I'm surprised to learn some of you don't sift out your charcoal holders after every cook. Why keep ash in there when it's so easy to get rid of? Did the gas grill break down again, and you're in a hurry?
It's
Step One.Even with just Weber's baskets, I pick them up and tilt toward me, so that small coals don't fall out of the open bottom slot. Give a couple side to side shakes and the ash that's on the coals falls away. They will now relight properly. Either leave them in, or add them to your chimney.
Step Two: I then remove the charcoal grate and drop it on the grass. Now ash is shook loose from that grate, so that only heat, not moisture, will attack the grate.
Step Three: Now I have an open pit for inspection and easy scrape or brush most of whatever the sweeps won't get. I don't empty the ash can with every cook, but now would be the time for that.