Category: Grill Modifications

Stained and Spar Varnished vs Tung Oil On Untreated Wood Grill Handles

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Bare Untreated Handles

Here are some photos before and after with a couple of coats of Tung Oil over the course of two days.  It couldn’t be easier to apply

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These Weber Handles that had never been treated got a two part process.  Two coats of Miniwax Golden Pecan stain and then three coats of Spar Varnish.  Light scuffing with some extra fine steel wool and wiping with damp rag between coats over a couple of days time.

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Two coats of Miniwax Golden Pecan stain

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Three coats of Miniwax Helmsman Spar varnish.

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After a couple of coats of Spar varnish they really pop with that wet look.

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Overall I like the look slightly of the Spar urethane but the ease of application on the untreated handles with Tung Oil is pretty tough to resist.

I have an old wooden work bench that I covered with spar varnish and it’s holding up really well on my deck outdoors but it’s only been four months in direct sunlight.  we will report back at the end of the season.

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Another reason for going with the Tung oil being that the spar varnish in the sun outdoors over time will likely crack and need to be sanded to reapply whereas the Tung oil just need a rag to wipe them down with more Tung oil when they lose a little luster.

I think if I was going to have a show kettle or piece for indoors I’d go with the Spar Varnish going forward but for ease of application the Tung oil can’t be beat.

 

Weber Charcoal Go-Anywhere Lid Temp Test

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Here are my unscientific findings on a reverse sear ribeye test.  The reason for the test is because I modified on of my Charcoal Weber Go-Anywhere grills with top lid vent knobs.  The knobs are rated up to 400 degrees.

Not having any idea how hot the lid would get I tested on a WGA that did no have the knobs installed, in case the lid got so hot it would ruin perfectly good knobs.

I left both bottom vents wide open, the top vent over the coals closed and the top vent on the opposite side wide open.

This is the grill I modified with the addition of the top vent knobs-

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About a quarter of a chimney of coals and 12 coals on the charcoal grate will be the amount of coals we are using.

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Lid temp before dumping the lit coals 82 degrees F

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After dumping the coals, the temp of the lit coals registered 975 degrees F

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Here’s the WGA set up for the reverse sear.

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Four minutes with lid closed 387 degrees F

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Fifteen minutes with lid closed 469 degrees F lid temp.  $451 degrees grill grate temp.

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Finit.  (No whale butter dishes were harmed during testing)

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I think that if I use a washer between the knob which has a metal threaded insert and the vent tab that it will work out fine.  I plan to test tomorrow with the modded unit.

Here’s a link to purchase the knobs on Amazon-

https://amzn.to/2KcL5hF
Product description
Strength, durability, and heat resistance are some of the benefits of this broad range of phenolic handle. Extremely versatile range of mountings. Female insert machined to suit. Mounting type: female insert. Thread length/depth: 3/8″. Mounting diameter and threads per inch: 1/4-20. Plastic material: thermoset; insert material: brass. Measures 7/8″ diameter by 2-41/64″ height.

And a link showing the mod directions-

Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill Vent Knob Mod

 

M10 Red Ball Vent Knob Modification For @WeberGrills

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Bought these metal female threaded M10 stainless bolts on Amazon Link to purchase here

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At Hometown Ace Bought M10 Stainless Bolt and Lock Washer.

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Started pilot hole by lining up the bolt on the vent and marking the middle with a much smaller drill bit.  Once the smaller bit was through went through with a 3/8ths which was a perfect fit.  then just put everything through as shown and tightened.

Done-

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This mod can be done on any bare Weber vent.

@SamuelAdamsBeer Special Edition @WeberGrills 18 Inch Mod From One-Touch Silver To One-Touch Gold and Wood Handles

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

I got an old 18 inch ash catcher ring that I guess had been hanging in the back warehouse at Fosters Grill Store for a decade or so.  Weber stopped selling 18 inch kettles with the pot style enclosed ash catchers a long while ago and now ships them with the dish style ash catchers.

Next I pilfered the ash catcher pot off the beat up green One touch Premium that I found on a walk with the lovely Katelyn which will fit the ash catcher that I bought in the warehouse at Fosters.

Put them together and snapped it into place on the Sam Adams One-Touch Silver to turn it into a One-Touch Gold.

Here she is when I got started cleaning her up.  structurally perfect but covered in dust and a dirty bowl with some caked on charcoal remnants.

Before-

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She also came with a highly sought after laser cut Sam Adams logo grill grate which I stored away to keep pristine.  it had never been cooked on.

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So I soaked the ash catcher pot and went to work on the bowl and lid which both came out spotless.

Next added the wood handles that master woodworker David Calvo made for me-

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$4.49 @WeberGrills Smokey Joe Lid Vent Knob Mod Instructions and Parts List

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Before-

One of each of the following that can be found at any self respecting Hardware Store.  This one was Ace Hardware at Gloucester Crossing.

1-1/4 Diameter 1/4-20 Female thread general purpose ball knob.

1/4-20  1 inch hex bolt.stainless

1/4 lock washer stainless

1/4-20 nut stainless

1/4 inch drill bit.  Go slow.  Once drilled feed the bolt through the drilled lid vent tab, then slide the lock washer and next the nut.  Tighten and then screw the ball knob on.  Done.


@WeberGrills EI Code Restoration Update 7/2/16

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

The ash catcher assembly had a bit of a droop in the back so one of my fishermen had some shark fishing stainless steel 175lb leader wire so we snugged it up tight.

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I may invest in a dremel tool with a buffer attachment and hit the ash catcher with some polish. Anyone have a recommendation for a certain type brand? Sears had some sets for sale.

She’s pretty secure now.

@WeberGrills EI Code Performer Restoration Project Update 7/1/16

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

What a nice surprise when I got to the dock this morning.
4:30AM and Joey Ciolino dropped off the frame,  put together.

He used brackets and I think these are called sheet metal screws to firm it up and then he spray painted over them with black.  I had to really look to even notice because it blended in.  To A Weber Grillfella it would be obvious if you were focusing your attention at the base of the grill but I don’t think 99% of the population would think it was anything but standard.  Its really solid with the threaded rod and the brackets.

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Next to get cleaning, a combination of scotchbrite pads, steel wool, water, dishwashing detergent and elbow grease.
Lots of surface dirt and stains.  Most came out.

Before-
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I think I’ll pick up a bristled brush to scrub the grey plastic handles.  The little grooves are tough to get into to clean.

After-

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STOK Cast Iron Grates On The Weber Performer

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Last night it was brussel sprouts, mushroom and onion skewers and ribeyes on the 2009 Weber Performer Deluxe.

Decided to swap out the standard Weber grates for the cast iron ones on the STOK.  Worked out well using the STOK veggie basket insert to grill the brussell sprouts which were lightly coated in evoo , Atlantic Saltworks Salt and crushed black pepper.

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