Rebuild Log: $25 Weber Performer CL Find (Lots of pics)
 

I hope this rebuild log helps someone with their rebuild or at least gives them an idea what to expect with a used Weber from Craigslist.

I had been searching on Craigslist for a while for a Weber Kettle of some sort. I actually gave up and bought a OTG from HD. When I got home, I sat down and thought I'd look on CL one last time. I stumbled across an ad for a "Weber Grill - $25". I quickly emailed them and asked for pictures.

Photo from the CL ad:
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/performer/1.jpg

Needless to say, I had the grill at my house within an hour. I had just bought myself a 2009 Weber Performer with Touch-N-Go Gas Assist! Ok, so the handle on the lid was pushed in, it had no front casters and no bottom rack. But it was cheap. :becky:

Time to evaluate what I actually bought.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08731new.jpg

The cooking grate has to go, but the charcoal grate is fine.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08735new.jpg

The center of the lid is pushed in.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08737new.jpg

What looks like peeling paint underneath the lid, isn't. It cleans off.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08739new.jpg

Top view of the Performer.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08753new.jpg

The ash catcher had rock hard ash that was stuck to the metal.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08769new.jpg

The "Gas Assist" burner was actually in good shape.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08774new.jpg

Let's clean this sucker up and rebuild it!

I started the rebuild by removing the table.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08776new.jpg

With the table out of the way, you can access the burner assembly.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08778new.jpg

This shows how the wires connect to the burner tube.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08781new.jpg

I used a 1/2" socket and a screwdriver to remove the burner assembly from the kettle.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08786new.jpg

With the two bolts removed, the burner assembly slides right out.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08788new.jpg

Close up view of the hose/burner connection that's held together with a retainer clip.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08782new.jpg

Use pliers to remove the clip and the hose can be pulled out of the end of the burner tube.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08791new.jpg
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08794new.jpg

Next I unscrewed the igniter from the burner tube.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08795new.jpg

Now it's time to remove the spark generator and regulator from the front panel.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08780new.jpg

After unplugging the wires, remove the nut to remove the spark generator.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08799new.jpg
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08803new.jpg

You'll need a 1/4" socket to remove the regulator. I left the hose connected so I didn't have to
reseal the connection.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08804new.jpg
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08806new.jpg
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08808new.jpg

The knob slips through the front panel, so there's no need to remove it.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08812new.jpg

The next thing to remove is the tool holder. It's held on by four 1/2" nuts.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08816new.jpg
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08817new.jpg

The control panel door is held on by two 1/2" nuts and two tabs.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08822new.jpg

Four bolts are removed to allow the kettle bowl to be lifted out.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08825new.jpg
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08829new.jpg

Lift the front and rear panels straight up to remove them.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08831new.jpg

I dropped the kettle bowl back into the frame to make it easier to clean.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08832new.jpg

A 1/2" socket is used to remove three nuts that fasten the lid holder to the bowl.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08836new.jpg
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08838new.jpg

The ash catcher ring is removed by releasing the three tabs behind each leg stub on the kettle bowl.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08840new.jpg

Now that most of the grill is dismantled, it's time to start cleaning and repairing.

Standard off the shelf Easy-Off was used to clean the bowl and lid. The after photo is after letting the Easy-Off do it's work for 20 minutes.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08842new.jpg
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08848new.jpg

I used a citrus based cleaner on the entire grill after I rinsed the Easy-Off off. Now that it's all shiny and clean, it's time to fix everything that's broken and reassemble. The correct casters for the 2009 Performer is Weber part # 68238. The inserts are round.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08866new.jpg

The original insert had seen better days. It looks like the grill lost it's casters a long time ago.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08871new.jpg

To replace the insert, use pliers to twist and pull it out of the leg. Not much force is needed. Chances are it can be done by hand.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08872new.jpg

This is definitely the correct replacement part. The new insert just pops right in.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08877new.jpg
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08878new.jpg

The replacement caster clicks in with little effort.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08881new.jpg

The next thing to address is the bent front frame. It appears that something heavy hit the lid and table.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08887new.jpg

I measured the rear frame and bent the front to match. Adjustments were easy because the frame is easily bent.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08889new.jpg
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08894new.jpg

The replacement bottom rack arrived bubble wrapped and is painted black for this year Performer.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08885new.jpg

To install the rack, the side panel is removed.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08896new.jpg

One end of the rack is slipped into the side panel and pushed in as far as it can go. The remaining side panel is reinstalled after the rack is slipped into it.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08898new.jpg

