Cleaning an EFM's Ash

In talking with a couple coalburners the subject came up about the layer of ash on the inside of the boiler. This layer is non-conductive? What is the proper way to clean this ash off? I've seen the posts about the specialized brushes. Can you use compressed air or does this cause more problems than its worth? Scott

Compressed air would blow the dust......everywhere......trust me. The boiler brushes are probably the best way to go.

One of the brushes used is a horseshoe brush.

Steel Stoker Cleaning Brush

See that post for the whole discussion. I bought mine thru "oilman"

So what, you clean the front then the back? from underneath? Scott

Brush all the surfaces you can reach, including the burner plate holes and under the plates. The more scale you remove, the more efficient heat transfer next winter.

dammit I gotta clean it again? I burned up the shop vac cleaning it last time
this whole warm sunny days crap is depressing.