How many of the buoy grills are known to exist?

[AZ Monsoon]

Just curious.

[1ROW]

I have wondered that too. Are there any members who have one?

[56MPG]

If you're talking an actual kettle cut from a buoy at WBMW, none known to exist. If you're talking the Original Kettle from 1952, none known to be owned by a member, but rumored to exist. One member has a horror story of passing one, or parts of one, up. Weber owns one, and it's in the gallery. I got to play with it and take pics alongside George's original brick grill they moved from his home to Weber HQ years ago. Might have been the first time that grill had been outdoors in 50 years. Such a cool thing to do for an hour or so. That kettle is like a religious relic. I got lucky with the weather, proving divine intervention.

@Troy tried to slip a repro-original into his car from the Weber Grill in Schaumburg in early '13, but a couple other founders held him down until authorities arrived in an effort to preserve everyone's kettle karma.

[AZ Monsoon]

Great information 56. That must be your write up I've seen so many times here with the great pictures.

I just assumed since this was supposedly Weber's first ad, that they must have sold some.

[Foster Dahlet]

I would love to see a limited production run of the original design....I'd buy one.

[charred]

At $272.77, it really wasn't for the working stiff.   

[Foster Dahlet]

At $272.77, it really wasn't for the working stiff.   

Less than a performer today.

[Craig]

At $272.77, it really wasn't for the working stiff.   

Yeah in the early 50s and through the 1960s, the $7-$10 open top braziers were the charcoal grill to have. The kettle back in the 50s was more of a status symbol given its price point. I hate referring to it as that but to Charred's point, the BAR B Q KETTLE wasn't really aimed at the budget minded consumer in the early years. Then again, their gas grills today are aimed at the higher end/disposable income level. Not to mention that the earliest "buoy" style kettles were only made for a short time before the early tripod legs, then shortly thereafter wheels and axles were added rendering the ORIGINAL extremely rare to see or find a surviving example today. Outside of Weber, I know of no one that owns nor have seen one in the wild. There's a 1954-55 kettle owned here in the community and I had the honor of seeing it up close and personal and it's a sweet piece of Weber History and built like a tank. The cooking grate felt almost as heavy as the lid. Built to last like just about everything in the 1950s. Love that grill! It belongs to Ernie (member einrej) Charred I know you've seen this one but for our newer members and friends that haven't seen it, here it is.

Here's the photos I snapped of it last year at the meetup.





Wearing a (now mine) 1973 yellow lid. Yes I'm honored and proud to own the yellow that briefly became ONE with this kettle.



And vice versa

[charred]

Never gets old looking at that one....hope to touch it someday!

[56MPG]

I would love to see a limited production run of the original design....I'd buy one.

We all would, and they did. These were made for dealers and Weber restaurants a while back. Very cool.

[Darko]

I so want that!!!!

[AZ Monsoon]

Kind of interesting that the hole in the handle is pointed towards the sky on this

[varekai]

@Craig , but they are "status symbols" ,  It places our status right at the top of Kettle nerd-dom!  besides, ALL the cool guys own one...lol

[charred]

well, add that replica to things i will buy when i win powerball and/or mega millions.

man o man

[WNC]

If they rerelease that replica...id be so over that!


Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club mobile app