C code 14.5" 1880 restore

[TheDude]

She's in pretty good shape. A lot of surface rust. Is it ok to soak the legs and door in CLR? Is there something else that's better at rust removal?

[LightningBoldtz]

Calling @SixZeroFour

[SixZeroFour]

First off, great snag!

You could certainly go after it and soak it in some evaporust and then hit it with steel wool, but to be honest it might be worth just calling up Weber and ordering a new leg kit. I can't imagine it would be very expensive ... Prob not much more than what the evaporust would cost to begin with and you'd have a fresh new set. I believe the correct part number is 85038 but Have them confirm if you decide to go that route.

Again, nice find 👍

[Heyjude]

Can anyone confirm what parts from the new WSM fit on the 1880?

I believe the old legs are cad plated, are the new aluminum?

Do the new grates fit in the 1880?

Thanks AJ

[TheDude]

Figured I should post some pics.

CL pic.

In the truck.

After a quick hose down.

And the lid vent.

[pbe gummi bear]

I'd evaporust the legs and doors. Many of the parts on this thing are heavier duty than the new 14.5" wsm. What's the grate situation like on it?

[TheDude]

Grates are a little rusty. Nothing that won't clean up. I don't think it was used much. Just been sitting for years.

[pbe gummi bear]

I believe the grates on it are stainless. Did it come with the elusive original lower grate? You can place the top grate on the lower bolts to create more headroom.

[TheDude]

One charcoal grate and one cooking grate.

[pbe gummi bear]

Gotcha. The 2nd cooking grate typically sits inside the waterpan. You can always get a 2nd full size cooking grate to put on the pan if you need more capacity.

[TheDude]

I've got an 18.5" if I need space. This little guy was gonna be a gift, if it wasn't a C code. My first birth year cooker just happens to be a bit of a rarity.

[Bob BQ]

Sweet. That water pan is quite a bit more shallow than the current 14.5. Looking forward to the finished pics.

[Harbormaster]

Can anyone confirm what parts from the new WSM fit on the 1880?
I believe the old legs are cad plated, are the new aluminum?

The old legs are a plated steel. The new ones are aluminum. You'll want to keep the old ones if at all possible.

Do the new grates fit in the 1880?

I can confirm that the top cooking grate from the new 14.5" WSM fits the 1880. I do not know about the lower cooking grate as mine had one. The top cooking grate that came from mine was the grate out of a Smokey Joe. It was serviceable, but did not fit. I ordered a new one on Amazon and it fits perfectly. I did find that a cooking grate from an A code Smokey Joe fit perfectly as well.

[Heyjude]

Can anyone confirm what parts from the new WSM fit on the 1880?
I believe the old legs are cad plated, are the new aluminum?

The old legs are a plated steel. The new ones are aluminum. You'll want to keep the old ones if at all possible.

Do the new grates fit in the 1880?

I can confirm that the top cooking grate from the new 14.5" WSM fits the 1880. I do not know about the lower cooking grate as mine had one. The top cooking grate that came from mine was the grate out of a Smokey Joe. It was serviceable, but did not fit. I ordered a new one on Amazon and it fits perfectly. I did find that a cooking grate from an A code Smokey Joe fit perfectly as well.

Awesome info, Thank you!
@Harbormaster

[SteveZ]

@TheDude  Congrats on the new (old WSM)! I'm gonna make a trip down to Springfield one of these days with a cooler of beer for the tour of your collection.