These look pretty cool, I saw them on the Aussie BBQ Forum.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/10153785_785545928122227_1475924565329484195_n.jpg)
(http://unknownbbq.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/WSM-Hinge1.png)
http://unknownbbq.com/custom-wsm-h
There is one for kettles as well: http://unknownbbq.com/22-5-weber-kettle-lid-hinge/
(http://unknownbbq.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/22.5-in-Weber-Kettle-Hinge-2.jpg)
So what do you think? Better than the lid bale system ?
The thing I see is that it turns your Weber into a big sail. One gust of wind and BANG - whole thing on the ground.
That's why you put lots of meat on them ;D
But you're right, didn't look at it that way.
I'd just be cringing the whole time as I put holes in the kettle.
But I do like them.
I would like to try one out.
I like it, not so much for a 22.5 but I think it would be handy on a 26er. 8)
looks like the legs of the wsm have been modified, probably to prevent it from instantly toppling.
i wouldn't put that on ANY of my webers.
I saw these a while back too. I was thinking that they would be better if they had strong magnets on both mounting plates. That way it wouldn't be permenant (no holes either) and you would have the option to mount it in different places depending on where you wanted the top vent.
I gotta chime in... Yes a big sail, yes to toppling over, yes to NO HOLES IN MY GRILL, and a big ol yes to hell I'd install it!
That is pretty cool lookin.
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Quote from: Troy on April 29, 2014, 07:55:44 AM
looks like the legs of the wsm have been modified, probably to prevent it from instantly toppling.
Negative. The legs were modified to raise the 18" WSM higher off the ground for comfort reasons. This has been talked out quite a bit at the bullet and the creator chimed in. Actually, he just became a vendor there also.
I see they are being sold for $40. I will need to see one first hand before I pull the trigger.
They have gotten a lot of play over at the bullet.
Looks like a good product.
Use a Uni-Bit, hold 'er square and don't be afraid to drill.
I'll start through some blue painter's tape with a normal, high speed 1/8" bit (sharp) for a pilot hole.
Centerpunching not needed or wanted....chipping hazard IMO.
It takes a bit to get through the ceramic so hold 'er steady.
Then switch to the Uni-Bit...mark where you want to stop on the bit with a Sharpie.
I wouldn't need it for the Kettles - Performer and M/T features hold the lids out of the way just fine.
I like the idea of one for my 18.5 WSM, however, it appears to me that once you install it you can no longer use the Weber cover. That would be a major minus in my book.
Winz
Quote from: DirectDrive on April 29, 2014, 08:22:55 PM
They have gotten a lot of play over at the bullet.
Looks like a good product.
Use a UniBit, hold 'er square and don't be afraid to drill.
I'm not afraid, I just don't want to crap up my kettle....I don't see why anyone would have to put this on a kettle, maybe a WSM. It's not for me either way. The lid bale on a kettle looks to be a much better system.
Thanks, but no thanks
Quote from: Winz on April 29, 2014, 08:34:25 PM
I wouldn't need it for the Kettles - Performer and M/T features hold the lids out of the way just fine.
I like the idea of one for my 18.5 WSM, however, it appears to me that once you install it you can no longer use the Weber cover. That would be a major minus in my book.
Winz
They've reported at the Bullet that the covers still fit the WSMs.
Several threads over there on the Unknown Hinge.
I kinda like the idea for a WSM, but maybe not on a kettle.
Quote from: zavod44 on April 30, 2014, 03:05:56 AM
Quote from: DirectDrive on April 29, 2014, 08:22:55 PM
They have gotten a lot of play over at the bullet.
Looks like a good product.
Use a UniBit, hold 'er square and don't be afraid to drill.
I'm not afraid, I just don't want to crap up my kettle....I don't see why anyone would have to put this on a kettle, maybe a WSM. It's not for me either way. The lid bale on a kettle looks to be a much better system.
I just got my 1st kettle with the a lid bale. I haven't gotten used to using it yet. It's a bit awkward getting the lid in the bale right on the 1st try every time. I don't know if misplacing the lid in the bale will cause damage overtime, but these hinges would be a fix for that.
Quote from: 5280Jeff on April 30, 2014, 05:58:51 AM
Quote from: zavod44 on April 30, 2014, 03:05:56 AM
Quote from: DirectDrive on April 29, 2014, 08:22:55 PM
They have gotten a lot of play over at the bullet.
Looks like a good product.
Use a UniBit, hold 'er square and don't be afraid to drill.
I'm not afraid, I just don't want to crap up my kettle....I don't see why anyone would have to put this on a kettle, maybe a WSM. It's not for me either way. The lid bale on a kettle looks to be a much better system.
I just got my 1st kettle with the a lid bale. I haven't gotten used to using it yet. It's a bit awkward getting the lid in the bale right on the 1st try every time. I don't know if misplacing the lid in the bale will cause damage overtime, but these hinges would be a fix for that.
I don't have a lid bale but was thinking of adding one...they do look safer and more user-friendly than that tiny inside hook.
Unkown tempts the buying of two units though, with free shipping for two or more.
Hmmmm....one WSM and one kettle ?
Reports at the Bullet give a resounding thumbs up for the WSM hinge.
Not enough feedback yet on the kettle hinge.
And once again, drilling has gone very smooth for me while installing therms and Mav ports.
I'll be posting a therm lead port mod on a WSM in the next day or two.
I love the ingenuity. It also looks like a well built product so kudos to the creator.
I have a hinge from the unknownbbq on my WSM 22.5. When I ordered it, I was leery of spending $40 + $7 shipping on a hinge. I have to say, it's a steal at twice the price! I can't speak to the kettle hinge but I really can't recommend it enough for the WSM.
Installation was quite easy, it comes with instructions. Drilled six holes, put a little high temp paint on the exposed metal with a small brush and then bolted it on with the provided hardware. When you open it fully, there is a notch it slips into to keep it open. It requires two hands to close it, one hand on each handle, lift slightly to get it out of the notch and close, very simple operation. It has a pull pin so you can easily remove the lid from the smoker if the need arises.
I think my cover would fit with the hinge attached if I didn't also have handles added to the center section. As for the lid acting as a sail, I haven't had an issue with it. I could see it being a problem if you are cooking in extremely gusty weather. If that is the case you might want to pull the pin and not use the hinge on a day like that.
If you have a WSM, purchase one of these hinges, you will not regret it.
(http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y489/J1ROW/P1030552_zps60d3a203.jpg)
I was thinking these would be great on a Performer at the back instead of the lid bale on the side, I'd like to see how high they open on a kettle , to see if the lid sits back further than what they do on the lid bale system as that can be restrictive at times
Quote from: Hogsy on April 30, 2014, 05:54:13 PM
I was thinking these would be great on a Performer at the back instead of the lid bale on the side, I'd like to see how high they open on a kettle , to see if the lid sits back further than what they do on the lid bale system as that can be restrictive at times
This is the only pic that I could find that kinda shows the range...
(http://unknownbbq.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/22.5-in-Weber-Kettle-Hinge-2.jpg)
It doesn't look much different to the lid bale, it would want to go to 90deg to be a better option than the lid bale
Quote from: Hogsy on April 30, 2014, 06:16:21 PM
It doesn't look much different to the lid bale, it would want to go to 90deg to be a better option than the lid bale
It would be interesting to see what their "stop" looks like and maybe it could be altered ?
if it was mounted at the back of a performer . it would be hard to pick it up out of the notch that holds it open
and they fit on a 26.75 lid also just mention grill size when ordering