Tim, I bet your collar is out of round. The bottom of your ashpot should still be reasonably round so try this: take off the grates and ash pot. Flip the kettle over. Now try to insert the bottom of the ashpot into the collar upside down. You should see where it's tight. Also it's possible that the lower portion of the collar below the one touch handle has bent downwards and inwards making the pot a tight fit. Try bending it back as best as you can.