kick ash basket

SeahawksEGGHead · March 2015

I got my basket maybe a month ago. I've used the egg a handful of time since, but I'm not entirely thrilled with it yet. I have the basket in there, but I generally have my fire box filled with lump, above where the handles are. So the act of simply picking up the basket and shaking out the ash is not so simple. Am I doing something wrong? Is anyone else less than thrilled with the basket?

Fireman_Joe · March 2015

I personally like mine but I do a bunch of small meals now that I have retired so I don't fill the firebox up and keep the lump to top of basket, I agree the basket should be taller especially if you or others that fill the fire box.

SeahawksEGGHead · March 2015

so maybe I'll keep my lump a bit lower and only fill it up for L&S cooks.

swordsmn · March 2015

Sounds like a kick ash product opportunity for the maker - an ET (extra-Tall ) option basket. For me, my low & slows have only been 6 hr or so affairs (Ribs) but I can see overflow you mention as an issue if you're planning a 12hr type cook

SeahawksEGGHead · March 2015

I like the ET idea. My L&S typically are 10+ hrs, ribs being only 5-6. I guess I don't see a problem if I keep the lump level low until I need to load it up. I'll explore adjusting my lump, see how it affects my cooks.

SwampBadger · March 2015

I'm a little ambivalent about my basket, too. That being said, I also have no complaints. It's well made, local (for me, Wisconsin) inventor, shipping was fast, and it does exactly what it's advertised to do. For me the best part of the basket is the ability to easily remove all the lump to clean off the bottom grate and get a good efficient vacuuming of all the ash.

I find shaking the basket--either in or out of the egg--isn't any more efficient than stirring the lump around with the BGE ash tool. Usually, i have enough lump left to mostly fill the basket. Since there's a decent amount of lump left, shaking usually sends smaller pieces of lump flying, which is kind of a pain. I leave the basket in for a low and slow, filling well over the top of the basket to the fire ring. By the time the cook is done the lump is at the top of the basket or below, so I have no real issues there regarding overfilling for long cooks.

I tried it once without the grate, expecting some kind of improvement in airflow or efficiency with temperature vs. vents, and for some reason I had to open my vent much more to achieve my temps. Must have been a weather/wind/cold issue during that cook, and I'll have to try it again because it defied my logic.

platypusrex · March 2015

I've really enjoyed mine - I keep the lump no higher than the handles to start for grilling. For L&S I've left it in and fully loaded up lump past the handles, but the lump burns down to the point that I've had no issue getting to the handles afterwards. Overall my BGE is much cleaner inside than before I got it, lights quicker, and seems to burn more evenly.

swordsmn · March 2015

swordsmn said:

Sounds like a kick ash product opportunity for the maker - an ET (extra-Tall ) option basket. For me, my low & slows have only been 6 hr or so affairs (Ribs) but I can see overflow you mention as an issue if you're planning a 12hr type cook

Any idea Why was above comment flagged as OT? I thought it was ON topic? sheesh I don't like to break forum protocol but I don't get it

Fred19Flintstone · March 2015

swordsmn said:

swordsmn said:

Sounds like a kick ash product opportunity for the maker - an ET (extra-Tall ) option basket. For me, my low & slows have only been 6 hr or so affairs (Ribs) but I can see overflow you mention as an issue if you're planning a 12hr type cook

Any idea Why was above comment flagged as OT? I thought it was ON topic? sheesh I don't like to break forum protocol but I don't get it

All you gotta remember is trolls suck and don't pay them any mind.

DMW · March 2015

swordsmn said:

swordsmn said:

Sounds like a kick ash product opportunity for the maker - an ET (extra-Tall ) option basket. For me, my low & slows have only been 6 hr or so affairs (Ribs) but I can see overflow you mention as an issue if you're planning a 12hr type cook

Any idea Why was above comment flagged as OT? I thought it was ON topic? sheesh I don't like to break forum protocol but I don't get it

My guess is someone bumped it without realizing on a touchscreen phone or tablet.

grege345 · March 2015

Simple. I don't pick out the ash basket everytime I start a cook. When the lump drops down below the handles I pull out and hit with shop vac. Just a quick stir between cooks until then. Works for me

Angus1978 · March 2015

I'm getting a basket for my birthday....I thought it also doubled as a Hi-Q grate...is that not the case?

