Custom "Mini Ranch" 26" Weber Kettle

[JasonS]

I want to share the construction of a custom “Mini Ranch” frame for my Weber 26” kettle. My good friend Robert (Robert-r on the forums), made this possible, thanks Robert!

About two years ago, I scored a pretty nice 26” and really enjoy cooking/smoking on this thing. From the first time I saw the “Mini Ranch” mod, for the Weber 26” Kettle, I knew I had to have one. After a bit of research, I knew what parts were needed to make the new frame.

I called Weber a couple of times, to get pricing for the Weber “Ranch” frame kit, but didn’t purchase. Fast forward a couple of years, I finally decided it was time and called Weber CS to make the purchase…DENIED!!! Weber wouldn’t sell me the parts, because I don’t actually own a Ranch Kettle. Whatever…I was determined to make it happen, one way, or the other….

I sent Robert a message, to propose my idea, and he once again offered to help me out. Aside from some nuts and bolts, 1-20’ piece of 1.25” square tubing, makes up the bulk of this frame.

On to the pics!

Legs and bowl tabs are cut and ready to be welded together.

Robert, drilling holes for the axle.

All legs are cut and holes drilled for the axle to pass through.

Ready to weld the bottom cross bars.

Robert, welding the bottom cross bars together.

All legs and cross bar ready.

Robert, welding on the bowl tabs.

Continued below…

 

[JasonS]

All bowl tabs have been welded to the legs.

Attaching the legs to a wood template. This piece of wood made welding everything together much easier than without it.

Robert, welding bottom cross bars to the legs.

The Mini Ranch frame is pretty much finished.

Test fit frame to kettle bowl.

Assembled and ready to paint, with my trusty side-kick Maggie supervising.

The completed Mini Ranch.

Once again, a big thanks to Robert! The Mini Ranch frame is a huge up-grade (to me anyway) over the stock Weber leg assembly. It is way easier to roll around and is extremely stable.

 

[ShadowDriver]

That looks sharp! Well done!

 

[Stingerhook]

That is some mighty fine work!

 

[cowgirl]

Nice!!

 

[robert-r]

Super! I want one. :becky:

 

[FrkYrPrk]

Simple, elegant fabrication - Excellent work :clap2:

 

[tom b]

Awesome! That Robert guy has skillz

 

[WilliamKY]

I have a 26 and I would LOVE to have your setup. I hope someone from Weber is seeing this. Nice job.

 

[PnkPanther]

Nice

 

[Dweverett]

That’s a really nice upgrade.

 

[pjtexas1]

Nice work Robert! Did y'all raise the height?

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[robert-r]

Nice work Robert! Did y'all raise the height?

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Thank you. I'm not sure. It was built to Jason's specs.

 

[KevinJ]

Very nice Jason and good job Robert, how hard wold it be to attach a folding table to that stand?

 

[pjtexas1]

Very nice Jason and good job Robert, how hard wold it be to attach a folding table to that stand?

I had the same thought. 2 more pieces of tubing and screw this down.

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[BillN]

Wow that came out great, nice work Robert.

 

[Capt]

I am jealous! Very Cool

 

[farmer-fred]

Looks great, very professional. Robert has some great fab skills. I think the folding shelf would be a very useful addition. Hope you envoy using it.

 

[Demosthenes9]

Nice work Robert! Did y'all raise the height?

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His sits a bit higher than mine, as my tabs sit just under the lip of my 26er.

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[Demosthenes9]

Congrats on the mini RK. It looks sweet. Nice work Robert!

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