bosco Posted October 20, 2015 Report Share Posted October 20, 2015 5.5 hp 8gal shop vac was on sale for 50.00 off so I figured it would be nice to have an independent shop vac for ash. Robert said to make sure it had the fine drywall bag, which this one does. Great deal for 100.00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinyfish Posted October 20, 2015 Report Share Posted October 20, 2015 I bought a vacuum but only used it once. By the time I pull out the shop vac I can have all the ashes sweeped out with a brush and dust pan. I trimmed the dust pan to fit the back wall of the KK for ease of scooping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilburpan Posted October 20, 2015 Report Share Posted October 20, 2015 In my workshop, a broom and dust pan takes care of wood shavings and sawdust quicker than vacuuming. But I still use a vacuum for getting the last bits of fine dust. I’d do the same with Smaug if I had a shop vac dedicated to cleaning him out: use a brush and dust pan for most of the ash, and use the vacuum for the final cleanup. Either way, that’s a great deal on the shop vac, Bosco! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5698k Posted October 20, 2015 Report Share Posted October 20, 2015 I'm a shop vac guy, it's just easiest for me, and it works. Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mguerra Posted October 20, 2015 Report Share Posted October 20, 2015 I also use a Shopvac with drywall bag. Very fast, very clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homepro01 Posted October 20, 2015 Report Share Posted October 20, 2015 I use a vacuum made for fireplace ash. Cost about $60 on Amazon. Works great! http://www.amazon.com/PowerSmith-PAVC101-Amp-Ash-Vacuum/dp/B0060EUA32 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacKenzie Posted October 20, 2015 Report Share Posted October 20, 2015 I have an ash removal system that comes in various sizes, is inexpensive, easily replaceable and comes with a bonus inside. I like to scoop my ashes out from the top into an small ash bucket, no mess outside the kk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hogsfan Posted October 20, 2015 Report Share Posted October 20, 2015 I bought a vacuum with drywall bag as well. It's quick and easy because the vac lives outside. I'm curious how people clean with a brush and pan on a 23 without making a mess or getting their clothes dirty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacKenzie Posted October 20, 2015 Report Share Posted October 20, 2015 Hogsfan, it was the mess on the floor that made me look for another method of cleaning the ashes out and I came up with this method. There is no mess and 3 or 4 scoops with the can and into a waiting ash bucket is all that it takes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mguerra Posted October 20, 2015 Report Share Posted October 20, 2015 All right Mac, if those are coffee cans I humbly suggest you need to reorient your thinking! Store bought coffee is absolute bilge. If you're a foodie you need to get into home roasting. Once you drink coffee that you've roasted yourself you will never buy store-bought again and you probably won't be able to drink coffee outside your home again either. At least not anywhere outside your home that is not a serious coffee specialty place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacKenzie Posted October 20, 2015 Report Share Posted October 20, 2015 mguerra, I've never had store bought coffee and guess I shouldn't start, eh. I do home roasting and grinding of the green beans. Normally I have an espresso. I hear you. One of those cans is a baked bean can and I forget what the other was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mguerra Posted October 20, 2015 Report Share Posted October 20, 2015 Super. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjs Posted October 20, 2015 Report Share Posted October 20, 2015 I have an ash removal system that comes in various sizes, is inexpensive, easily replaceable and comes with a bonus inside. I like to scoop my ashes out from the top into an small ash bucket, no mess outside the kk. I love the frugality! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony b Posted October 20, 2015 Report Share Posted October 20, 2015 I should have, but I went on and ordered the shopvac (and 2nd filter) that Homepro01 recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poochie Posted October 21, 2015 Report Share Posted October 21, 2015 I use the same method as tinyfish and CC. Wisk broom and dust pan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinyfish Posted October 21, 2015 Report Share Posted October 21, 2015 I bought a vacuum with drywall bag as well. It's quick and easy because the vac lives outside. I'm curious how people clean with a brush and pan on a 23 without making a mess or getting their clothes dirty? I have 23's and I'm about 5'11" and I just reach in and scoop. I don't think I'm getting dirty. I only clean out my ashes once and a while. I remove the front air vent and I made a tool that fits under the inside ash deflector and I keep pushing the ashes to the back wall then after a few cooks I will remove the ashes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilburpan Posted October 21, 2015 Report Share Posted October 21, 2015 I’m 5’6â€. When cleaning out Smaug, I’ll take out the lower vent and the inside ash deflector. I have a little plastic shovel much like tinyfish’s that I put through the lower vent opening, and reach in through the top with an old wide paint brush. I’ll brush the ash into the shovel, pull out the shovel, and dump the ashes into a bucket. Repeat until done. This takes a couple of minutes, tops. If I get dirty at all, it’s from leaning over the edge of the grill. But I make sure I wear old clothes for this, and I really don’t get hardly any ash on me. I think I get more stuff on me from smoke generated during cooking when the wind blows in my direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hogsfan Posted October 21, 2015 Report Share Posted October 21, 2015 I have 23's and I'm about 5'11" and I just reach in and scoop. I don't think I'm getting dirty. I only clean out my ashes once and a while. I remove the front air vent and I made a tool that fits under the inside ash deflector and I keep pushing the ashes to the back wall then after a few cooks I will remove the ashes. Tell me more about this tool please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinyfish Posted October 21, 2015 Report Share Posted October 21, 2015 Tell me more about this tool please. I will post a picture when I get home from work but basically I measured the gap under the heat deflector and cut a piece of metal to fit and bent it in an "L" shape and put a handle on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckreef Posted October 21, 2015 Report Share Posted October 21, 2015 (edited) I will post a picture when I get home from work but basically I measured the gap under the heat deflector and cut a piece of metal to fit and bent it in an "L" shape and put a handle on it.On my 16.5" I use a metal spatula to do the same thing. About 3 cooks then push the ashes to the back. Another 2 or 3 cooks then clean them out. Sometimes I'll take the lump basket out and just sweep the ashes to the sides. Accomplishes the same thing, extending the time before full ash clean out. I'll have to come up with something for the 19" because I'm sure the spatula won't be long enough. Edited October 21, 2015 by ckreef Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...