" The Happy Cooker " The Truth

[Troy]

The A code smokey Joe I found a decade ago had an internal ash pan.

but it was before we knew what it was. i threw it away

[Hell Fire Grill]

Oddly enough I found it in Weber's book "Elegant Fare"  in a paper pocket/recipe card holder, on a CL deal. When I asked the little ol'lady if she still has the happy cooker. She said she just sold it a few days ago, after hauling it with her for 35 years and only useing it and the book once. Followed by "it was the ugliest damn puke green you ever saw in your life but my husband loved it".

[brewtownbeatdown]

I don't know about you, but as a HC collector, that woulda been a gut punch to me🤢.  Right place, wrong time!!!


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[Hell Fire Grill]

I'm not really a collector but if the timing was right it'd be in my garage too.

[brewtownbeatdown]

It would be really cool to see a product lineup of the Happy Cooker over the short period they were in business.

Good idea 
Can use this thread for a line-up.  Your later model "Hinged Lid" model starts it off:






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[brewtownbeatdown]

Gas Picnic






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[brewtownbeatdown]

No idea what the model name is, but it's HC's equivalent of the JumboJoe. Has an orange peel finish that's actually orange.




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[HoosierKettle]

Question for you gurus. I'm at various houses everyday for my job. Today, at a customers house, I spotted what I thought was a happy cooker. I didn't get a picture but it was a 22 black, missing leg kit but had leg sockets, I opened it and nothing inside. It had 3 vent  on bottom and the lid vent had a small tab. The handle had the classic plastic happy cooker look but to my surprise it said char broil??  The kettle looked very old and no rust so I assume it was a porcelain finish. What was I looking at?


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[brewtownbeatdown]

Charbroil did make porcelain kettles with a plastic handle that was almost identical to HC (same supplier?).  Small, flimsy plastic wheels.  Never seen with three bowl dampers. Usually only two dampers & the bowl's stepped for the grates to sit on.


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[HoosierKettle]

It may have only had 2 dampers on the bowl. I only fondled it for a second. I didn't want them to catch me checking out their old grill and having to explain my unnatural interest in old grills.


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[brewtownbeatdown]

Yellow 18"

Has faint black speckling in the finish
Lighter shade compared to Weber


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[kettlebb]

Yellow 18"

Has faint black speckling in the finish
Lighter shade compared to Weber


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Thanks for sharing! Does the HC turn color like the Weber?


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[brewtownbeatdown]

Thanks for sharing! Does the HC turn color like the Weber?

It darkens a little, but never goes reddish/orange like Weber.


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[brewtownbeatdown]

Duo Smoker

Legs don't actually "adjust".  Comes with a short & long set that you swap out.


No bottom damper(s). The grate strap extends 3/8" over bowl lip, so the lid doesn't sit tight, to allow for air intake.



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[cbpeck]

I was at a yard sale a few years ago that had a green happy cooker for sale. I passed on it at the time because I viewed it as a knockoff. I think today I'd probably buy it. The green was sort of a British green, similar to the green kettles being produced by Weber today.