I line the very bottom with a pc of hD foil. I then pick out the charcoal grate and dump it and roll up the foil and I got a pretty clean Old Smokey. If you line the bottom with foil, the bottom pc of the smokey will last forvever and you can always order a new charcoal grate (they always warp) I just take it on the lawn and stand on it every once in a while. When your handles get all splintery, you can order those as well.