Two questions here:
Would you remove most of this smaller stuff before starting another cook? I start with large (and I think reasonable quality) lump charcoal and then it breaks down to this. I’m only 5 cooks in but I believe it’s impacting air flow a bit. I knock down all the fine stuff into the pan but would you guys remove the smaller pieces?
If so, does the kick ash can allow you to keep these smaller pieces without impeding air flow? Or is it just easier clean up?
by NebulaFrequent3529
12 Comments
New to KJ here too but those coals look good. What’re you cooking next?
I would just burn it up on the next cook.
Now, just top up with fresh. The only time I take any coals out is if I have a lot of used charcoal and I want to do steaks or otherwise get it ripping hot for pizza etc. then I’ll replace with fresh but my next low n slow, I’ll put the used ones back in and top it up.
The used coals are still good, they just don’t put out as much heat as new. Still good for low n slow.
No Sir. Use all of that
I use the smaller pieces for grilling and hotter cooks. Steaks, chicken, tri-tips, etc. I like to separate the big chunks into a different bag, I use those for low and slow cooks, ribs, pork shoulders,briskets, etc.
No
I put all the ash and left over coal in a large sieve ontop of a steel bin. What stays in the sieve I reuse in a burn. And the ash I keep for compost.
i use a Charcoal Basket, if it falls throught the holes, it gets discarded
My BJ3 has a basket. What falls through, goes. Everything that stays is gathered as a pile and lit for the next cook with more lump added on top.
Anything that doesn’t fall through the grate shall life to fight another day.
I have a Kickash basket and it just shake it a little to get the small bits out, and top it off with fresh coal, mix them in, and light it up!
I save them up for when I do a clean burn or just need that little bit more on top