Earlier this past week
@Heyjude sends me a text with a link for a CL add listed as Free Scrap Metal. This is the cover photo from the add.
In the text AJ asks me if it looks like a 26er.
Glancing at the photo, I text him back, no I only count 6 rods on the triangle.
Looking through the other pictures from the add, I enlarge one photo on my PC and then see that the spacing of the lid vent to the handle indeed is that of a 26" kettle.
I text AJ once again, confirming it is a 26er. He responds that he has sent a message to the seller. The next day, AJ lets me know the seller had responded but was not willing to let the kettle be picked up as a single item. All the metal would have to be taken along with the kettle. That pretty much killed any chance of it being saved as neither of us wanted to take on the task of picking up and then getting rid of all the other crap.
On Friday, AJ tells me he had once again sent a message to the seller, but received no response this time. The thought of seeing that 26er being crushed at a metal recycle place motivated me to try contacting the seller with a different approach. I dialed the number and to my surprise he answered. I identified myself by name and asked if he had some free metal listed on CL. He confirmed he did, complaining that all the responses he was getting were CL flakes that say they are coming then don't show up. I specifically ask about the Weber kettle, offering to buy it from him. My approach seemed to peak his interest as he asks "How much". I offer him $20, saying I really enjoy BBQing on Webers. Without hesitation he said "Sure, when do you want to pick it up"? He gives me his address and we arrange for a pick up on Saturday.
I drive to the address, which is inside an old private country club named Diablo Country Club. The club was established in 1914 and the property is at the base of Mt Diablo, a landmark that can be seen from almost anywhere in the Bay Area. The homes in this private enclave were all built around 1920-1930. They are estate homes with 2 to 3 acre parcels and have live in maid/caretaker guest quarters on each property. This is one of the neat things I have found with chasing kettles. I have lived in the Bay Area for 60+ years and had no idea this place existed. It is only 20 minutes form my house and would never have known about it if not for this obsession of collecting vintage Webers. I meet the seller at the address and he tells me the house was his childhood home. His parents had passed away and his brother and he were clearing out the property, preparing it to be sold. He was very happy to find out the kettle was actually going to be saved, restored and used as he had fond memories of his dad cooking on it for the family.
Here it is. It is a Pat Pending with really cool metal wheels that have rubber treads. No thumb screws.
I spent about an hour today cleaning the exterior, scraping the interior bowl and reshaping the ash pan. The cooking and charcoal grate are not with the kettle as the seller gave them to his friend. He is attempting to get them back for me as he believes his friend has a smaller 22" kettle. I have named it "Diablo" in honor of it's roots. There is no rim rash, dents or porcelain damage. His father took really good care of this old flat top, storing it in his garage when not in use. All of the vents turn freely and all of the vent tabs are still intact. It is the first kettle I have sourced myself that has steel wheels.
Topic: Pat Pending flat top 26" saved from the scrap heap (Read 4832 times)