CGSP firebox ash drawer

[bishop916]

Had a little trouble getting the ash drawer out of the firebox mid-smoke last weekend.
I couldn't dump the ashes and it worries me a bit with a long smoke planned for the 4th.
It seems maybe it expands when it gets hot somehow, and gets stuck about a third of the way out; works fine when cool...

I was thinking about bending the top guides up a bit, but not sure if that was the problem.

Anyone else had this problem and know how to fix it?

 

[daddio]

haven't run into a problem with mine,it is a little tricky getting it lined up just right putting it back in.i put a heavier grate above the pan cause the one that comes in it warped up and sagged down on to the grate that sits in the ash pan and that caused a problem,but since i replaced it,no problems here.

 

[geek with fire]

Yes, I had the same problem as you. My problem is, my temperature control system mounts on the intake swivel hole, so I have to pull out the tray to tighten the thing. The last time it got stuck, I had to take a pry bar to get the thing out.

To loosen some things, I took 2 vise grips and bent the holders up slightly. Be carefull though. If you bend to much, the welds will break, and then you'll have a problem.

Also, take a stiff wire brush and scrub the bottom side of the ash tray. If you keep a smooth surface on the bottom of the tray, it won't get stuck as easily.

 

[teeotee]

I'm with geek there, i have had problems with my ash drawer sticking. Once things cooled i took it out and cleaned everything good. Definitely helped. haven't tried tweaking the guide runners yet tho.

Since i have switched over to using lump charcoal instead of briquettes, and have my charcoal basket raised up a couple of inches from the ash pan, i can do 10 hours at least without having to think about having to dump ash.

 

[mcp9]

just a thought- but maybe its gettin wedged somehow on some small pieces of wood or charcoal. good set of gloves would be useful to put a little extra muscle into it. just a thought

 

[bishop916]

Thanks for the responses, I have a test run set this saturday.
I'll clean it real good and perhaps give those upper guides a small tweek and see what we got.