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Kick ash basket

2

Comments

  • saluki2007
    saluki2007 Posts: 6,354
    I have one for my small because it's a bit of a pain in the arse to clean.  I do not plan on getting one for my large.  Don't think it's worth the money there.
    Large and Small BGE
    Central, IL

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  • n8er
    n8er Posts: 114
    I have one for my Large and one for my MiniMax. Really like the KAB, but I am tempted to put my OEM grate beneath it as i have had some piles of glowing coal on the bottom of the large and I'd like to see what happens when I add the grate back in. 
    Egging year 'round in North Dakota
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  • HofstraJet
    HofstraJet Posts: 1,170
    RRP said:
    RRP said:

    Thanks to the hint from @Jeepster47 I have a 10 gallon galvanized garbage can with lid. I pull my KABs and give them a few solid shakes inside it. Typically when about half full I dump it. BTW it sits outside by my table and has weathered quite well including one winter so far.
    Picture...

    The 6 and 10 gal are on sale at Walmart and Amazon at the moment.
    Two Large Eggs, 6 gal Cajun Fryer, and a MiniMax in Charlotte, NC - My New Table
    Twitter: @ Bags
    Blog: TheJetsFan.com
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  • Simcan
    Simcan Posts: 287
    To join the consensus yes, you should get one.  Not because you need it, obviously, but it makes it so much easier that you will find you clean it out before almost every cook. Takes no time.
    Toronto ON
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  • Dinah_Moe_Humm
    Dinah_Moe_Humm Posts: 111
    I noticed no performance difference when I changed from a High-que grate to a KSB.  If you'r thinking you will achieve higher temps or quicker temps it doesn't happen.  Fresh air flow does not go through the lump from the bottom but around the sides of the fire ring (that's why you should'nt have the fire ring resting on the sides of the egg).  The KSB is all about lump management, cool down and ash clean up.   However, that in it's self is reason to purchase a KSB. There's a reason it called the Kick ASH Basket.
    D'you think I could interest you in a pair of zircon-encrusted tweezers?

    Newtown Square, PA
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  • SaintJohnsEgger
    SaintJohnsEgger Posts: 1,826
    I love my KickAsh basket and it hasn't caused any issues with my FlameBoss. I also use the garbage can shown previously and just sit the basket in the top of it and bounce it a few times or stir it with my BGE ash tool.

    I run it with out the original large ash grate and checked with FlameBoss to see if it would cause problems for my FB200. They said it would not be an issue.
    Marshall in Beautiful Fruit Cove, FL.
    MiniMax 04/17
    Unofficial BGE MiniMax Evangelist
    Facebook Big Green Egg MiniMax Owners Group


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  • SmokeySailor
    SmokeySailor Posts: 22

    It doesn't seem to improve the performance of an XL from what I've read and as far as cleaning goes, I'm not sure what that is.  I've always just added charcoal when it gets a little low.  I did my first smoke last weekend and only had the bottom vent open a half inch or so and when I'm grilling maybe 1-2+ inches so it's getting plenty of air.  It would be different if I had the vents all the way open and struggling to keep up temps.  So for the price I would think it would be better spent elsewhere since I the only accessory I have is a AR combo.  Maybe save up for a temp controller?

    Whale's Vagina, CA
    XL BGE - AR Rig Combo - Bunch of other things I don't know how to use...
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  • Simcan
    Simcan Posts: 287
    edited March 2017
    @smokeysailor the charcoal ash accumulates in the bottom of the egg, eventually impeding air flow.  You can pull ash out the front vent but not perfectly or easily.  The KAB allows you to lift out the remaining charcoal, give it a few shakes to get ash out, remove it, clean out the ash quickly and easily (I use a shopvac about half the time, and just sweep it out the front the rest of the time).  Then you put the basket back in with whatever charcoal was in it, and top it up.
    Toronto ON
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  • SmokeySailor
    SmokeySailor Posts: 22

    Simcan said:
    @smokeysailor the charcoal ash accumulates in the bottom of the egg, eventually impeding air flow.  You can pull ash out the front vent but not perfectly or easily.  The KAB allows you to lift out the remaining charcoal, give it a few shakes to get ash out, remove it, clean out the ash quickly and easily (I use a shopvac about half the time, and just sweep it out the front the rest of the time).  Then you put the basket back in with whatever charcoal was in it, and top it up.

