MiniMax ash removal

bigworm

I've had my large for over a year and had no problems with removing the ash. I cooked on my new MM earlier this week and went to clean the ash out last night and I was stumped. I ended up lifting out all the parts and scooping it out with my hand.

Is there an easier way to get the ash out of the bottom of the dome? I'll probably get a kick ash basket soon but just curious. Also with the KAB, do I remove the fire grate?

northGAcock

bigworm said:

I've had my large for over a year and had no problems with removing the ash. I cooked on my new MM earlier this week and went to clean the ash out last night and I was stumped. I ended up lifting out all the parts and scooping it out with my hand.

Is there an easier way to get the ash out of the bottom of the dome? I'll probably get a kick ash basket soon but just curious. Also with the KAB, do I remove the fire grate?

I agree it is a downside. The short stubbiness make it a challenge. I usually do the best i can but don't worry about it much as it is more of a searing machine for me....or shall i say shorter cooks. I seldom do an low and slow but when i do, I do exactly what you do and remove the innards. A shop vac is an alternative to using your hands though.

stlcharcoal

Do you have the MiniMax ash removal tool or just the one for you Large? 

Gulfcoastguy

I have a medium with a Kick Ash Basket. After I remove and shake the basket, I just point a leaf blower at the lower air intake. The ash is good lawn fertilizer.

chuckytheegghead

Ash tool or vacuum work for me. 

bgebrent

As Jonathan asked, there is an ash removal tool made for the MM.  The tool made for the large doesn’t fit the MM.

SurfingEgg321

Go get a kick ash basket and a small shop vac. Super easy and quick.

danguba78

This small hand broom and dustpan is what I use (in conjunction with a KickAsh Basket) and it works well for me: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0753YSYM1/ref=oh_aui_i_d_old_o0_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

YukonRon

I made a small sweeper and scoop from an old fire place tool set. Hacksawed the handles.
Scoop and dump into an ash bucket then I use for compost.
It works. Easy.
Regarding the fire grate removal. I keep mine in my XL, due to prior experience with a cracked base. I did not have a crack in my base, until I removed mine, while using the KAB.
At one time there was a recommendation not to remove the grate, specific to the XL. I did, base cracked. Whether or not that be the case in my instance, I dunno.
Been using my XL for a year, using high temps, no cracks yet with the grate in.
I have KAB in both my XL and MM.

northGAcock

bgebrent said:

As Jonathan asked, there is an ash removal tool made for the MM.  The tool made for the large doesn’t fit the MM.

Even with the mm ash tool....it is still challenging.

bigworm

danguba78 said:

This small hand broom and dustpan is what I use (in conjunction with a KickAsh Basket) and it works well for me: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0753YSYM1/ref=oh_aui_i_d_old_o0_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Smart move. I just got a dust pan to use for both of mine but I didn't think about the small broom/brush idea. I'll try that.

bigworm

YukonRon said:

I made a small sweeper and scoop from an old fire place tool set. Hacksawed the handles.
Scoop and dump into an ash bucket then I use for compost.
It works. Easy.
Regarding the fire grate removal. I keep mine in my XL, due to prior experience with a cracked base. I did not have a crack in my base, until I removed mine, while using the KAB.
At one time there was a recommendation not to remove the grate, specific to the XL. I did, base cracked. Whether or not that be the case in my instance, I dunno.
Been using my XL for a year, using high temps, no cracks yet with the grate in.
I have KAB in both my XL and MM.

I haven't got a KAB for my large yet because I haven't had any issues with temperature controls or cleaning it out. But with the MM I'm almost for sure going to get one.

danguba78

bigworm said:

danguba78 said:

This small hand broom and dustpan is what I use (in conjunction with a KickAsh Basket) and it works well for me: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0753YSYM1/ref=oh_aui_i_d_old_o0_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Smart move. I just got a dust pan to use for both of mine but I didn't think about the small broom/brush idea. I'll try that.

The dustpan fits perfectly in the bottom of the MiniMax. I’d love to say I measured and knew that would happen, but I just got lucky. 

pdevoy

Harbor Fright mini vac

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-12-gal-wetdry-vacuumblower-61162.html

works great 

Eoin

It's hard to clean out fully from the vent or from above with a small ash shovel. I now use a shop vac, takes seconds and cleans it out properly.

caliking

I rounded off the corners of my SBGE ash tool, and it made cleaning out from the bottom vent significantly easier. I imagine the same would work for the mini max too. 

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1158433/small-ash-tool-mod

Greeno55

I was just thinking about this tonight when cleaning out my MM. have the kick,ash and ended up taking it, the ring and fire box out.  Even then to get it well cleaned out I was sweeping out with a pile of paper towel.  Guess I need to add a shopvac. 

theyolksonyou

Y'all clean that shît out?  I scrape out what I can with the large tool and let it ride.  We ain't making pace makers. 

kjs

northGAcock said:

Even with the mm ash tool....it is still challenging.

Seconded. 

bgebrent

kjs said:

northGAcock said:

Even with the mm ash tool....it is still challenging.

Seconded. 

Lazy fools

Mattman3969

The ash removal isn’t much different between the eggs.  Burn down or remove bigger lump chunks.  Wipe with an old paint brush, remove grate, fire ring and box.  Use paint brush to sweep ash out the ash opening.  Easy Peasy even on the mini.   

bgebrent

Much ado about nothing.

TEXASBGE2018

I had this same issue today. The opening of the MM is super small, there also seems to be a dip downward in the ceramic by the opening that I don't remember being in my large. I guess I will just remove everything every time I need to clean it out cause the tiny ash scraper aint workin. I don't empty mine after every cook so its a minor inconvenience for this searing beast.

tamck1

There are two possible solutions. 1) get a small shop vac from Lowe’s or HD for less than $30.  2) KAB has recently released a Kick Ash Can for the MM. I have both and they work equally well. Can is just more convenient. 

marysvilleksegghead

ash tool for the mini work?