BNIB 1981 Black Smokey Joe - "Go Anywhere Grill"

[crumbsnatcher]

I live in a neighborhood with mostly retired couples who are the original builders/owners of their homes. Makes for a very quiet neighborhood with friendly neighbors. The guy next to me is an 84 yr old retired Milwaukee FD battalion chief and Korean War Vet. Today he was cleaning his garage and found something that he knew I would love because he's seen how many Webers I have including the red SS and green OTS that are in pieces in my garage being restored.  When he saw me getting the mail outside today, he waived me down and told me to go over to his house.  When I got to his garage, he pressed the garage door opener and says, "I've got something in here that I know you're going to like."  The door opens and there it was...a BNIB Smokey Joe, Go anywhere grill.  My neighbor turns around to me and says, "This is a little thank you for the BBQ chicken the other night."  I shook his hand and said there's more BBQ coming this summer. Totally made my day!  Tony is his name and he's been a wonderful neighbor since I moved in 3 years ago.


























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[salad]

Damn, that's nice.  I can only dream of finding one NIB.  The one and only handle, too.  More than a little bit envious right now. 

[crumbsnatcher]

Is this handle rare?  Was it only used on a few grills during a limited number of years or what?

My first instinct was to look on the box to see if it was red. LOL. Darn, too bad it wasn't, but black is really nice too since the legs are black and handle is a dark walnut color.  In going to call this little fella, The Dark Knight.


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[ramsfan]

If you plan on using that Smokey Joe, you ought to give him BBQ from the first cook on that. He sounds like a real nice fella.

[pbe gummi bear]

NIB kettles..... They are out there! Great story. I'd keep that bad boy new, maybe display it if you have the space.

[crumbsnatcher]

If you plan on using that Smokey Joe, you ought to give him BBQ from the first cook on that. He sounds like a real nice fella.

Ramsfan....Tony is a really nice guy all around.  He's brought me huge salmon, steelhead, and brown trout that he caught on Lake Michigan over the last couple years.  He's shared countless Korean war stories with me and my boys too.  I've fed him my smoked ribs and pulled pork before and he loves it.  Just a nice neighbor to have.  Not sure if I'm going to cook on this little fella or not.  He may just remain in the box for now, but the first meal will be served to Tony if I ever pull it out to cook with.

C vent code puts it at 1981.  Just two years after my family and I left the Vietnam War ravaged Laos for the USA.  My dad fought in that war alongside the CIA and the Americans, so I have a soft spot for war vets.  Perhaps a 1979 kettle is waiting to be found one of these days. 

[argentflame]

That is a beauty.

[Bob BQ]

The One. The Only.

Nice.  Congrats!

[Hogsy]

Jackpot!!!
Great Grill and what a neighbour ,

[tattooedant]

Mine has that upside down "C" too!

[idahome]

That is absolutely beautiful! Very cool story, Tou. Thanks for sharing

[Winz]

Tou,  Amazing story, amazing kettle.  That one is the best kind - a kettle that really has meaning for you. 

Cheers,

Winz

[MrHoss]

Beauty snag.  I am thinking your nickname for it is a good one.

[1911Ron]

Wow that is a cool story and neat grill!

[Fishawn]

Great story all around 👍