Weber Kettle Club Forums

Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: Duke on October 11, 2012, 08:23:32 PM

Title: Weber compact kettles; Winner or Loser?
Post by: Duke on October 11, 2012, 08:23:32 PM
As it stands I think they look cheap, but I have never owned one. :-\

Here's the subject:

(http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/397/compactkettle.jpg) (http://img717.imageshack.us/i/compactkettle.jpg/)

I just saw this on craigs. It looks like an old one or just an el cheapo from the mercado.

http://stockton.craigslist.org/for/3282551671.html

(http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/6813/oldcompactkettle.jpg) (http://img692.imageshack.us/i/oldcompactkettle.jpg/)

Maybe they would be best used as a "lamper".  :P

(http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/4267/laurasgrill1.jpg) (http://img87.imageshack.us/i/laurasgrill1.jpg/)
Title: Re: Weber compact kettles; Winner or Loser?
Post by: DoppelBock on October 11, 2012, 09:06:13 PM
That first one I've never seen before, is that a US model? The wheels are all black too, strange. As for the second one, looks like it has the same issue as the lego one in the off topic forum; bad handle placement :o
Title: Re: Weber compact kettles; Winner or Loser?
Post by: Duke on October 12, 2012, 08:56:04 AM
Yeah, they look like they are missing their teeth. :D
Title: Re: Weber compact kettles; Winner or Loser?
Post by: Michael Berry on October 12, 2012, 10:56:51 AM
I think they are mighty ugly and and don't see the point in having one.  Maybe they would be good for high heat cooks like steaks or something....but mainly they're just damn ugly....alot of people can't see the point of someone owning the number of kettles I do...but I can...I look at one and think DAMN that's a good looking grill, I'm gonna cook on it...turn my head and think , look at that one over there, it's cool as shit too so maybe I cook on it....and ...wait a minute I'm in the mood the see the 70's model metal handle redhead get hot and change from red to DANGER RED.  I'm not attracted to the compact...it's a loser just like someone who thinks they have magic boogers.  They think that after they pick one they can just flick it towards the floorboard of the truck and it disappears?  Well it didn't disappear...they can't see it anymore..but it's there...somewhere...loser.
Title: Re: Weber compact kettles; Winner or Loser?
Post by: 1buckie on October 12, 2012, 01:38:25 PM
I think they are mighty ugly and and don't see the point in having one.  Maybe they would be good for high heat cooks like steaks or something....but mainly they're just damn ugly....alot of people can't see the point of someone owning the number of kettles I do...but I can...I look at one and think DAMN that's a good looking grill, I'm gonna cook on it...turn my head and think , look at that one over there, it's cool as shit too so maybe I cook on it....and ...wait a minute I'm in the mood the see the 70's model metal handle redhead get hot and change from red to DANGER RED.  I'm not attracted to the compact...it's a loser just like someone who thinks they have magic boogers.  They think that after they pick one they can just flick it towards the floorboard of the truck and it disappears?  Well it didn't disappear...they can't see it anymore..but it's there...somewhere...loser.

This beats out my previous choice for"Post of the Month" !!!

Take another look at that butt-ugly thing....

Look carefully at the metal racking that holds the legs together near the ground....

I may  be mistaken, but I think it's a 4-legged grill w/ THREE LEGS....

A Charbroiler or some other dodo kettle  (i. e. kettle that went the way of the dodo...)
Title: Re: Weber compact kettles; Winner or Loser?
Post by: G$ on October 12, 2012, 02:32:54 PM
I hate them, and hate that weber put their name on them.
Title: Re: Weber compact kettles; Winner or Loser?
Post by: 1buckie on October 12, 2012, 02:40:42 PM
I hate them, and hate that weber put their name on them.


So they did actually make or sponsor the "Thing" ?
Title: Re: Weber compact kettles; Winner or Loser?
Post by: G$ on October 12, 2012, 02:45:38 PM
They make the top one. Available in Europe, and as far as i knew rumored to be coming to the US.

