Alternative hardware for installing Tuck-Away lid holder?

[570Smoke]

When installing the lid holder on my new 26", I ended up tightening up the fastening nuts too much. This resulted in a dime-sized chip of porcelain enamel chipping off the bowl of the kettle, which I am not happy about & unsure of now as well (rust issues).

I want to use alternate hardware, such as fiber washers in place of the provided stainless steel, and a different nut that isnt a locking type, as that is where I ran into problems. I couldn't "feel" when enough torque was applied, as the tightening of the locking nut made it difficult.

I am curious if anyone on here knows the thread-pitch of the lid holder wire ends, so I can go out and source different hardware.

Thank you.

[JEBIV]

Pretty sure it is 1/4-20

[bamakettles]

I would think that the provided washer would protect the outer porcelain from the bail tabs better than a fiber washer.  Was your damage on the inside porcelain?


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[Lowbrass]

1/4-20 is correct. I upgrade everything to stainless with my modern kettles. I use stainless steel acorn nuts for the lid bale. On the outside of the kettles I use a high heat gasket that I originally bought for my WSMs.  I basically make a washer out of it and it goes between anything that gets bolted to the kettle and the porcelain. After accidentally partially melting table rollers years ago, I also started using stainless steel fender washers on the outside of the kettle at the bale wire to act a a kind of heat shield. The pictures should illustrate what I mean.


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[michaelmilitello]

1/4-20 is correct. I upgrade everything to stainless with my modern kettles. I use stainless steel acorn nuts for the lid bale. On the outside of the kettles I use a high heat gasket that I originally bought for my WSMs.  I basically make a washer out of it and it goes between anything that gets bolted to the kettle and the porcelain. After accidentally partially melting table rollers years ago, I also started using stainless steel fender washers on the outside of the kettle at the bale wire to act a a kind of heat shield. The pictures should illustrate what I mean.


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Very good, idea!   Thanks for sharing!   I've started using stainless for all my hardware too.


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