Lazy ash U.D.S.

[gorillagrilla]

O.k. , I'm lazy . Building my drum today and want easier way to clean ash then just tipping the barrel. But the most suitable things I can find are all galvanized.Can ya use a wire brush or wheel to remove the zinc coating and make it safe ? My alterative is maybe a large tera -cota saucer or sumpin.

 

[cowgirl]

A shop vac works great after they are cold.
Also someone mentioned one of those cheap charcoal grills..that come with a bag of charcoal. They would work I would think.

Just some ideas.

 

[gorillagrilla]

Thanks cowgirl ! Yes , I have heard about the shop vac method and think it is a great idea.However my plan was if my build is succesfull I would like to make a few more to give away to some friends and family who also enjoy a good q. Not all of em will have a shop vac layin around !

 

[cowgirl]

Oh!
I'm not sure about the galvanized stuff. I know it has to get pretty hot to emit dangerous fumes, but I'd probably avoid it. (just me)
I like your idea about those terra cotta dishes, they might be an option and I do not think they are very expensive...maybe you could attach handles for easy lifting?

I know it's a big reach for me to get to the bottom of my UDS. lol

 

[gorillagrilla]

Side question - can you drill thru tera- cota w/ a masonry bit ?Without it cracking ?

 

[walking dude]

try this

http://www.academy.com/index.php?pag...260-40481-0113

 

[gorillagrilla]

Thanks W.D. not a bad idea but I want hi - tech man ! Got the parts assembled ( sept for da ash pan ) to build something like this

 

[cowgirl]

Gorilla, I like the looks of that!!

 

[danbury]

I have an old hoe that I sawed the handle down about half. I use that to "scoop" out the ashes I get. I don't use a drip pan in my UDS and what little ash I get from lump charcoal sort of mixes with the drippings and if you just mix it a little more, it comes out real easy. I thought about making some sort of "catch pan" for the ashes, but after using the shorted handle hoe... I can't see going through the effort and any expense to make a catch pan for ashes.

**You may have to bend the blade a little bit if it is angled too much, i.e. make it about 90 degrees or more away from the handle.

 

[johnnyreb]

what about this...its a pooper scooper

 

[walking dude]

if you guys would read back........there IS a item for collecting ash with a LONG handle.........if you need too, grind down the corners to fit the radius of the barrel

http://www.academy.com/index.php?pag...260-40481-0113

 

[danbury]

I was going to grind the hoe corners to a radius, but it works good enough as is. I clean it every two weeks after using the UDS 2 - 3 times a week and I bet I don't get more than half a coffee can of ash out of there.