Jim Nolan's Blog

Valuable Mid-Century Weber "Westerner" Grill for Sale

I've written about this amazing and rare grill before. Now you can actually buy it on eBay. It is being sold by my friend and fellow Buffalonian Harley Spiller. You have until Thursday to bid. It's from the early 1960s, with a longhorn steer head on the side. How many of these can there be? It was used for decades by Harley's father, Mortimer Spiller, who sold a grill of his own, this mid-century griddle grill. Below is a picture of Mort from "BBQ & Beer" Magazine. Good luck, Harley. Someone is going to be very happy to have this special grill, with so many wonderful memories baked into it.

 

Harley Spiller Piece in McSweeney's

Screengrab from McSweeneys.net

A beautifully written piece in McSweeney's by my friend and former Buffalonian Harley Spiller. It describes the key fobs his father Mortimer used to make, including the one shown above for Benny Binion's Horseshoe Club in Las Vegas. It's terrific writing and reminds me of Mort and of Harley's mother Harriet Spiller, both fun, caring and wonderful people. 

1964 Weber Grill Catalog Featuring The Westerner

Screengrab from the Weber Kettle Club

The Westerner you see featured here has the metal handle, so Harley Spiller's must be even earlier. The Westerner doesn't appear in the 1962 catalog, so perhaps it from 1963. Check out more catalogs at the fantastic Weber Kettle Club website. 

1960s Weber Westerner Grill Goes into Shop

This is my friend Harley Spiller's rare Weber. He has recently taken it "into the shop." I have asked him to keep us posted on the project. Note the metal handle, which is what they used before they switched to a wood handle, because wood doesn't get as hot. This was told to me by Weber expert Matt O'Brien, a curator at the blog Weber Kettle Club, which is absolutely fantastic. 

The Weber was purchased by Harley's father, Mortimer Spiller, who sold grills himself.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Sterno Double Service Portable Cook Stove, No. 46

Handy and compact, indeed. From the barbecue collection of Harley J. Spiller, which also includes a vintage Weber.

Mid-Century Outdoor Griddle Grille by The Mortimer Spiller Company of Batavia, NY

Another Western New York portable grill, this one made by the father of my friend and well-known collector Harley Spiller. This one barbecues, fry and broils. "Folds flat for easy carrying." Ingenious, and still in the box! For other works by The Mortimer Spiller Company, see Harley's NY Times slideshow, "The Weight of the Past."