Bottom vent cover. How do I fix this?

[jjdbike]

Hello all,

The fan wheel that covers vents on bottom, and double as ash cleaner, arms are bent. Not only will they not scrape ash into the holes, they will not block the air vents. See pics below. Notice ow the fan blades are bent up? How do I fix this? The bolt looks pretty corroded & doesn't look like it'll come out with out heroic efforts.

Does it need to be replaced? If so, how should I get that corroded nut and bolt off?

Respectfully,
JD

[RonB]

What does it look like from the bottom?

[Spinaker]

I would spray the bolts with WD_40 and let it sit, then try to unscrew them. All that ash in the bolt will suck up a lot of WD-40 but let it soak in and see if they will loosen. Then I would just get a new set from Weber. Trying to get these to be tight with the body of the grill will be tough.

I always try to be careful when I am using these. I always make sure the charcoal is totally out of the bottom, casue those little pieces can bend the pedals.

[Jfrosty27]

Looks like it’s time for a new Weber Performer Deluxe!!

🙄🤣😂

Just kidding……unless you are looking for an excuse that is.

[HouseHomey]

I have replaced two on my kettle. You can order them from Weber. I think maybe even Amazon. It’s been a minute. Just do like John said and hit it with WD-40. Also if the bolt is still good you could just bend it back. I tend to ruin mine while scraping the bottom of the kettle bowl I accidentally hit the blades.

or maybe add a Primo xl to the collection. Just saying…

[fzxdoc]

It's nice to see your post. Hope all is well with you.

Kathryn

[Jim White]

Homey! Don't be such a stranger.

[painter]

+1 on the Primo recommendation!

[Attjack]

That happened to me and I replaced them with new parts. But there's no reason not to try removing, gently bending, and trying to reinstall before you buy a new set.

[jlazar]

That is what worked for me. Disassembled. Cleaned everything. Over corrected the bend a little. Worked great once reassembled.

[Uncle Bob]

As noted above replacements are available from multiple sources. That said, they might be repaired in place without having to remove the assembly. I did it on mine the other day when one blade had gotten slightly bent up from hitting a chunk of charcoal. The individual blade bends at that point where the tapered part of the blade blends to the square portion near the center. I stuck tool with an end on it similar to a screwdriver that elevated the center of the "star" a fraction of an inch (don't go gorilla on it) then put pressure on the spot just at the base of the tapered part of the blade. It now functions again as it did when new.

[HawkerXP]

+1

[Michael_in_TX]

I'm in this same boat. Some lump charcoal got under mine and bent the blades. I've been putting it off replacing them as my Kettle is relegated to essentially direct grill only, but I'd like to get it fixed so I can do sear + slow cook.

[Richard Chrz]

I take mine off bend them back a bit for a season or two, now hve started putting new ones in every other year.

[Mosca]

Here’s a tip: I don’t use those as scrapers any more. I have an old fireplace brush that I use to brush the ashes out. It’s just easier: no reaching under the kettle, no last remnants messing with the OCD part of my mind.

Even a new one is cheap, a quick search turns up this at Ace for $12.

[Mosca]

Jfrosty27 glad you found it. I just googled "fireplace brush" and it was the first result!

[Panhead John]

I just use a cheap 3” or 4” paintbrush. None of the kettles I’ve seen out there remove all of the ash, the SNS or Weber.

[Mosca]

A paint brush would be better for the Weber I think. We had replaced our set of fireplace tools, and the long handle is perfect for the BGE. It just does double duty on the Weber.

[radiodome21]

Good to know. I never knew this was an issue. I’ve only used briquettes so far on the SNS but I’ve noticed that the ash is always above the arms anyway and was planning on getting a small hand broom. But I like this better.

[Mosca]

I started using it on the BGE, and the kettle was right there, so.

[jfmorris]

I've not replaced these yet on my Performer Deluxe, made in 2007, but maybe the guy I got it from in 2017 had. Eventually the time will come I am sure. When they are not sealing well I know its time for me to bust out the plastic putty knife, garden hose and a razor blade scraper and clean the inside of the bowl.

On the PLUS side, this won't affect your cook of chicken with the Vortex. However, it will affect ability to go low and slow, "sweep" the ashes out, as well as ability to kill the fire and save charcoal after a cook.

[Reds Fan 5]

I have the same issue and I’m not sure how it happened. I think the Weber ash removal system is useless and, like Mosca, use a small broom to sweep ash into the bin. I suspect during my last smoke a small piece of briquette was stuck and it bent when I adjusted the vents during the cook. Not sure how much the part costs but it’s readily available and can’t be difficult to replace.

[Bbqmikeg]

One-Touch Cleaning System Kit (part 7444) to replace the damper blades and use a plastic 2” putty knife to clean the bowl instead of using the one-touch. Use the damper blades only as dampers and scrape the grease and ash down the vents with the putty knife. I wish Weber kettles still had the damper wheels on the bowl like the old ones had.