Quote Originally Posted by eddiememphis View Post
GMG says vacuum out the fire box every 2-3 bags of pellets. I do it every time because I line the drip tray with foil and since I have it apart, might as well use my sweet little DeWalt cordless vacuum.

I have noticed a big difference in the amount of ash left between pellet brands. I tried Traeger and Pit Boss before settling on Lumberjack. The latter produces much less ash and more smoke flavor that the other two.
I seemed to remember being told to clean out every time I used it. It is much more convenient if the cleaning is every 2-3 bag of pellets. However often you clean it, just can't beat the combination of convenience and taste of a pellet smoker. I did a whole brisket (roughly 10 pounds -- smallest one available in the commissary) and 4 pounds of German sausage yesterday -- family polished off about 2/3 of the brisket and 1/2 the sausages.