Ash/Coal Rake?

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velvetfoot

Minister of Fire
Dec 5, 2005
10,202
Sand Lake, NY
Is there such a thing? I'm burning more than I used to and have to empty more when there are still some live coals. Is there a rake that would go through the ash to get the big stuff to one place? And if such a thing exists, does it actually work?

I promise I will search now.
 
I made one at work, but I guess I'm spoiled. I could fix you up something too, if you have an idea of what you want.
 
Corie said:
I made one at work, but I guess I'm spoiled. I could fix you up something too, if you have an idea of what you want.

While you are in the shop - why not whip up a nice little rear exhaust stove to replace the lil 'Mo for your grandfather?
 
Thanks. Roospike's unit would seem to work.
I have to do some more research.
They actually work, and don't just drag everything, including ashes?
 
My father made a scoop out of an old license plate and a metal rod. He made a lip about 2 inches high on 3 sides then drilled 1/2" holes on the bottom. Another hole on the short side lip for a threaded rod, he made a handle out of a piece of wood and presto, an ash scoop. It looks like garbage, but it really works well. Scoop the ash, a few shakes and you've got the coals, you put them off to the side and repeat till you have ash on one side and coals on the other. I guess he could've used a piece of metal, but that goes against his mentality.
 
velvetfoot said:
They actually work, and don't just drag everything, including ashes?

A coal rake doesn't really need tines or holes to seperate ash from coals. Just push the pile back with the back of the coal rake and then pull the coals forward out of the ash. Most of the ash will stay at the back. If there are more coals in the back of the ash pile I just repeat pushing the ash back and pulling the coals forward. It doesn't seem like it would work but it does. When it's time to remove some ash just rake the coals to one side instead of to the front. I tried a coal keeper once (shovel with holes) and it didn't do nearly as good a job as the rake.
 
The local True-Value hardware store had a nice coal rake for ~$10. Look in the garden tools section. I think it was supposed to be used to prepare planting beds or something. Perfect for raking coals though.

-Dan
 
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