Who has a "Chicago" Weber?

[Darko]

I've been thinking since I won the eBay auction for the "Custom".

How many have a Weber made in Chicago? I wonder how many of those are still around?

[zavod44]

All the metal handles I have none are Chicago brothers. 

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[Travis]

I will have one someday. Maybe after my kids are grown and gone but dammit, I'm gonna have one!

Darko , congrats on the 1k brother.


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[kettlebb]

Congrats @Darko


Crimson Performer Platinum "AH", Red MT "P", Red Mist SSP "EZ", Faded Black "A", Black OTG "DE".

[Darko]

Thank you @Travis . I honestly didn't even know I got to that point.

What really interests me is the history of the Weber grills. It amazes me that we can buy a Weber that is similar from 1956 to what we can buy today.

I was a bit concerned that I spent that amount of money on that 18" custom, but as I think about it... It's a really cool piece of history, and I feel honoured to be able to have it for a time in my possession.

Nonetheless, It'll be interesting to see how many folks here have a grill that early. Hopefully they'll chime in.

[Darko]

No one?

[Dale Benson]

I picked one up (a 'Traveler') at a thrift store several months ago. Needs a bit of cleaning and polishing. On my list of projects that I didn't get done this summer.

[harris92]

Weber Bros Traveler (center)

[Shoestringshop]

Not yet😢

[Idahawk]

Here's mine , in as found condition




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[Darko]

So is there a timeline when Weber switched from the flat handles on the bowl to the formed handles?

[Idahawk]

So is there a timeline when Weber switched from the flat handles on the bowl to the formed handles?

The lids were done first , bare metal handles get quite hot so they switched to the strap handles as early as Wood Dale ( I think ) could be Arlington Heights . The Bowl handles lasted into the  late 70s early 80's


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[Darko]

I'm thinking before that time. Looking at your pic, you have the formed handles on the bowl, the custom I bought has the flat style handles.

From what I gather the domed lid is 1956 at the earliest, '55 was still flat.  '57 was the last of the "Chicago" Webers, as 58 production moved to Wood Dale and the company became Weber Stephen.  Is there perhaps a transition period?

[Dale Benson]

So is there a timeline when Weber switched from the flat handles on the bowl to the formed handles?

I believe the 18s had the flat straps and the 22s had the formed ones.

[Idahawk]

The handles were purchased from a supplier and welded on , it's a common handle found on other items from that time period  for the 18 they had to figure something else out because apparently a smaller handle wasn't available or was to small to be used to move the kettle as in your hand wouldn't fit .


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