MH Red 18 refurb started

[Bbqmiller]

Finally got some time last weekend to start cleaning the little red 18 I got a few weeks back. The baked on crude on the inside is going to need some oven cleaner. I did scrub the outside with 0000 wool and dawn. Since the top vent is a little loose, is it better just to pop the rivet out to clean underneath the vent. I can tell there is a lot of gunk under there. I can always use a SS bolt to re-attach it.
Lid starting to pop

[Bluesman]

That looks great...........keep it going now

[HankB]

Since the top vent is a little loose, is it better just to pop the rivet out to clean underneath the vent.

The vents I have dealt with have mostly been stiff due to the gunk underneath. The oven cleaner softens that sufficiently to get enough of it out to make the disk move easier. I would be reluctant to drill the rivet if I did not need to do that, but if the loose disk is really a problem, I'm not aware of another way to snug it up. I guess I would try squirting a little Pam under it because that should gum up the works a bit. I also shoot Pam on the rusty spots to apply a protective layer. It should harden like the coating on cast iron with the application of some heat.

[G$]

My rivet gun is small, and does not really do the plain pan head rivets used on the kettles. 

I think bolts with slots or hex drives do not look nearly as nice.   So ..... I do everything I can to not remove rivets, especially on the top.  Degreasers and water displacement sprays are a good start to gently see if you can get the gunk moving.

[Bbqmiller]

Actually, the main thing is cleaning underneath the vent. There is a lot of junk underneath the vent. Is it ok to use oven cleaner underneath the vent. I just want to give a good clean before I use it.
The lid vent isn't that loose so I will leave it as is. I agree a bolt and nut doesn't look as good. The top vent is actually in good shape.

[Bbqmiller]

Well, I tackled the bowl. Two vents are stuck so I will work on that first. Also you can see the remnants of some baked on tape.

Actually. The vents broke with some soap and water. They work pretty good now. No need to pop any of them off.


The lid and bowl are sitting in bags with oven cleaner. I will take them out later this evening.

[Chasing_smoke]

That bowl came out great. It's amazing what these kettles hide under the dirt and grime.


 "my kettle is more powerful it will do almost anything."

[glrasmussen]

Looking Good!

[1911Ron]

Looking good so far!

[kendoll]

Following with interest. Can you provide a breakdown of exactly what you are doing for each stage. I am about to start cleaning a VERY dirty H code blue that I got last week.

Ken

[Hogsy]

Following with interest. Can you provide a breakdown of exactly what you are doing for each stage. I am about to start cleaning a VERY dirty H code blue that I got last week.

Ken

If its too much for you Ken I'll take that blue off your hands

[kendoll]

Thanks Joel, I'll keep that it mind.

Ken

[Craig]

That bowl cleaned up good! Looks brand new!

[Duke]

Nice work!