22inch and 18inch Kettle Leg Height Mod

[ChaoSki]

I decided to raise the height of my kettles as I'm pretty tall and my back hurts when I cook at home and camping. Figured I would post some direction even though I'm sure this has been done before. This was really easy and cheap mod. $18 bucks and 20-30 min of time. Took me a bit longer as I measured it out few times etc.

Below directions are to modify BOTH 22inch and 18inch kettles to grate height of 36". I have a lifetime height adjustable 4' x 2' side table which I use and really like the height of so right away I wanted to raise the height of the Kettles.

Parts: 3x 5' shower curtain rods ($6 each at Home Depot). They fit right in, matter a fact it looks like it's the same material/vendor/quality of the original Weber part.
Tools: Hand Metal Saw, Sharpie, measuring tape
Time: 15-30 min
Directions: Mark and cut each of the 3 rods at 31". You will be left with 31" rod and 29" rod. Longer ones goes on the 18" Kettle, shorter ones go on the 22" Kettle. Might want to do extra measuring and perhaps going with 30.5 and 29.5 as my 18 incher ended up little higher (no big deal to me but might be to some of you hard core guys/perfectionists).



Obviously this is not a finished product. I'm debating if I should paint the legs black and change the plastic feet (which came with the curtains). PS. They do have white rods as well. I'm also debating if I should give the legs a little arch/bend to prevent hitting it with my feet, so far it hasn't been an issue, they don't stick out that much at all.

Noticed that this mod gives the Kettles "Alien" like look (which I really like). By far my favorite mod so far. My back will be thankful.

Enjoy,
ChaoSki

[jd]

nice work

[Travis]

Pretty neat mod. In my case, I like to move them around some so I would put the wheels back on. If they are stationary then no need. Nice work bud. I saw you mention that in the introduction page. Thanks for posting

[ChaoSki]

Pretty neat mod. In my case, I like to move them around some so I would put the wheels back on. If they are stationary then no need. Nice work bud. I saw you mention that in the introduction page. Thanks for posting

We move them around a lot actually (picnicking and camping), but we never seem to use the wheels. Since we take the legs off anyways (for compact size), we just fold up the kettle neatly to it's smallest size (flip the lid, grates inside of the top lid) and just carry it.

If I put them on I will post an update.

Thanks for your comments guys.

[pbe gummi bear]

Good job! How tall are you? I have a super short 18.5" and I use longer tools so I don't have to bend over.

[ChaoSki]

Good job! How tall are you? I have a super short 18.5" and I use longer tools so I don't have to bend over.

Thanks

I'm 6'1"

Problem is not as much with cooking as it is with setting up, cleaning, adding and fliping the lid etc. It's so much nicer to have it above waste height.

Working on my posture as well hehe

[addicted-to-smoke]

Sputnik mods! I like

I just posted in another thread that the only 1" tubing I could find locally was expandable shower curtain rod. I rejected what seemed like the "best" candidate because it had steel, or some steel, in it and I wasn't interested in helping leg sockets rust if the ends of the tubing were exposed. It was some nickel-plated stuff.

So what'd ya get? The only thing I see on HD's site for $6 is this one, http://www.homedepot.com/p/Franklin-Brass-5-ft-Shower-Rod-in-Polished-Chrome-336/100152509

Polished chrome? Says it's aluminum; presumably the SS part is the flanges. I also see some considerably more expensive SS rods there but I wouldn't be able to cut them anyway.

[fedex]

Kinky

[havachat]

I decided to raise the height of my kettles as I'm pretty tall and my back hurts when I cook at home and camping. Figured I would post some direction even though I'm sure this has been done before. This was really easy and cheap mod. $18 bucks and 20-30 min of time. Took me a bit longer as I measured it out few times etc.

Below directions are to modify BOTH 22inch and 18inch kettles to grate height of 36". I have a lifetime height adjustable 4' x 2' side table which I use and really like the height of so right away I wanted to raise the height of the Kettles.

