Weber Kettle Club Forums
Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: Jeff on September 16, 2013, 03:43:11 PM
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So while on vacation a couple weeks ago, I was lucky enough to come across a VERY old Weber grill for sale, a Wooddale. I'm guessing the age is late 50's to early 60's.
So I found it up in NW Wisconsin...yes, the same place about a half hour north of where Brian's "Grandpa" came from...and yes, that was a Wooddale too. For you newer members, "Grandpa" was a 26" gray kettle from about 1962...cosmetically not the prettiest, but I couldn't leave it there...ANYWAYS...back to the CURRENT Wooddale find.
So I was garage sale in' with the wife and we drove down this street that had a sign that said "Big Sale". It led to an old warehouse I'm familiar with that is now for household items and such that are sold...some items of which are sold under consignment for some people. We pulled up in front of the place and my wife said, "look, there's a Weber sitting by the entrance." I looked and noticed the metal handle on top, a 22"...and yes, it was black :( ANYWAYS...we get out and walk to take a look. No price tag, darn it, wondering if it was for sale or not since it was outside the front door by itself. It was dirty, but very nice condition. Not a chip on the top handle or either side handle on the bowl. The steel wheels were close to new and clean, rubber treads perfect. Triangle with only spots of surface rust here and there. Original shiny legs with original cap on the front leg too. Looked at the ash pan, it had all the leg clips in place. And yes, thumbscrews. Turned it over, not one chip or any rust anywhere around the leg sockets. This grill looked like it hadn't spent anytime stored outside. It had the original grates inside. One thing that was unusual too was on the lid, there was a crude stamp (like old kettles that had "DEMO" on the lid, but it was put on sort of like the logos are on today's kettles. It was faded and worn, but it says "porcelain enameled". Lastly...remember the light blue 18 on Ebay that went for over 800? The ash pan (round tray) was painted blue underneath. Well the ash pan on this Wooddale is painted white, underneath as well as where the ashes fall. THe paint is flaking all around, but it was painted.
At this point, I'm not sure what the future of this grill will be, a trade grill, an Ebay item, or a future members grill, but I really would prefer a Wooddale grill of "color". Don't get me wrong, I love the Wooddales...but I want a colored one. I'd love to use this one as a trade (unlikely), or let the auction determine its value for future Weber projects or grills. I don't know what its value would be and wouldn't want to guess since its really objective. A black Wooddale in this sort of condition has never been on Ebay that I know of. I'm sure it won't generate the interest that the blue ones did. I was hoping to get the opinion of all of you if you think I'm wrong in letting this grill go out of the WKC...but it could very well stay in here too. I do think this grill should be documented though for everyone on the site to be able to see. I think its unusual with the stamp on the lid along with being a Wooddale.
Below are 2 photos of how I found the grill sitting and what it looked like. Not too bad!
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/wooddale2_zps6ac460ed.jpg)
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/wooddale1_zpsaf023d30.jpg)
Dirty lid
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8555_zps72c3d04e.jpg)
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8561_zps3dd8faf6.jpg)
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8569_zpsb03f2a40.jpg)
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8570_zpsd50c2d17.jpg)
Here are some close up of the label on the lid. It says "porcelained enameled"
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8563_zpsc98a616d.jpg)
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8567_zps8a8924c2.jpg)
Cleanup process
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8577_zps59f7e826.jpg)
Before washing the ashes off the ash pan
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8578_zps387ce1a6.jpg)
Underneath the pan. White paint from the factory
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8579_zpsa9a7dde5.jpg)
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8581_zpsbfa98e42.jpg)
Wheels, triangle and legs...pretty good when I got them
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8582_zps9a549b11.jpg)
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8584_zpsad92658f.jpg)
Inside of lid
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8585_zps872e5af9.jpg)
Cleaned inside of bowl
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8587_zps7f486ddb.jpg)
Bowl handles
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8594_zpsf5b9602c.jpg)
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8596_zpsd8ee36ed.jpg)
Cleaned outside bowl
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8597_zps7f79e9e8.jpg)
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8601_zps0281ca83.jpg)
Lid vent
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8605_zpsa3aa2eaf.jpg)
And one for Marty
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8613_zps7e0bba62.jpg)
Lid label
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8616_zpsb6198faa.jpg)
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8617_zpsdf2272f6.jpg)
Underneath of ash pan
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8620_zps921b849d.jpg)
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8621_zps2b0e82c5.jpg)
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8621_zps2b0e82c5.jpg)
And once I rinsed the old ashes off the ash pan. This is really bad. The worst part of the grill by far. Not sure if I should strip it down to metal and respray it white, or leave it? Opinions?? Its really rough.
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8623_zps5c85a1c8.jpg)
Cleaned inside of lid
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8627_zps9ee29cd5.jpg)
And assembled
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8629_zps35a4a6cf.jpg)
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8631_zps14309488.jpg)
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8632_zpsc30c6e7f.jpg)
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8633_zpsc4edf4d4.jpg)
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8635_zps8f13a5f2.jpg)
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8636_zps139bbece.jpg)
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq142/A_Tame76/Black%20Wooddale/DSCF8637_zps25588014.jpg)
Thanks for looking. Just looking for opinions on the ash pan of this grill. It has several small chips around the lip of the lid that aren't very noticeable, there is one small one by the label on the lid. All three handles have zero rust around them. All three legs sockets are flawless. All the vents are in nice shape, missing no tabs, both wheels are original, just cleaned up a bit, both treads are perfect. Has the original thumbscrews, as well as all 3 leg clips on the ash pan. Triangle cleaned up with 99% free of rust. Legs are original too. Around the bottom vents, there are some blotches in the paint where its slightly lighter in color. Not sure what that is from. That's it! Hope you like!
