Charles Ellicott Commentary Exodus 27:3

"And thou shalt make its pots to take away its ashes, and its shovels, and its basins, and its flesh-hooks, and its firepans: all the vessels thereof thou shalt make of brass." — Exodus 27:3 (ASV)

His pans to receive his ashes. —Scuttles, in which the ashes were placed for removal from the sanctuary, are intended. The word translated “to receive his ashes” is a rare one, and implies a mixture with the ashes of unburnt fat.

His shovels. —This is a correct translation. The “shovels” would be used in clearing away the ashes from the altar.

His basins. —Basins were needed to receive the blood of the victims (Exodus 24:6), which was cast from basins upon the foot of the altar.

His fleshhooks. —Implements with three prongs, used for arranging the pieces of the victim upon the altar. The priests’ servants sometimes applied them to a different purpose (1 Samuel 2:13).

His firepans. —The word used here is elsewhere translated either “snuffdishes,” or “censers.” Probably vessels employed in carrying embers from the brazen altar to the altar of incense (Leviticus 16:12) are intended.