A new guy looking for inputs

[Xcm62]

Hey kettle guys and gals! Always been a huge fan of the kettles. And of this forum but ive never registered until now.
I just picked up of offer up this 1st gen performer which I thought was in pretty good shape except when I started cleaning her up I realized this bowl will not work. Corrosion has destroyed grate holders and the bottom vents are being eaten up by corrosion too. Florida weather will destroy even these. Besides the bowl,  the cart, the lid, ignition and everything else are in pretty good shape. What do you recommend I should do? I always wanted the vintage performer and really want to restore it. Do you think itd be worth it? Or should I scrap the project!!?

Thanks all you guys have awesome kettles here

[JEBIV]

I would say since it's in a performer most repairs you do will be unseen unless you look hard, I say fix it

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[ReanimatedRobot]

You might be surprised how well it will clean up if you look at some of the guides on the website for some tips.  The sweeps and grates are usually in pretty bad shape with most kettles.  I would do your best to clean it out and use it.  After cleaning it you can oil it up and cook on it to season the metal.  If you want something prettier in it you can find a donor kettle you want to drop into it.  You can use another kettle from some other Performer or you can buy some brackets from @qwesthunter and drop any standard MT kettle into it. 

[Xcm62]

Thanks for the response!! I have never repaired these. The bowl has some hole in it is some weak areas. How are these usually repaired?

[WeberKell11]

That hole is for the gas assist and if you restore and keep it wouldn't require repair.  The gas assist tube will go through there and under your charcoal grate to light your charcoal.

Thanks for the response!! I have never repaired these. The bowl has some hole in it is some weak areas. How are these usually repaired?

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[Foster Dahlet]

The bowl looks ok to me...the grate straps look functional, the ash sweeps can be replaced and I had an SSP with slowly rusting ash/vent openings on the bottom too.  It worked fine.  You can still use that bowl .  There are plenty of SSP restore threads on here.  Look them up and they will guide you.  If you have specific questions you can pm the folks on those threads.  You will love that SSP when you finish cleaning it up.  Nice score.

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[Xcm62]

That hole is for the gas assist and if you restore and keep it wouldn't require repair.  The gas assist tube will go through there and under your charcoal grate to light your charcoal.

Thanks for the response!! I have never repaired these. The bowl has some hole in it is some weak areas. How are these usually repaired?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Weber Kettle Club mobile app

that hole is actually opposite the gas assist. is where the lid hanger is supposed to be attached!

[Foster Dahlet]

That hole is for the gas assist and if you restore and keep it wouldn't require repair.  The gas assist tube will go through there and under your charcoal grate to light your charcoal.

Thanks for the response!! I have never repaired these. The bowl has some hole in it is some weak areas. How are these usually repaired?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Weber Kettle Club mobile app

that hole is actually opposite the gas assist. is where the lid hanger is supposed to be attached!

Thats an easy fix. Do you have all of the parts for the lid bale?

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[Xcm62]

Yes I have all the parts!! it just came apart while
I was cleaning it and left that hole

[Foster Dahlet]

Yes I have all the parts!! it just came apart while
I was cleaning it and left that hole

The hole is supposed to be there.  It is where the center bracket of your lid bale attaches.

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[Dave in KC]

Im not seeing any problems from the pics you posted.
Should clean up nice and make a great cooker. 

[Kneab]

Just get some stainless steel fender washers to span the hole. It will work just fine.

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[Xcm62]

Awesome guys thanks for the inspiration to keep at it!! Another ssp restored pics to come!!

[LiquidOcelot]

Stainless hardware pretty much fixes all bumps, bruises and cuts lol

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