GROTTO, Wash. — Out along Highway 2 in the heart of tiny Grotto, Washington, you’ll find a classic boy-meets-grill love story.
“I don't really know what made it go crazy,” said Jim “Jimmer” DeGroot, standing next to dozens of Weber brand original-style kettle grills.
“I think 25 here,” he said, then pointed up toward his house. “And then four or five, at least, up there.”
Each grill is more colorful, more beautiful than the next.
“It almost became addictive. Once you found one, you're looking for another one,” DeGroot said.
He has a forearm tattoo in the image of a Weber grill. He even named his dog Weber.
“It just had to be his name,” he said with a laugh.
DeGroot has plenty of collector's items, including a rare Weber drink can refrigerator.
“It is a treasure,” he said. “Had to go to Tacoma for it.”
He owns several discontinued Weber products, too.
“It's called the Web,” he said, proudly displaying a very powerful bug zapper. “When a mosquito hits that it catches on fire.”
But the star of this smoke show is the spectacular front yard display. It's a real eye-catcher for passing motorists.
“Definitely take photos and that,” DeGroot said.
Subtle differences make each grill special in its own way. One model has fewer support bars at the base.
“That was economy. Walmart.”
Another displays an odd marking: “The L is upside-down on this one.”
A couple have limited-edition logos. There’s one for Samuel Adams Boston Lager.
“That's one that my mom picked up.”
Another is a marketing collab with Schmidt’s Beer. And one bronze beauty with a gradient paint scheme is the crown jewel of DeGroot's collection.
“That's important because that one was made in the '70s, and the color scheme where you had that ‘fade’ on the lid.”
But these barbe-cuties aren't just for show.
DeGroot said, “One of the best cookers you can buy. You can do anything from a quick sear to a long smoke.”
At least three times a week, the Grill King of Grotto puts his hardware to the test, and shares the results on his popular Instagram page.
“Just stuff off my grill,” DeGroot said. “You're not going to see my face, or my dog, or a pretty tree. Just going to be stuff I cooked.”
He'll keep sharing, collecting, and adding chapters to the love story of Jimmer DeGroot and his glorious grills.
A man with a dream?
“You bet,” DeGroot said.
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