I dislike a lot about it, including the lame heat shield handles and the shallow bowl.  It looks cheap, like the kingsford branded grills sold in front of the chain grocery stores.
Title: Re: Weber compact kettles; Winner or Loser?
Post by: DoppelBock on October 13, 2012, 05:19:44 AM
They make the top one. Available in Europe, and as far as i knew rumored to be coming to the US.

I dislike a lot about it, including the lame heat shield handles and the shallow bowl.  It looks cheap, like the kingsford branded grills sold in front of the chain grocery stores.

Bingo, the top one is in the UK...http://www.weberbbq.co.uk/barbecues/charcoal/compact/  and maybe in the EU as well. It's interesting that all the charcoal grills have that flashing below the handle. I know that the handle on my Performer can get pretty hot on extended cooks, hot enough to where I need a rag in order to touch the handle. May not be a bad idea for over here.
Title: Re: Weber compact kettles; Winner or Loser?
Post by: Heyjude on October 13, 2012, 05:50:21 AM
The european handles are probably the result of some law in Europe to prevent burns..
The only thing I like about them is that they can be replaced.
As for the overall design of that kettle, yuck!
Title: Re: Weber compact kettles; Winner or Loser?
Post by: Hogsy on October 13, 2012, 12:26:49 PM
Definite LOSER, They sell these in some of the major retailers in OZ like Kmart.
Handles are poor, looks like crap and Made in China(I think)

Its a great way to turn people off Weber grills with the cheap construction and disappointing to see them lower their standards
Prices in OZ
Compact $199
OTS-$299
OTG-$399
It amazes me how much more we pay for our grills especially considering our currencies are nearly on parity
Anyway i picked up this SJG during the week,its a euro model with the shitty handle but the colors cool
So what looks better the plastic or wood handle?
(http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q585/joelhogston/IMG_0094-1.jpg)
(http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q585/joelhogston/IMG_0104-1.jpg)
Only problem with the timber handle is it doesn't lock down the lid tight like the plastic one
Title: Re: Weber compact kettles; Winner or Loser?
Post by: Duke on October 13, 2012, 02:07:16 PM
I like the wood, but I would buy one of Brians. I think his will lock down nicely. How much would it cost for you to send me one like that?
Title: Re: Weber compact kettles; Winner or Loser?
Post by: zavod44 on October 13, 2012, 02:46:13 PM
Shaun I bet the handles I sent you would work well on those....what do you think?

Brian
Title: Re: Weber compact kettles; Winner or Loser?
Post by: Hogsy on October 13, 2012, 05:08:49 PM
I like the wood, but I would buy one of Brians. I think his will lock down nicely. How much would it cost for you to send me one like that?
They don't sell them in OZ. I bought this BNIB off our version of CL
The lady who I bought it off brought it with her when she emigrated from the UK
Title: Re: Weber compact kettles; Winner or Loser?
Post by: Duke on October 13, 2012, 08:31:38 PM
Shaun I bet the handles I sent you would work well on those....what do you think?

Brian
I think they would fit perfectly. :)

Hogsy, I got dibs on the next yellow or blue one you find.  ;)
Title: Re: Weber compact kettles; Winner or Loser?
Post by: Craig on October 16, 2012, 05:41:33 AM
Damn! Seeing that classic wood handle on a wussy heat shield handle gives me a sigh of relief. I'm in the "Wood handle camp" for life. I cant stand the shape of Weber's trendy urbanized modern dark grey handles. They make the old 2000's OTS light grey handles look like a classic. At least those were shaped closer to the wooden ones. I thought Weber designed the new heat shield handles guaranteeing that guys like us couldn't get a wood handle on them? But I stand corrected! Nice looking aqua-Joe BTW.  8) As for the compact kettles, ah..NO!! I'll buy the crappy trimmed down Performer-Silver before ever going compact on a full size kettle. Maybe in the form of the Jumbo-Joe-In-Name-Only compact smokey Joe Platinum, but I would have to see it first. Though I'd rather comb the web for a real style JJ or SJP. They look like a kettle.

Craig