Do I need to remove ash from firebox mid-cook for SF?

[bbqlearner]

Planning a big cook this weekend for my daughter's birthday. Plan to cook the briskets on the SF. Any thoughts/suggestions whether to remove ash mid-cook from the ash pan? Seems like the ash pan will be full mid-way of the brisket cook. SF owners, what do you do?

 

[palmtreefrb]

Planning a big cook this weekend for my daughter's birthday. Plan to cook the briskets on the SF. Any thoughts/suggestions whether to remove ash mid-cook from the ash pan? Seems like the ash pan will be full mid-way of the brisket cook. SF owners, what do you do?

If it was cleaned out before the cook, no not necessary.

 

[Bigr314]

No need to clean mid cook at all. A lot less ash burning sticks than charcoal.

 

[bbqlearner]

Do you start with wood as initial burn or charcoal? I'm using charcoal so it appears that there's more ash in the pan last time I seasoned it (I ran it for maybe 5 hours).

 

[PaPaQ]

Start with charcoal then switch to sticks. Every 3rd time I will throw in about 8 briquettes, it helps keep the coal base up.

 

[V1VRV2]

I have a 24x65 and I agree with everyone else. As long as it was clean to start, no need to clean during cook. I also start with 2/3 to a full charcoal chimney before adding sticks. I also will add additional charcoal every 3 hours or so as necessary to maintain good coal bed. That usually depends on how seasoned and dry your sticks are.

 

[pjtexas1]

I have the same size cooker. Longest cook I've done is 12 hours. Didn't need to clean out the ash during the cook.

 

[Jason TQ]

On my smaller sf I've done 2 straight big cooks without emptying the ash pan. Is sits so much lower than the grate holding the wood there was never an issue of air flow. I actually never thought about it until this post.

 

[pjtexas1]

Is it just me or are the insulated fireboxes a little smaller?

 

[BBQ Freak]

no need to empty but I did go to Wally World and bought a big cake pan for $4 that slides under the basket to empty the next day easier . :wink:

 

[bbqlearner]

Thanks everyone. Bbqfreak, I have an ash pan already below the grate but was afraid of airflow like Jason TQ said because I found much ash when I finished seasoning. I will try this weekend.

Pjtexas1, I only have insulated FB and this is my first Shirley so no clue. However, it does feel short the height distance between ash pan and the grate.