Hello everybody,
my name is Sebastian and I´m from Southern Germany.
Since 2011 I own a Weber Spirit S 320 Gas Grill and I really love it!!!
Last week I had the chance to buy a red 1992 Weber Master Touch kettle (I think in the USA this is the One Touch Gold Model).
When I saw the first pics I felt in love and I knew that I need to have it !!
So I went to Zurich (Switzerland) and bought this wonderful Red Beauty for 70â,¬ (about 95$).
Here are some pics of it:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/mbeqo6d1h7rlu56/IMG_20140520_193716.jpg)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/tqlen1yqymplq22/IMG_20140520_193731.jpg)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/zw37r05tdgss7qd/IMG_20140520_194024.jpg)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/sbdwawh2fqi4er3/IMG_20140520_194054.jpg)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/vwgnojf5cbpwlrw/IMG_20140520_194119.jpg)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/r1l2lphng5q24o9/IMG_20140520_194310.jpg)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/8835vyr4o64xr1l/IMG_20140520_194325.jpg)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/jolfa48p3oaqqdq/IMG_20140520_194527.jpg)
The kettle was not used for the last 9 years. The pre-owner already cleaned it very well but there are still some things to do on the outside.
The triangle and the top vent are a bit rusty.
Also the legs and the ash bin (what is the correct word for that? ???) are not shiny, they are matte (non-glossy) and the surface feels very rough.
I hope you understand my english ;D
For sure the rest of the kettle is in pretty good shape and this is nothing that disturbs the grilling result but in this case I am a bit perfectionist.
But I don´t want to destroy anything or get even more rust after excessive cleaning.
Do you have any ideas for me how I could polish all that stuff without harming the rest (the emaille of bowl and lid is perfect and I don´t want to risk anything).
I´ve found some threads here about cleaning and removing rust but there always products used I wouldn´t get in Germany !!!
So maybe there is something easier I could do.
Thanks very much and have a nice weekend,
Sebastian
Try some #0000 steel wool on the top vent, maybe on the legs and triangle too.
Know that the ash can is inherently non-shiny (it's like brushed aluminum I think) and so, you'd be creating something new by polishing that smooth.
That's a great-looking MasterTouch. I'd love to have a red '92 just like it to match my red '92 Performer.
By the way, One Touch Golds here don't have the lid bale or charcoal holders. And until very recently didn't come with any kind of lid thermometer. Your original wire baskets rusted away and were replaced by the previous owner with the newer, aluminized steel ones.
Welcome.......Thats a great looking kettle
As mentioned above, steel wool works great for getting things cleaned up. It takes time and effort, but I've never been disappointed with the results.
Thanks already for the answers and I'm happy that you like my new little baby. I just called our local hardware store and the finest steel wool they have is 000. I think I will get that this weekend and try this out. I will keep you up to date with pics.
Welcome! That's a master touch here in the states too. Very nice find. Its beautiful! ;)
mcflash,
Welcome to the WKC group. That is a very nice 1992 red head enjoy and buy a cover.
Dan
@ Cuda Dan
With the kettle I got the original Weber cover from 1992.
I already bought the steel wool. We'll see how it works.
To clarify, can 0000 steel wool be used to clean the bowl (int and ext)? I just saw vents/metal explicitly mentioned.
Thanks.
Quote from: GOMRDS on May 23, 2014, 05:46:13 AM
To clarify, can 0000 steel wool be used to clean the bowl (int and ext)? I just saw vents/metal explicitly mentioned.
Thanks.
Steel wool won't hurt the surface, is my understanding. But I would expect the steel wool to get gunked up quickly. But I rarely have lookers, just cookers, so take anything I say with a grain of salt.
The steel wool used on the aluminum bits acts as a polisher for them. Grease and ash crud in the bowl needs something else. But a little steel wool on the outside to get small, baked-on grime might work. Several threads here about grill cleaning.
Welcome Sebastian.
Nice kettle!
"but in this case I am a bit perfectionist"
That sounds like the first stage of weberitis - denial
The next stage is admitting that you have weberitis 8)
To add to what the others have mentioned, don't be afraid, you won't hurt the kettle. Unless you're using a hammer and chisel, the kettle will be fine.
It looks real clean already, and I'm sure you won't let it stay that way because you'll be using it.
The steel wool will work wonders. For heaver spots you run into, a razor blade scraper works great too, and won't harm the porcelain.
Have fun and enjoy.
Quote from: mcflash on May 23, 2014, 03:58:56 AM
Thanks already for the answers and I'm happy that you like my new little baby. I just called our local hardware store and the finest steel wool they have is 000. I think I will get that this weekend and try this out. I will keep you up to date with pics.
You can also use a little bit of
mild liquid dishwashing soap with your steel wool to add to the cleaning & help lubricate the scrubbing, then wipe clean with a damp cloth.......I have messy cookers, but still do know a bit about cleaning !!!!
Quote from: addicted-to-smoke on May 23, 2014, 02:44:17 AM
Try some #0000 steel wool on the top vent, maybe on the legs and triangle too.
