Loose leg on kettle?

[ChrisJ]

Now that I've finally got a 22.5" I'm considering putting some work into the 18.5".
Besides needing a new damper assembly for the bottom, I've got a few spots of rust on the lid which I've rubbed vegetable oil on a few times hoping it'll season it like cast iron, any tips for this?

The biggest problem is the front leg is loose and falls out from time to time.  I've considered drilling and adding a cotter pin to it but I'm hoping someone has a better solution.

[1911Ron]

For the loose leg, remove the leg insert a broom handle or other wood dowel of the same diameter (slightly smaller than the inside of the leg) and insert it in and gently wiggle it to open up the leg, go easy and test fit from time to time so as you don't open it up to much.

For the missing porcelain you are spot on rub some vegetable oil on it and get it hot!

[LightningBoldtz]

Quick question - look at the triangle on the bottom are the wires above the back bar that goes between the wheels or below?

if below take the legs off and flip it, it will make a world of difference.

Looking at the pic it looks like the triangle is wrong.

[ChrisJ]

Quick question - look at the triangle on the bottom are the wires above the back bar that goes between the wheels or below?

if below take the legs off and flip it, it will make a world of difference.

Looking at the pic it looks like the triangle is wrong.

On the 18.5 I think they're below.
The damper was also installed wrong, at the back so the cleaning barely works.

[firedude5015]

HVAC aluminum tape works good..maybe 2 wraps on the leg, insert, then trim any excess. ..been holding for 6 months or so now on a couple i did

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[MikeRocksTheRed]

A peice of uncooked bacon work really well for treating rust spot!  You'll be amazed how far a little peice of bacon will go if you touch it to rust spots when the grill is hot.

[Davescprktl]

HVAC aluminum tape works good..maybe 2 wraps on the leg, insert, then trim any excess. ..been holding for 6 months or so now on a couple i did

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I agree with him.

[SixZeroFour]

If you guys are looking for a more permanent solution I use a deep socket and hammer it down into the leg to reshape the end into a perfect circle. If you have a complete socket set you should have one that's just the right size.

Spray the inside of the leg with lubricant so the socket can be removed more easily. Make sure you have locking pliers or similar handy as the socket can get jammed in the leg once in awhile. After it's perfectly round test again for how snug it fits into the socket. If it's still loose grab the longest screwdriver you have, place it down into the leg and with a little outward pressure flare the top rim a bit so it fits more snug.

Give it a try - fallout legs are the worst!

[Harbormaster]

I get my legs round again like @SixZeroFour says.
Then, I cut 2 or 3 inch long (just a little longer than the leg socket is deep) pieces of electrical conduit (I think it's 3/4 inch) to insert inside the leg. Before inserting, I use my bench grinder to grind a strip of the metal away. The leg won't go into the socket with the conduit in it unless you grind this strip. Once the strip is ground, you need to be sure you have the strip lined up in the leg with the dimple that holds the leg in. Once you have the leg with insert ready to install, it's a good idea to lube the leg and socket (I use a silicone spray), line the leg up correctly, and push/wiggle the leg in.
Note to any considering this: It's kind of permanent and you may not be able to get the leg out again, but this fix sure as hell keeps the legs in tight and the kettle stable.

[CharliefromLI]

HVAC aluminum tape works good..maybe 2 wraps on the leg, insert, then trim any excess. ..been holding for 6 months or so now on a couple i did

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I agree with him.

I have tried all these solutions broom stick you name it. HVAC aluminum tape is the hands down winner. Not even close.