely make out the "H" clip on the sweep. The older style #7409's have that circular "bullseye" looking top plate
(http://buyterrace.com/m/images_amazon_garden/weber-7409-one-touch-cleaning-system-1-116922.jpg)
;)
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@SixZeroFour
I hope you're right. I can;t see the cross bar on the ash bucket either.
It also looks like the newer style bucket.
If its an actual newer style OT, its should be stainless. It looks plated.
Or its just really cruddy..
AJ
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100% positive 8) It looks to be reasonably solid - I'm sure it could be saved no problem!
(http://www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com/Weber/SEP14/greenss1.jpg)
(http://www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com/Weber/SEP14/greenss2.jpg)
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If its an actual newer style OT, its should be stainless. It looks plated.
Or its just really cruddy..
AJ
@Heyjude (or anyone who knows) are the newer H style stainless steel? or "plated" what? aluminium?
i recently fitted a newer style H on an older SS perf i sold to MadMax. went on like a boss no problems. but are the newer sweeps junk when compared to the older ones?
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There are both SS (bit older) and aluminum versions both made in the newer h style.. have part numbers here somewhere... stay tuned!
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Nice find! It looks really solid, and I expect it will clean up very nicely.
Actually, those stainless steel sweeps might still be in stock at Weber, if you ask for stock number #90720 (big thanks to 604 for showing me that trick-- http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/question-for-the-guru's/). Otherwise the standard #7444 should work just fine.
Make sure you post up any questions that come up along the way, and for sure show us some pics of the finished project!
Here we go, Mike already posted up some info!
The SS sweeps are a thing of beauty!
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thanks matt, still on the first cup-a-java.
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If its an actual newer style OT, its should be stainless. It looks plated.
Or its just really cruddy..
AJ
@Heyjude (or anyone who knows) are the newer H style stainless steel? or "plated" what? aluminium?
i recently fitted a newer style H on an older SS perf i sold to MadMax. went on like a boss no problems. but are the newer sweeps junk when compared to the older ones?
@GregS
They are no longer made of SS. They aren't junk, but they won't last as long.
The primary reason the old ones failed was due to corrosion.
Rust sets in at some point. Once the protective coating is gone, it begins.
Acidic compounds that drip off of food onto the OT blades hasten the process.
Its not a terribly expensive or difficult part to replace, but I like to use a drip pan under some of my cooks. I think if you keep your kettle cleaned out, they will last for a long time.
AJ
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There are both SS (bit older) and aluminum versions both made in the newer h style.. have part numbers here somewhere... stay tuned!
@SixZeroFour
Actually of Constructed of aluminized steel. Whatever that is!
8)
Weber 7444
Weber 90720 for the SS... If you can get them..
And your drawing is too much! Are you a forensic scientist? Detective? Maybe a secret agent with a cover as a grill collector? Lol..
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Very nice. Congrats on your new SS Performer find. Looks awesome in green against that stainless steel top.
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And your drawing is too much! Are you a forensic scientist? Detective? Maybe a secret agent with a cover as a grill collector? Lol..
@Heyjude
lol - busted... Secret CSI Agent "EH"
I figured it was a whole lot easier to outline than try to explain it in text somehow ;)
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Wow my thread revived from the dead.
I am planning a big clean this Friday, as I have been really busy the past two weekends.
It is definitely an H...I can see it real well in person. Who knows, maybe it was already replaced once.
Another interesting thing you guys may know about. It came with 2 extra different hose couplings for connecting the propane. The original tank is still working and I saw it fired up before I bought it, but the guy also showed me two other couplings that he had...they were a different diameter. I had never seen anyone say this before, so I thought I would bring it up.
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Wow my thread revived from the dead.
I am planning a big clean this Friday, as I have been really busy the past two weekends.
It is definitely an H...I can see it real well in person. Who knows, maybe it was already replaced once.
Another interesting thing you guys may know about. It came with 2 extra different hose couplings for connecting the propane. The original tank is still working and I saw it fired up before I bought it, but the guy also showed me two other couplings that he had...they were a different diameter. I had never seen anyone say this before, so I thought I would bring it up.
Show us some pics.. One is probably the quick disconnect and the other is the fill fitting that you need to take o the propane fill station.. Just a hunch.. 8)
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I will have to get some pics when I get home tonight. The former owner said he never used them for anything, and had no idea what they were for.
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1 - Its not a terribly expensive or difficult part to replace, but...