    You are far more motivated than I!  If I had to pull everything out of my Egg to clean it I'd never use it :D  But thank you for specifying what everyone was referring to when they say "clean".  BTW, do you use a special drywall bag to keep the ash from clogging up the standard shop vac filter?
    Whale's Vagina, CA
    XL BGE - AR Rig Combo - Bunch of other things I don't know how to use...
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  • Simcan
    Simcan Posts: 287
    You will have to clean out the ash eventually and regularly (timing depends on how much you use the egg and what charcoal/wood you use).

    Don't get me wrong, if there is no ash issue I just dump on more lump like everybody else.  Eventually, you need to clean out the ash.  

    But you don't have to pull everything out (though I do that too a few times a year).  Just the charcoal (and bottom piece, to get at the part at the base of the egg where the ash accumulates, which is what makes the KAB so handy).

    Not a neatness issue, a performance issue, especially if you are using the iron piece the egg comes with which clogs easily in my opinion.  But no, I just use regular aftermarket filter bags and never seem to have an issue.
    Toronto ON
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  • Tspud1
    Tspud1 Posts: 1,514
    SaintJohnsEgger said:
    I love my KickAsh basket and it hasn't caused any issues with my FlameBoss. I also use the garbage can shown previously and just sit the basket in the top of it and bounce it a few times or stir it with my BGE ash tool.

    I run it with out the original large ash grate and checked with FlameBoss to see if it would cause problems for my FB200. They said it would not be an issue.
    I just used my DigiQ for first time. I had the KAB in. Do you think I would get a longer cook without the basket since I could get more lump in?

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  • da87
    da87 Posts: 640
    You could probably get a bit more in as the KAB does take up some side room, but not sure you'd ever need more lump?  FWIW I did a 19 hour L&S with 1 hour lead in to stabilize and then a short (30 - 45 min) clean burn just to get the worst of the overflow drops out and still have usable lump in the KAB (LBGE)...  Could have easily gone 24 hours at 250 (no controller - just me, the bottom vent, and the daisy wheel so I may get extra burn time without the fan pushing air?)
    Doug
    Wayne, PA
    LBGE, Weber Kettle (gifted to my sister), Weber Gasser

    "Two things are infinite:  the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe"   Albert Einstein
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  • GrillSgt
    GrillSgt Posts: 2,507
    Love it. Makes clean up a snap. Shake it out every 2-3 cooks. Kramer says Buy Buy Buy. 
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  • bgebrent
    bgebrent Posts: 19,636
    Its a great accessory I have on my eggs.  Not mandatory but a nice convenience.
    Sandy Springs & Dawsonville Ga
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  • Tspud1
    Tspud1 Posts: 1,514
    da87 said:
    You could probably get a bit more in as the KAB does take up some side room, but not sure you'd ever need more lump?  FWIW I did a 19 hour L&S with 1 hour lead in to stabilize and then a short (30 - 45 min) clean burn just to get the worst of the overflow drops out and still have usable lump in the KAB (LBGE)...  Could have easily gone 24 hours at 250 (no controller - just me, the bottom vent, and the daisy wheel so I may get extra burn time without the fan pushing air?)