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WOW.
What's the mark on the lid say?
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This one's a FREAK! Great restore Jeff, thanks for showing it off. Bring it on the 12th if you can - I'm sure Warren would get a kick out of it. (As would everyone else!)
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Wow! Looks in great shape. I hear what you are saying about a coloured one, but that it pretty damn sweet!
Ken
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What's the mark on the lid say?
Porcelain Enamel
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Damn that's in great shape Jeff! Nice find and cleanup.
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Phenomenal find Jeff....that must have spent a lot of time under cover. Some parts look brand new. Id leave the ash pan alone for now.
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That restore turned out awesome! Love the MTH Wood Dale's. As for the ash pan, I'm torn. I kind of like it's weathered look, but wonder how it would look stripped down to bare metal but I fear that could damage it. That ash pan style doesn't come up often and the weathering gives it character.
Nice find and nice work!
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Bring it on the 12th if you can - I'm sure Warren would get a kick out of it. (As would everyone else!)
Awesome! Yes I would love to see it in person!
On the ash pan I say try to inhibit the rust as much as possible but leave it as is. My opinion on this one is the more you try to restore it the more character you take away from this one. Don't paint it....
If it ever needs a different home, I can help. :)
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Very nice find Jeff, I am sure someone will be all over that.
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I hear grandpa calling out for his wife
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Jeff that's a great looking grill! Damn I would love to find one like that!
"my kettle is more powerful it will do almost anything."
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I'm on the hunt for MTH's... ;)
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That restore turned out awesome! Love the MTH Wood Dale's. As for the ash pan, I'm torn. I kind of like it's weathered look, but wonder how it would look stripped down to bare metal but I fear that could damage it. That ash pan style doesn't come up often and the weathering gives it character.
Nice find and nice work!
My thoughts exactly. That's a really nice Woody Jeff. Now, after you show it at the meet, kindly box it up and send it over. :)
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That is a freaking awesome grill Jeff!!!!!! It really cleaned up nice. I like the "untouched" look of the ash pan, but i think it would make the whole grill sweeeter if it was cleaned up, just saying. Very impressive.
Brent
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It's gorgeous, Jeff. Really remarkable that it's in such wonderful condition-- it's like a time machine or something.
And I love the story of your finding it. Congrats.
Thanks for sharing so many photos here, and for so carefully restoring it.
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That's a pretty nice looking grill for the age and it looks like you've really done it justice. I wish I could offer a suggestion for the ash pan but I have no idea. Were they painted back then? The underside certainly looks painted.
Wow! And ... Wow!
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Hey Jeff, does the lid hook on this one make the lid hang higher or at more of an angle compared to the later kettles?
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Just WOW! That is an awesome find and story. What was your heart beat when you walked in on this? Not sure what the correct direction is to go on the ash pan. Personally I would leave it. It will be a looker not a cooker and original. To bad the ash was not removed years ago. Again great story, great find. Was this the week of vaction when you purchased the Yellow?
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Hey Jeff, does the lid hook on this one make the lid hang higher or at more of an angle compared to the later kettles?
Ill have to check on that Craig...I'm not sure.
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Just WOW! That is an awesome find and story. What was your heart beat when you walked in on this? Not sure what the correct direction is to go on the ash pan. Personally I would leave it. It will be a looker not a cooker and original. To bad the ash was not removed years ago. Again great story, great find. Was this the week of vaction when you purchased the Yellow?
This was about 4 weeks after the yellow one Greg. This Wooddale was purely found by luck...no Clist to assist me this time!
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Just WOW! That is an awesome find and story. What was your heart beat when you walked in on this? Not sure what the correct direction is to go on the ash pan. Personally I would leave it. It will be a looker not a cooker and original. To bad the ash was not removed years ago. Again great story, great find. Was this the week of vaction when you purchased the Yellow?
This was about 4 weeks after the yellow one Greg. This Wooddale was purely found by luck...no Clist to assist me this time!
Those are the best. I will have to do another door knock on the one down the road. He e-mailed me, but he is torn... I will try again later this fall... Not in the condition of yours, just would be a great conversation piece.
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Man, that is a real beauty. Great restore!
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Very nice score Jeff. Thanks for documenting it! As for the ashpan I would just leave it. I would rub some ash on there to hide the rust a little bit. Is the pan steel? I am surprised its that rusty if it were Al.
I'll shamelessly start the bidding at $10. ;D
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I'll shamelessly start the bidding at $10. ;D
$10.01, Bob! j/k.....
You should get a photo of it posing with Grandpa.
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How on earth did I miss this thread? That is an incredible find.
Regarding the pan, i would definitely leave it, at least for now. The LAST thing I would do is paint it. If i felt is could blast off the top and clean it, I would, but any fears and I would leave it.
As usual, Jeff, you have done an incredible job making it shine, literally and figuratively.
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Oh yeah, what are you going to cook on it first?
...
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a little hot dog! :)
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Wow, that's a nice kettle! Great restore work! I would leave the ash pan the way it is, original!