Know that the ash can is inherently non-shiny (it's like brushed aluminum I think) and so, you'd be creating something new by polishing that smooth.
That's a great-looking MasterTouch. I'd love to have a red '92 just like it to match my red '92 Performer.
By the way, One Touch Golds here don't have the lid bale or charcoal holders. And until very recently didn't come with any kind of lid thermometer. Your original wire baskets rusted away and were replaced by the previous owner with the newer, aluminized steel ones.
Those baskets are original.. Look closely, they are not the aluminized steel ones of today..
Round holes vs oblong.. Don;t polish that top vent, just clean it slightly with soap and water,its perfect! SOS or steel wool will scratch it up a bit. Use a mild polish on it Nice grill, thanbks for sharing.
8)
i have those baskets in my K code brownie
Hey guys,
I didn't have much time last weekend, so cleaning needs to wait ... But I already tried the steel wool at one leg and it seems to work - but it seems to be a lot of work :(
But I fired up the kettle for the first time, and it was a lot of fun!!! I like the red color going darker when the grill gets warmer. This looks really great.
One question about the thing with Master Touch and One Touch.
On the US Weber website I find no Master Touch, only the One Touch in different sizes.
So I thought you only have the One Touch, not a Master Touch.
Because in Germany we have One Touch and Master Touch, and if you take a look at the German website you find a interesting difference.
At all Master Touch we have the new GBS grate. Is it really possible that you don´t have these grills in the 2014 assortment?
Have a nice day,
Sebastian
I like perfectionists. To get your porcelain clean you can use soap, sponge, and razor. Here's a before and after of a ~40 year old kettle. With practice this only takes a few minutes.
(https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/1554357_640483352687589_2975528174036520502_n.jpg)
Quote from: mcflash on May 26, 2014, 04:19:59 AM
... So I thought you only have the One Touch, not a Master Touch. ...
That's correct. The nicer model isn't sold in the U.S. anymore.
Quote from: addicted-to-smoke on May 26, 2014, 09:44:08 AM
Quote from: mcflash on May 26, 2014, 04:19:59 AM
... So I thought you only have the One Touch, not a Master Touch. ...
That's correct. The nicer model isn't sold in the U.S. anymore.
Okay, thanks for the answer.
Now I know why I didn't find it on the website.
But it's still something that makes absolutely no sense to me!!
In Germany for example we haven't got the Ranch Kettle (but we can import it from other European countries) and that is okay because only few people need that grill.
But a Master Touch is such a great product and should be available everywhere. Or do you all buy Performers instead? ;)
Still I didn't find enough time for my kettle polishing with the wool.
I'm busy in the garden with doing some mosaic flooring and that really takes a lot of time.
I hope that there will be good weather on the weekend so maybe I can finish the flooring and start with the kettle.
Quote from: mcflash on May 28, 2014, 01:36:40 AM
... Or do you all buy Performers instead? ...
Can't say, but it sure seems as if more top of the line (with gas assist) Performers come up for sale used that for example, the One Touch Gold.
In America I think we buy cheap (One Touch Silver, at the "magical" $100 price point) or go for broke (Performer, + we often have more space to store a grill with a table?) with most buyers going for a cheaper gas grill that probably costs as much as a MasterTouch would cost if available here.
No, I don't exactly get it either. But we've discussed this before. Something about outdoor grilling being seen as more of a luxury endeavor in Europe, so higher-profit grills are more easily offered and that's where you get the colors, accessories and so on. You guys love our local grill prices but the "price" for that is limited selection of models I think.
That said, any hardware store here will have multiple gas grills or those ceramic "egg" charcoal setups for $1000, easy. It could just be that charcoal Webers are seen as "your dad's old grill" here (which is true) and who wouldn't want to "one-up" dad with a shiny new, silver and chrome gas grill or "high tech" egg-shaped thing with a vaguely Asian-sounding name?
Good morning together,
at the weekend I found some time for cleaning my Master Touch and I really wanna thank you for the hint with the steel wool.
It's not an easy work and it takes some time to get to the result but the result is absolutely worth the work!!
I didn't finish completely but I wanted to show you some pics because I'm sooooo happy with my Master Touch ;D !!!!
before:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/0b0m9ykqy69r67x/IMG_20140531_113844.jpg)
before:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/xsotquwi0pn46li/IMG_20140531_120541.jpg)
a "before" leg compared to a leg after polishing with steel wool:
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/5n9ux1ii8qbnyl1/IMG_20140531_123106.jpg)
Triangle:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/a2vbyq6z5kg7x3t/IMG_20140531_124206.jpg)
One Touch System after cleaning:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/4nzp41tgxrmpgtd/IMG_20140531_141116.jpg)
One Touch cover before polishing:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/1ubk7tn3xiypdhr/IMG_20140531_141144.jpg)
One Touch cover after polishing:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/o8oktir7k1fl6gk/IMG_20140531_174428.jpg)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/mazu4bq2f1ajnp0/IMG_20140531_174438.jpg)
mounted again:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/fz91minnzfh3wkp/IMG_20140531_175040.jpg)
looks much better now:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/08opyyrz0c5gq49/IMG_20140531_175051.jpg)
wings inside the bowl
wow, there is something written on the part in the middle, didn't know before cleaning ;) :
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/92asbq89ipncx72/IMG_20140531_175104.jpg)
I've got still 2 legs and the triangle to polish and I will post new pics at latest when I'm done with everything.
Greets,
Sebastian
Great work, Sebastian !!!!!
Hard to get everything completely clean, but you came very close !!!!
Looks very nice !!!!!
Thanks 1buckie and I've saved the best for last :-\ -> the triangle with a lot of rust on it !!
I tried to get off the wheels but I didn't.
I had a look in the manual of the Master Touch and it is shown that the "caps" that hold the wheels are only plugged or put on.
So I took a big pliers and tried to pull off the caps. But the only result is that the plastic cap doesn't look nice any more.
Do you have any special trick to get off the wheels?
The cleaning of the triangle would be much easier without the 2 legs and wheels mounted.
If it seems you must take the wheels off for better cleaning of them or the triangle, try wrapping a towel or rag around the "caps" & twisting gently with the pliers around the rag, the same direction the wheel turns.......rock back & forth & as gently as you can pull backwards......they are meant to stay on, so it's something that has to taken slowly & gently..........
Some people will try a flat screwdriver to pry off, first one side a bit, then the other side a bit from just behind the cap.......this can get them off, but again, go gently & take your time as it can slip & cause damage.....................
Thanks for the quick answer. When I find enough time this evening I will try the version with the pliers. I hope it works, otherwise it is just a bit more work for me. But for such a lovely kettle I have enough time and love ;)
You should be able to find replcement wheel caps at a hardwre store, if not Weber sells them.
The numbers 1,2,3 are on the ash sweeper. Those are for the correct order of installation of the one touch system. I suspect that they are bent slightly different to accomodate the stacking on the nut and then aligning equally on the bowl. Make sense?
8)
@1buckie
I found the time and finally I got off the caps. Thanks for the help, I did it with a combination of pliers and screwdriver. This worked really good but took nearly 10 min per wheel. But doesn't matter, I'm just happy it worked.
@Heyjude
I saw the numbers also before cleaning ;)
What I meant in my post this morning is the Patent number on the nut, not the numbers on the wings.
But thanks for your post.
Have a nice evening,
Sebastian
Probably an internal part number.. And nice job on your rehab.. Looking great! 8)
Hi together,
I changed my posts because the pics were no longer visible. It's a problem with the online memory of my internet provider ...
I registered at dropbox today and I hope it now works. We'll see ;D
I'm close to finishing my little project as I am working at the triangle at the moment.
You can really see a difference between the left side already worked on and the right side as the starting condition.
I'm so happy because before I didn't think that it would become that much better!!
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/uikvm1nws5bqzpc/IMG_20140604_075010.jpg)
Have a nice day,
Sebastian
Hi everybody,
I finally finished all of cleaning work and put my wonderful red lady back together.
Here are some pics of the result:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/p86oapjeerrxt5p/IMG_20140610_200146.jpg)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/qb0bhbyhkta0rtf/IMG_20140610_200151.jpg)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/ed99sd7eulkbxih/IMG_20140610_200158.jpg)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/l0rsaertfnp6e6r/IMG_20140610_200216.jpg)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/c7h9jugtqiat58j/IMG_20140610_200230.jpg)
It's definitely not looking new but for 22 years and for me it's absolutely perfect!!
The only thing still missing, is a grate. I think something very important for a grill ;)
I got no grate with the Master Touch, so the last times I used it, I had to improvise with my old Weber Spirit grate.
I'd really like to have the new GBS stainless steel grate for my Master Touch (this version is brand new in Germany and I didn't find it in any other country :( ).
I have the stainless steel version for my Spirit and I like the grate because it's build forever and cleaning is pretty easy.
I also like the idea of the Gourmet BBQ System. I already own the Sear Grate and the pizza stone and I use both very often.
But sadly the grate costs 135$ and this is much to much at the moment for me.
We will get our first baby next month so money is missing everywhere!!
Maybe I buy it for birthday or XMAS, we'll see...
Again I wanna thank all of you for your help and please keep on doing what you're doing, it's great !!!
Have a nice day,
Sebastian
Very nice work there! That's a great looking grill. You can really tell you put a lot of work into the restore.
Nice work on the grill, and congrats on the new member of the family too. Take a few pics of them both together - we all wish we had more photos of us as kids growing up with a Weber. Boy or girl?
Thanks for the appreciation of my work!!
@MartyG
I will take a lot of pics of my family members, no matter if grill or person ;)
It's a boy, he will be born at the end of July and I'm already seeing me and him together in the garden at our Webers... :)
Okay, in a few years of course..
In the US, grilling has a completely different history than in Germany but I hope that I can teach him something and he will have as much fun with grilling as I have now.
Probably this will be his first Weber:
http://www.amazon.de/Theo-Klein-9401-Kugelgrill-Premium/dp/B00BLV9DT6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402492323&sr=8-1&keywords=weber+kinder+grill