Welding the bowl - Is it possible/feasible?

[toiga]

Hi there Weberheads!

I have this one kettle that is rusted at the bottom. The enamel coating is gone and I was wondering if it is possible to weld the cracks and a small piece of metal for the one-touch system?

[northwestkettle]

I've welded up the bowls on several old kettle's with my mig welder. As well as welded leg sockets back on that rusted off. I patched a 3-4" diameter hole in one old kettle so I would say yes should be very doable


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[ReanimatedRobot]

For your particular situation welding/grinding might be your only option. However you really have to be careful when welding as the high heat can cause some porcelain damage.  One thing to check into is make sure it is older than 10 years old.  If it is relatively now it might be a warranty claim. 

In most cases SS bolts, nuts, and washers are an easier fix when sockets fall off and etc.

If that doesn't work then some skilled and strategic welding might work if it is something rare or just worth salvaging for your own personal reasons.

If it is just a black kettle and there is a used market in your area it might actually be worth checking into finding a cheap replacement.  It just might be cheaper/easier than taking it to a local welder to repair.

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[Cellar2ful]

You can weld kettle bowls but there will be some porcelain damage.  Here are two threads where vintage tabbed bowls for Sevilles were welded and rehabbed by a welder I know.

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/index.php?topic=46246.msg457788#msg457788

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/index.php?topic=44025.msg436340#msg436340

[toiga]

Hi there, thank you for the replies. I'll look for a welder to patch it up

I just bought a DE code kettle that the bowl is in great shape but the lid is a little beat. I'll mix and match the best parts into the DE bowl and fix the DR bowl to see if it lasts a little more.

[Andyinlz]

Note that the welds need to be ground smooth so that the one touch vanes do not snag on them.

[toiga]

Hello.

Well, the welder said that the metal isn't sound, strong enough to take a tack weld. It's very thin

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[northwestkettle]

Hello.

Well, the welder said that the metal isn't sound, strong enough to take a tack weld. It's very thin

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Sounds like you need to find a welder who is used to dealing with thin metal like car sheet metal auto body welder they should have no problem


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[toiga]

He is a car mechanic. The bottom up to half way up the openings is rusted thin. We took a wire brush to it and flaked off some more. The cost/benefits ratio were unbalanced. This one is relegated to vortex and direct heat duties.

[Darko]

Unless this kettle has some special value to you, it might be easier and cheaper to just buy a new one.

[toiga]

Already done that, bought a 2009 DE code kettle. The best parts of the two have gone with the rust free bowl from the DE code weber with the lid and one-touch sistem from the DR.

The rusty bowl from the DR and the lid from the DE are the worst parts. Together with the old grates this is the vortex weber.

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[bigpaulUK66]

Hi

I cut the bottom out of another bowl to repair my ssp, it can be done!