Can I get some help determining the age of my kettle? and is it even a Weber?
There are a lot of indications that it is a Weber from 1962-ish era, but my knowledge base isn't there yet to determine it for myself and need some help clarifying few things.
Here's the Kettle in question.
(https://i.imgur.com/fVU1Kyyh.jpg)
2 out of 3 bottom vents were missing and 1 remaining vent was stuck so I ground the screw head off to get it off(currently awaiting for replacement vents to arrive)
also the leg stands don't have any thumb screw or anything, just fits in there.
(https://i.imgur.com/7Us3fZ1h.jpg)
Handle on the bowl is missing, but it seems that it was a rivet/screw on style. I thought all Weber kettle bowl handles were welded on from factory?
(https://i.imgur.com/uwN1hXvh.jpg)
Lid's vent also doesn't have any date code, so it is either really 1962 or older before any stamps were on the vent, or it has been replaced.
(https://i.imgur.com/JlWtozNh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/rHsH7ohh.jpg)
Char-Broil handle? This is what is getting me confused, but I'm sure it was just something previous owners had laying around or salvaged it to fix broken lid handle. and again, it seems like it's a screw on style, and not a weld on style.
(https://i.imgur.com/G5qJEs2h.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/JdNy0KZh.jpg)
^lid hook design looks odd, never seen one like that before, then again I never paid attention to any small details on weber grill before. but it works well.
The wheel is what got me thinking it's 1962+ model
(https://i.imgur.com/vVHPbVYh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7DN2MjJh.jpg)
what is the hole in the middle of the bowl for at the very bottom?
(https://i.imgur.com/czaHAqJh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/zdYQ3p7h.jpg)
I bought Weber 7478 replacement handle cover so I can have a handle on the bowl, and the width of the flat metal bar needs to be 5/8th, and no local big box store sells 5/8th width flat metal and I could not believe it. it goes from 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and 1 inch width. I even asked someone to help me find it and I got pretty angry with the dude that I picked to help me as he him self was in "I am not interested in helping you" mode so I stormed out of the store so find it online, and good god I had no luck in finding 5/8th flat metal bar so I calmed myself down a bit and went back in and grabbed the 3/4 bar. I will have to shave down where it will be covered by the handle cover, but my trusty angle grinder never turned down a party.
(https://i.imgur.com/xNFpjErh.jpg)
^(I've always been the "grill man" at parties and gathering, but never owned any charcoal equipment myself as I never owned a charcoal grill before)
I do have the ash tray, just not pictured. it's like this one
(http://weberkettleclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/1986redkettle2.jpg)
To make it easy for you to answer my questions WKC, I'll list the questions.
1. Is my red kettle even a Weber?
2. What year is it made?
3. What is the hole in the middle of the bowl for?
4. How big of a gap should I leave between the bowl and the handle? I'm thinking about 4 inches away from the handle.
5. I plan on adding thermostat on the lid(ordered Weber thermostat with beauty ring), where is the best location for it? next to the vent on the lid?
6. I noticed inside the bowl, there aren't any "stands" for the coal grate to sit on and it just lays there. I want to upgrade the coal grate to a modern one. what is the best way to attach little stand off's(will make it out of scrap metal, should be fairly simple) to inside the bowl without doing much damage to the coating?
Thank you WKC in advance. I will turn this into my ongoing "build" thread
Looks like it's a Happy Cooker, and in great shape.
@brewtownbeatdown has one like it, with the Charbroil branded handles. It's somewhat of a collectors item, if yours came with an internal ash pan.
http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/'-the-happy-cooker-'-the-truth/
http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/the-happy-cooker-family/
The bowl handle on the Weber Jumbo Joe 22" isn't welded on, it attaches through two holes on the bowl and tightens down with two nuts on the backside. Not sure if it's a direct fit for yours but with a little tweaking it might fit and look really good.
Not a Happy Cooker, nor is it a Weber. Is definitely a Char-Broil. Still a cool little kettle though. The crimped bowl w/ flat bottom, plastic handles, 4" hollow wheels, and crimped edge ash pan are the telltale signs of a Char-Broil kettle.
I have a black one that is a Char-Broil, and a red one that is labeled Kenmore:
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190611/c186556dafb5843264ec8101cd93608c.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190611/2081bdc81ad1d4ff42ce7093c15c7100.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190611/b9fdf4e76866eb423ec029f9d948e1e3.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190611/45af100a1bb22b0f65f82a222cc55448.jpg)
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I'll check my parts stash. I should have two non-branded handles, and possibly some bowl dampers that'll fit if you're interested.
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Quote from: brewtownbeatdown on June 11, 2019, 05:26:26 AM
I'll check my parts stash. I should have two non-branded handles, and possibly some bowl dampers that'll fit if you're interested.
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That is a pretty sweet power move for a pretty hard to find set of parts! Kettle Karma points heading to brewtown if he has the stash to pull it off!
