How much Ashe is OK in wood stove?

meanwhile · #1 02/27/12, 09:01 AM

We are debating the amount of Ashes is best to leave in the bottom of the wood stove. Myself, I like to remove most of the ash each morning, leaving only a bit to protect the bottom of the stove or leaving the glowing embers, of course, to light the next fire.

My middle son, however, wants to leave all the ashes each time in order to reduce them to fine dust and / or to use the ash as "charcoal" to help with the next fire.

My concern is that too much or ash that is too deep will make the fire itself up too high in the stove and thus cause it to not draw as well? For example, this morning I discovered he had built up about 4 - 5 inches of ash in the Fisher Mamma Bear stove which then meant the fire would have been raised up to the roof of the stove.

How thick do you allow the ashes to build up in your wood stove? What is best? What are dangers of less ash? Or problems with too thick ash?

Thank you.

**Cabin Fever** · #2 02/27/12, 09:33 AM

You should leave a bed of at least 2" of ash in a woodstove for two reasons: (1) the ash insulates the metal floor of the stove (much like firebric) and (2) ash helps preserve the coals so in the morning when you add firewood, the coals are there to restart the fire.

meanwhile · #3 02/27/12, 12:28 PM

OK - but how much ash would be "too much"? Cabin Fever - we have the Mamma Bear Fisher stove in the basement. I know you are familiar with the Fisher Stoves. Middle-Son has been leaving a very thick layer of ash in the stove. When the fire is built, the fire is actually at the top of the stove? That does not seem like a good idea - to have the fire raised up so far in the stove?

Or does it really not matter how high in the stove the fire is built?

Thanks.

**Cabin Fever** · #4 02/27/12, 12:30 PM

I suppose a level "too high" would be at a height at or above the bottom of the door opening.

RonM · #5 02/27/12, 12:34 PM

Too much will limit your output of heat, meaning you must now have a smaller fire to fit in the stove,keep it cleaned out except a small amount like Cabin Fever alluded to...

fantasymaker · #6 02/27/12, 12:37 PM

Since my fire may run for weeks It often builds up 5 inches or so before I can dump the ash.

**Cabin Fever** · #7 02/27/12, 12:37 PM

From Page 10 of the Fisher Stove manual:

"All Fisher Stove models give best performance when you consistently maintain a good bed of coals. When you clean out the ashes remember that a wood fire burns better with approximately one inch of ashes."

meanwhile · #8 02/27/12, 02:33 PM

Thanks! I will show this to Middle Son. He had that bed of ash so high it was way over the door height. Thanks!

greg273 · #9 02/27/12, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meanwhile

Thanks! I will show this to Middle Son. He had that bed of ash so high it was way over the door height. Thanks!

LOL. Yeah, thats probably a bit much!

TNHermit · #10 02/27/12, 02:49 PM

I have one stove that I clean about down to two inches. The big one can get 5-10 inches and not have much. The shop has an ash pit so it doesn't get cleaned till its full. So its part of the loving relationship you have with each stove. TO learn their ways and whys just like your SO

ronbre · #11 02/27/12, 04:26 PM

depends on the stove ..the fire..the amount of heat you need..etc.

a small bed of ash is always good but too much can inhibit the fire..esp in airtight stoves

meanwhile · #12 02/27/12, 06:36 PM

I think my son had way too much ash in the Fisher stove. There was so much ash in there that red hot embers were still in the bottom even though we had NO fire in there for three days. When I went to remove the ashes this morning, I had to stop and just spread them out to burn some more. There are still embers in there tonight.

He had been just closing up the dampers after putting a thick piece of red oak on it at night. Next morning, he enjoyed firing it back up without using kindling or matches.......had a lot of fun for a week but really......the ashes were built up as high as the back smoke shelf.......that is too much ash.

He did not want to agree with my opinion that ashes needed to be removed so....I asked here and hope he will take heed! We are going to try again tomorrow to haul the ashes out of the Fisher in the basement. Using our little Vermont Casting stove upstairs while the Fisher cools off.

Never a Dull Moment and we are thankful for it.