Firemonkey Posted December 8, 2015 Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 I am guessing you guys are using a house hold vac, however what we use over here in AU is called a wet and dry vac. These things are bullet proof and are used to clean up build supply mess. Brick dust is very similar to ash, but 100x stickier to parts like the hose and inner motor and these things take care ot eh brick dust with ease. So if you are having issues with the standard store bought cleaner, best to go to your local hardware store to get one of these. They are super cheap (under $100) and if they break just throw them out and get a new one. I dont believe you will have any issues with cleaning out the filter and things like that. Just a thought. Yep, that's the vac we are using here too. ShopVac is a brand name, but it's the same wet/dry construction type vac you're describing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony b Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 Just bought this one, but I've been happy with it so far and the price is reasonable. http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0060EUA32?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoFrogs91 Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 I just use an ash tool to drag ashes out the front vent into a little dust pan like Jon. No need to bring out the machinery for me. Benton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony b Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 One of the reasons that I stopped shoveling out the ashes through the front vent door was I recall a post from Dennis saying that he didn't recommend taking the door completely out, as it is designed as an interference fit. The rods can get easily sprung once removed when you try and reinsert them into the tubes and you can lose the tight seal around the door. I got the "bad dog" lecture from Dennis for tweaking the rods and not the tubes when doing an adjustment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckreef Posted December 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 I am going to admit I take my lower vent assembly out every time I fire Prometheus up. That is part of the bring to temp procedure for me on that KK. I don't have a running total but easily over 100 cooks so far. Bottom vent is as tight as the day I got it. Charles - Prometheus 16.5", Cassiopeia 19" TT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoFrogs91 Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 What reef said Benton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeramicChef Posted December 11, 2015 Report Share Posted December 11, 2015 I just use a whisk broom and dust pan. I have one each for Beauty! and TheBeast. Works wonderfully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckreef Posted December 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 The conclusion to my experiment. I currently have 27 cooks worth of ash. I probably could have squeezed 35 in but it seemed pointless. It was a kewl experiment to know you really can go for awhile on a KK without cleaning it out and performance was not effected. After 27 cooks. As promised here is a picture of the space up under the fire bowl, up against the wall. No air flows through that space so you can push all the ash you want under there. All cleaned out. A Walmart sack full of ash. I do have another experiment or two I want to try. Will crank another one up soon. Charles - Prometheus 16.5", Cassiopeia 19" TT 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacKenzie Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 That sure looks clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony b Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 Excellent experiment, ckreef! Thanks for doing this. Adds to the total encyclopedia of KK knowledge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
