Hello from Maryland everyone! My first post here and I'm so excited. Back in 2003, as a then college student, my mother bought me a 18" Weber Kettle. At the time I was struggling with a finance degree and started cooking a ton. I was hoping to explore a career in culinary arts and my mother being the loving person she is, thought this would cheer me up and give me direction. Long story short, I cooked on it like crazy for a year and then life got busy and it sat in her backyard from late 2004-2011. I bought a home in 2011 and thought to finally take it along. So I cleaned it up and set it up at the new house....and it sat again....until 2019. My gas grill finally rusted out and it got the call. I went about sourcing parts and spent way too much time and money, but it's done! I figured what better way to introduce myself than unveiling it.
Purchased 2003, DH so appears to be a 2004 build.
Weber Updates-
- Thermometer and Bezel
- Hinged Cooking Grate
- Charcoal Grate
- Charcoal Baskets
- Updated One Touch System
- New 6" Hubcaps/Wheels
- Updated 18" Ash Catcher
- NOS Weber Sidekick Table
- Premium Cover
I used a lot of elbow grease to clean the grill up but I left some patina on rusted spots at handles, lip of the lid, triangle and on the legs where the old ash tray clips rested. To be honest I got tired and I could only answer my wife, son and neighbors so many times....why am I polishing this tiny grill yet again
. I'm looking forward to buying a newer Master Touch 22" soon, but I think my days of grilling on gas are on hiatus. It had been so long, I lost the art of grilling over a fire, and now I've rediscovered it.