Ash Clean Out

[mguerra]

We have discussed it many times over the years. Use a shop vac with a cartridge filter and drywall bags. No need to get down on your knees scraping ash out through a little hole. Remove the charcoal basket, just stand up straight, use one or two wands, suck all the ash out in less than a minute. Do it before a cook, so all the embers are cold and out. Easy, fast, no bending, and zero ash dust flying around while you dump a pan of ash in to a receptacle. No need for an expensive live ember vacuum.

[cavedweller]

Works like a charm 

[mguerra]

 

[Poochie]

I get the bulk of it out from the top, then use a shop vac. Whatever works!

[mguerra]

How do you get the bulk out of it from the top?

[C6Bill]

A dog food scoop works well for getting the bulk out from the top, then the shop vac.

[Poochie]

A plastic dustpan that isn't very big...holds about 2 or 3 cups and a whisk broom.

[jonj]

I made a temporary ash scoop by cutting off the bottom of a square-sided 52 ounce plastic juice bottle at a 45° angle. Works great. Still using it after 6 years...

[tony b]

I second the dogfood scoop. I have a small one and it works great. I often don't even need to drag out the shop vac. But, I'm not anal-retentive when it comes to clearing out the ash either; I'm OK with not getting it pristine. 

[David Chang]

cleaning with a brush and scoop is what i do. the only thing is to not do it on a windy day.

[PVPAUL]

I use one of these. Works good enough, no electricity. Cost about $6.50.

Cheers,

Paul

 

[LK BBQ]

I don't have a shop vac.  I tape a paper bag over the vent door and sweep it in with a brush.  I rarely do a good job with the taping, so I do get ash leaking out the sides as I do it.  I don't clean it that often - I let it pile up until it gets high enough to start interfering with air flow.  

[mguerra]

Get a shop vac. Everyone needs at least one. Not just for your KK.

[Cheesehead_Griller]

Use a shop vac and a bag over the filter? I would prefer not to invest in more equipment like a canister. Trying to keep it simple. 
 

I have a shop vac but need to know what to get to make it work. Something simple. 

Edited April 14, 2022 by Cheesehead_Griller

[David Chang]

i just cleaned out the wood ash from my pizza oven with a broom and dustpan and thinking about whether or not i need a shop vac. before i can decide if i needed one, i already finished cleaning the oven. 🙃

[Poochie]

On 4/12/2022 at 8:36 PM, PVPAUL said:

I use one of these. Works good enough, no electricity. Cost about $6.50.

Cheers,

Paul

 

This is what I use 99% of the time. The Shop Vac is used every couple of weeks but not really necessary.

[Poochie]

On 4/12/2022 at 11:53 PM, LK BBQ said:

I don't have a shop vac.  I tape a paper bag over the vent door and sweep it in with a brush.  I rarely do a good job with the taping, so I do get ash leaking out the sides as I do it.  I don't clean it that often - I let it pile up until it gets high enough to start interfering with air flow.  

You can get a large round metal dog food dish that slides part way under the KK and it'll catch whatever ashes fall out the door. 

[tony b]

If you want to use a shop vac, you need to get a drywall/dust filter for it, as the ash is pretty fine and will clog up the vacuum. 

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0060EUA0K

 

[tekobo]

I’ve avoided this debate as it is really a matter of preference.   That said, I wanted to say where I have ended up.  I did have a shop vac.  It took up space, needed to be plugged in and the filter needed cleaning at intervals to keep it functioning well. I got rid of it a few months ago.  It is so much easier to just lean in and sweep up with a small dust pan and brush like the one that @PVPAUL has.  In windy weather I just lower my collection bucket into the KK to keep the dust from blowing everywhere.  And the best news is that this method transfers easily to the pizza oven too. 

[Poochie]

I don't know if you use a certain method, but when I bend over and start scooping ash, the genie from the ashes rises up to meet my ugly face. I've tried to be gentle, but I always manage to stir up a cloud.