REMOVING ASH
Wood will produce a lot less ash than
multi fuels and it would not be
unrealistic to expect to empty the ash
pan every two or three days, depending
on the fuel loads and operating times.
Remember, you do not need to riddle
wood ash during firing, but possibly
only at the start when some Primary air
is needed to aid the initial combustion.
Wood ash can be composted and
recycled in the garden.
However, if you intend to burn multi
fuels then you should expect to empty
the ash pan at least once a day, again
depending on the number of hours you
burn the stove.
Using a poker, riddle any ash or embers
to help clear the grate. Riddling allows
the ash to fall into the collection pan
below the fire bed. The ash pan should
never be allowed to over-fill as this will
limit the Primary air flow and cause
excessive heat build-up which could
eventually warp or burn out the grate.
Locate the operating tool in the slot at
the front of the ash pan to make a
handle and lift the pan from the stove.
For safety reasons ash should be
removed when the stove is cold. If this
is not always possible then extra care
should be taken and decorative and
combustible surfaces, such as laminate
floors or carpets, should be protected
against potential accidental spillage.
Remember, even if the stove appears to
be cold the ash could still be hot with
the possibility of hidden live embers.
Protective gloves should always be worn
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and the refuse ash placed in a non-
combustible container. As you remove
the ash from your home ensure that it is
covered to protect it from any draught
or wind which could blow the ash out
of your container. All of this becomes
second nature once you have used your
stove for a few days.
The forked end of the multi-purpose tool is
inserted underneath the ash pan handle grip
as shown above to create the ash pan handle.
Always protect floor coverings from potential
fly-ash
