cleaning egg...

Just the ash tool and scoop them into a bucket. Occasionally, I'll take out the fire ring and fire box to get everything. Never purposely put water in the egg, the ceramic can soak that up and lead to cracks. 

Some people use a shop vac. 

Welcome aboard and enjoy the journey.  As above-and no need to wait several days.  You can run several cooks without having to clean out the ash.  Just stir the remaining lump, reload and fire it up.  
Above all-have fun.
And ask away with any questions-you will usually get several different answers and likely all will work.  FWIW-

I take everything out of my Large Egg, carry it over to the garbage cans, and dump it all in there.  Kind of heavy, but it replaces the need for the gym.

Ok, not really.  Ash tool into a bucket.  Before a low and slo, take out all the parts, and clean it out completely.

As per The BGE website:

"The ash should be removed regularly to keep the fire box flowing air properly. Other than that, the Big Green Egg features a distinctive green exterior with a lifetime glaze that maintains its good looks and wipes clean easily without chemical cleaners. Inside, residual heat burns off any grease build-up – just like a self-cleaning oven. Other than removing ash, wiping the outside and brushing the cooking grid, regular cleaning is not necessary. As part of annual maintenance, removal and brushing off the internal parts is recommended for optimal function of the EGG. DO NOT USE ANY CHEMICAL CLEANERS IN THE EGG."

I also highly recommend a utility vacuum (i.e., Shop Vac, Ridgid), especially before a long burn.  Make sure the holes in the firebox are clear with no smaller-sized lump coal lodged inside. Kick Ash basket is nice but not crucial to a successful cook.  As everyone mentioned above, please have fun and don't be afraid to ask questions on this Forum.  I know I learned a lot from it.

Just take the BGE ash tool and slide it in the bottom vent and pull out ash... Every month I will take all of the insides out and shop vac everything.

Just order this vac to use instead of my shop vac. I have no intention of vacuuming hot ash, but I like the filter system, 10 amp motor and small size. 

https://www.amazon.com/PowerSmith-PAVC101-Amp-Ash-Vacuum/dp/B0060EUA32/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1478040361&sr=8-3&keywords=ash+vacuum

I've never cleaned out my Egg.

SmokingPiney said:

SaintJohnsEgger said:

I've never cleaned out my Egg.

Not even the ash? 

Nope.

I've only had it 3 days now and only done one cooks. So I figure it doesn't need it yet and this is probably the only time I can truthfully say that I have never cleaned it. 

SaintJohnsEgger said:

SmokingPiney said:

SaintJohnsEgger said:

I've never cleaned out my Egg.

Not even the ash? 

Nope.

I've only had it 3 days now and only done one cooks. So I figure it doesn't need it yet and this is probably the only time I can truthfully say that I have never cleaned it. 

Funny.  

But the question must be asked, why have you only cooked once on it when you've had it for 3 days?!  

blasting said:

SaintJohnsEgger said:

SmokingPiney said:

SaintJohnsEgger said:

I've never cleaned out my Egg.

Not even the ash? 

Nope.

I've only had it 3 days now and only done one cooks. So I figure it doesn't need it yet and this is probably the only time I can truthfully say that I have never cleaned it. 

Funny.  

But the question must be asked, why have you only cooked once on it when you've had it for 3 days?!  

I got it Saturday afternoon and did my first cook Sunday afternoon. Yesterday was Halloween and I had to pull a security detail at church so no cook yesterday. Today, the wife and I were out looking for an buying a propane fire pit so I didn't have time to pick up something to cook.

We need to change our grocery shopping habits instead of going to the store several times during the week. I'm working on planning my cooks in advance so that they build off of each other.

I'll get into the swing of things and then I'll be doing more cooks.

Ash tool and/or cheap plastic soup ladle, used exclusively for this purpose.

jeponline said:

Just the ash tool and scoop them into a bucket. Occasionally, I'll take out the fire ring and fire box to get everything. Never purposely put water in the egg, the ceramic can soak that up and lead to cracks. 

Some people use a shop vac. 

It won't lead to cracks, because it will slowly dry up the water as it comes to temp. I have left my plate setter in the rain for days and even put it in the egg wet and the only problem was getting the egg up to temp, took much longer than usual.

Jupiter Jim said:

jeponline said:

Just the ash tool and scoop them into a bucket. Occasionally, I'll take out the fire ring and fire box to get everything. Never purposely put water in the egg, the ceramic can soak that up and lead to cracks. 

Some people use a shop vac. 

It won't lead to cracks, because it will slowly dry up the water as it comes to temp. I have left my plate setter in the rain for days and even put it in the egg wet and the only problem was getting the egg up to temp, took much longer than usual.

I read the below passage on the First timer's tip page on biggreenegg.com, while it may be unlikely to crack, why add the extra risk by purposefully spraying water in there?

Keep your EGG interior DRY

DO NOT allow rain or water to get inside your EGG when not in use. EGGs perform just fine in the rain, or snow, but do not allow water to get inside the EGG when it is not being used as it can penetrate into the ceramic and cause cracking if allowed to freeze. Never use water to clean the inside of an EGG.