Weber Kettle Question

el_matt · 03-18-2013, 04:09 PM

I, like most of us, have seen many kettles. Untold sizes, colors, mods, etc. There is one thing that continues to vex me. Why do some models only have one handle on the kettle, but most have two? I know some have been broken off, some have been removed, but I know some came that way from the factory.

I have an '01(DA) OTG, two handles. I have an '86(H) OTS, two handles. I recently scored an '02(DU) OTS, one handle. I've been to various stores that have current models, and I only see them with two handles. Keep in mind, I'm only talking about the kettle, not including the lid. Any idea why this is?

Matt

Harbormaster · 03-18-2013, 04:46 PM

All of the older kettles have two handles.
At some point, the OTG and MasterTouch had two handles, while the OTS had one. Not sure what year the change occurred, but it did.

MS2SB · 03-18-2013, 04:52 PM

I have two OTS, both of which only have one handle. Both from the early 2000's.

Bludawg · 03-18-2013, 05:37 PM

My 1989 OTS has Two and still has the original hinged grate too.

Trumpstylz · 03-18-2013, 10:13 PM

2000 is when a lot of the major changes rolled out, most of them to save materials cost and keep the price down. Thats when the silver model went to single handles on the side, and I believe thats when they switched from wood to plastic or nylon handles. The older models were made with a thicker steel (the new ones are still plenty thick) and have a slightly better airflow/heat control, but are a pain in the arse IMO.

martyleach · 03-18-2013, 10:22 PM

If you figure it out let me know!!! I make handles for these things and Weber continues to make little tweaks that mess me up. Of course, it has allowed me to buy all the new kettles to keep my business current..... as least that is what I tell my wife :)

mbshop · 03-18-2013, 11:09 PM

yea, its a process they went through and continue to mess around with. little changes will still pop up like the new 2013 golds front handle has hooks on the ends.

AussieTitch · 03-19-2013, 01:22 AM

My 30 odd year one, has only one handle

el_matt · 03-19-2013, 02:01 PM

Update, I just grabbed an wooden handled EE('99) date code Silver(FREE). She only has one handle. Goes with the year 2000 theory. So if I'm understanding correctly, there's really no "set in stone" reason as to why they did that. To really change things up, she has daisy-wheel vents, not the One-Touch system. What's up with that? My H date code('86) has the One-Touch. I love 'em, but I think I'm more confused now.

Matt

Harbormaster · 03-19-2013, 02:19 PM

If your most recent score has three daisy wheels on the kettle, it's not a One Touch Silver, it's a Bar-B-Q-Kettle. The vents could have been replaced and therefore have an incorrect date stamp.
I have two 40 year old dual metal handled kettles that have lower vents with a date code of 2012.
The change from two metal handles to one wood handle was probably to reduce cost. The reason for the one handle and two handle kettles was to distinguish the OTG and Mastertouch from the OTS.
I think. But I'm a man. I can change. If I have to. I guess.

Trumpstylz · 03-19-2013, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el_matt

Update, I just grabbed an wooden handled EE('99) date code Silver(FREE). She only has one handle. Goes with the year 2000 theory. So if I'm understanding correctly, there's really no "set in stone" reason as to why they did that. To really change things up, she has daisy-wheel vents, not the One-Touch system. What's up with that? My H date code('86) has the One-Touch. I love 'em, but I think I'm more confused now.

They did have the one touch before 2000, but it was mostly on the master touch (now the one touch gold). They might have had it on the one touch silver equivalent, but I'm not sure. The bar-b-kettle, which is no longer produced, is the model that did not come with the one touch system.

Either way, the entry level model- silver or its previous equivalent, went to a single handle on the sides around the year 2000 (give or take a year or two) in order to save costs.

03-18-2013, 04:09 PM	#1
el_matt is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 12-08-09 Location: Turlock, California Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Weber Kettle Question I, like most of us, have seen many kettles. Untold sizes, colors, mods, etc. There is one thing that continues to vex me. Why do some models only have one handle on the kettle, but most have two? I know some have been broken off, some have been removed, but I know some came that way from the factory. I have an '01(DA) OTG, two handles. I have an '86(H) OTS, two handles. I recently scored an '02(DU) OTS, one handle. I've been to various stores that have current models, and I only see them with two handles. Keep in mind, I'm only talking about the kettle, not including the lid. Any idea why this is? Matt __________________ 22.5 OTS(H), 22.5 OTG(DA), 22.5 Daisy Wheel Kettle(EE), NBBD, UDS, MUDS, 6-burner gasser
	1 members found this post helpful.

