Ranch Mothership Slide-Aside Lid Mod

[SixZeroFour]

For a month or so now Winz and I have been trying to come up with a solution to having to rest the giant old ranch lids on the ground every time you need access to the cooking grate. We both wanted something that was as minimalistic as possible as they already take up a significant amount of patio space.

I ended up doing a little experimenting with a Weber #8411 Slide Aside Lid Holder for a 22". This guy here:


The plan was to make a larger copy of the same item but after taking a good look and messing around with it for awhile I decided to try bending the existing holder so that it was better suited to hold the giant saucer of the Ranch. Sure enough with some force you can bend it fairly easily and with the additional help of pliers I was also able to bend the hanging hooks into the correct position so that they do not interfere with lid when covered. The hooks themselves are pressed onto the rack and swivel which is brilliant and makes for a nice fit on any side bowl rim.

Really I just stretched the holder so it was wider, and then kept test fitting and bending as I went. This is about as vertical as you can get the lid before it would start to interfere with the handle. Don't think I'd use it on a super windy day but it's actually quite solid. The only thing I might consider adding is some high heat gasket or something on the two high tips of the holder where is rests against the lid so that its not metal on metal. Seems to be fine as-is but over time it might cause a light scratch like a performer lid bale can if used roughly.

EDIT:: I bet this would stuff be perfect!... just dip the top 2" so it gets rubber coated. Will post results later this week...



So here she is... the worlds largest MT? (Excuse the missing handles - way too wet of late to leave them on.

















There are probably other tweaks to make it even better but it's really unobtrusive and can be removed in seconds.

- Six

[Craig]

Nice work, @SixZeroFour ! Now I know that when I find a mothership someday I'll be able to do this!

[pbe gummi bear]

Looks great! Be careful with that lid though, it would be unfortunace if it got a boo-boo. @SixZeroFour I've plastidipped a lidbale before: http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/working-on-ss-performers-gummi-bear-build-log-pic-heavy/msg70420/#msg70420 unfortunately my pics are dead. lmk if you need tips on dipping the assembly.

[Winz]

Awesome job Matt!  Can't wait to set mine up the same way.  Looks completely stock.


@Golly   Check it out!


Winz

[Troy]

now that is RADASS!!

I need to find an old ranch!!! I'd give up a few grills for one

[MINIgrillin]

That's a simple practical mod. Well done.

I'm with Troy. I'd give up a few for a ranch. Just for the wow factor it would bring.

[Sramsey]

Nice mod. The plastic dip is a great idea. Been thinking of what I can do to protect my lid from marking

[SixZeroFour]

I need to find an old ranch!!! I'd give up a few grills for one

Don't tease me like that Troy ... And your "lime" 18 won't fool me this time around lol

[swamprb]

I see an accident waiting to happen.

[SmokenJoe]

That is a truly beautiful kettle, congrats.

[landgraftj]

I see an accident waiting to happen.

One wind gust and the lid may take flight like a frisbee...

[ramsfan]

Looks nice, but the way that lid is sitting so far back, I would be afraid of it tipping the whole thing backwards?

[SixZeroFour]

Looks nice, but the way that lid is sitting so far back, I would be afraid of it tipping the whole thing backwards?

Not going to happen... The kettle sits very low to the ground and the bowl section weighs a ton. It would take one crazy gust of wind to get it to flip - I bet the cooking grate alone weighs more than a fully outfitted 22.5" OTG

I'd like to think most folks are smart enough to determine when and when not to use the lid holder This is BBQ, not kite surfing

[landgraftj]

Looks nice, but the way that lid is sitting so far back, I would be afraid of it tipping the whole thing backwards?

I'd like to think most folks are smart enough to determine when and when not to use the lid holder This is BBQ, not kite surfing

You mean common sense exists at the WKC?

[1911Ron]

Looks nice, but the way that lid is sitting so far back, I would be afraid of it tipping the whole thing backwards?

I'd like to think most folks are smart enough to determine when and when not to use the lid holder This is BBQ, not kite surfing

You mean common sense exists at the WKC?

Read the last line in my tagline!   Sixzerofour that mod looks great!