    All I got was 12-13 hours at 250 with the DigiQ. I have large egg. Needed maybe another hour or two, brisket was only 190 but had to stop because temp was dropping in egg and no lump left in firebowl.
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  • bhedges1987
    bhedges1987 Posts: 3,201
    I wish there was a KAB for a mini

    Kansas City, Missouri
    Large Egg
    Mini Egg

    "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us" - Gandalf


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  • da87
    da87 Posts: 640
    @Tspud1, not Friday yet so I don't want to start the great lump debate prematurely this week...   I'm not sure what all variables matter, but I had a great back of Rockwood that I used for the long cook - large chunky pieces all the way through the bag.  Also loaded all the way to the top of the fire ring, plate setter was literally millimeters above the top of the lump.  Again, don't know if that's what gave me such an extended burn time or if the fan pushing air in intermittently (vs. natural flow rate of the vent draw) increases consumption?  Any of the experts want to weigh in? 
    Doug
    Wayne, PA
    LBGE, Weber Kettle (gifted to my sister), Weber Gasser

    "Two things are infinite:  the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe"   Albert Einstein
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  • LCEgghead
    LCEgghead Posts: 10
    Love the KAB...I've never had problems with airflow but I did take out the OEM grate.  Makes cleaning a breeze.  Glad I gave it a try.
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  • JohnnyTarheel
    JohnnyTarheel Posts: 6,629
    KAB is in my large BGE ... and will stay there..
    Charlotte, NC - Large BGE 2014, Maverick ET 733, Thermopen, Nest, Platesetter, Woo2 and Extender w/Grid, Kick Ash Basket, Pizza Stone, SS Smokeware Cap, Blackstone 36"
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  • Tspud1
    Tspud1 Posts: 1,514
    da87 said:
    @Tspud1, not Friday yet so I don't want to start the great lump debate prematurely this week...   I'm not sure what all variables matter, but I had a great back of Rockwood that I used for the long cook - large chunky pieces all the way through the bag.  Also loaded all the way to the top of the fire ring, plate setter was literally millimeters above the top of the lump.  Again, don't know if that's what gave me such an extended burn time or if the fan pushing air in intermittently (vs. natural flow rate of the vent draw) increases consumption?  Any of the experts want to weigh in? 
    I wonder about the lump also but it was a new bag of Rockwood and I sorted
    large pieces only. Maybe I didn't fill it all the way up but I had it to top of basket. I don't have Rockwood locally but son in law brought some up last weekend from St Louis for me.


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  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    Tspud1 said:
    da87 said:
    @Tspud1, not Friday yet so I don't want to start the great lump debate prematurely this week...   I'm not sure what all variables matter, but I had a great back of Rockwood that I used for the long cook - large chunky pieces all the way through the bag.  Also loaded all the way to the top of the fire ring, plate setter was literally millimeters above the top of the lump.  Again, don't know if that's what gave me such an extended burn time or if the fan pushing air in intermittently (vs. natural flow rate of the vent draw) increases consumption?  Any of the experts want to weigh in? 
    I wonder about the lump also but it was a new bag of Rockwood and I sorted
    large pieces only. Maybe I didn't fill it all the way up but I had it to top of basket. I don't have Rockwood locally but son in law brought some up last weekend from St Louis for me.


    Large pieces produce more air gaps in the fire box. Result = less lump by weight in the same amount of space. 
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  • da87
    da87 Posts: 640
    @Tspud1 That's the difference - I filled well above the top of the basket, all the way to the top of the fire ring, probably another 3+ inches of lump depth and at the full width of the fire ring (much bigger then the basket).
    Doug
    Wayne, PA
    LBGE, Weber Kettle (gifted to my sister), Weber Gasser

    "Two things are infinite:  the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe"   Albert Einstein
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  • SaintJohnsEgger
    SaintJohnsEgger Posts: 1,826
    Tspud1 said:
    SaintJohnsEgger said:
    I love my KickAsh basket and it hasn't caused any issues with my FlameBoss. I also use the garbage can shown previously and just sit the basket in the top of it and bounce it a few times or stir it with my BGE ash tool.

    I run it with out the original large ash grate and checked with FlameBoss to see if it would cause problems for my FB200. They said it would not be an issue.
    I just used my DigiQ for first time. I had the KAB in. Do you think I would get a longer cook without the basket since I could get more lump in?