Parts: 3x 5' shower curtain rods ($6 each at Home Depot). They fit right in, matter a fact it looks like it's the same material/vendor/quality of the original Weber part.
Tools: Hand Metal Saw, Sharpie, measuring tape
Time: 15-30 min
Directions: Mark and cut each of the 3 rods at 31". You will be left with 31" rod and 29" rod. Longer ones goes on the 18" Kettle, shorter ones go on the 22" Kettle. Might want to do extra measuring and perhaps going with 30.5 and 29.5 as my 18 incher ended up little higher (no big deal to me but might be to some of you hard core guys/perfectionists).



Obviously this is not a finished product. I'm debating if I should paint the legs black and change the plastic feet (which came with the curtains). PS. They do have white rods as well. I'm also debating if I should give the legs a little arch/bend to prevent hitting it with my feet, so far it hasn't been an issue, they don't stick out that much at all.

Noticed that this mod gives the Kettles "Alien" like look (which I really like). By far my favorite mod so far. My back will be thankful.

Enjoy,
ChaoSki

This is brilliant and I may add this. I'm pretty tall too, about 6'4 good height for me you reckon?

[Jon]

I can understand the comfort factor, but I roll my kettles around. Also, those remind me of an episode of Johnny Quest.

[ChaoSki]

Sputnik mods! I like

I just posted in another thread that the only 1" tubing I could find locally was expandable shower curtain rod. I rejected what seemed like the "best" candidate because it had steel, or some steel, in it and I wasn't interested in helping leg sockets rust if the ends of the tubing were exposed. It was some nickel-plated stuff.

So what'd ya get? The only thing I see on HD's site for $6 is this one, http://www.homedepot.com/p/Franklin-Brass-5-ft-Shower-Rod-in-Polished-Chrome-336/100152509

Polished chrome? Says it's aluminum; presumably the SS part is the flanges. I also see some considerably more expensive SS rods there but I wouldn't be able to cut them anyway.

Thanks

It looks like it, mine was $5.99 made by Glacier something. From what I can tell it looks like identical material to original legs.

They were on the side of all the other "regular size" curtain rods. I'm not sure what material it is, I don't think I really care either. I will most likely paint them anyways as I've seen black legs in another thread and really like that look.

I was going to go with electrical metal tubing but they didn't have the exact size (1.005") and I would have to grind it and cut harder metal.

These fit right in....less work and are also light like original legs. Can't go wrong with those shower curtain rods to be honest.

[ChaoSki]

This is brilliant and I may add this. I'm pretty tall too, about 6'4 good height for me you reckon?

If you are ok with 36" counter top height or have no problem with it, it should do. You can always cut the legs to whatever height you would like (will take some measuring/working with angles). If you are only doing 1 grill you will end up with 3 rods and some scraps of course.

[ChaoSki]

I can understand the comfort factor, but I roll my kettles around. Also, those remind me of an episode of Johnny Quest.

You can mount the wheels no problem. The bottom basket can also be transferred over but it will sit higher.

I think it looks better (but that's up to individual). Even if I didn't like the looks, function over form....especially when it comes to my back. I use these a lot so it's important.

I move my around all the time (picnicking and camping) but like I said, to take it on the road I always take off the legs and fold the grill up. It's too unstable standing up in the car with wheels. I probably won't mount the wheels but it's an option.

If I decide to do it, I will post an update. For now, I think I might just paint the legs black....

[addicted-to-smoke]

Oh, Glacier Bay I think it probably is: http://m.homedepot.com/p/Glacier-Bay-60-in-Aluminum-Builders-Shower-Rod-in-Chrome-HD14016/205699635

Getting some ideas now for my wonky 26ers.

[ChaoSki]

Oh, Glacier Bay I think it probably is: http://m.homedepot.com/p/Glacier-Bay-60-in-Aluminum-Builders-Shower-Rod-in-Chrome-HD14016/205699635

Getting some ideas now for my wonky 26ers.

Looks like it, mine were cheaper.

They look identical to current legs, so you will know when you see them

Keep us posted if you go do some modding, would love to see it