Ash clogging my firebox kept wrecking my long smokes

The temperature would dive halfway through cooking a brisket. I was always fighting to get the heat back up. Then I began cleaning the ash with a small vacuum before starting the fire. It keeps the airflow perfect and the temp stable. My last cook was spot on because of this.

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4 Comments

the_christopher6mo ago

What kind of vacuum do you use? I worry a shop vac would be too strong.

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kelly_fisher6mo ago

How often does that ash buildup mess people up? I totally used to just let it ride, thinking it wasn't a big deal. Seeing your post made me try the vacuum trick before my last pork shoulder. Night and day difference, my temp didn't spike or crash once. You just fixed my biggest headache.

6

andrewr296mo ago

Same! I used to brush it off too, but man, was I wrong.

7

jordancarr6mo ago

It's crazy how much of a difference it makes, right? I learned the hard way too after a brisket went all over the place, lol. Cleaning it out first was a total game changer, massive difference.

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