Refurb Black Bar-BQ Kettle

[Dale Benson]

I picked up a black Bar-BQ Kettle this winter and recently finished cleaning her up. My recent post of the refurb'ed metal wheels were from this kettle.

Here's a few pics before the clean-up:


Here's some after the clean-up:


Nothing was replaced except the wooden handle and the black leg cap. The ash pan could use a bit more elbow grease (and sand paper) but the rest is coming along nicely.

[zavod44]

Like a new grill...fucking awesome

[Idahawk]

If you don't love a classic black kettle , I feel sorry for you

And that freaking deck .......it gets honorable mention 

[1911Ron]

Almost like two different grills, awesome job!

[jcnaz]

Great work! She is a beauty!

[G]

Great job Dale....that's night and day. 

[argentflame]

Nice cleanup. Looks great.

[5280Jeff]

Great job! Now lets see some 1st cook pron   

[fedex]

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice

[kendoll]

I think the biggest compliment I can give is that I refuse to beleive that is the same grill!

Ken

[G]

Nothing was replaced

Not even the cooking grate?  Whats your secret.

[Jeff]

It looks like a new grill.  Fabulous. 
Yes, I'm with Stu, if that's the same cooking grate...do explain!
Second, how did you clean the outside of the grill itself, did you wipe it down with Pam or some other oil?  Does it stay looking that nice and black, or does it fade back to what it was originally?

Super work. 

[Dale Benson]

Not even the cooking grate? Whats your secret.

My first response would be "lot's of wire brushing". But now you've got me second guessing myself. That grill looks awfully bright in the "after" photo. I don't recall swapping it out with a newer one for the photo (taken a couple of weeks ago). I don't think I even have a newer one to swap. I'm heading back up to the cabin later this morning and will take a few more close-up shots to confirm.

G, you mentioned not being able to see the photos in my earlier post about the metal wheels refurb. Do you still not see them? Does anyone else not see them? I used the same process to insert those photos in the post as I did to insert the ones in this kettle refurb post. And I, myself, can see them. Not sure what to do other than to re-post and try again if no one can see them.

[G]

Confirmed...still cant see them.  Says they are unavailable.  They look awfully nice in these photos.

[Dale Benson]

Second, how did you clean the outside of the grill itself, did you wipe it down with Pam or some other oil?  Does it stay looking that nice and black, or does it fade back to what it was originally?

After a good rub down with the 0000 steel wool I applied generous helpings of grape seed oil. I've also used peanut oil and avocado oil on other kettles. I haven't had any of them long enough to determine if there is a difference in performance over time between the oils. I doubt there will be much difference in this regard. In fact, I wonder if plain old cheap Crisco or Wesson oil might do the same - for looks. But the difference might show up if you cook with the kettle. I'm betting that the high-temp oils (i.e. grape seed, peanut, avocado, etc.) will not turn brown and gum up like the other oils might. I did the basic cleaning this winter (February or March?) in Tucson where I picked up the grill. When I finally got to re-assembling it and polishing the aluminum and replacing the handle a couple of weeks ago, the black color had begun to fade just a bit. I rubbed her all down again with oil before I took the photos. Ditto for two other old black ones I picked up this winter. I'm expecting that this will just be a regular annual routine (to re-apply oil), but time will tell.