temp problems? what lurks behind those air holes...

RRP

<p />recently my large BGE has had some temperature tantrums so I figured it was time for a thorough knock down clean out. After a high temp burn out last night I started the task and noticed three of the rear holes were completly clogged. So, I carefully removed the ring and fire box and found these massive 8" ash pyramids. No wonder!

Unknown

RRP,
Yep. That's why I take out everything twice a year and break out the foil ball and the shop vac. Still...twice a year is what I call low-maintenance!

Darnoc

RRP,
Been there done that. I have made mention about that a few times and never had any comment.But like they say a picture is worth a thousand words.

RRP

darnoc,
me too several times and I just saw it today as a photo-op to show newbies something they might not have seen yet and to realize what will be a problem for them in the future.

chuckls

Hank,[p]"foil ball" ??

Spring Chicken

RRP,
Five or six times a year I get the urge to clean my Egg a bit more than just raking out the ash pit. I clean as far as I can go with a scoop and then use my 18 year-old shop vac to do the rest. I just hold the nozzle over the vent holes and it sucks most of the hidden ash. Never had to remove my fire pit. [p]Spring "Kick'n Ash" Chicken
Spring Texas USA

BENTE

RRP,
i think someone makes a tool for that
tb
[ul][li]scroll down 5 tools after clicking here[/ul]

smokinsop

RRP,
Same thing happened to me last summer, not as bad as yours si I try to have a knockdown every month or two.

Rusty Rooster

Spring Chicken,
Granted it does make quite a "cloud of ashes" but I have tried scrapping out all I could then holding a leaf blower to the lower vent till ash stopps coming out of the egg. Then I just continue with the blower to clean off all ash. Be CERTAIN all fire is completely out before applying a blower or a vaccuum.

GriffinGaDawg

ball it up and you have a foil ball. very effective at scrubbing "gunk" off egg innerds.

RRP

GriffinGaDawg,
also at removing the chrome plating from a BGE brand grill extender! so be careful. Personally the baked on crud in my eggs is not really phased with a foil ball like the 1" putty knife I prefer. Getting dirty twice a year is OK with me!

omba

RRP,
I am almost embarrassed to post this (being so close to learning the secret handshake and all), but my Egg is almost 4 months old. I have completely removed the innards and vacuumed, or swept, or scooped it out clean AT LEAST six times already. I thought that I was "supposed" to do that before any cook over 500![p]Why ... just tonight I was getting ready for tomorrow's pizza. See?[p]
[/p][p]Smiling,
Peter

AZRP

omba,
I disassemble mine about once a month and clean, but I use it 4 or 5 times a week. -RP

stike

RRP,
the bge ash tool will reach into the space between the firebox and the egg for better than half way around each side.[p]i always reach in there when cleaning out the 'obvious' ash from under the fire grate

stike

omba,
that's a funny pic, man. [p]

RRP

stike,
I agree, but look at the picture again and those 8" pyramids were at the back half that can't be reached. Obviously there is not the proper depth perception in that picture, but the center is the bottom which I had scoopred out before removing the firebox. Oh well, have a nice day!

Unknown

RRP,
I use a shop vac when I clean mine out. I do the traditional ash clean with my ash tool, then I shop vac all my vent holes, the suction is strong enough to suck out the ash on the backside of my Egg.