Over the river and through the wood

[Mr.CPHo]

I was a little bummed out we didn't have friends or family join us for Thanksgiving this year.  Sure, enjoying one another's company is cool and all, but if I'm going to be honest, I really just like the copious amounts of kettle cooking that goes into the holiday. I even like the pre-game strategizing: estimating headcount, nailing down a menu, developing a grocery list then running all over town to get specific ingredients.  I even like planning subsequent meals using the leftovers.  (I would've made split pea soup with the turkey carcass and thrown in cubed ham).  Some may have disdain for such minutiae, but I dig it.  Well, none of that happened this year.  It was just the wife and I, so instead of spinning a bird and firing up multiple kettles, I only used just one kettle, but it may just be my oldest kettle.

Last week I spotted this MLH at an estate sale outside Chattanooga.  I could only see the metal lid handle, the rest was obscured by other miscellaneous garage items.  When I emailed the seller if he could send me more pics, he responded "No, it's a cheap grill you can get at Wal-mart."  Uh... ok.... I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Since we had nothing on our agenda this week, we decided to take a meandering road trip "over the river and through the wood" of the beautiful Smoky mountains to pick up this grill and bring it home where it'll be appreciated more than a cheap Wal-mart grill.  Upon arrival, I was delighted to find the original ash pan inside, all three daisy wheels attached, and both metal wheels and rubber tread intact.  Lid vent confirms, my first Wood dale!!  (Disclaimer, I'm not sure if the MLH Ranch qualifies)   For the ride home, the MLH was dismantled and packed with foam tubing in the rooftop cargo box... to avoid the cacophony of metallic rattling all the way home.   You know what I'm talking about. 

Upon further inspection, nice patina and I see what may have once been the "Porcelain enameled" label on the lid, now long gone.  Two of the hooks that hold up the ash pan are gone, my temporary solution is to use two spring clips until I can find hooks that match and some how attach them.  Any tips on restoring a J-hook ash pan would be welcomed.

First cook were a pair of ribeyes for a super low-key Thanksgiving dinner, and yeah, I burned the shit out of my hand the first time I lifted the hot lid.  I also noted the hook to hang the lid is positioned opposite the vent and is located more towards the center, which means the lid hangs higher with the vent down.   Fun things to learn while holding a hot metal handle.  Steaks were awesome though. 

Although we weren't surrounded by family or friends as is our usual tradition, perhaps using this old MLH kettle will be my new tradition for future Thanksgivings. 

Thanks for looking!  Hope everyone is doing ok.

[RRRanger99]

Congrats, Charlie! Nice score!

[Kneab]

Great story and find Charlie.
Congratulations on your new to you "cheap walmart grill"

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[michaelmilitello]

Nice story!   I can relate to a lot of that story, especially my wife or kids complaining of metal clanging and clinking on kettle trips.  Enjoy your Wood Dale.   Walmart's got nothing on that!


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[Fat Tony]

Awesome score!!
Congrats!

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[crowderjd]

Congrats!  I was wondering who got that one!  Looks to be in fantastic shape overall.

[1911Ron]

Nice score, congrats!

[bamakettles]

Awesome find and story, congratulations!


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[brewtownbeatdown]

Congrats!!!!!!!  Grate score...if you're into cheap WalMart kettles.


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[JEBIV]

Very nice

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[Darko]

Great score Charlie. That's the nicest cheap Walmart grill i've ever seen.

[WNC]

Man that's so awesome, congratulations!


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[cigarman20]

Wow, great find!!


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[Mike in Roseville]

Congrats! She's a beauty!

[bladz]

Wow, that's a beauty!  Congrats!!


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