Cook N Kettle Sr and my struggle with lean hamburger patties
 

Here are a few pics using the new cast iron grill grate. Fit perfectly in the Cook N Kettle Sr. Its nearly identical to the Weber 18.5". I feel more at home smoking than grilling. So my grilling techniques do need improvement.

For this cook I put all he coals on one side of the cooking area. I am still struggling cooking lean hamburger. I always manage to get a blood pocket in them. This time around I seared both sides of the burgers for 5 minutes each then put them in the side opposite the coals to finish while I continued to grill on the hot side. I guess I left them in too long...they became charred on one side and flavorless. I will continue my attempts.

Anyway here are the pics. Here is the new cast iron grate.




https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6.../s829/IMAG0092

Startign up the lump.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l.../s829/IMAG0093

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-B.../s829/IMAG0094

Started off grilling skirt steaks. I would sear two minutes per side then put a batch opposite the coals before laying another batch down. I also would put the lid on so the cooler side would still continue to cook.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h.../s829/IMAG0095

I foiled the skirt steaks then laid down some sirloins. I did 5 minutes per side and put them on the cooler side of the grill while I put down hamburger patties.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-D.../s829/IMAG0096

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-X.../s829/IMAG0097

Here I started putting the burgers opposite the coals while I grilled kabasas and hotdogs.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-P...s1023/IMAG0098

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L.../s829/IMAG0099

There it is.

I like the looks of that cooker!

Hey there cousinconely--did you get your cast iron grill from the current cook n kettle co. , or elsewhere? I own my Dad's that date from the 50's , and everything inside has burnt out, and needs repacing. The bottom damper has fused to the kettle , and i'm afraid to try to pop it loose for fear of cracking my old kettle. Do you , or anyone have ideas on how to get it loose?:idea:

I got mine off Craigslist and did the restore myself. The gentleman I bought it off of has had it since 1961. Here is the link to the thread: http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=133906

To get the bottom damper off, see if you can somehow submerge the bottom of the kettle in distilled vinegar or soak some old cloth in vinegar and lay it on the area around the damper. Warning...it will smell aweful but it eats away at the rust. I would only do this for a day at a time and check the results. It will begin to eat away at the metal if you leave it there a few days.

Alternatively, you could grind it off with an angle grinder, if feasible, and purchase a new damper from the new company.