Wood Stove Accessories - Part 2

Ash Cans
I use the above small 6-gallon galvanized metal trash can to store my ashes. I've heard the coals can still be live for as long as 4-6 weeks after they've been removed from the stove. That seems like a long time, but this is what I was told by someone who installs wood stoves. So, I have two different cans for storing ashes. One that's being used currently and one that's waiting to completely cool off.

I bought a trash can that has a fairly tight lid, so it can't accidently fall off. I tested three or four cans at the store before I found the one that had the best-fitting lid - tight enough to not fall off but not so tight that it's hard to handle.

You can get fancier-looking ash cans. If you do, you might want to take my chimney sweep's advice and make sure to get one that has a top on it. Some people use coal hods, which don't have tops on them. I personally don't think they're as safe as the cans with tops.

In the winter, if you live in a northern climate and the ashes are being dumped in deep snow, it's not necessary to wait such a long time (4-6 weeks) before emptying the ashes outside. I just wait a couple of days. But I make sure that there's plenty of snow where I dump them, and then cover them completely with snow.

The late spring and the fall are the times to be most careful with the ashes, since there's little or no snow on the ground. Some people dig a hole outside before the ground freezes in the fall. Ashes can then be dumped in the hole and covered with dirt or snow. (If you choose dirt, make sure you have a source of unfrozen dirt). I haven't tried this method, so I can't vouch for it.

As you can see above, I store my ash cans fairly close to the stove and allow the same clearance to combustible materials as I do with the stove. Also, I keep the ash can in a spot where it won't be easily tipped over. In the above photo, I moved the can away from the basement wall so I could get a decent photo. However, to avoid tripping on it, I usually place it closer to the wall - which, being concrete, is non-combustible.

The main point to keep in mind is to use the utmost care with the contents of your ash can.

Stovetop Steamers
To keep the air in the house from drying out too much while the wood stove is in use, I fill a stovetop steamer and camping pot with water and put them on the upper level of the stovetop. This upper level doesn't get as hot as the lower one, so the moisture is gradually put into the air rather than having the water boil and produce too much steam. You have to keep an eye on the steam pots so you can refill them as needed.

Below are photos of my camping pot (left) and stovetop steamer.


          


See also:
Wood Stove Accessories - part 1
Wood Stove Accessories - part 3
Firewood Cart
Firewood Racks
Wood Burning Stove
Firewood for Woodstove

Posted by Beth on Wednesday, June 28, 2006