Broken charcoal grate strap

[effinUker]

Hey all, I have a Green SS Performer my wife bought me back in 2001. One of the supports for the charcoal grates has pretty much fallen off. The other 3 are still there, and I can level it out, but have to push the grate off to one side.  What do y'all do in a situation like this? It's my regular cooker, so it sees plenty of action. I've already gone thru about 150# of charcoal this season.  Should I drill a hole in the kettle and stick a screw or U-bolt or something through it or is there a better solution?

[addicted-to-smoke]

Others will chime in here, but I'd pause at ever intentionally drilling a hole into the bottom portion of a kettle.

How about a SS bolt/nut/washer setup on that corner than supports just that side?

[Troy]

I would call weber and see what they say. They might ship you a new bowl

[1buckie]

Here's what Ray did......stainless....fixed it right up....

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/broken-grate-holder-tab-inside-kettle/

[effinUker]

looks like a couple good options - call weber, stainless steel l bracket.  thanks guys, looks like first a phone call, if that don't work... surgery.

[effinUker]

well.. it looks like it's gonna be surgery. it's too far out of warranty to give me any help, and i ain't spending over a hundred bucks on a new bowl.

on a brighter side - i bought an date code DR outrider at a flea market a couple weeks ago. it's missing the wire lid lock. the gal at weber is sending me free parts "because it's not your fault it didn't come with them"  WOOT!

wasn't expecting anything for free, but i damn sure appreciate it.

[1buckie]

"because it's not your fault"

Probably not your fault the grate strap broke either, but we'll getcha fixed up......there's some good instruction on how to drill w/o goofing it up I can find, unless you're feeling already well-versed?

[effinUker]

brother i'm not that arrogant - i'll take any advice i can get.  if you know the whereabouts of some good tips, and it's not too tough to search, i'd be grateful

[effinUker]

and oh yeah, it's my fault that strap broke, i use the shit out of this thing in the past several years. i prolly cook 4 out of 7 nights on that thing in the summer, sometimes more. i just opened my 3rd bag of charcoal since last monday (the 11th).

[1buckie]

So it is your fault  !!!! You beast !!!


Here's one real good one.....

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/lid-therm-mod-for-kettle/msg108469/#msg108469

With the placement being where it is, you may even start a drilling from the inside, to get the position of the weld point aligned......just 'till it bumps out a little to the outside, but not go thru.....then go by the link.....

I would also suggest you let a few other folks who have drilled weigh in before the swan dive....I've not done as much as others have.....

[Troy]

i have an idea.
Is it JUST the tab that holds the charcoal grate?
If so, you can hang something from the cooking grate tab to replace the lower tab.

It could be some sturdy wire that hangs down and wraps onto the charcoal grate. Attach an S hook on the end to make it more temporary.
Or get some non galvanized sheet metal and cut a shape that can hang from that tab and fold up to create the lower tab. (hard to describe this one with words....)

[Troy]

i drew you a picture!!

[effinUker]

now that's fuckin genius, i'm gonna do it.  but why ain't the drawing to scale?

[1buckie]

You're in Rockford, click on the pic....it gets bigger..........

[effinUker]

LMFAO