There has to be another way.

Jeffroe189 · January 2014

It seems like I have seen threads on everyone's method from lighting the egg to how you arrange your lump. I however do not recall reading about everyone method of stirring your lump before you light it. As I'm typing this I do relize that this is sounding like a pretty dumb question. Lol. The reason I ask is I resently go the Hi Que fire grate for Christmas and it seems like when using the ash tool it never fails I end up grabbing the grate and pulling it up. I even did this with the cast iron grate from time to time.

So my question is.

How do y'all do it, what do you use, and is it even nessesary.

brimee · January 2014

I just move the ash tool around flat underneath the old lump and my reason is to knock the old ash down to the bottom to scrape it out before the cook.

henapple · January 2014

I use a glove to stir...

yzzi · January 2014

Put a grill glove on and stir so ash falls through, then poke holes clear and fill with more lump if needed.

Jeffroe189 · January 2014

I like the glove idea. I find myself using my hands a lot anyway. I guess I should just get me a cheap glove and dedicate it to that one task.

Shiff · January 2014

I just do a surface stir with the ash tool then just dump in more lump and away we go. I used to do a lot more but it doesn't make any difference.

xiphoid007 · January 2014

I stir hard with the ash tool to knock any residual ash through and check all the holes. Almost always at least 2-3 holes are clogged with ash/small pieces of charcoal. I then will with lump and rock and roll.

I think the only for thing that truly matters is getting the ash out of the holes. That causes the most trouble because of the design of the egg.

dlk7 · January 2014

I fold up 3 select a size paper towels into a square and push the lump around until the ash falls through the grate.

Little Steven · January 2014

I use a stainless steel spider

loveTheEgg · January 2014

I use my hands also..then wash them! no gloves needed!

Carolina Q · January 2014

I use a plastic hand held garden spade. Works well, but I like the hand idea.

Botch · January 2014

Shiff said:

I just do a surface stir with the ash tool then just dump in more lump and away we go. I used to do a lot more but it doesn't make any difference.

I quit stirring altogether; it doesn't seem to make a difference for me either.

travisstrick · January 2014

I don't stir.

Spaightlabs · January 2014

Non stirrer here as well. Too much useable lump falls thru the hi que.. Every so often I do a full clean out to make sure I have good air circulation.

KenCoburn · January 2014

I've never used anything but a well worn whisk broom.

Doc_Eggerton · January 2014

http://www.rodales.com/handforged-3-tine-cultivator/E000579001.html?cid=ppc_Google_Rodales_PLA_Nourish_Handforged3TineCultivator_Phrase

I use something similar to this, then create a clear space in the center and fill it with however much refill lump I am adding.

boatbum · January 2014

I stir. Charcoal that produces low ash really makes a big difference.

yzzi · January 2014

travisstrick said:
I don't stir.

You shake then?

Ragtop99 · January 2014

When I'm getting the grill ready I use a disposable latex glove. I can handle the grate and anything dirty w/o getting my hands greasy. I'll just use my hand to give it a stir on the medium. That prevents me from knocking the grate off its perch. I get rid of dust and make sure the center holes are uncovered. On the XL I use the ash tool.

Cookinbob · January 2014

I use a trowel to stir the old lump, then lift out the grate (and old lump) and use a small dustpan to clean out all the crap. Finally I replace the fire grate and dump new lump.

I do have the ash tool and dustpan, but feel they're a pain in the ass to use. I do find a lot of unburned chips in the bottom along with the ashes. I think I need to find another brand of lump (Using Frontier now).

MaskedMarvel · January 2014

No stir since Rockwood lump. Switching to a hi q grate this week as well.

JohnInCarolina · January 2014

I nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

cajunduck · January 2014

I use my hands to move lump around. Soap afterwards. Ha!

flemster · January 2014

henapple said:

I use a glove to stir...

+1

JerryAtrick · January 2014

Interesting thread. I'm most intrigued by those who don't stir at all. Should we conclude that you don't necessarily follow the instructions just because they're - you know - the INSTRUCTIONS! Instead you insist on making your decisions based on personal experience. I suppose next you'll be taking responsibility for your own choices. Damn. There's some radical thinking going on out here in Egg-land. I like that.

njl · January 2014

I stir with a length of rebar I found in the road...just to encourage any loose ash to fall through / break up any burned out pieces of lump that are basically just solid chunks of ash.

Skiddymarker · January 2014

travisstrick said:

I don't stir.

What he said.

pescadorzih · January 2014

I start mine with an electric coil charcoal starter. I just push the ash and coals around with that before filling.

Tbonez3858 · January 2014

I got a tiny shop vac from lowes ($19.99) specifically for my BGE a few weeks ago. One of the attachments will suck up the ash but leave any lump of worth size. I use the vac on the grate first and then use it on the firebox. It takes about two minutes, I have good airflow and I no longer have a massive firebox cleanup .

There has to be another way.

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