George Cooking on two Ranch Kettles

[Idahawk]

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[Idahawk]

This is a much nicer version of this pic


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[harris92]

The Great Pumpkin!

[ramsfan]

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Is that a rotisserie accessory on those two Ranch Kettles?

[Idahawk]

The rings look to have a place for a roti motor,  hard to say for sure . The rings also appear to be speckled ( like a custom ) but that could be lighting or something else.


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[ramsfan]

I'm just wondering if that was an actual accessory that was available to the general public back then or if it was something George had custom made for his own use?

[WNC]

Too cool! What's the story with the second pic? Is that George crafting a ranch by hand?

[Idahawk]

Too cool! What's the story with the second pic? Is that George crafting a ranch by hand?

No , I think it's just a promotional shot done by Weber or someone showing the spinning process , but the only copy of this photo I've seen was extremely pixelated and blurry so it was hard to even tell what he was doing.


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[Idahawk]

I'm just wondering if that was an actual accessory that was available to the general public back then or if it was something George had custom made for his own use?

I don't believe those rings were ever offered ? @harris @winz .


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[Winz]

I'm just wondering if that was an actual accessory that was available to the general public back then or if it was something George had custom made for his own use?

I don't believe those rings were ever offered ? @harris @Winz .


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I have never seen that ring for the Ranch, however, rotisserie was a big thing in 1953/54 when the Ranch was introduced.  Here is an ad from a 1954 Chicago newspaper:





Clearly, Weber was already offering a rotisserie unit for standard kettles.  The unit did not use a ring, but bolted on the rim of the kettle.  Given the size of the Ranch and the sheer weight of meat you could cook on a skewer, I would speculate that he had the rings made for better support of the rotisserie and use of a stout bar.  Probably not an accessory that sold much however given the large circumference of the ring, and the low sales volume of the Ranch.  It would be a pain in the butt to ship to any dealer outside of metro Chicago.


Cool pic!

Winz

[harris92]

@Idahawk  @ramsfan  @Winz

Yes,  Weber Bros Metal Works did offer one for the ranch.  Idahawk mentioned it looked a little different (speckled).  It was made
of stainless steel.  The official name was Weber Stainless Steel Smoke Hood.  12" tall with self rotating spit. Right hand side of the pic.  Now that would be a find!!   

[MacEggs]

Great thread, @Idahawk !  Love the enhanced pic.

@Winz , that ad is fantastic!

This line says it all:

Unlike ordinary grills, it has both cover and draft dampers - the secret to flavor control in all grilled foods.

[Idahawk]

@Idahawk  @ramsfan  @Winz

Yes,  Weber Bros Metal Works did offer one for the ranch.  Idahawk mentioned it looked a little different (speckled).  It was made
of stainless steel.  The official name was Weber Stainless Steel Smoke Hood.  12" tall with self rotating spit. Right hand side of the pic.  Now that would be a find!!   

Very cool ,thanks for clearing that up !

Now not to change the topic but the JB-300 ? It's called a Brazier , no lid offered with it ? I had no idea Weber built such a grill but I do know they were up against Big Boy just starting out and Big Boy offered a couple brazier models .



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[Winz]

@harris92 @Idahawk


From the 1966 catalog:





If you ordered SH-12 with a RA-23, you would have a rotisserie hood and an electric spit for you Ranch Kettle!  I gotta believe they are still out there.


Winz

[SixZeroFour]

Really great finds, thanks for sharing Ida.

Almost looks like a country club of some sort in the first shot? or shuffleboard club? Very cool

Any leads on the backstory?


Edit: and I wonder if that second shot is of a ranch lid being made... The bit in the center looks about right for a mothership era ranch, all they would need to do is roll that other edge and it's pretty much bang on shape wise.