Carl's Grill Talk

Modern Home Products WNK

 

www.mhpgrills.com

 

Walter Koziol first produced the early Charmglow grills. In the mid 1950's he founded Modern Home Products line of gas lighting. The first outdoor grill was introduced in 1960. They are USA made grills that can be bought on line or through an extensive network of dealers that will sell, install, and service MHP. 

 

This is a MHP WNK grill I sold nearly 30 years ago. A few years later the customer bought a larger grill and I took this one. About 3 years ago I rebuilt this one for a friend down the road and it's still going. I replaced the older wooden and plastic shelves, shown on the bottom close to the wheels, with the new NuStone shelves.

 

 

 

The spec plate is on the side of the control panel still clearly readable.

 

 

The problem I needed to fix was the hinge pin had rusted, froze, and

broke off. Hinges are a weak point on all grills with the weight of the lid,

the galvanic corrosion by the opening and closing, and rust being the main stressors. My only choice was to file down what was left of the old pin, shown here, and drill out the old steel hinge pin. I used a 1/16th drill bit to pilot a bigger 3/16th bit to enlarge it. The steel hinge pin is a much harder material than the aluminum lid and it became difficult to keep the bit from slipping in to the soft aluminum lid, but got them drilled and pins replaced.

 

 

 

The lid remounted with the new hinge pins.

 

 

 

 

A closer view of the hinge pin installed with the cotter pin.

 

 

 

With the lid hinge pins replaced I wanted to inspect the old grate and burner, so I started with removing the old grids.

 

 

 

I sorted through the old ceramics throwing out the ones starting to fall apart.

 

 

 

 

The ignitor kit, GG-RI, with the original simple rotary twist type igniter. I didn't install it here, you can manually light through a hole on the lower right side of the grill.

 

 

 

 

With the burner and grate removed I inspected the old burner shown here next to the MHP replacement. The old one was still good with no burn through yet. If your grill is less than 10 years old some of these parts may still be under warranty. Check your records!

 

 

 

Here is the replacement valve under the control panel. They have made very few changes to this model seriesover the years and the old valve is still tight and working.

 

 

 

The burner, rock grate, along with the old and new ceramic is installed. My friend likes to cook hot, so the extra ceramic will minimize flare ups. It's very important to keep any grease build up cleaned from the grill grate and bottom to avoid grease fires. If you do have one, turn off gas, remove the food, and keep the lid open to minimize heat in the grill. Stand by in case of fire to surroundings!!

 

 

 

This is the heat gauge, GG-TG-4, that is shown as the replacement for the older version. The new one has one threaded bolt to attach to the lid. You might have to enlarge the old opening.

 

 

 

Here is the newer handle kit, GG-SH-Handle, GG-SHCL-left side end cap, GG-SHCR-right side end cap. It won't need to be replaced again. I have an old universal wood handle there now which was also easy to replace.

 

 

 

Here is the current swing away warming rack, GG-TS. The original one sat on the back of the grill, so you would have to drill some holes in the lid to install this one.

 

 

 

 

With the burner, grate, ceramics, and grid installed, it's ready for cooking!

 

 

 

Dinner on the grill!!

 

 

 

A remarkable, made in the USA, grill still available! Made to last!