What causes this?

[Troy]

@Troy

"...no one pays attention to the black kettles..."






Sent from my SM-G900V using Weber Kettle Club mobile app

BEAUTIFUL!
We need to get you a ranch!!

I bet you don't even need to use charcoal to heat those badboys up in the Arizona sun!

[Kneab]

Okay upon further inspection of the black kettle's they seem to have to dimples that correspond with each strap on the kettle. On all 4 of my kettles. 83, 92, and 03 black and the 87 brownie. Brownie is the only one to pop. Never noticed them before.

addicted to charcoal

[MINIgrillin]

I'm with Troy on this one. Expansion and contraction of the metal has to be different where the tabs are. I would imagine porcelain enamel doesn't enjoy different expansion rates across the same surface. That sets the trap. Then drop the grate in there...pop

[SmokenJoe]

And yet, they cook just as well with those enamel loss dimples.
SJ

[Kneab]

Gonna build up the brownie this weekend dimples and all. Got a good donor kettle for the parts it needs.

addicted to charcoal

[Harleysmoker]

I just got my first 1997 Red a couple days ago. The clean up inside the bowl and lid was easy, just a SOS pad and water. Looks like only a hand full of burgers were ever cooked in it. No burnt on grease or anything. Sadly it looks like it has sat in the weather for most of its 19 year life. 3 of the Grate Straps are chipped on the outside and a little by the leg sockets. The triangle is rusted bad, but the clean up is in the works

[SmokenJoe]

I just got my first 1997 Red a couple days ago. ... Sadly it looks like it has sat in the weather for most of its 19 year life. 3 of the Grate Straps are chipped on the outside and a little by the leg sockets...

Here is a rebuttal to the popular held theory that crude buildup is, at least partially, causing the enamel loss.  This sounds like a case of moisture(?) leaking into the joint of the weld(s) and the resulting rust weakening the enamel.  I dunno, I'm a S/W guy not a metallurgist.

SJ