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Thank you all for the valuable information. Certainly more info than what I could have gathered on my own research.
Now question is, do I try and sell this and buy the weber I want? I am not out to make money but deal is a deal. And I am not in the market to collect kettles by any means, as all I am looking to do with a kettle is cook with it. Like it would be ashame if I keep dirtying it up when someone that collects these would want it in clean as possible condition.
How much could I even get out of this kettle? I would be willing to do a trade with someone honestly.
There really isn't much value in vintage Char-Broil kettles. So...if you really want to move it on, instead of cook on it, I'd just ask what you paid for it.
You can post it for sale/trade, but per site rules, you need to have an asking price (or trade idea). I'll still check my parts stash for you, or whoever decides to give it a good home.
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I second that. You might just want to keep it to cook on until you find a nice used Weber at a good price. After you have what you want, list it and get what you paid for it back.
Right on, if that is the case, I have 0 problem keeping it and modifying it to my liking.
So, how close is this thing to weber from its age group?(how old is this?) Seems like its almost a exact replica minus few details.
Can someone answer my question #6? Is bolt/nut or rivet method preferred?
Quote from: mad-ass on June 11, 2019, 11:30:09 AM
Right on, if that is the case, I have 0 problem keeping it and modifying it to my liking.
So, how close is this thing to weber from its age group?(how old is this?) Seems like its almost a exact replica minus few details.
Can someone answer my question #6? Is bolt/nut or rivet method preferred?
As far as age, it's late 70's to mid 80's. It'll cook pretty much like any Weber with the three bowl dampers.
Your charcoal grate is designed to rest against(bite into) the bowl on this model. Switching to a Weber charcoal grate with something to actually rest on would help with the grate's stability. Drilling three holes and using SS bolts/nuts would be plenty. If you'd prefer not to drill any holes in the bowl, you could design a bracket that uses the bolt/nut from each damper's mounting hole.
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Using four corner braces where each of the four bolts for the two handles go through might also work. If the grate should be above the handles, turn the L the other way.
Something like this might work (or custom make your own with a drill & a vice) https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-3-4-in-Zinc-Plated-Corner-Braces-4-Pack-13542/202950157
Dude. Brewtownbeatdown is the man! His generosity never ceases!!
I like the red kettle btw!
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The charcoal grate on these is actually meant to hang from the cooking grate.
The handles on the coal grate go up through the gap at the cooking grate handles
and hang from the hooks on the coal grate handles. This makes the coal grate height adjustable
Quote from: brewtownbeatdown on June 11, 2019, 05:26:26 AM
I'll check my parts stash. I should have two non-branded handles, and possibly some bowl dampers that'll fit if you're interested.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thank you so much for the offer to a complete stranger! While you are ooh so gracious, I've already ordered weber bowl dampers before i even joined up. And as you can see the handle cover as well. I was so sure that it was a weber i got a bit carried away ordering what i thought would work. I will pass on your offer, but im sure someone else will need it from you soon or later.
I will post updates when i get parts in and find the time to make the handle for the bowl. This should be fun.
As far as coal grate goes, since the section of 3/4 flat steel bar i bought will have plenty of left overs after i make handle out of it(its 36" section length) i am going to use them to fab up few "shelves" for the coal grate to sit on. And i will be using nut/bolt to hold them to the bowl. Maybe this grill not being a weber is a blessing in disguise as I wont feel guilty doing all the mods and drilling to it.
Quote from: YardBurner on June 11, 2019, 09:10:52 PM
The charcoal grate on these is actually meant to hang from the cooking grate.
The handles on the coal grate go up through the gap at the cooking grate handles
and hang from the hooks on the coal grate handles. This makes the coal grate height adjustable
Yes that totally makes sense now. I couldnt figure out how to use it properly. Awesome, thank you for the suggestion!
Well, all the parts came in and I got to installing. and did a little fixing up here and there.
(https://i.imgur.com/PBPYWwGl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/nQ9Dledl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Q8s6IVil.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/tcEsWzhl.jpg?1)
I think it turned out great!
Thanks for all the suggestions and help everyone. I picked this up for $40 and came with new un-opened 40lbs of Kingsfords Charcoal. Deal I couldn't pass up.
The replacement dampers did come in the mail, so I will be installing those on the Red Char-Broil and make a handle for it as planned, and more than likely will put it up on the market FS for what I have into it.
How do I keep the legs from falling out when I lift it up off the ground to move it around? any preferred methods you guys have that I can get help from?
Congrats on the great deal! Now you're in business.
Some have mentioned taking the legs off & inserting either a broom handle or the end of a wrench inside the leg & basically using the end to bend outward the portions that are bent inward from the press fit sort of thing that goes on when they are installed. It tends to slightly crimp them & they can become quite loose, depending on the initial install, how often they are removed, etc.