I was fortunate enough to have Jeff agent an 18 out of Chicago. It was one that was posted here in Online Finds, and Jeff got right on it for me. He checked it out, sent me a report, bought it, packed it, and shipped it at a low rate. Really an above and beyond effort, and I am grateful that there are people like Jeff involved with this site. So thank you again, Jeff.
So here it is, installed at my place and ready to cook:
Ok, not that one. This one.
A little black 18, maybe a '69 with those wheels. What very few ding it has are minor, everything on it is in good shape. I'll clean the triangle a little and not much more.
I've cooked on it the past two nights. Both cooks were set up the same way. One mini chimney of coconut in a single basket on one side. The 18 cooked very efficiently, it just came up to temp and held steady. I've never owned an 18, and it is neat how quickly it can recover temp after having the lid off.
Saturday, before going to the hockey game I put on farro - for salad, baby bok choy, a slab of cauliflower, and turnips. Sorry about the weird overhead pics, I'll have to change up the angle next time.
The farro came off, and the veg was joined by a ribeye. That red rub on the steak is a local one, "Brother Rays '08er Rub." It was good, tasted like SPG and ground chiles.
Plated.
Tonight the cook was carrots, sprouts, and two racks of lamb. I had to tilt the lamb to fit.
This 18 is the oldest kettle that I have, and it cooks like a dream.