2 - I like to use a drip pan under some of my cooks. I think if you keep your kettle cleaned out, they will last for a long time.
AJ
1 - agreed.
2 - same here about the drip pan so i hope they last a long time.
i have a few old style ones nib i acquired from an old jedi in a recent cloak and dagger parking lot type meeting. but now i feel like they are more valuable than the price of the trade value i acquired them for. so i may just buy more of the newer type to use and hang on to the old ones like some kind of eejit thinking "they're too rare and good to use!"
that's a sign of weberitis isn't it?
(http://www.thebort.com/www/Smileys/default/facepalm.gif)
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(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/namtrag/7BC05BA4-D574-41D1-86D5-A1230B8E256D_zpsxwqaoeqd.jpg)
Here is a pic of the two extra couplings the guy gave me. He was the second owner, having bought the performer from a Marine at Quantico. The original owner said he bought it at the PX when he was overseas.
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Cant see the top one too clearly, but he bottom one is for the propane station to attach to his machine to use the quick connect on the tank. It has pretty much gone away as every new tank is OPD and the connector is faster and easier..
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1 - Its not a terribly expensive or difficult part to replace, but...
2 - I like to use a drip pan under some of my cooks. I think if you keep your kettle cleaned out, they will last for a long time.
AJ
1 - agreed.
2 - same here about the drip pan so i hope they last a long time.
i have a few old style ones nib i acquired from an old jedi in a recent cloak and dagger parking lot type meeting. but now i feel like they are more valuable than the price of the trade value i acquired them for. so i may just buy more of the newer type to use and hang on to the old ones like some kind of eejit thinking "they're too rare and good to use!"
that's a sign of weberitis isn't it?
(http://www.thebort.com/www/Smileys/default/facepalm.gif)
You pretty much answered your own question.. 8)
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Thanks on the connector...we were thinking one was for a small green Coleman bottle, and maybe the other was for a full sized tank. We were wrong obviously!
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I am pretty psyched about cleaning it up tomorrow and grilling on Saturday, but one thing I am not sure how to do is remove the ash sweep assembly. I hope it's pretty easy! I also hope they don't break when I clean them and bend them a little so they fit snug against the bowl, because I don't have replacements on hand!
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I am pretty psyched about cleaning it up tomorrow and grilling on Saturday, but one thing I am not sure how to do is remove the ash sweep assembly. I hope it's pretty easy! I also hope they don't break when I clean them and bend them a little so they fit snug against the bowl, because I don't have replacements on hand!
my experience with these is it just depends on how rusted it it. i've only un-installed the old style sweeps.
the first step i use is hitting the sweep mechanism with penetrating oil spray. i'm not a huge fan of WD40 but if that's all you have then give it a try. let it soak in for a while, i typically wait at least an hour hitting it "generously".
"IF" the bottom thumb screw breaks off while trying to twist it out, which has happened to me on more than 50% of them then... the key here is getting the sweep handle out of the nut so the nut passes up through the washer (in some cases) and kettle.
in this thread http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/don't-throw-away-that-old-weber!/ he drills out the nut from the bottom and states that the whole nut falls apart. i haven't gone this route.
i just hack sawed off both ends of the handle at the nut so the nut slid up through the kettle. then installed the newer style sweeps (weber part # 7444, $17.99 at my local ace) which were a direct replacement to what i had removed. i know people say you have to mod something, but i didn't. i just replaced the washer that came with the new sweep with the cross member bracket that holds the ash pan mount in place.
(http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x164/gregs1020/ER%20Code%20SS%20Perf%20charcoal/20140927_101131_zpsf4fxvwvo.jpg)
(http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x164/gregs1020/ER%20Code%20SS%20Perf%20charcoal/20140927_101103_zps4mxsbmdx.jpg)
(http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x164/gregs1020/ER%20Code%20SS%20Perf%20charcoal/20140927_101051_zps9qkbmkar.jpg)
the important thing about hack sawing off the sweep handle that goes through the bolt is to try to do it right at the bolt. if you leave excess handle sticking out of the bolt you're risking taking the bolt through the washer and kettle bottom hole more difficult or impossible. you may end up having to cut it again which sucks.
good luck, let us know how it goes and be carefull around that beautiful green!
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Thanks, Greg...I hope mine is a little easier than that, but your tips will help if it isn't!
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namtrag: You should be able to remove yours much easier... just take a flathead screwdriver and place it between the H-Drive piece and the metal handle and while twisting the flathead screwdriver also twist and pull outwards and the handle should come free. It's a twist lock type of idea so you just need to release pressure on the tab so it comes free. Hit it with some rust penetrant from both sides before hand and let it sit a bit and it will make life a bit easier too.
