I’m starting in on the 3-burner Griswold hot plate - questions galore

[Lee Bowen]

Makes me wonder if it looked that good when it was new. Looks really nifty.

[Dwayne Henson]

That is a great looking grill! Great job!

[Spurgeon Hendrick]

Thanks, Russell. I’m really happy with the way it is turning out. I cooked on it tonight!

Warning to future restorers of hot plates: check for gas leaks every time you move it from one spot to another. I cannibalized the regulator/hose from my old gas grill and connected it to this one. I initially hooked it up and checked for leaks in my driveway. After getting the flames adjusted, I moved it out back, onto my deck, to cook supper. I cooked supper without incident. After it got dark, I was going to light the burners again to check the flame and to make sure all of the holes in each burner were working properly. I lit the burner closest to the propane tank first. For a few seconds, half of the holes had flame and the other half didn’t. Then the other half lit up ... along with a nice flame shooting out of the gas hose, right where it connects to the nut that screws into the pipe on the hot plate. I guess the hose is old, worn out, and moving it around caused a leak. I quickly blew out the flame and shut off the gas. I should have known better.

I’m not going to cook on it again until I replace the regulator/hose.

[Dwayne Henson]

That's a nice set up

[Spurgeon Hendrick]

Thanks guys!

Lee, I think the enamel on the body was probably smoother. In hindsight, I wish I had sanded it.

I studied the hot plate bulletin in the PDF section, trying to figure out what to do with painting, etc. The bulletin confirmed they manifold was nickel plated. For the pipe and arms, I stripped the old paint, tried to shine them up as best I could and then painted them with a clear enamel. One thing I probably did differently than was original is the 703 nameplate. It is hard to tell from the drawings in the bulletin, it was probably painted black, but I thought it would look good painted with the clear enamel. So far, the burners and grates have not been coated with anything. In the bulletin they appear to be a light gray. I’m assuming they shipped “as is” in gray iron. Once I have a chance to buy the 2000 degree clear enamel, I will paint them with that. (They rusted in a few spots just from cooking on them one time.)

I’m also guessing that this unit was made later in the production years. That’s only a guess. In the 1929 bulletin, this model had “truss legs”. I figure, after awhile, they switched it over to the regular legs they used on the 701 and 702 models.

[Spurgeon Hendrick]

Well, after another trip to Home Depot, I discovered what was causing the leak. It wasn’t the old hose I was using. The problem was the pipe they sold me the first time. The threads on the pipe were not the type of threads needed for the hose connection. So, the hose wasn’t able to screw down far enough to seal the hose. I bought a converter connection and now it works like a champ!

I still have some minor adjustments to make. I’m not sure you can see it in these photos, but the flame on the middle burner is stronger than the other two. This week, i’ll Play around with the cables to get that corrected. I also reread the instruction page (found in the PDF section) and saw where, for manufactured gas, the adjustment good should be screwed in all the way. Seems like I tried that the first time and not enough gas was getting through, but I’m going to try it again and see what happens.

[Tom Neitzel]

Really a fine job Spurgeon.  Really fine.

[Dwayne Henson]

Just awesome! Are you going to bring it to Erie?

[Spurgeon Hendrick]

Dwayne, I doubt I’ll be able to make it up to Erie. Sure wish I could!

[Dwayne Henson]

I was hoping, I want to see you.