Picked up a new Redhead to rescue

[jkolantern]

Got nervous when I saw some other grills from my craigslist get posted while I tried to arrange pickup for this one put ended up with no issues.  The ad text was pretty honest, stating "The Weber needs some cleaning / scraping to get it usable." This small picture of it assembled is what was posted in the ad. 


I responded shortly after it went up, and seller wasn't available to pickup until this afternoon.  Many of you know the cold fear of a score that you can't pickup for another day.

It was only about 20 minutes away, so I headed over this afternoon. He wasn't kidding. Major porcelain loss around the handle welds and one rim of the lid has lid rash where it looks like it was frequently put down on cement or asphalt, to the point where the metal is rippled and no longer a nice straight round edge. 

The bowl is missing about a baseball sized section near one of the handles, but other than a couple other small missing porcelain nicks, is in pretty good shape and the leg sockets and welds are in very good shape. 

The one touch system is shot and needs to be replaced (if anybody has the part number handy I'd appreciate it-I hope this isn't the discontinued one), and the ashpan is wobbly and a bit misshapen but it was there.  The grates are in pretty good shape. Charcoal has started to have some thinning and minor bending, but should work fine for at least a few years to come, and the cooking grate had a little surface rust but I think will clean up well.


Something about it spoke to me though (and I was there), and even though I hemmed and hawed a little bit, I asked if he could knock $5 bucks off his price.  He said sure and I paid him and put it in the trunk. 

$10, with two unopened bags of Kingsford blue and an off brand chimney. The bags are the small 8.6 ones but those are perfect to take to a tailgate, and the chimney is going to just join the dedicated tailgate package (I have 3 Weber chimneys for home).

I'm going to clean it up, but even clean, it'll be a cooker not a looker.  It's my 4th redhead (2 18s and 2 22s-don't tell the GF!) and the one in the worst shape, but something about that is liberating.  I'm not going to care if I do pizzas in it or bang it around some because I really feel like I rescued it and am going to return it to service (the neighborhood it came out of and the way it was on the curb, I think it might have been destined for a scrapper if I or somebody else hadn't bought it within the next few days).  In my view, even if it picks up some crazing or a few other dings, it won't be any worse than how it has lived its first 28 or so years (pretty sure it's a J code). I've got a disassembled performer that needs some help (lid bale rotted and pulled a hole through the bowl and one of the lid straps rotted off) that I might try taking the ash catcher off of for this.

The really funny thing? My dad in his retirement does some gasser flipping to stay busy and we picked up a 2 burner on Monday from the redhead's next door neighbor!  Literally! I wonder if neighbor 1 told neighbor 2 that he sold his grill on craigslist and that prompted that listing! As we followed the GPS I thought we were going to be seeing the same guy!

[1911Ron]

Rescue Restore Respect    That is a great score and yes some "speak" to you, glad you could rescue her!

[Idahawk]

Great grill,  rescue and story !   Can't wait to see it all cleaned up and cooking again !

 


  " Esto Perpertua "

[indy82z]

That one took the old 7419 sweep which is discontinued but you can use the newer 7444 system without a problem.

Nice save....there are lots of cooks in its future for sure.

[1buckie]

Yeah, any sweep's fine on a Silver......nice pickup.....I just hate to see these things go to the dump if somebody doesn't step up.....I have 3 or 4 just like that.....

"Everybody Knows Food Tastes Better Cooked On A Redhead"

[northwestkettle]

cool find post picks when you get her all cleaned up

[WNC]

The beaters are my favorite, just so much character. It's like rescuing an abused dog, they might look a little bit rougher, but their gonna love so much more because of where they've come from.

May you get years of love from this one!

[1911Ron]

"The hot dogs aren't going to care" a line from a CL ad 

[addicted-to-smoke]

Nice machine and yea I totally understand why you got it!

http://www.amazon.com/Weber-7444-2-Inch-One-Touch-Cleaning/dp/B005LVAZ3A

It'll help to have a 3rd hand push the new setup together. Might need a Dremel or whatever to cut the old nut off if it's stuck.

[Sramsey]

I saw that post yesterday. cost of two bags of charcoal cover the cost. Like getting the kettle for free. That is a drive for me from providence. Hope it cleans up good for ya.

[mike.stavlund]

As has been said, that's a 7409 sweep but can easily be replaced with a newer one.  I just cut the handle off flush on both sides with a hacksaw and give it a tap to send the nut through. 

Congrats!

[MrHoss]

Got a couple Reds similar to that one. Ones a PP that is fire engine red and the other is a MT that is so faded it is pink until the heat hits....then she gets RED. I love both those cooks more than the new Crimson or Copper I have. If I had to sell one of my cookers it sure wouldn't be either of those Reds.

[Hell Fire Grill]

Thats a way cool fixer-uper, youll get years of life from it.

[Craig]

Congratulations! That's how it's done. Another cooker rescued from certain doom! Clean her up and cook on her proudly! '87 was a good year!

[SixZeroFour]

Kingsford Charcoal $10 - Comes with FREE REDHEAD!

Great pickup and story!