On a day when I was starting to wonder if we were living in some horrible future where overpriced kettles go only to the quick, the technologically advanced, or the rich, I got a reminder that some things just happen 'low and slow', and they always will.
I came out of the shopper's warehouse with my three kids and was getting them tucked into their seats while simultaneously loading in all of our stuff when I looked up and saw something red sticking out of the bed of the pickup parked next to me. Some surreptitious glances revealed that it was a Jumbo Joe, and a red fade at that. I also noticed that there was someone sitting in the truck enjoying the A/C, so after I was all loaded up I waved into the tinted windows to ask about the kettle. The woman inside didn't speak much English, but enough to know that I was trying to buy her kettle. She said 'no', and I thanked her and complimented her on the grill. Snapped this photo to post here on the forums, and got ready to leave.
(http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r782/MikeStavlund/0713131130_zps3e7e926c.jpg) (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/MikeStavlund/media/0713131130_zps3e7e926c.jpg.html)
Right then a guy walked up and angled over toward the truck. He waved at me, and it became obvious that his wife was texting him about the creepy dude asking about the grill. I didn't make any further offers, but just told him that I loved his grill and hoped he enjoyed it too. At which point I realized that he was a little more interested in selling it than his wife. We eventually agreed on $45, I thanked him and loaded it up. My kids were pretty excited about the whole deal, piling out of the car to see it up close, and the guy was nice enough to share one of his freshly-purchased bottles of water with them. Really nice guy.
And I'm really excited about this grill. I'm sure I paid more than I should, but I just didn't think I'd ever come across one, and certainly don't expect to see one again.
(http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r782/MikeStavlund/IMG_0221_zps52186690.jpg) (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/MikeStavlund/media/IMG_0221_zps52186690.jpg.html)
(http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r782/MikeStavlund/IMG_0222_zps6b5ec4d9.jpg) (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/MikeStavlund/media/IMG_0222_zps6b5ec4d9.jpg.html)
Sweet! Congrats
Nice! Its amazing what you can find when you aren't even looking.
Ken
Wow...a red JJ...now that's rare. Its not too bad for 45. You may never see one again available to you!
That is a great score and a great story. Thanks for sharing.
Mike if you ever decide to let her go keep me in mind. I'm still looking for my jumbo joe.
Thanks, Jeff. I'm feeling even better about this than I was before!
It was a good day for both of us, Peas!
Quote from: mike.stavlund on July 13, 2013, 05:16:01 PM
It was a good day for both of us, Peas!
Yes it was. Two scores for the patient!
Very nice Mike! That is not too much for something we almost never see.
Wow that's one of my grails right there! Congrats man. I'm really jealous.
Congrats Mike it's a beauty!
"my kettle is more powerful it will do almost anything."
Congrats Mike that's awesome. Funny how these come to us sometimes.
Congrats! Guess it really was "EZ"... ;D
Damn Mike, great score! Love those joes, especially in red!
Oh my..... That's one pretty looking red head
Well done Mike....
Wow a Redhead JJ nice!
Hmmmmm, EZ.... I have a Red SS and a Blue SS which are both EZ. It's only a natural fit! (hint hint) ;)
How cool is that....great story and score.
Awesome score and a great way to catch it. That's a fair price for it too. The red JJ's are sweet! We may never see these pop up much again friends.
That's pretty nice!
But I hate to rain on your parade. I just picked up one which is apparently mine. And it only cost $15. Best of all, it's not red... It's black! ;D
Thanks for all the support and feedback, everyone! She cleaned up pretty easily.
The handle needs a couple of coats of spar varnish, but my daughter was eager to roast some potatoes on it. Seems like there is something energizing about rescuing a cool kettle, isn't there?
(http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r782/MikeStavlund/IMG_0238_zps94783792.jpg) (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/MikeStavlund/media/IMG_0238_zps94783792.jpg.html)
(http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r782/MikeStavlund/IMG_0238_zps94783792.jpg) (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/MikeStavlund/media/IMG_0238_zps94783792.jpg.html)
I seem to remember reading that there were a few Jumbo Joes that had weird-sized top grates-- is this one of them? The grate seems to be slightly bigger than the one on my 18.5 WSM. There goes my plan to upgrade the top grate at Target's regular fall clearance this year.
