OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote:

> I still think it would facilitate ash removal, even with holes poked in
> it?

Sounds as though Jill has either an older model or a weber-look-alike.
But even my first weber had the hook attachment for the lid. The old
model is now serving some other family in the area - gave it away to
the local church's annual fete/garage sale.
I've not experienced any dramas with the lid & hooking it to the rim in
over 20 years. In fact, hooking it on the rim of the kettle provides
some protection to the coals - especially during intial heat up - which
seems to accelerate heating time.
My experience only - but then I did RTFM for the first and second
model. (Amazing what tips - and dare I say, features of the appliance -
you pick up when actually bothering to read the manual)
The newer models have a one-lever action (situated underneath the
kettle, above the ash-agitator lever) which adjusts the openings on all
three vents.
Given that you are likely to want to use this feature during the
cooking period, an external lever allows you to open/close vents
without having to use asbestos gloves (the kettle area and all vents
get bloody hot!)
During prolonged cooking (1+ hours) the ash created by spent coal
accumulates around the bottom of the kettle and inside the kettle, to
one side of the vents, there are 'pushers' for want of a better word,
which (when agitated by the other external lever) send the ash out
through the vents into the cannister at the base of the kettle.
There really is no need to line the interior with foil in fact I think
it would hamper the cooking process. Current weber is around 6 years
old, has done countless roasts/bbqs and the inside & base is not
corroded. A brush over with a bbq brush while still warm removes any
spillages & ash and haven't ever 'washed' the kettle interior. No need.
For ease of use I'd highly recommend making sure the kettle (weber or
otherwise) has both the vent opening & ash agitator levers as well as
the closed ash cannister (cheaper models just have an open tray which
collects ash, which can gust up the vents and onto your food! yuk!)

LadyJane
--
"Never trust a skinny cook!"