How Often Do You Clean Out Ash and Bits??

Davexx1 · May 2010

Just curious, how often do you clean out your BGE removing the ash and small bits of charcoal that have accummalated and cover the grate and partially block the air holes in the fire ring?

I have a medium size egg and it seems the ash and small bits of charcoal from a several cooks tend to greatly reduce the air flow to a point that normal cooking temps are slow to achieve and high temps are not possible. I am guessing I will have to clean it out every other cook or so. Does that sound about right?

Is the medium size egg more sussceptible to this problem than the larger size eggs?

Thanks, Dave

[Deleted User] · May 2010

This is what I've done for a while...

Before each cook:

I stir the leftover really well to remove ash.

I make sure the vent holes on the firebox are clear (my low-tech pinkie-finger works fine).

With the ash tool, I'll pull the lump away from the middle to make a "well" (I am able to see the grate) and remove any rocks or bits of charcoal clogging the grate holes.

I fill the "well" with fresh lump and add new as needed to fill to the desired height.

Seems to work and I waste minimal lump.

Lately I've been cleaning out the ash every other cook, sometimes before each cook. I just hang a Kroger sack from the two front feet and use the ash tool. Takes maybe a minute, tops.

ebrooker007 · May 2010

mines probably every 4th or 5th cook. I just look to see if it is getting full and clear if necessary. Unless I'm doing an all night cook then I use the shop vac on it.

BigA · May 2010

you shouldnt have to clean it every other time. i do mine about 4th or 5th, but depends on the cooks you have done, after a slow and low cook, i usually clean before and after! After that cook there has been a lot of lump that has turned to ash. should matter on the size of the egg, lump turns to ash no matter how much you burn at one time! I do stir my lump before lighting it to make sure the old ash falls to the bottom. but make sure the little bits dont plug the air holes!!

Bacchus · May 2010

i do think the Egg size matters.
Ive done probably 12-15 cooks in my Large since last removing the partially burnt lump, though Ive have raked out the ash a time or two since. I just push aside old lump with a old fireplace poker, make sure there is a few clear holes and go for it. I haven't had an issue, but none the less I normally clean it out after 6-8 cooks.
The Small requires more attention.

coalspeak · May 2010

I clean after every 2-3 cooks. I figure its better to be safe than sorry- I've had a few cooks where I got lazy only to find the temp. was not not moving because there's small ash/pieces clogging the holes.

Bill

How Often Do You Clean Out Ash and Bits??

Comments

Categories