(http://www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com/Weber/SEP14/otrem.jpg)
On the older style they can be a lot more tricky because the handle bar rusts into the nut assembly which is why many people need to cut the handle in order to get it out.
Good luck! You'll be fine!
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Thanks! I found an old post on here where someone put up a diagram showing how to do it!
(http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n615/MacEggs/weber_H_removal.jpg) (http://s1142.photobucket.com/user/MacEggs/media/weber_H_removal.jpg.html)
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i gotten some great advice from brian to check with your local hardware store and see if they have a #7409 in stock. these are the older style set up and many stores still have them sitting there on the shelves new in box.
they're out there if you'd rather find the older type. amazon wants almost $50 for them, but they ring up at True Value when you find them for $19.99.
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I was able to remove the sweeper assembly pretty easily. I bent the blades, and reinstalled it.
However. I did screw the kettle up because it was a little dark out while I was working, and it looks like the ceramic came off when I scrubbed the inside with steel wool. Areas that had heavy grease ended up with the ceramic worn off. I am sick over it. It's around the upper edge all the way around, about 4" wide. I am so mad at myself :(
I used the steel wool that said it was for ceramic. I will take pics in the morning, but I am pretty sure I effed up.
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@namtrag should stick with the new version #7444 sweep, but @GregS - your performer would benefit from going back to the original #7409. It will fit more snug than the newer replacement you currently have installed.
namtrag: Did you used super fine #0000 Steel Wool? If so it would pretty hard to wear it right down... it could just be caked on creosote as sometime it looks and feels like the kettle should be clean but there is really dark bits left behind... give it a scratch with a razor scraper and let us know hoe it goes!
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(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/namtrag/7BC05BA4-D574-41D1-86D5-A1230B8E256D_zpsxwqaoeqd.jpg)
PS these both appear to be tank filler adapters, but one has the quick coupler? (not positive) portion still attached to it. Those are nice to keep around!
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I will first thing in full light tomorrow morning. I kept rubbing it because it felt rough, so maybe it is just really stuck crud.
On a positive note, I easily removed the sweep and bent the blades a little, and it fits really snug now. It was a breeze to remove the h style, even I was able to do it
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That stuff can be real nasty... even with a razor scraper you may need to get a bit aggressive if you want it spotless clean. It helps to work in out in the sun if possible as it can be hard to see in some lights.
Good Luck!
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Thanks so much! If you look at this pic from before I started, see to the left of the nut in the upper left and going around just above the groove? That's what it's like. Almost like rough rust. I hope you are right!
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/namtrag/greenweberbowl_zps77157ff5.jpeg) (http://s179.photobucket.com/user/namtrag/media/greenweberbowl_zps77157ff5.jpeg.html)
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Nice find. It'll clean up nice.
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Pretty sure it's just creosote :) but I could be wrong!
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That's not rust, it's just built up, hardened gunk and a PITA to remove. It would be pretty hard to damage the porcelain with steel wool as 604 said. A combination of a razor blade, SS scourer and hot soapy water is what I use to clean up that gunk.
I only use 0000 steel wool for the aluminum vents and legs
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I am not sure the number, but it said for porcelain. I hope you guys are right, and it is just really hard crust...it was all the way around the kettle from the top down slightly past that groove.
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That's not a groove! :-)
But you'll see that as you start cleaning it. My preferred method is razor scrape, then soak in soap and water, and repeat as necessary.
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This is what I use to get the stubborn gunk off along with a razor blade and hot soapy water
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00B1FZEW2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1412392583&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40
And this is what I use on the vents and legs
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001JYVDSE/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1412392773&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40
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Yeah, pretty sure it's hosed. Doesn't look like baked grease to me.
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/namtrag/594EACAC-0644-406B-A158-7123224AF9C0_zps6u00ez6c.jpg) (http://s179.photobucket.com/user/namtrag/media/594EACAC-0644-406B-A158-7123224AF9C0_zps6u00ez6c.jpg.html)
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Did you use any kind of chemical on it?
I had the same thick, really baked on crust on the big one......see to the left of the food.....
(http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd520/1buckie/2014/Wood%20Dale/WoodDale034.jpg)
(http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd520/1buckie/2014/Wood%20Dale/WoodDale028.jpg)
The kettle's at least 50 years old & I think it may not have been deep cleaned ever......as I was scraping, I thought I was actually peeling off the porcelain, that it was 'fused' to the crud.....
