Had a "little" porch fire

[polo1665]

I didnt say that they were in a bucket... They were actually in one of these: Outdoor Ashtrays | Free Standing Ashtrays | Rubbermaid Groundskeeper Smokers Receptacle Beige | 652497BG - GlobalIndustrial.com but enough water had come in through the top to turn the butts into a nasty slimy stinky mess.
I had gloves on but it was a messy job (the metal sliding door to empty them out was rusted shut) and the ooze got onto my shirt sleeves from where it leaked onto my wrists and down into the inside of the gloves.

Aaron Z

Yuck, now I understand.
I admire your pluck for actually cleaning it out. I probably would've chucked the whole kit and kaboodle.

 

[aczlan]

Yuck, now I understand.
I admire your pluck for actually cleaning it out. I probably would've chucked the whole kit and kaboodle.

The alternative was picking all of the butts out of the flowerbed rather than the 30% that the smokers with a "the world is my ashtray" mindset throw there (rather than walk 6' to the urn).
Shortly after, I persuaded the manager to get a couple of new ones which have a wider base with a metal pail in the bottom. Much easier to clean out and only need to be cleaned out a couple times per year.

Aaron Z

 

[flamom]

Joshua,
I am glad that it was found in time and everyone is ok! I am sure lesson learned.
FlaMom

 

[polo1665]

The alternative was picking all of the butts out of the flowerbed rather than the 30% that the smokers with a "the world is my ashtray" mindset throw there (rather than walk 6' to the urn).Shortly after, I persuaded the manager to get a couple of new ones which have a wider base with a metal pail in the bottom. Much easier to clean out and only need to be cleaned out a couple times per year.

Aaron Z

Same thing around here. Standing right next to the ash can and the entire area is littered.

 

[joshuabardwell]

I am glad that it was found in time and everyone is ok! I am sure lesson learned.
FlaMom

Indeed. I really like the, "Paint bucket with a 3/8" hole drilled in the lid," idea. She has a "camping ashtray" that is basically the same thing, but small enough to fit in a cup-holder. A paint bucket would make a great option for the porch, and there's no way the kid would get into it, no matter how hard he tried.