Please forgive me if it seems like I'm gloating a little bit. I just want to share my good fortune:

A week ago last Friday I bought a used Bar-B-Kettle at a garage sale.

Paid $21.

Less than $1/inch.

Guess the diameter. Here's a clue: the number is not between 21 and 23.

It needs some work. There's light rust around every weld and a few chips here and there, and of course it needs a good cleaning. The original owner passed away and the grill sat neglected for some time, but unfortunately it was outside and not in a dusty garage corner somewhere.

Still, it's solid and will be up and running before too much longer. I'm going to touch up the rough spots; I'll try to match the color (gray now, originally black?) but if I don't get it exact I won't worry. It's no trailer queen and will be put to work.

There's no date stamp on the lid vent disc, either. Just "Bar-B-Q Kettle" in big block letters and, "Weber-Stephen Products Co." and "Arlington Heights, IL" in smaller letters. Mid '70s?

Brad

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Brad Olson,

good find, i got mine from CL for 8 bucks. i ordered a SS hinged grate and 2 new handles from weber and a coal grate from HD and i have been using it 4-5 nights a week. oh, and the 3 bottom vent rivets were all rusted out and i did not get a tight close, so i drilled them out and used some 1/4" cast iron bolts and nuts that were extra's from my CG. now when the vents are closed, they are closed tight.

So this is a 26" kettle that you came across?? Nice score - I've been looking for one for awhile, but still no luck. Any pictures of it???

I've got a Red BBQK 22.5" No date stamp either. 2 metal handles on the bowl, the wooden handle on the lid was rotting and had 2 rivets securing it, replaced it with an old wood handle with the screw. I'm seeing them come out of the woodwork on CL!

quote:

Originally posted by Allen Sharar:
So this is a 26" kettle that you came across?? Nice score - I've been looking for one for awhile, but still no luck. Any pictures of it???

Not yet. Once it's cleaned up a little more I'll take a couple (I still use film).

Brad