Here's what that looked like:
(http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd520/1buckie/2014/Wood%20Dale/WoodDale021.jpg)
Same 'ridge'..................
(http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd520/1buckie/2014/Wood%20Dale/WoodDale006.jpg)
This is what it ended out like :
(http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd520/1buckie/2014/Wood%20Dale/WoodDale013.jpg)
If that's peeled off porcelain, it'll be a first for me....don't ever remember that happening....
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@namtrag what did you use to clean it again? razors and ??
GregS[/member] - your performer would benefit from going back to the original #7409. It will fit more snug than the newer replacement you currently have installed.
@SixZeroFour it was actually pretty snug. i thought about putting a washer between the cross member bracket and kettle but there wasn't any room for that. i didn't want it "too tight" as i felt it would harm the underside of the kettle. @MadMax check it over and see what you think, maybe an added washer is needed?
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It's hard to tell from your pic, but mine had very similar looking crud in the bowl. The crud was really fused to the porcelain. At first, I didn't think it was coming off and was about to give up and find another kettle. It took a LOT of effort with the razor blade to get it down to the porcelain.
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I'm with buckie on this one. It would be a first for me.
There's no way you're hosed - it's a Weber kettle. You may get small 1/8th spots of porcelain missing like I've seen on a well used Wood Dale, but you'll be fine.
Make sure you have a box of razor blades and a handle. Always use fresh blades.
If it's shot (which I'm sure you're OK), then you've got nothing to lose.
Pick a spot a start working it with the blade.
You'll be surprised what you find underneath - it'll be shiny porcelain.
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Yeah, pretty sure it's hosed. Doesn't look like baked grease to me.
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/namtrag/594EACAC-0644-406B-A158-7123224AF9C0_zps6u00ez6c.jpg) (http://s179.photobucket.com/user/namtrag/media/594EACAC-0644-406B-A158-7123224AF9C0_zps6u00ez6c.jpg.html)
I agree with the others here - I've NEVER seen bowl damage like that before - it must be baked on crud?!? :o
Do you have the packaging for the steel wool? If it's #0000 there's no way it chewed up the porcelain like that without some crazy chemical or something being used. Honestly I usually tell people there isn't a whole lot you can do to damaged the porcelain - especially to that extent. I'm still holding faith that it will come off. As you were cleaning did it ever go shiny black first and then down to the grey or was that crap just always there?
Let us know exactly the procedure and chemicals used and that will help a lot. Like dazzo said get a BIG pack of razor blades (usually the 100 pack is only a few bucks more than a 10 pack) I prob go through 5 or 6 blades on a single nasty clean up.
Don't give up yet!
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And get aggressive with the razor scraper... really scrape at a portion of that junk and see if you can clear a little section. If it IS damaged like that you're not going to mess it up anymore anyways! Start from an edge and scrape inwards with muscle like your stripping paint.
PS - the 4" "band" where all that crud has built up above the grate is somewhat notorious for being extra nasty - hopefully that bad news is good news...
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Yayayayayayay! It was crud. I got 90% off, but have stopped for the day as I am planning on cooking later on it. A tip i figured out after a long while was to wet or and put dish detergent on it. Once I did this the razor moved easier. After a while I switched to dish soap and steel wool. By the way, the steel wool was "fine", I believe it was 0 or 00.
The interior does have some rust spots, and I guess that is normal. Thanks for telling me to not give up! It really did look like bare metal, but the razor don't lie!
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This is good.......
......I figured out a little trick cleaning on that one I showed.......instead of dish soap, which works good, but then has to be cleared before you cook, I used apple cider vinegar.......
soaked a rag, patted onto the cruded surfaces, scrubbed with rag so it would soak into the crud, razor scrape, repeat some........
When it was clean, just fired up.....stinks weird for about two minutes, then cook................
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(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/10/04/dbbe58e58789881b4133a8d0a644f43b.jpg).
Buck I will remember that trick for when I tackle the inside of the lid!
Here is how she looks now. Still some crud, but lots better.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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YES!!! Very good news! ... BUT ... Please don't use that steel wool on the kettle anymore! Stick with 0000 - I have seen even 000 slightly scuff lid porcelain before. Better safe than sorry :)
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Great work, namtrag! It looks great!
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Good job way to go!
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Thanks'. Should I worry about the rust spots, or just let the grease cure it? Lol