03-18-2013, 04:46 PM	#2
Harbormaster Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-14-06 Location: Wyocena, WI Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	All of the older kettles have two handles. At some point, the OTG and MasterTouch had two handles, while the OTS had one. Not sure what year the change occurred, but it did. __________________ Clark My Boys: Joseph (EI); Andrew (EE); Daniel (EE) My Toys: 10 WSMs (B, C, DH, DA, EZ, DZ, EO, DU, DR, EE/DU mutt); Brinkman Cimmaron; Chuckwagon Cooker; 22.5" OTG (DT); Two 22.5" Bar-B-Kettles; One 18.5" Bar-B-Kettle; Smokey Joes (A, K); Genesis Silver C (DU); 3 WGAs (EZ, DE, N); 3 SJPs (DT, DU, DR). "For when democracy becomes tyranny, those of us with rifles still get to vote"

03-18-2013, 04:52 PM	#3
MS2SB is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-28-10 Location: Bothell, WA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have two OTS, both of which only have one handle. Both from the early 2000's. __________________ Traeger lil Tex, 2 Weber 22.5", UDS Mop, Sauce & Two Smoking Barrels BBQ Team "Go Cougs!" They call me "Dave" Noobian Warlord

03-18-2013, 05:37 PM	#4
Bludawg Babbling Farker Join Date: 07-04-09 Location: Jonesboro,Tx Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	My 1989 OTS has Two and still has the original hinged grate too. __________________ I never met a Cow that I didn't like with a little Salt & Pepper! Certified PORK-A-HOLIC

03-18-2013, 10:13 PM	#5
Trumpstylz is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 10-29-11 Location: Chicagoland Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	2000 is when a lot of the major changes rolled out, most of them to save materials cost and keep the price down. Thats when the silver model went to single handles on the side, and I believe thats when they switched from wood to plastic or nylon handles. The older models were made with a thicker steel (the new ones are still plenty thick) and have a slightly better airflow/heat control, but are a pain in the arse IMO. __________________ Weber One Touch Gold 2001 Weber Genesis that is no longer used since the OTG Last edited by Trumpstylz; 03-19-2013 at 01:26 AM..

03-18-2013, 10:22 PM	#6
martyleach Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-17-10 Location: Pleasanton, Ca Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	If you figure it out let me know!!! I make handles for these things and Weber continues to make little tweaks that mess me up. Of course, it has allowed me to buy all the new kettles to keep my business current..... as least that is what I tell my wife :) __________________ Large Big Green Egg, Cold smokehouse, UDS with hinged lid, Santa Maria pit 26.75" Weber OTG, Weber Performer, WGA MAK One Star General Pellet Pooper Hasty Bake Gourmet Custom wooden handles for BBQ's made by Marty Leach (oh, that's me) www.amlwoodart.com

03-18-2013, 11:09 PM	#7
mbshop Babbling Farker Join Date: 06-24-07 Location: visalia, ca Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	yea, its a process they went through and continue to mess around with. little changes will still pop up like the new 2013 golds front handle has hooks on the ends. __________________ george spam, can't live without it

03-19-2013, 01:22 AM	#8
AussieTitch is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 11-17-12 Location: South East Victoria Australia Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	My 30 odd year one, has only one handle __________________ I drank a bottle of Fosters and survived I flashed my nuts and won a Throwdown Cheers. Titch

03-19-2013, 02:01 PM	#9
el_matt is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 12-08-09 Location: Turlock, California Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Update, I just grabbed an wooden handled EE('99) date code Silver(FREE). She only has one handle. Goes with the year 2000 theory. So if I'm understanding correctly, there's really no "set in stone" reason as to why they did that. To really change things up, she has daisy-wheel vents, not the One-Touch system. What's up with that? My H date code('86) has the One-Touch. I love 'em, but I think I'm more confused now. Matt __________________ 22.5 OTS(H), 22.5 OTG(DA), 22.5 Daisy Wheel Kettle(EE), NBBD, UDS, MUDS, 6-burner gasser

03-19-2013, 02:19 PM	#10
Harbormaster Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-14-06 Location: Wyocena, WI Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	If your most recent score has three daisy wheels on the kettle, it's not a One Touch Silver, it's a Bar-B-Q-Kettle. The vents could have been replaced and therefore have an incorrect date stamp. I have two 40 year old dual metal handled kettles that have lower vents with a date code of 2012. The change from two metal handles to one wood handle was probably to reduce cost. The reason for the one handle and two handle kettles was to distinguish the OTG and Mastertouch from the OTS. I think. But I'm a man. I can change. If I have to. I guess. __________________ Clark My Boys: Joseph (EI); Andrew (EE); Daniel (EE) My Toys: 10 WSMs (B, C, DH, DA, EZ, DZ, EO, DU, DR, EE/DU mutt); Brinkman Cimmaron; Chuckwagon Cooker; 22.5" OTG (DT); Two 22.5" Bar-B-Kettles; One 18.5" Bar-B-Kettle; Smokey Joes (A, K); Genesis Silver C (DU); 3 WGAs (EZ, DE, N); 3 SJPs (DT, DU, DR). "For when democracy becomes tyranny, those of us with rifles still get to vote"