Not Good. At All.

[micky]

The magnet seems like a great stop-gap solution. Thanks so much for that!  I will follow your suggestions and place a WTB post for a replacement bowl.  Does it need to be from another Platinum?  Or would a Performer bowl also fit with the Platinum frame?   Thanks very much.

[1911Ron]

The magnet seems like a great stop-gap solution. Thanks so much for that!  I will follow your suggestions and place a WTB post for a replacement bowl.  Does it need to be from another Platinum?  Or would a Performer bowl also fit with the Platinum frame?   Thanks very much.

The Platinum and Performer bowl are the same, the Gas assist Performer has a hole in it for the burner tube, the Non gas Assist Performer and Platinum bowls are the same.

[CharliefromLI]

@micky If you decide to repair the damage, the post above have some good ideas.

If you decide to replace the bowl, You have (at least) two options here:

Door # 1. as stated above : seek a replacement bowl from a non gas assist performer or one touch platinum

or door number two...

Lets say you find a performer with a bowl for a good price, you may find you like the performer as a whole better then your OTP. OTP carts are great platforms for projects. You can build up a base on the lower wire rack and place a WSM on the base and now you have a WSM cart with table!

Bottom line, you have options either way here so keep your mind open as you move forward.

[micky]

Okay.  Thank you, 1911Ron – now I know I can look for either Performer or Platinum kettles or both.   
 
And CharliefromLI, I’m thinking like you.  I will get the magnet (thx gummi bear) and use it “as is” for now.  Meanwhile my eyes will be peeled for a great SS Performer (in which case my current Platinum/cart will find a new home) or a good Performer / Platinum kettle in a good color.  Luckily I have deployable friends in a lot of different CL areas!   
 
Got a new grill grate over the weekend, before discovering the holes – the Gourmet BBQ grate with the removable circle center.  It looks good and feels hefty.  I plan to use the grill for wok stir fries as well as for grilling, so this is a good accessory for me.  Also got a new chimney.  So all in all, I’m feeling good and looking forward to my maiden voyage on this grill.
 
Many thanks to everyone who offered information and advice here; it was all a great help.

[SmokenJoe]

I don't think that the Platinum is a Touch-n-Go model.  That being the case, ANY black One-Touch bowl could solve your problem.  That's roughly 9 million old used kettles with big dented lids that sell everywhere for $5 to $20 almost everywhere.  Hacksaw a little here, nip a little there and "Bob's Your Uncle, Fanny's Your Aunt" you've solved your problem.  'Til then, cook steak, burgers, skewered foods (like shrimp), stir-fry  ...  need I go on   Remember; "Life's an outdoor cook on an open grill."                       SJ

[micky]

Thanks for that SmokenJoe.  But you have more confidence in my abilities than i do.  I'm not at all equipped to saw or otherwise manhandle a bowl that's not intended to fit my cart!  I'm unlikely to be able to finesse a 3-legged bowl onto my cart -- the tripodded kettles dont have the flat connecting tabs that are used to attach thebowl to a cart, right?  So I'm keeping eyes open for a performer or platinum bowl, i guess.  Or the coveted SS performer ...

[1911Ron]

Thanks for that SmokenJoe.  But you have more confidence in my abilities than i do.  I'm not at all equipped to saw or otherwise manhandle a bowl that's not intended to fit my cart!  I'm unlikely to be able to finesse a 3-legged bowl onto my cart -- the tripodded kettles dont have the flat connecting tabs that are used to attach thebowl to a cart, right?  So I'm keeping eyes open for a performer or platinum bowl, i guess.  Or the coveted SS performer ...

You are spot on no need to over complicate it!