Jim Nolan's Blog

Rare Weber Westerner Grill

Recently I posted about my friend Harley's old Weber grill. Turns out it's quite rare, right down to its metal handle. Harley was contacted by Weber expert Matt O'Brien, who kindly allowed me to post his description the the grill: 

"It’s called the “Westerner” and was sold by Weber in the early to mid sixties. There are two different versions of this grill that were produced – The earlier 60’s version has a metal lid handle on top (such as the one you have), and the mid to late 60’s models that were more or less identical but with a wooden handle riveted to a metal strap on the lid. The change was simply made so the lid could be removed without burning your hand on the hot handle. Since then the design really hasn’t changed much at all and for the most part is still used today."

Matt is a curator at the blog Weber Kettle Club, which is absolutely fantastic. Read more about the Weber Westerner and its rarity here. Nice job, Matt!

Monday Isabella Bannerman Six Chix Cartoon

The latest reason the chicken crossed the road. 

Beer Bottle Tiki Torch

Blogger and friend Alice Henry Whitmore saw this bottle unlit in one of Howie Mook's photos, and thought it was a beer holder. Me, too. Nope, Howie informs us, it's a tiki torch. He found the idea on YouTube. I love it.

Vintage Melted Foil from Vintage Weber Grill

Photo credit: Harley Spiller

Harley writes, "Found in the bottom of Dad's Weber when I cleaned out the ash receptacles. Presumed to be a mass of melted foil from a lot of baked potatoes and corn on the cob and garlic heads. Is this common?"

Hmm. Interesting question. We'll have to check our Webers.

The Thousand Pities: 3 Upcoming Gigs!

My friend Ken Meyer is a terrific drummer and plays for two bands. This one has a bunch of concerts coming up, including this Saturday. You can learn more at their site. P.S. They rock. 

1960's Carrier Portable Air Conditioner

Also from the amazing sample case of Mortimer Spiller. Mort would sell products to companies who wanted to reward their top salespeople. They could "Carry home a Carrier." Willis Carrier invented air-conditioning while working at, yes, Buffalo Forge. He is buried in Buffalo's Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Howie Mook's Holland Fold-Away Grill

Howie Mook also has a portable Holland grill. Howie's photo provides an excellent idea of scale, how robustly the grill is constructed, a good view of the griddle/windbreak, and how truly flat if folds. Buffalo ingenuity! Thanks for sending, Howie.

Holland Industries Fold-Away Grill Retailers Order Copy

Harley Spiller found this spec sheet in a sample case his dad Mort used for selling products. He thinks Mort ordered from Holland Industries to make his own portable grill, which he packaged and sold as an "Outdoor Griddle Grille."

Below is a photo of Adam Gibson's beautifully restored Holland Fold-Away grill in action, and the box it came in.

Monday Isabella Bannerman Six Chix Cartoon

That plant was probably perfectly happy in the beer garden. Great one as usual, Isabella!

 

Harley Spiller's Vintage Weber Grill from mid-1960's

My friend Harley Spiller sent me this photo of his 50+ years old Weber he uses in his Queens, NY backyard. Harley's dad, Mortimer, used Weber products for promotional materials. Harley tells me Mort would sell one to a company that wanted to reward a top salesperson. The longhorns are original to the grill, by the way. 

It reads: Weber-Stephens Products Co. Weber Bar-B-Q Kettle, Wood Dale, IL.

Harley also tells me that the steaks he grills on them "taste like steaks in Buffalo—my dad's." Can there be a more perfect grill than that?