Kick ash basket is certainly the most popular choice for BGEs and Kamado Joes. However, they’re not the only option you can consider for grilling. Regardless of the benefit they offer, they’re extremely expensive compared to other options.
You can easily consider a kick ash basket alternative that will be a lot cheaper. Besides, it will work just as effectively. So, let’s get started on the best alternatives to a kick ash basket.
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5 Best Kick Ash Basket Alternatives You Can Consider
Even though there are many options available in the market that can be considered kick ash basket alternatives, not all of them are worthy of your money. I’ve gathered the five best options you should explore before buying one. Let’s take a look at them.
only fire Charcoal Ash Basket
One of the cheapest options you can get is the Only Fire charcoal ash basket. It perfectly fits your Big Green Egg and can offer sufficient airflow for your charcoal. So, if you’re searching for an affordable option that offers premium features, consider getting this one.
Top Features
- Easy to clean
- Affordable price
- Sufficient airflow
- Easy to maneuver
- Stainless steel material
I recommend this one for anyone looking for a charcoal basket for their BGE. The reasons are many. For instance, the basket is designed in a shape to ensure that your charcoal always gets enough airflow.
The handles are perfect for maneuvering and cleaning out the remaining charcoal. In addition, high-quality stainless steel material makes sure that you can use this basket for years to come.
Pros
- Compatible with Big Green Eggs
- Convenient to use because of the handles
- Extremely cheap compared to kick ash basket
- High-quality stainless steel material makes the basket durable
- The round shape and the structure allow for sufficient airflow
Cons
- Does not fit small BGE
- The handles may hinder the placement of the cooking grates
BONPAZ Charcoal Ash Basket
This one is perfect if you want an ash basket for your large BGE or Kamado Joe Classic. So, in terms of compatibility, there can’t be a better option than this one. Besides, it comes pretty cheaply too. If you’re on a budget, this basket will certainly be something to keep on your bucket list.
Top Features
- Easy to maintain
- Reasonably priced
- Better compatibility
- Better air circulation
- Electro-polished stainless steel
As you can see, the features are very lucrative considering the price. People who don’t want to spend a large amount of money on a kick ash basket can buy this one for efficiency. It fits a variety of kamado-style grills and can ensure a proper ventilation system.
In addition, the material is durable enough to last years. So, this is certainly a smart investment for grill lovers.
Pros
- Easy to use and clean
- Comparatively a lot cheaper
- Compatible with a variety of models
- Electro-polished stainless steel ensures durability
- The smart structure provides better air circulation
Cons
- May not fit grills larger or smaller than 18 inches
Skyflame Stainless Steel Ash Basket
Another option to consider for your Kamado Joe Classic or Large BGE is this ash basket from Skyflame. It’s a bit expensive compared to the previous ones but the extra bucks are well worth it.
Top Features
- Large capacity
- Perforated basket
- Better compatibility
- Convenient operation
- Heavy-duty stainless steel
Unlike most other baskets, this one is perforated. That means the air circulation system is unique for this basket too.
The charcoal will not fall off and retain heat more efficiently. The stainless steel material ensures that the basket will stay sturdy for a really long time.
In addition, you can accommodate comparatively more charcoal than the other options. Handling the basket is quite convenient too.
Pros
- Easy to handle and clean
- Can hold a large volume of charcoal
- Made from high-quality stainless steel
- Compatible with a variety of kamado style grills
- Improved perforated design allows for better air circulation
Cons
- Comparatively more expensive than other options
Porcelain Steel Charcoal Ash Basket
If you want to move on from traditional stainless steel material, I can recommend something a bit more unique. This ash basket is made from heavy-duty porcelain steel, so you know that you can rely on the quality.
Besides, the price is within budget too. For someone who wants something different within budget, this is your go-to option.
Top Features
- Easy cleaning
- Affordable price
- Well-made and heavy
- Heavy-duty porcelain steel
- Fits most kamado and ceramic grills
Cleaning ashes and keeping leftover charcoal have never been easier. All you need to do is shake the basket and all the ash will fall off.
In addition, you can store the charcoal that’s left from your cooking session. The material is very sturdy too. So, you can expect to keep using this basket for many years to come. In addition, it’s comparatively cheaper too.
Pros
- Allows sufficient airflow
- Convenient to handle and clean
- Made from high-quality materials
- Costs a lot cheaper compared to others
- Compatible will different types of kamado style grills
Cons
- Not suitable for grills of different sizes
Cook Pro Stainless Steel Mesh Colander
The cheapest option you can find in the market is this mesh colander. This is primarily not made to be used as a charcoal basket. Instead, it’s a strainer for other cooking purposes. However, it can be used as a charcoal basket if you’re looking for something cheap.
