Jim Nolan's Blog

Buffalo Forge Grill for Sale

Sometimes I get messages from folks wondering where they can buy a Buffalo Forge Grill, and other times asking how they can sell one and how much they're worth. Well, here is one that is for sale. Sure, it has some rust, but that is a given for these grills (including mine). Looks like it has its hubcaps, which isn't always the case. If you are handy at restoring, like my super-talented friends Adam Gibson or Howie Mook, it could end up looking  pretty great.

If you are interested, reach out to me and I will connect you to the seller (who lives in Orchard Park). 

Adam Gibson's Awesome Buffalo Forge Grill, Canada edition

Wow! Look at this beautifully restored grill by Adam Gibson. As usual, Adam knocks it out of the park with this creatively restored beauty. It's a salute to the Kitchener, Ontario, Buffalo Forge plant.  

Here's Adam's report:

"So because Buffalo Forge expanded to our neighbor's land, I wanted to do a tribute piece. I spent a long time trying to find the blower and the pendent piece on the blower shield. Both of them came from an eBay seller in Vermont who lives close to Canada. The cover caps are from Howie Mook off an old wagon and I came up with everything else. The colors and the ideas are mine. This grill was an old barn find here but I just added on the parts that I found. It is not one hundred percent perfect and still shows some signs of when it was used. I just wanted to have fun and do something different while honoring the Kitchener Forge plant."

This is an incredible, one-of-a-kind grill, Adam. Just fantastic. Best of all, it's for sale to someone who appreciates its uniqueness. Beyond being completely practical, this is folk art, in my opinion. And a nice display of cross-border friendship and economic interdependence. As Adam writes:

"Hopefully someone finds it cool and wants to buy it."

If you want to learn more, shoot Adam an email at: [email protected]

Buffalo Forge Grill for Sale in California

I received an email today from Mike in California. He has a grill for sale. As he points out, it's missing the table (but it has hubcaps). Mike doesn't think it's been used much, if used at all. If you are interested, give Mike a shout at 760-378-3448. 

Brazier Grill by Eclipse Metal Mfg. Corp., Eden, NY

Photos of this grill were sent to me by a reader named Brent. It's a mid-century beauty. I'd never seen one, but Adam Gibson had. Here's what Adam says about it:

"This is a brazier bbq made in Eden NY in the 1950’s. That is all I really know about it. The company dissolved but these were very popular back in the day and were used at many camp grounds across the country. I have seen some for sale as far away as Washington State and California. The last few I have bought or seen sold average between 50-200 bucks for the type of grill and condition. This is an excellent piece and I would love to own it."

Thanks, Adam. For more info on Eclipse grills, check out more from Adam. He has a few nice ones himself (and lives close by to Eden).

An awesome grill, with an electric rotisserie, yet. I love the red handle and red plastic wheels. Brent is willing to sell the grill at the right price. If anyone is interested, let me know and I will put you in contact. Here are some more photos, thanks for sending them, Brent! 

 

Howie Mook's Buffalo Forge Grill: "Before" Video

 

Howie put this video together from photos he took before he transformed his Broil-Air into "like new." You can see the "After" here. What a craftsman. And check out his restored Buffalo Forge drill press. 

The Perfect Father's Day Gift: A Barbecue Briefcase

Screenshot from The Gadgeteer

Portable barbecues are nothing new, and were even manufactured in Western New York. See here and here. But this Mon Oncle barbecue from RS Barcelona takes the idea to a whole new place. It comes in several colors, and sells for $400. Okay, so maybe it's not the perfect Father's Day gift, but it sure is handsome looking. Hat tip to my friend Ron for bringing it to my attention. 

Screenshot from RS Barcelona. 

Buffalo Forge Grill, Ready to Whir

I kept my Broil-Air outside over the winter (it's a family tradition) under a leaky cover, so it's a little rusty. But it's ready to 'q, and so am I. Another season of the best hot dogs on the planet, cooked on one of the most unique grills.  

American Restoration Episode Featuring Buffalo Forge Grill

You can see the "Planes and Flames" episode here. I drive in at around 13:25. Above, a screen shot of me trying out the grill after Tyler and Rick revealed the restoration. It was morning in Las Vegas, but well over 90 degrees out. Tyler and Rick and the rest of the crew were super nice people. It was fun (but expensive).

Phil Marino's 1966 White Star Camper

Photo credit: Phil Marino

A while back Buffalo Forge expert Phil Marino sent me this picture of his totally awesome camper. He's how Phil describes it:

"I spent a spring restoring it to useable shape when my kids were small. It’s a 66 White Star built in Indiana. I found it on line and drove to Detroit to pick it up. It had been well used so I just wanted to fix it up so it was clean and still vintage looking. By no means a professional or historically accurate restoration.

"Initially I sanded all the paneling down & cupboard doors and stained them, took off all the hardware and painted it. Fixed a soft spot in the floor and put down some vinyl tile over the dried out & busted linoleum. I fixed a bunch of broken windows, undercoated the frame, painted the tongue and bumper, got new LP tanks and a new regulator along with new hefty safety chains.

"The next year I got a small leak and sealed the roof with rubberized RV roof paint. I had to replace the front sill and the curved piece of wood at the kitchen end of the trailer from the water damage.

"I put some nice old Ford hub caps on it that year too.

"The door still needed some attention. The previous owner had put a large sheet of aluminum flashing on the inside, I assumed to cover some bad wood. I let it go the first few years. Two years ago someone held up the gas station near where I was storing the camper and the guy broke the jalousie window on the door of my camper to enter & change clothes. This was in the winter so I just secured the window with some wood.

"That spring I straightened the window frame and found a new crank and gear set up to open the window. My wife had knee surgery last summer so we weren’t able to do any camping.

"Just last week I finally removed the aluminum flashing piece, sealed up the door and put on a piece of birch wood in place of the aluminum.

"It’s definitely not showroom but it’s nice and cute and a fun little camper. Sleeps 6 people if you can believe it. I was looking for an old Shasta from the 50’s with a  beautiful birchwood interior when I bought this one. The Shasta’s we going for 5 to 8 grand. I picked mine up for much much less than that."

Thanks for telling us about the project, Phil! It must really start some conversations on your travels. 

Original Repair Parts List for Buffalo Forge Grill

Courtesy of Peter Wettlaufer, the original parts list that came with the Broil-Air, as well as prices. Peter thinks the prices may have been taped over because it was a gift. But he held it up to the light, and jotted down the prices that you see immediately above. The blower head is by far the most expensive item. Not that you'd be likely to ever replace it—they're virtually indestructible (unlike the fire pan).