The frame is straight and the rack and casters are installed.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08903new.jpg

Slide the front and rear panels down onto the frame rails to reinstall.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08906new.jpg

With the panels in place, the bowl can be bolted to the frame.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08908new.jpg

The burner was cleaned up in less than a minute with nothing but sandpaper.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08912new.jpg
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08913new.jpg

The igniter is screwed into the burner and the assembly is reinstalled and bolted to the bowl.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08915new.jpg

The regulator and igniter button are reinstalled and the wires are reconnected. The connectors are unique and there is only one way to plug everything in.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08917new.jpg

The tool holder, gas assist door, charcoal bin and table are reinstalled. The grill is almost done!
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08921new.jpg

Very cool. Looking forward to seeing your finished Performer on its first cook!

I chose to keep the original charcoal grate. It was rock solid.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08927new.jpg

The original grate was in bad shape so I opted to buy new. I felt this was a good time to try out one of the cast iron grates on the market. The cheapest cast iron grate for the 22.5"/18.5" Weber Kettle is the replacement unit from Char-Broil. This is a two piece unit and I bought it from Academy, Part #: 7315453, SKU #: 0021633896
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08925new.jpg
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08929new.jpg
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08932new.jpg
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08935new.jpg

The last remaining parts to reinstall is the ash catcher assembly.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08938new.jpg
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08939new.jpg
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08944new.jpg

The grill is complete! Beginning to end the rebuild/cleanup only took about two hours.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08949new.jpg

I found a spare Coleman propane cylinder and screwed it in place. The grill fired right up with the first attempt.
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08954new.jpg
http://www.jimfancher.com/weber/perf...SC08955new.jpg

... and i've thought i'm the only nut (according to my wife)!

excellent job!!!

Thanks!

Yeah, my wife knows to step aside when I pull out the tool box and camera. :becky:

Well done! :clap2:

You have motivated (shamed) me to finish cleaning up mine.

great work! now get her dirty :thumb:

looks good!

I want details about that cast iron kettle grate. I have been kicking around getting one. let me know how it works for you.

Let me get a few more uses out of it and I might start another thread for it. I've used it twice and I love it. My friend just bought the Gourmet system and just judging by the pics he sent me, you can't go wrong with that option.

With my grate, adding coals after the center grate in place is a pain. I'll figure it out. I haven't needed to yet, but I like the option.

Great post. I have the exact same Performer (not as clean though ha ha)

What was the final cost when you were done?

CD

Dang, that's a farking lot of elbow grease!! Excellent rebuild. :clap2:

Grill $25
Casters $6 ($3 each)
Rack $18
Grate $30
Charcoal Holders $15

I think that's everything. So far, about $94.

great job ! did you do anything special to the table ? weber warns not to lift the table end by using the table, it will crack/break. even they know its made of cheap plastic.

Thanks!

No, but I think the originally owners moved it around by lifting on the table. The next time I take it off I'll snap a couple of pics. There are ribs underneath it to strengthen it. Ok, not by much, but at least they molded some support into the table.

I'm still doodling up a new table for the grill. I want to build a really nice table for the grill that's close to cost of a replacement unit. It's going to be a fun project.

Looks good. Nice score

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Excellent write up and photography!

I restored an SS performer last year and it feels good to get one of these gems back into shape :thumb:

Nice restoration but I think we are going to need more details!:razz::laugh:

Excellent job, Brother and thanks for documenting your process!

Mine was that clean..........once! Nice restore. I like fixin them up.

Thanks!

I love the SS Performers. I've never seen one in person though. They look great in pics.

Wow! Very nice work! I'll send my next CL Weber score over to you for proper cleaning and rebuild......lol

Find us a couple of WSMs and you're on!

I will be getting a grate like that. That is a DEAL!

awesome thread....thanks for that:clap:

Really cool post. Thanks for all of the pics, and tutorial. Now I just have to get a CL score like that!

Matt

Thanks!

Matt, I searched for about two months off and on. I found this one the moment I gave up. :)

nice job.

Fantastic pictorial.

FYI to you and others, the easy off works great on the bowl and lid, but I would not use it on the alluminum/alluminized pieces (such as the ash sweep mec). It off gasses Hydrogen or something similar. Just remove those parts and clean them separately with another cleaner.

Excellent point. I knew that Easy-Off would eat through aluminum, so I used a citrus based cleaner for everything except the bowl and lid.

I tried removing the One Touch system, but I couldn't figure it out the day I was working on it. I didn't want to break it. :grin: It'll be removed the next time I clean it.