"Tutall" wrote in message
...
On Mar 10, 8:45 am, "Nunya Bidnits" wrote:
.. Cleaning the firebox of ash down to the metal after every
use will prolong the life of the steel.
MartyB in KC

Seriously, do you really do this or know anyone who does?

Well, usually, yes. I realize lots of folks don't clean out ash till its too
deep to build a fire, but on the other hand any amount of ash is going to
impede airflow somewhat depending on how deep it is.

Of course its no big deal with the vertical smokers, since they have
removable fire pans. But with my NBBD, its one of the old ones made from
thick steel that would make decent battlefield armor and you just can't get
that kind of heavy construction anywhere for less than an arm and a leg
anymore, so I tend to take care of it, in other words, yes, I keep it
cleaned out. My Q team uses a Cookshack FE100, where there is no firebox per
se so its not an issue, except that ash accumulation can still choke the
fire.

MartyB in KC