Friendly reminder to remove ash from charcoal ring...

[Miguel M]

Finally, after an hour and a half of stoking the coals, kicking the legs and leaving the door open, my WSM is up to temp. I've been piling new on top of used for the last several cooks. I remembered to clean out the ash from the bottom of the bowl, but forgot to shake the briqs to remove all the leftover ash, which was choking the fire. Anyway, lesson learned. Please do yourself a favor and remember.

And yes, I'll post pics of the cook.

 

[George Curtis]

i always start clean. clean of ash.

 

[Miguel M]

I think I will too now.

 

[Brad W]

I don't always clean out the ash from the bottom, depends on length of previous cooks, if I used lump or charcoal, etc but always stir the old fuel to clean off the ash before putting fresh on.

 

[Miguel M]

Sage words. Especially with K-Blue.

 

[Bill S.]

The coal bowl is the only part I clean. (except water pan of course). I dump the ashes a give it a quick squirt with the hose before each cook.

 

[Dave Russell]

I dump all the ash and clean the bowl after each smoke, starting with fresh briqs each cook most of the time.

Exactly the opposite on my kettles though, and any leftover wsm briqs are tossed on the kettle charcoal grate with briqs.