Thanks to MrBill for my BudLight 18.5!

[mcgolden]

Just wanted to publicly thank MrBill for sending me my new 18.5 BudLight Blue NIB at a very generous price!  It's in beautiful shape with one barely noticeable scuff on the lid.  For those who are wondering, it's an AU (2012) code.  I haven't put it all together because I'm waiting until I have some time with the wife out of the house.  My grills are my secret sin and the less she knows the better.  I have almost all black kettles because it seems my wife can't tell the difference between them.  After writing this, I realize how bad that sounds. 

Anyway, I have some nice upgrades planned for this little number.  I've added some of Brian's wood handles and a heat resistant handle for the damper.  Here are some pics of what I've got so far.





I've got a nice set of Craycorts from another grill that I'm planning on using in this.  I'm also planning on ordering an ash bucket and possibly a slide-aside lid holder.  So stay tuned for more pics comging up of the first cook.  Shouldn't be too long since the weather is finally getting nice.

As a side note.  Just came back from bowling and one of my team-mates was talking about picking up a grill for his son who is moving out.  I told him I have a black 18" I could pass on.  So the tradition continues.

Thank again MrBill!

[mrbill]

you are more than welcome! glad it got to you w/o damage.

[Red Kettle Rich]

Anyway, I have some nice upgrades planned for this little number.  I've added some of Brian's wood handles and a heat resistant handle for the damper.  Here are some pics of what I've got so far.





Thank again MrBill!

The heat resistant damper How do you get them on & off the damper - do you need to heat them?  What is the trick to getting them on/off?  Or did you just buy a new damper? 

[mcgolden]

Rich,

The damper handles come off and go on pretty easily.  If you look at the damper handle you'll see a couple of dimples.  That's what holds these handles on.  So you can just snap them right on.  I ordered a few of them directly from Weber although I can't remember the part number.  One thing to be careful of.  If you decide you want to take them off, you need to be sure to hold the actual damper down firmly so you don't bend it up.  If you do, I'm not sure how you would go about bending it back.  Hope this helps.

[Sramsey]

So you can just snap them right on.  I ordered a few of them directly from Weber although I can't remember the part number. 

Nice, was wondering about these, will have to order one.

[wyd]

Damn that is awesome.

[mcgolden]

This morning I ordered an ash bucket and slide aside lid holder.  Not going to add a lid thermometer because I don't want to drill this one.  I'll be sure to post pics when it's all done.

[SixZeroFour]

That's a beauty - And the handles set it off perfectly!

Nice teamwork guys... now you need to keep an eye out for the smaller sibling

[mcgolden]

That would be a nice addition.

[Uncle JJ]

That's a beauty!  Congrats @mcgolden & bravo to @mrbill!

My mom would like that grill - she's a Bud Light gal!

[mcgolden]

That's a beauty!  Congrats @mcgolden & bravo to @mrbill!

My mom would like that grill - she's a Bud Light gal!

She sounds like a good woman. 

[Qreps]

Thats pretty. That wood handle sets it off. Congratulations .

[WNC]

Sweet score, and you did right by it with the wood handles!