(http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r782/MikeStavlund/IMG_0243_zpsfacb9752.jpg) (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/MikeStavlund/media/IMG_0243_zpsfacb9752.jpg.html)
(http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r782/MikeStavlund/IMG_0245_zpsfc9a480f.jpg) (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/MikeStavlund/media/IMG_0245_zpsfc9a480f.jpg.html)
A few scars. When I found her, she had one leg bike-locked to the bed of a pickup truck.
(http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r782/MikeStavlund/IMG_0246_zpse1ce580e.jpg) (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/MikeStavlund/media/IMG_0246_zpse1ce580e.jpg.html)
(http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r782/MikeStavlund/IMG_0248_zps943da132.jpg) (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/MikeStavlund/media/IMG_0248_zps943da132.jpg.html)
First cook.
(http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r782/MikeStavlund/IMG_0249_zps5a632cac.jpg) (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/MikeStavlund/media/IMG_0249_zps5a632cac.jpg.html)
Coming up to temp.
(http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r782/MikeStavlund/IMG_0252_zps88027932.jpg) (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/MikeStavlund/media/IMG_0252_zps88027932.jpg.html)
Boutique farmer's market eggplant on to roast.
(http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r782/MikeStavlund/IMG_0255_zpsb2c784dc.jpg) (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/MikeStavlund/media/IMG_0255_zpsb2c784dc.jpg.html)
That looks awesome! Again, sweet save!! :)
Awesome! It's a beauty!
"my kettle is more powerful it will do almost anything."
I'm pretty sure you got a good deal! Cool.. 8)
Now that is some major WOW factor. With so many posts, I missed the original. Mike great score, I would do the same thing. Congrats!
Quote from: mike.stavlund on July 18, 2013, 06:38:03 PM
The handle needs a couple of coats of spar varnish, but my daughter was eager to roast some potatoes on it. Seems like there is something energizing about rescuing a cool kettle, isn't there?
Totally. Could not have said it better myself.
That's a sweet grill! One more to add to the must have list.
Congratulations on that Red JJ Mike! I bet it will look near perfect after the clean up.
The two-tone looks extra sharp on this one....more 'concentrated' than a 22.5, I guess..... ;D
Nice Fixup !!!!
Mike, congrats on the score! She's a beauty... love hearing about scores like that!
I'm so glad you got that grill Mike....I believe the word Karma comes to mind in this instance. That is a tough one to find, not sure what's better the story or the grill. Great find.....
That is an amazing grill and an absolutely wonderful story.
That is a score to be proud of, super rare find.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
I don't think anyone answered your question. ALL Jumbo Joes, Smokey Joe Paltinums and they were also called Outriders had a slightly different size grate. Luckily you can still buy one from Weber. At least at last check you could. 8)
Appliance Factory Parts Show them. Should be cheaper at Weber
http://www.appliancefactoryparts.com/search/part/551740/135917 (http://www.appliancefactoryparts.com/search/part/551740/135917)
(http://www.appliancefactoryparts.com/images/products/1000/551740-1.jpg)
Thanks, everyone! You're getting me even more excited about this rescue (and I was pretty excited already).
And thanks, AJ for the info on the top grate. I'll grab a new top grate while they are still available. Is the bottom (charcoal) grate the standard size, though?
That is a beautiful grill. I am being patient because I am looking for a red one.
You're right, AJ. Weber still has the top grate (#70605) for just $10. They also told me that the charcoal grate is a special size (#7440, $9.99), but I'm not sure I believe them. The CS agent seemed to be bluffing about a few things.
I'll be sure to grab an extra grate before they go out of production. Thanks for the tip!
Got my new grates the other day, and finished refinishing the handle. It was in pretty good shape, so I sanded it down, coated it with clear Australian Timber Oil, and put 3 coats of satin spar varnish on it. Took a long time for all of those coats to dry with the humid weather we've had around DC of late.
The oil shows that I should have been more diligent with my initial sanding, but it looks pretty good overall. Not an O'Neal-- not by a longshot!-- but not bad for an original EZ handle.
(http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r782/MikeStavlund/IMG_0325_zps7ab0dd5c.jpg) (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/MikeStavlund/media/IMG_0325_zps7ab0dd5c.jpg.html)
Nice work Mike! I believe you might be happier with a smokey joe top grate for the charcoal grate because they are finer and will hold a charcoal rail better than the regular ones. Put a sweet new chrome one in it. ;)