    Common misconception. You don't have to stop filling with lump when you get to the top of the basket. Just keep filling to the level you need as if the basket wasn't there. Still works just as well.
    Marshall in Beautiful Fruit Cove, FL.
    MiniMax 04/17
    Unofficial BGE MiniMax Evangelist
    Facebook Big Green Egg MiniMax Owners Group


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  • Tspud1
    Tspud1 Posts: 1,514
    SaintJohnsEgger said:
    Tspud1 said:
    SaintJohnsEgger said:
    I love my KickAsh basket and it hasn't caused any issues with my FlameBoss. I also use the garbage can shown previously and just sit the basket in the top of it and bounce it a few times or stir it with my BGE ash tool.

    I run it with out the original large ash grate and checked with FlameBoss to see if it would cause problems for my FB200. They said it would not be an issue.
    I just used my DigiQ for first time. I had the KAB in. Do you think I would get a longer cook without the basket since I could get more lump in?

    Common misconception. You don't have to stop filling with lump when you get to the top of the basket. Just keep filling to the level you need as if the basket wasn't there. Still works just as well.

    Thanks for info. Bought another brisket last night so next cook will have enough lump.
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  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 19,151
    ^^ agree. You have to overfill the KAB on long cooks. Most of the time, my medium KAB is completely buried on a low and slow. 
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  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
    Tspud1 said:
    da87 said:
    @Tspud1, not Friday yet so I don't want to start the great lump debate prematurely this week...   I'm not sure what all variables matter, but I had a great back of Rockwood that I used for the long cook - large chunky pieces all the way through the bag.  Also loaded all the way to the top of the fire ring, plate setter was literally millimeters above the top of the lump.  Again, don't know if that's what gave me such an extended burn time or if the fan pushing air in intermittently (vs. natural flow rate of the vent draw) increases consumption?  Any of the experts want to weigh in? 
    I wonder about the lump also but it was a new bag of Rockwood and I sorted
    large pieces only. Maybe I didn't fill it all the way up but I had it to top of basket. I don't have Rockwood locally but son in law brought some up last weekend from St Louis for me.


    Filling up the KAB is about a 1/3 load for a large.  That you got 12 hours is actually impressive.
    Southeast Florida - LBGE
    In cooking, often we implement steps for which we have no explanations other than ‘that’s what everybody else does’ or ‘that’s what I have been told.’  Dare to think for yourself.
     
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  • dfrelich
    dfrelich Posts: 104
    edited March 2017
    Leaf blower. This what I use to really clean out.   Luckily my eggs sits out on end of stone patio. I don't worry about dust getting in the house. 

    Yeah I've got KAB.  Just take out and full blast of air takes care of it in 30 seconds. . 

    Bad idea?  :-)
    X-Large & Large
    Frederick County, MD
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  • Botch
    Botch Posts: 17,342
    SmokeySailor said:

    So for the price I would think it would be better spent elsewhere since I the only accessory I have is a AR combo.  Maybe save up for a temp controller?

    I'd been eyeing the different electric blower/temp controllers for awhile, but since getting a KAB I've never had a fire go out on a lo-und-slo overnighter, as I had with the OEM steel plate.  
    I no longer want/need a temp controller.  So that $50 KAB paid for itself quite well.  

    “The best way to execute french cooking is to get good and loaded and whack the hell out of a chicken."

         -  Julia child

    Ogden, UT, USA

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  • Principal Cook
    Principal Cook Posts: 12
    Works well.  Worth the money for improved air movement and clean hands.

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  • GrateEggspectations
    GrateEggspectations Posts: 11,535
    I've always been concerned that it would provide too much air circulation during low and slows. 

    I've also figured that it might allow small bits of unused charcoal to fall through, wasting what is otherwise useable fuel on the OEM fire grate. 

    Not sure either of these concerns are well-founded, but they've always crossed my mind when considering the nearly-$200 price tag to outfit both of my Eggs.
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