Dumb Question(s)

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stevetheteacher

Meat Mopper
Original poster
May 29, 2015
269
18
Pennsauken, NJ
1. What is the best way to clean the ash out of the fire box?

I tried scooping it with a cup and then a piece or cardboard, but there was still a lot of ash left behind. Finally I resorted to using my hand, which got 99% of the ash out. Would a shop vac work better?

2. What is the best (read easiest) way to clean the wire racks in the pit?

Thanks in advance!

Steve
 
I bought the smallest dust pan and brush I could find it gets most the ash then pour some vegetable oil on a paper towel and wipe out the rest.
 
 
1. What is the best way to clean the ash out of the fire box?

I tried scooping it with a cup and then a piece or cardboard, but there was still a lot of ash left behind. Finally I resorted to using my hand, which got 99% of the ash out. Would a shop vac work better?

2. What is the best (read easiest) way to clean the wire racks in the pit?

Thanks in advance!

Steve
My CharGriller has a pull out ash pan, any over flow left in the fire box gets sucked up with the shop vac.
 
Save a grated-cheese plastic shaker jar, and cut it in half lengthwise so it makes a half-scoop with the bottom intact. It's perfect for digging ashes out of a firebox.
 
When I had an offset, I shoveled the majority out and blew the rest out with a leaf blower.  Mind the wind direction :)
 
Steve, without an ash drawer (wish I had one), this is a difficult task. I have looked around and tried several methods. Please take a look at the suggestions below:

1. Smallest dust pan... sand shovel.

2. Smallest brush... 2" natural bristle paint brush.

Note: You can start with a larger brush and pan, but these are good for that last little bit. The 2" paint brush is the very cheap one, then trim a little off it to make it stiffer.
 
A plastic windshield ice scraper works well as does a paint scraper. I always keep my rubber gloves from food prep and wear them to keep gunk getting under my nails (I've got a problem with psoriasis under my nails).

I don't have much scraping to do except on my OTG and mini-WSM. The only ash I have to get out of the MES is from the A-MAZE-N tray :biggrin:.
 
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