bryan Posted August 12, 2010 Report Share Posted August 12, 2010 Keep the beer glass straight up and down.... I can see that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primeats Posted August 13, 2010 Report Share Posted August 13, 2010 I keep an aluminum foil pan under the KK at all times and pull it forward when I clean it out and use a fireplace shovel.( a half steam table pan or a full disposable roasting pan) I also slide it forward when I open the draft door to super charge the heat level, this will catch any embers that may pop out. I removed the screen a while ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firemonkey Posted August 17, 2010 Report Share Posted August 17, 2010 I like the Vac idea... but with a COPD problem I am concerned with getting my ash around my head. Any advise on how to keep your head out of your ash is welcome. Mist the ashes with a spray bottle so they are slightly damp. That way they wont dust around and you can scoop them out easily. Learned that trick after a couple of weeks of not using the grill. The central FL humidity had condensed in there every morning, and the ashes were not wet, just heavy and dense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mguerra Posted August 17, 2010 Report Share Posted August 17, 2010 The vac does not throw ash in the air, it ALL goes in the vac, and the special drywall filter keeps it there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firemonkey Posted August 17, 2010 Report Share Posted August 17, 2010 I used to be a vac evangelist, but lazy trumps all. If I can do it without having to go around to the garage, get the vac, bring an extension cord, plug it in, and then clean the vac out afterward - i'm going for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mguerra Posted August 17, 2010 Report Share Posted August 17, 2010 you are correct Yep, that's exactly step by step what I have to do with the ShopVac, a minor PIA. So, I often just leave the vac out there. Which I hate from a clutter standpoint. Combined with that ugly steel rack with all the exposed grills and roti eqpt. and charcoal chimney and such, I'm really hating the aesthetic of my back porch. Probably I will bite the bullet and get that custom stainless cabinet built to hold the vac and everything else to boot. I want all that stuff concealed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firemonkey Posted August 17, 2010 Report Share Posted August 17, 2010 Make sure you get that cabinet pre-wired with electric when its built. Then you can keep your stoker connected inside, and plug your vac and rotis right into the cart too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mguerra Posted August 17, 2010 Report Share Posted August 17, 2010 Good thinking! I actually thought of having a cabinet/dishwasher made, so as to be able to throw the grills and roti baskets in the custom BBQ dishwasher outside! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbone Posted September 13, 2010 Report Share Posted September 13, 2010 I place a foil pan in the front and then use a paint brush to brush the ash out the door. I use the brush to clean the sides and gasket as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myself888 Posted October 5, 2010 Report Share Posted October 5, 2010 The Bag Solution This is so NOT a "green" solution, but it's super easy and works for us until we can find a better more planet friendly option - I'm not quite ready to start making my own soap. Just tape the bag in place and brush the ash out the hole from the inside. Be sure to brush the bottom side well so you don't drop all your ash when you remove the lower strip of tape. Then just tie the bag closed and drop it in the trash. Yes, that is our rib rack doing double duty as a grill grate stand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryan Posted October 5, 2010 Report Share Posted October 5, 2010 Re: The Bag Solution That' two neat suggestions. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linuxwrangler Posted October 18, 2010 Report Share Posted October 18, 2010 Then there's this way... http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... 031D59.DTL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obanker Posted October 31, 2010 Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 Re: How do people clean out their ashes If you are really into cleaning out the ashes there is a solution. It can be found at wood stove stores. Just ask for a fire proof vacuum which can be used on hot embers. The one I have left over from when I heated with wood pellets is about 10 yrs old and cost about $150. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmagaram Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 I've cleaned out the ashes a couple times and it is a messy job. First need to shake the charcoal basket and this gets the dust flying. After waiting for it to settle I spray a few times with a water bottle and then use a brush to brush it all near the door. This also gets the ash flying. Take out the deflector and take off the door and then brush the ashes into the stainless drip pan which I've set on the ground. Again the ashes go flying. If it were windy I couldn't do it this way since the ashes would go flying when they got brushed out the door. I'd consider buying a shop vac but don't want the hassle or another piece of equipment. I wonder if I could fit a Pyrex pie plate or carbon steel skillet at the base to collect the ashes. Then I'd just loft it up and out and dump into a bag. Has anyone done this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdbower Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 I would not recommend a standard wet/dry vac - the ashes are pretty fine and will probably blow through the filters. There are some special ash vacuums, but that's an even more specialized piece of equipment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mk1 Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 I wonder if I could fit a Pyrex pie plate or carbon steel skillet at the base to collect the ashes. Then I'd just loft it up and out and dump into a bag. Has anyone done this? I think the pyrex is not rated high enough temp.... I also wonder about the effects on airflow. I use a disposable plastic cup and scoop them out from the top...simple and pretty quick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5698k Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 I use the shopvac with the drywall filter. Its a bag that fits over the intake in the vac canister. I have it ready to go, so when I shake the charcoal basket, the vac gets all of that dust. My particular vac is a 12 gallon, but the drywall filters are made for all sizes. <br /> <br /> <br /> Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisLinkletter Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 BTW I let the ashes build up.. keep packing them to the rear and sides until it's full. They hold a lot of ashes before you get to where it's effecting your airflow thru the front draft door.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony b Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 I use a metal scoop - bought at the feed store. Scoop up the ashes into the lid of the plastic tub that I keep my charcoal in, take them out back into the woods and dump them there. Probably only do that about once a month, even in heavy grilling season. As Dennis says, the KK will hold a lot of ash, and as we all know, the cocochar doesn't create much ash when it burns. Another good reason to check out the Naked Whiz's charcoal database, as he rates charcoals on the amount of ash created so you can look for the ones that don't leave a lot of ash when burned. One of the many reasons that I like Wicked Good Charcoal's Weekend Warrior - low ash production. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mguerra Posted March 30, 2014 Report Share Posted March 30, 2014 Shop vac with a drywall filter. Fast, easy, complete, clean. Just wait till all the fire is out and ashes are cool. Filters are at Lowe's, Amazon, and elsewhere. And there is no flying ash! Every man needs a Shop Vac anyway... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
