Simple pattern for background ASP.NET tasks. Just BackgroundService.Start(SomeMethod, TimeSpan.SomeInterval). Based on Phil Haack's sample.

gistfile1.cs

public class BackgroundService : IRegisteredObject
{
    public static void Start(Action action, TimeSpan interval)
    {
        var backgroundService = new BackgroundService(interval, action);
        HostingEnvironment.RegisterObject(backgroundService);
    }

    private Timer timer;

    private BackgroundService(TimeSpan interval, Action work)
    {
        timer = new Timer(s => work(), null, TimeSpan.Zero, interval);
    }

    public void Stop(bool immediate)
    {
        var safeTimer = timer;
        if (safeTimer != null)
        {
            safeTimer.Dispose();
            timer = null;
        }

        if (immediate)
            HostingEnvironment.UnregisterObject(this);
    }
}