Disposing of ashes in your fire

Jan 27
08:48

2010

Laura Jane Smith

Laura Jane Smith

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;...

mediaimage
Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}

A real fire can be a wonderful feature in your front room on a cold night. Not only that,Disposing of ashes in your fire Articles but can be really enjoyable to sit around with the whole family relaxing. But anything that gives this much pleasure, comes at a price. In this instance it is the maintaining of the fire and taking care of it that takes effort. Although, totally worth it in the end. As anybody with a real fire knows, they produce a lot of ash and soot, most collects and builds up in the ash pan and grate but a quantity does get stuck up the chimney itself. Chimneys only get cleaned a few times a year so that’s nothing to worry about but it is vital you clean the grate and ash pan after every burning of the fire to avoid build up but make sure it has cooled before clearing it away as you do not want to hurt yourself and get burnt. The average time to leave it to cool down is probably over night. This just ensures you aren’t going to hurt yourself.

To check it has cooled down wear gloves and have a dig around or use a shovel to separate it if you genuinely believe it will be too hot to touch. The cooling time does depend on the density of the ash and what fuel you used to burn it so if you do not feel comfortable touching have a dig around with a small shovel. Once you know it is ready to dispose, remove the front of the fire and take the ash pan and empty it into a special galvanised bin. This is heat proof so will not damage if there are still hot ashes in the pan. Once you have done this then give the fire area a sweep with a brush and shovel to get rid of any excess ash and soot that didn’t make the ash pan. Ash can be re-used depending whether it is toxic or not so once it is cooled, dispose of it properly or store it for other uses.

 

When disposing of the ashes and finding other uses there are a few key points to remember. Wood ashes are extremely useful for use in gardens and allotments as they really enrich soil. This is because they contain things like potassium and calcium with are really useful nutrients for plant growth. Also if you have soil that is acidic then it will give it a more alkaline influence and balance it out. Wood ash can also prevent slugs and other nuisance creatures getting to your plants if you place it round the foot of the plants.

 

Soot can also be used for the same things as this too helps put back nutrients in soil.

Coal ash is good to melt ice on your driveway or paths if it has snowed or is generally cold. If you think of it this way, you only use your fire when it is cold so its more likely to snow also meaning you have a use for unwanted ash.

 

Article "tagged" as: