Not sure what the rub is with the "taco", butt the sumbitch does what it's supposed to do. It shields the heat from the lid handle. It works!! Yes, our beloved older models don't have that... I guess no one thought of it back then.
I don't find it offending or unattractive. I find it very useful. My hands are very grate-full for this invention. Just sayin'...
I don't have any experience with the Taco handle so I don't have anything good or bad to say about it. Weber chose to make the design change to improve their product and they sell lots of them.
My eyes doesn't necessarily like tacos but my fingers and wooden handles does.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190102/0399dc571c5930e04abdf7dd2cb154ed.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190102/32a22761ee7155216bbf534d489f9c8e.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190102/8afe36eccd9114c8d18ab4b384ff99c7.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190102/84a76d95aa1d34d64f98db7511f0fc55.jpg)
It's in how it strikes you. I can live with it. The kettle is still the best cooker. I don't hate the taco, I just prefer the looks without. And I also prefer the Handle inline with the vent, not crosswise to it. If you tried all arrangements of lid vent, thermometer, and handle Weber has used you might have a favorite. Mine is the older inline handle and no thermometer, with a hook. I like the earlier lid bale coupled with a lid that has a hook. I don't do high heat cooks so the tacos function isn't a big deal for me. If Weber was so concerned with burns why aren't all lids supplied with the vent handle. Don't know about the WSM but the Smokey Joe bottom vent could use one.
http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/how-are-people-liking-the-bolt-on-handles/
http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/taco-handle-33119/
http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/i-can't-handle-the-handle/
http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/what-is-your-dream-kettle/msg240377/#msg240377
Quote from: hawgheaven on January 02, 2019, 11:02:55 AM
Not sure what the rub is with the "taco", butt the sumbitch does what it's supposed to do. It shields the heat from the lid handle. It works!! Yes, our beloved older models don't have that... I guess no one thought of it back then.
I don't find it offending or unattractive. I find it very useful. My hands are very grate-full for this invention. Just sayin'...
I think it was 2010?? 26er taco welded handle I am thinking about... and I think it had a clip on or off taco shell. Not 100% sure. Now that would have been sweet handle setup instead of current bolted taco handle. Even the purest /traditionalist taco haters like Hoss ( where is he? ), kettlebb and others would have been happy.
Btw, I am officially Taco SJ hater. I am ok with 22" and 18" but Bolt on taco 26" is another story.
Quote from: greenweb on January 02, 2019, 04:38:46 PM
Quote from: hawgheaven on January 02, 2019, 11:02:55 AM
Not sure what the rub is with the "taco", butt the sumbitch does what it's supposed to do. It shields the heat from the lid handle. It works!! Yes, our beloved older models don't have that... I guess no one thought of it back then.
I don't find it offending or unattractive. I find it very useful. My hands are very grate-full for this invention. Just sayin'...
I think it was 2010?? 26er taco welded handle I am thinking about... and I think it had a clip on or off taco shell. Not 100% sure.
I had two newer 26's.
My 26 that had the clip on taco was from 2008/2009.
I preferred the newer style to the "clip in" taco. Super sturdy, never any issues. Most of all, no hot handle.
Ugly? Maybe, but they work well.
I have a 2018 26 with the taco. I don't mind the handle itself, but the bolts to hold the handle are not befitting a $300 grill nor sturdy enough to confidently lift a 20 pound lid. See picture. I replaced them with better hardware. A welded handle is sturdier imho. Judging by the amazon reviews, I'm not the only one. I don't know why Weber doesn't address that. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190103/ea4de690431657eef6e224ffb8ae053f.jpg)
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Quote from: Jules V. on January 02, 2019, 12:04:42 PM
My eyes doesn't necessarily like tacos but my fingers and wooden handles does.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190102/0399dc571c5930e04abdf7dd2cb154ed.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190102/32a22761ee7155216bbf534d489f9c8e.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190102/8afe36eccd9114c8d18ab4b384ff99c7.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190102/84a76d95aa1d34d64f98db7511f0fc55.jpg)
How the heck do I bend the straps like this? Brute force?
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Quote from: michaelmilitello on January 03, 2019, 08:12:34 AM
I have a 2018 26 with the taco. I don't mind the handle itself, but the bolts to hold the handle are not befitting a $300 grill nor sturdy enough to confidently lift a 20 pound lid. See picture. I replaced them with better hardware. A welded handle is sturdier imho. Judging by the amazon reviews, I'm not the only one. I don't know why Weber doesn't address that. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190103/ea4de690431657eef6e224ffb8ae053f.jpg)
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Yep! this is the story I was thinking about for the 26er. 26" lid is double the weight of the 22" lid. Using that stamped nuts to hold the weight of the lid can't be good. They barely hold 22" lids. These fake nuts are commonly used in industry like a retainer clips or like a axle retainer caps used on our weber wheels. http://fastening.araymond-industrial.com/catalog/stamped-nuts-f29-o4016.htm
I would personally replace these stamped nuts to real ss nuts asap. My setup would be.....a large ss washer plus double ss nuts. http://www.boltscience.com/pages/the-use-of-two-nuts-to-prevent-self-loosening.pdf
3" ss plate and 1 1/4" fender washer. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190104/7e4063c560f74ea3f8b0cd8cb9096716.jpg)
Quote from: XRichard23 on January 03, 2019, 02:58:11 PM
Quote from: Jules V. on January 02, 2019, 12:04:42 PM
My eyes doesn't necessarily like tacos but my fingers and wooden handles does.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190102/0399dc571c5930e04abdf7dd2cb154ed.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190102/32a22761ee7155216bbf534d489f9c8e.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190102/8afe36eccd9114c8d18ab4b384ff99c7.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190102/84a76d95aa1d34d64f98db7511f0fc55.jpg)
How the heck do I bend the straps like this? Brute force?
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Vise and hammer. Remove the strap and use a flexible tape to wrap the strap so it will not scratch. Straighten strap and then bend it to shape. Drill holes, cut the excess to desired length. Round off the edges.
I only like it on 18s. Makes sj's and ga's look weird
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My problem with it is the curved handle. I wouldn't mind a taco GA though, those little bastards get hot in a hurry.
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My first 26 was a taco w/ those cheesy nuts, which had already caused some enamel chipping by the time I bought it from the original owner. I moved it along eventually.
Because of this thread I went out to check my 2 current "modern" 26s, and found that despite both being DEs, one has the old white-wall wheels (my preference) and the snap-in heat shield and white handle, while the other has a reg. welded handle (gray), no shield, and the newer wheels. Neither was bought new by me, but I assumed they were stock.
I actually (brace yourselves) LIKE the taco or potato chip as Weber calls them. They work great especially with Vortex cooks. That being said, I like the classic look of the strap lid handle but from a functionality standpoint the potato chip shield does its job. I DO PREFER the look of the taco with the traditional strap shape shown in this thread. I've got a couple fireplace straps I will be doing this with in the Spring.
only issue I have with the taco is the damage it can cause to the porcelain
Personally, I have no issue with the taco. I actually like it. What bothers me is how Weber reshaped the handle to that bendy shape.
Quote from: LightningBoldtz on January 05, 2019, 07:48:43 AM
only issue I have with the taco is the damage it can cause to the porcelain
I agree, my LE has cracked porcelain at the taco handle. Only one side was cracked, I noticed it about a week ago.
Then today I got it out to shine it up a little with some detail spray and the other side cracked a big piece off, it popped up and nearly flew up in my eye.
I made a warranty claim with Weber after that.
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My ivory did too..
Just poor design. You need to install a gasket between the taco shell and lid. A very large washer on the inside with a regular bolt should prevent chippings.
I've been through 6 various taco grills, and haven't chipped one yet. All have been assembled using Weber's instructions,
Like the clean look without the taco but really like not burning my hands and not having to look for a glove or towel to lift a lid.
I have a few non-taco kettles some with the older white handles and some with the newer grey handles. It seems like the older white colored handles do not get as hot as the newer grey colored handles. Nothing scientific but it seems that way. Anyone else notice a difference?
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Quote from: foshizzle on January 05, 2019, 08:41:02 PM
Like the clean look without the taco but really like not burning my hands and not having to look for a glove or towel to lift a lid.
I have a few non-taco kettles some with the older white handles and some with the newer grey handles. It seems like the older white colored handles do not get as hot as the newer grey colored handles. Nothing scientific but it seems that way. Anyone else notice a difference?
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One type of off white handle (flat top with grooves running across top and bot.) has solid bot. section of the handle almost 1/2" thick. Other type of white with a curve top has few cut outs but still very thick. I could take some comparison pics with new gray if someone want to see it.
Newer style gray handles are featherweights in comparison as they are all hollowed out inside. So, quicker heat transfer on thin gray handles vs takes longer on thick white handles? Maybe.
Quote from: pancho2017 on January 05, 2019, 02:47:29 PM
Quote from: LightningBoldtz on January 05, 2019, 07:48:43 AM
only issue I have with the taco is the damage it can cause to the porcelain
I agree, my LE has cracked porcelain at the taco handle. Only one side was cracked, I noticed it about a week ago.
Then today I got it out to shine it up a little with some detail spray and the other side cracked a big piece off, it popped up and nearly flew up in my eye.
I made a warranty claim with Weber after that.
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That's one hell of a camera you have there. I can see your fingerprint in great detail.
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Tacos are cool...
(https://i.imgur.com/EihMJgW.jpg)