Top Features
- Lightweight
- Multi-purpose
- Comparatively cheaper
- Stainless steel material
- Top rack dishwasher safe
This mesh colander is different from the other options I reviewed. This is solely for people looking for a cheap option. You can save a lot of money on this but it may not be as durable as the others.
However, when you’re out of other options, this colander will certainly do a great job as an ash basket.
Pros
- Made from stainless steel
- You can clean it in the dishwasher
- You can use it for multiple purposes
- It comes a lot cheaper than the others
- It’s lightweight and convenient to carry
Cons
- Not as durable as the others
Make Your Own Ash Basket – DIY Method
If you don’t want to spend anything for an ash basket, you can DIY your way into it. It doesn’t take much. You can use any colander, strainer, or perforated basket that sits inside your grill.
Everyone will have something like that in their home. So, you can use that as a replacement for an ash basket. However, I should warn you that the results will not be as effective as an actual ash basket.
Making a more effective ash basket will require using steel. You will have to make a structure of the basket and weld spiral steel pieces in place.
A lot of component plays a role here. You need to ensure that the basket fits, it can provide sufficient airflow and the ash doesn’t fall off inside the grill.
So, it’s a bit challenging to ensure all of that in a DIY ash basket. So, unless you can replicate a store-bought ash basket all by yourself, I recommend investing in one.
Kick Ash Basket Vs Onlyfire
There are a lot of similarities between the Kick Ash basket and the Onlyfire ash basket. However, there are a lot of dissimilarities too. Which one is comparatively better certainly depends on your preferred attributes.
For instance, if you’re comparing the products based on price, you will notice a significant difference between the two. The Onlyfire basket will cost a lot lower compared to the Kick Ash basket. So, in that sense, Onlyfire is better.
On the contrary, if you’re comparing the ash baskets based on advanced features like airflow, material, and durability, the Kick Ash basket will win at any time.
To sum up, the Kick Ash basket is a better option if you’re willing to spend that much money. However, Onlyfire provides lucrative features too if you’re judging it individually rather than comparing it to the Kick Ash basket.
What To Use When You Don’t Have A Kick Ash Basket
There’s another option you can go for if you don’t have a Kick Ash basket. Weber 7441 Replacement Charcoal Grates work great as a Kick Ash basket alternative. It may not be as convenient as the Kick Ash basket but you can certainly make do.
It offers enough airflow for your grilling session and the material is satisfactory too. Handling it may be an issue if that’s something you give too much importance to. Other than that, it’s a cheaper alternative to the Kick Ash basket.
To Kick Ash Or Not To Kick Ash
Many people are confused about whether to purchase the Kick Ash basket or not considering the high price. Users who have experience using the basket will always recommend getting one. The reasons are many.
For starters, it can ensure better airflow. That means that your grill will run hotter and take less time. If you’re a pizza person, you’ll know how important that is.
In addition, the Kick Ash basket also makes cleaning easier and it helps to prevent mold in big green egg . You can simply shake off excess ash and then keep the remaining charcoal.
So, if you have the budget for investing in a Kick Ash Basket, there is no reason why you shouldn’t.
Are Kick Ash Baskets Worth The Extra Bucks?
The primary concern for grill users when considering the Kick Ash basket is its price and rightfully so. It’s a lot more expensive compared to what other products are offering.
However, there’s hardly any other product that can offer the precise features as this one. So, they hold the leading position to charge those extra bucks.
If you’re searching for a recommendation on whether to get the Kick Ash basket or not, most people will tell you to get it. It does offer better results.
However, whether you will invest this amount in your ash basket or not entirely depends on your preference.
You can try cheaper options to see if they serve you well. If you don’t need better efficiency, there’s no reason to spend a higher amount of money on the Kick Ash basket. After all, everyone has different sets of preferences.
Why Kick Ash Charcoal Baskets Are Expensive
Kick Ash charcoal baskets feature a patented design that offers better efficiency. Compared to what other ash baskets offer you, Kick Ash baskets are a lot more convenient and effective when it comes to grilling. That’s why they lead the market and can charge a higher price compared to others.
They do offer everything you want from an ash basket. However, not everyone wants to spend a large amount of money on their ash baskets.
There are always cheaper options you can find in the market that offer decent features and are durable.
So, the one you want entirely depends on what features you’re expecting and what budget you have for the basket.
Conclusion
So, if you’re confused about whether to get a Kick Ash basket or not, the first thing to do is to research a Kick Ash basket alternative. After comparing the cheaper options available, if you still think that you want something more, you can get the Kick Ash basket. Note that not everyone needs the feature a Kick Ash basket offers. If the price is something you consider a primary feature, there are a lot of alternatives to consider.