never found much need for an ash pan, I shovel out the door old school style, if I out one in i'd probably brick over the opening anyway
I was never a fan of the plug style ash dump until I tried one out in my house. In fact I wasn't a huge fan of ash pans at all, simply because of the stupid grates in the bottom of most stoves! After using one with a plug, I'm hooked! It's very easy to use and makes for a nearly dust free cleaning.
The messiest stove I've ever used was the Cape Cod! Then the Oslo is a close second. Cleanest to date have been my Blaze Kings.