Ash in the corners...

[Xabia Jim]

I brushed my hearth but ended up with a small ash pile around the edges and accidently slid my pizzas into this small ash edge.

Does anyone have a tool or technique for removing this bit of ash? I just blew it off the pizza edge but was thinking about some kind of round brush to sweep the edge clean.

XJ

[CanuckJim]

Re: Ash in the corners...

XJ,

I have a similar problem with my barrel vault oven because of the square corners at the back. My solution has always been to spin my damp mop in them, more than once if necessary, to clean those pesky areas. Don't think it's possible to get them absolutely clean with this method, but close enough. I've read of some people using compressed air, but, wow, what a mess that would make.

Jim

[RTflorida]

Re: Ash in the corners...

I have no problems using the brush sold here on FB. Although a rectangle, it swivels on the handle which allow you to follow the contour (at least of a Pompeii oven), Jim's barrel vault (with the corners) may be another story.

RT

[Archena]

Re: Ash in the corners...

<insert usual disclaimer about not having an oven - yet - here>

Well, a shop vac is what I use for baseboards and especially corners. As long as the oven is cold, a can of Dust Remover (air, basically) will work. If you need a brush, corner brushes (the little triangular ones) will do the job pretty well.

If you mean ash from moving the fire wouldn't raking forward and then to the side handle that? (Dunno - just wondering).

[Xabia Jim]

Re: Ash in the corners...

Yes, basically the ash from the fire after it's been moved over from one side to the other. I like a hot hearth and use this technique but it does leave a residue. Raking and brushing still leaves some ash

...maybe the mop will work with some more effort and I'm going to try some kind of brush on a pole as it's about 3.5 feet to that back edge and my hearth brush is not getting that rounded corner.

Thanks

[Archena]

Re: Ash in the corners...

Oh, okay - maybe a bottle brush (mounted, obviously) if that doesn't work? There's another possibility but finding a toilet brush that isn't plastic would be a bear - still, rounded areas are what they are designed for. And there's the 'ick' factor but as far as design is concerned that should work. Or a modified bottle brush would do the same.

[gjbingham]

Re: Ash in the corners...

I did a web search yesterday and found nothing of any size with metal bristles. All bristles are nylon or other flamable material.

I did pizzas last night and used my copper oven brush from FB. It worked like a champ.

[McLane]

Re: Ash in the corners...

In the welding world, they use metal bristled brushes with wooden handles. I've purchased them in the past from Lowes or Home Depot to use in may basement to clean off cement block prior to painting. Check the tools section where they sell welding supplies. If I recall, they call them wire brushes.

[Mojoe]

Re: Ash in the corners...

Try searching furnace, boiler, or chimney brushes.

[james]

Re: Ash in the corners...

You should only use a soft metal brush to clean your oven floor without scratching -- look for copper/brass. A stiff brush, like the ones you use to clean a grill, will scratch and wear down your floor over time. And plastic will melt! You will be cleaning your oven floor when it is 800?F+.

James

[McLane]

Re: Ash in the corners...

You should only use a soft metal brush to clean your oven floor without scratching -- look for copper/brass. A stiff brush, like the ones you use to clean a grill, will scratch and wear down your floor over time. And plastic will melt! You will be cleaning your oven floor when it is 800?F+.

James

That only makes sense. The welding brushes are for cleaning up metal, and would scratch the bricks, which as you point out would be counterproductive in the longevity category.

[TDVT]

Re: Ash in the corners...

As I recall, at Frank Pepe's in New Haven they use a vacuum periodically (burnt cornmeal?), to clean the floor of their big coal-fired oven.

[Xabia Jim]

Re: Ash in the corners...

I worry about coals in a vacuum....always have when sucking up ash.

And on the burnt cornmeal....had that problem with the last pizzas, should have used the hearth broom more between batches!

I picture a round brush but it's got cone shaped bristles on the end. I know I've seen one that had stiff bristles, but I don't know what it was made of or used for...I'll keep looking.

[McLane]

Re: Ash in the corners...

No need to reinvent the wheel. There's a copper brush with a long aluminum handle for sale in the Forno Bravo store.

He seems to have everything else, why not a copper brush!!