SmokeyPitt · March 2015

DMW said:

swordsmn said:

swordsmn said:

Sounds like a kick ash product opportunity for the maker - an ET (extra-Tall ) option basket. For me, my low & slows have only been 6 hr or so affairs (Ribs) but I can see overflow you mention as an issue if you're planning a 12hr type cook

Any idea Why was above comment flagged as OT? I thought it was ON topic? sheesh I don't like to break forum protocol but I don't get it

My guess is someone bumped it without realizing on a touchscreen phone or tablet.

Agree...on a touchscreen it is really easy to fat-finger a flag. Most likely an accident. I wish they would just get rid of the silly flags.

pgprescott · March 2015

Angus1978 said:

I'm getting a basket for my birthday....I thought it also doubled as a Hi-Q grate...is that not the case?

yes.if you get the basket simply remove the lower grate and insert the basket. You will get increased airflow. You won't be sorry.

swordsmn · March 2015

That's what I do. I'm greatful to be grateless. (I too ash vac interior after removing basket. The stories of keeping the remaining holes in the sides of the firebox clear are true - I have no clogs there anymore!

ryantt · March 2015

Maybe this is a dumb idea but couldn't you make a charcoal basket out of expanded metal. you could make it taller to hold extra lump, and still pull it out to shake off the ash. Have a basket in my UDS and in my off set and can't see why it wouldn't work. Not sure of kick ash price but can build a basket for around $40.

Jeepster47 · March 2015

I've finally settled on a 10 gal galvanized trash can as the companion for the KAB in my large eggs. It's a little tight, but I didn't want the normal 20 gal size trash can. I hold one hand against the side and shake with the other. Yes, I waste some small pieces of lump, but I lost some with the normal grate also. The normal grate has been put into storage ... along with the ceramic cap and the ugly daisy cap.

Once the basket is pulled, an old paint brush serves to sweep all the ash over to the lower vent opening. The handle on the paint brush has been shaved down so that it fits into the fire bowl vent holes to help clean out any small pieces of lump hung up in there.

If the lump is above the top of the basket when it's time to clean, I pull out the big pieces and dump them in an old aluminum pan. Like others, I wish the basket reached the top of the fire bowl ... that's a big design mistake in my estimation.

Time to clean ... took longer to type this reply than it does to clean before a cook.

SeahawksEGGHead · March 2015

wow, I didn't realize there was so much agreement to the design suggestion. I thought I may have been using my basket incorrectly. (although, can't think of how.) Good to know I'm not the only one.

jtcBoynton · March 2015

ryantt said:

Maybe this is a dumb idea but couldn't you make a charcoal basket out of expanded metal. you could make it taller to hold extra lump, and still pull it out to shake off the ash. Have a basket in my UDS and in my off set and can't see why it wouldn't work. Not sure of kick ash price but can build a basket for around $40.

Kick Ash Basket for a large is $50. Does your $40 cost estimate include labor and profit?

EggPerfection · March 2015

There's no question that the Kick Ash Basket is well thought out and very helpful. I look forward to working with mine this summer. Perhaps I'll find these little gaps in it's function too. Not likely but maybe.

tjv · March 2015

I've used one for many years. It's one of the first things I made for my egg when I started rolling stainless rings. The lump grate sits in the basket, so the entire unit lifts out all together.

Image: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/tvogds/misc/DSC_0064.jpg

Couple things I found useful.

1. Always, and I mean always shake the ash in the cooker or in a metal can specifically for ash. It is to easy to shake live lump and have problems when you least expect them.

2. Sounds simple but get in the habit to shake the ash first before adding new lump. this gives the ash the least resistance to exit the basket.

3. If after cooks you find the lump is still above the basket's top rim, good chance you are using to much lump. Try cutting back and see how it works. Old proverb, new lump burns better than used lump.

4. The best scoop I've found for removing ash from the bottom of the cooker is a plastic single gang electrical box from Home Depot, about a $1. Just need to snip off the plastic tabs on the outside edge. What's nice about the box is it's rectangular, so can scoop from short or long side. About three scoops and done.

t

oldmandawg · March 2015

My 1st post! Been lurking for awhile and learned of the Kick Ash Basket. Bought it and love it.

ryantt · March 2015

jtcBoynton said:

ryantt said:

Maybe this is a dumb idea but couldn't you make a charcoal basket out of expanded metal. you could make it taller to hold extra lump, and still pull it out to shake off the ash. Have a basket in my UDS and in my off set and can't see why it wouldn't work. Not sure of kick ash price but can build a basket for around $40.

Kick Ash Basket for a large is $50. Does your $40 cost estimate include labor and profit?

It's cost me personally around $30-$40 everyone I've done one for myself. It's just a few cuts and folds nothing to exciting. You can find a ton of different videos online if guys making them.

kick ash basket

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