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Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: Mr.CPHo on November 28, 2020, 05:00:41 AM

Title: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: Mr.CPHo on November 28, 2020, 05:00:41 AM

I was a little bummed out we didn’t have friends or family join us for Thanksgiving this year.  Sure, enjoying one another’s company is cool and all, but if I’m going to be honest, I really just like the copious amounts of kettle cooking that goes into the holiday. I even like the pre-game strategizing: estimating headcount, nailing down a menu, developing a grocery list then running all over town to get specific ingredients.  I even like planning subsequent meals using the leftovers.  (I would’ve made split pea soup with the turkey carcass and thrown in cubed ham).  Some may have disdain for such minutiae, but I dig it.  Well, none of that happened this year.  It was just the wife and I, so instead of spinning a bird and firing up multiple kettles, I only used just one kettle, but it may just be my oldest kettle.

Last week I spotted this MLH at an estate sale outside Chattanooga.  I could only see the metal lid handle, the rest was obscured by other miscellaneous garage items.  When I emailed the seller if he could send me more pics, he responded “No, it’s a cheap grill you can get at Wal-mart.”  Uh... ok.... I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Since we had nothing on our agenda this week, we decided to take a meandering road trip “over the river and through the wood” of the beautiful Smoky mountains to pick up this grill and bring it home where it’ll be appreciated more than a cheap Wal-mart grill.  Upon arrival, I was delighted to find the original ash pan inside, all three daisy wheels attached, and both metal wheels and rubber tread intact.  Lid vent confirms, my first Wood dale!!  (Disclaimer, I’m not sure if the MLH Ranch qualifies)   For the ride home, the MLH was dismantled and packed with foam tubing in the rooftop cargo box... to avoid the cacophony of metallic rattling all the way home.   You know what I’m talking about. 

Upon further inspection, nice patina and I see what may have once been the “Porcelain enameled” label on the lid, now long gone.  Two of the hooks that hold up the ash pan are gone, my temporary solution is to use two spring clips until I can find hooks that match and some how attach them.  Any tips on restoring a J-hook ash pan would be welcomed.

First cook were a pair of ribeyes for a super low-key Thanksgiving dinner, and yeah, I burned the shit out of my hand the first time I lifted the hot lid.  I also noted the hook to hang the lid is positioned opposite the vent and is located more towards the center, which means the lid hangs higher with the vent down.   Fun things to learn while holding a hot metal handle.  Steaks were awesome though. 

Although we weren’t surrounded by family or friends as is our usual tradition, perhaps using this old MLH kettle will be my new tradition for future Thanksgivings. 

Thanks for looking!  Hope everyone is doing ok.

Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: RRRanger99 on November 28, 2020, 05:03:34 AM

Congrats, Charlie! Nice score!

Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: Kneab on November 28, 2020, 05:23:26 AM

Great story and find Charlie.
Congratulations on your new to you "cheap walmart grill" [emoji23]

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Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: michaelmilitello on November 28, 2020, 05:50:51 AM

Nice story!   I can relate to a lot of that story, especially my wife or kids complaining of metal clanging and clinking on kettle trips.  Enjoy your Wood Dale.   Walmart’s got nothing on that!


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Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: Fat Tony on November 28, 2020, 06:28:56 AM

Awesome score!!
Congrats!

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Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: crowderjd on November 28, 2020, 07:08:34 AM

Congrats!  I was wondering who got that one!  Looks to be in fantastic shape overall.

Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: 1911Ron on November 28, 2020, 07:09:13 AM

Nice score, congrats!

Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: bamakettles on November 28, 2020, 08:05:26 AM

Awesome find and story, congratulations!


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Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: brewtownbeatdown on November 28, 2020, 08:21:27 AM

Congrats!!!!!!!  Grate score...if you’re into cheap WalMart kettles.


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Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: JEBIV on November 28, 2020, 08:29:59 AM

Very nice

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Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: Darko on November 28, 2020, 10:45:38 AM

Great score Charlie. That's the nicest cheap Walmart grill i've ever seen.

Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: WNC on November 28, 2020, 11:18:50 AM

Man that’s so awesome, congratulations!


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Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: cigarman20 on November 28, 2020, 04:50:54 PM

Wow, great find!!


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Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: Mike in Roseville on November 28, 2020, 07:42:27 PM

Congrats! She's a beauty!

Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: bladz on November 28, 2020, 07:55:27 PM

Wow, that’s a beauty!  Congrats!!


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Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: bbqking01 on November 29, 2020, 02:14:48 PM

And they all lived happily ever after...nice story. Great find. What did you end up paying for that “cheap Wal-Mart” grill? Nice looking steaks.


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Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: Cellar2ful on November 29, 2020, 02:40:57 PM

Congratulations Charlie.  Welcome to the Wood Dale Mob. 

BTW, I have the same two welding dimples on my Ambassador from the lid hook spot welding.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4741/25793547448_ae44e0ba65_c.jpg)

Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: captjoe06 on November 30, 2020, 03:07:26 AM

Nice work!!!

Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: Mr.CPHo on November 30, 2020, 03:54:04 AM

Quote from: captjoe06 on November 30, 2020, 03:07:26 AM

Nice work!!!

Thanks!  Always nice to hear from the Captain.  Hope you are well. 

Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: Lowbrass on November 30, 2020, 12:21:36 PM

Nice pick up and story Charlie!


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Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: AZ2FL on November 30, 2020, 06:11:13 PM

Great write up, congratulations on a cool find!

Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: Krawtschenko on November 30, 2020, 09:52:40 PM

Glad it found a home for wayward cheap Walmart grills.

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Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: Scott Zee on December 01, 2020, 04:34:10 AM

Who doesn't love a good roadtrip, especially when there's a prize at the end of the rainbow.  Excellent pickup Charlie, welcome to the MOB

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Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: Bertl on December 01, 2020, 08:03:15 PM

Congrats to your First Wood Dale and it's a nice one!

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Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: Pezdogs on December 02, 2020, 05:49:08 AM

Great story to go with a stunning score. Well done

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Title: Re: Over the river and through the wood
Post by: inkaddictedchef1 on December 03, 2020, 11:04:47 AM

... nice score Charlie

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