On the back end we had a 18x18x9 inch basket made that goes in the firebox. After a couple years this basket bottom burned out so we had to rebuild it. We cut it down a couple inches and made a bottom of 1" angle steel. The ash can still drop out over the angle and it should last a long time. We removed the fire grate in the cooker and put legs on the basket to allow more air flow. I think it’s important to allow enough space around the basket for the air and this basket allows 3" of air space all around the firebox. When we light the fire, we put in 20-30 pounds of Kingsford charcoal. This is one bag and whatever we have left over from a previous cook. Also in the basket goes 3-4 knotty, crotch pieces of hardwood ( we like cherry) that people who have wood stove call all nighters. After the fire gets fully lit, we clean the grates and close down the dampers to about 5% open. With good weather conditions the pit may still hold steady at around 250°. ( the sweet temperature for our pit) for 6-8 hours. If it’s cold or windy you may have to tend the fire with 2 logs every 2 hours and a good shake of the basket. Kingsford seems to work best with the heavy ash, it naturally dampers down the big fire.