Ash Issue

[Haston]

I've been running a Regency i3100 insert for about 6 years. Very happily so. It's kept our house very warm and our oil bills low. It's kept us safe and warm when our tree-covered neighborhood loses power every winter from ice storms and downed trees. The only problem is that my wife has mentioned on occasion that she is growing more and more concerned about the amount of dust and soot around the house that results from my having to regularly clean out the stove, especially when removing ash that is sitting atop hot coals-- which seems to be a very necessary step in keeping the i3100 running efficently. I use a shovel and a covered steel trash can to gather and carry the ash outside. We actually have some very old and valuable paintings that are hanging in the room where the stove is located-- and I'm willing to admit at this point that they are growing visibly darker, presumably from the stove-borne dust and soot.

My question is this: do other brands of inserts, perhaps ones with an "ash drawer", provide a better method of removing ash? Does an ash drawer have a lid that contains the hot dust when it is time to empty it? What can I do to keep burning happily, and without guilt that I am ruining some nice items and a good rapport with my lovely bride? H.

 

[pen]

An ash vac may be the solution. Many people find them pricey for what they are, but it may prove to be worth it to you if you choose to keep the paintings in that room

http://www.woodlanddirect.com/Featured-Items/Hearth-Country-Ash-Vac

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/na...77&pid=_Froogle&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=260570

http://www.amazon.com/Dustless-Technologies-MU305-Cheetah-Vacuum/dp/B0006FKJFU

 

[Backwoods Savage]

I've been running a Regency i3100 insert for about 6 years. Very happily so. It's kept our house very warm and our oil bills low. It's kept us safe and warm when our tree-covered neighborhood loses power every winter from ice storms and downed trees. The only problem is that my wife has mentioned on occasion that she is growing more and more concerned about the amount of dust and soot around the house that results from my having to regularly clean out the stove, especially when removing ash that is sitting atop hot coals-- which seems to be a very necessary step in keeping the i3100 running efficently. I use a shovel and a covered steel trash can to gather and carry the ash outside. We actually have some very old and valuable paintings that are hanging in the room where the stove is located-- and I'm willing to admit at this point that they are growing visibly darker, presumably from the stove-borne dust and soot.

My question is this: do other brands of inserts, perhaps ones with an "ash drawer", provide a better method of removing ash? Does an ash drawer have a lid that contains the hot dust when it is time to empty it? What can I do to keep burning happily, and without guilt that I am ruining some nice items and a good rapport with my lovely bride? H.

Haston, you are in luck! There is a better way and no need of getting ash dust all over that room.

First, you don't remove ash that is on top of coals; that doesn't happen. The next time you empty ash, try moving the coals first to the front or rear of the stove. Remove the ashes and then move the coals to the opposite side and clean out those ashes. Then rake the coals more level and build the next fire.

When emptying ashes one must treat them as you would fragile eggs! Very gently move the shovel. Very gently put the shovel into the ash can. Then and only then can you put the ashes in the can. You do this not by dumping the ashes off the shovel but you do it by placing the shovel on the bottom of the can (gently now; move slow) and then slide the shovel slowly from under the ashes. Remember, never dump ashes or you will get dust. Slide the shovel from under the ashes; no dust.

Here is one other type ash pan that works extremely well:

Ash holder

Lots of places have ash holders like or similar to this design.

Good luck. Take your time and you will save money and dirty rooms.

 

[Fsappo]

An ash vac may be the solution. Many people find them pricey for what they are, but it may prove to be worth it to you if you choose to keep the paintings in that room

http://www.woodlanddirect.com/Featured-Items/Hearth-Country-Ash-Vac

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/na...77&pid=_Froogle&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=260570

http://www.amazon.com/Dustless-Technologies-MU305-Cheetah-Vacuum/dp/B0006FKJFU

And now comes the "you dont need no ash vac, my shop vac does just fine, dont waste yet money, them things are overpriced"

 

[pen]

apparently you don't realize how many have turned a shop vac into a flame thrower.

If a traditional shop vac contains filters enough to stop the dust from going back into the air, then it is a huge fire risk.

If he has money for expensive paintings to worry about, the the vac shouldn't be an issue.


pen

 

[Fsappo]

I agree, this is why I use an ash vac for ash and a shop vac for the shop

 

[Adios Pantalones]

In addition to the above recs: leave some ash in the stove. It doesn't have to be pristine. Also- hold the bucket as close to the stove as possible- the natural chimney draft will take up some of the airborne ash.

In the long run, a vac may be the way to go for your situation.

 

[cycloxer]

Does your stove have an ash pan? I use a cheap mini dust pan brush ($1.79 at Target) and sweep all of the ash in the firebox through the grate and into the ash pan. Then I take the ash pan outside and dump it into the ash bucket. That way the dust cloud is outside. I sweep the firebox before every fire and empty the ashes when the ash pan fills. The key is not to stir up the ashes inside the house. Less motion is better.

 

[BrowningBAR]

An ash vac may be the solution. Many people find them pricey for what they are, but it may prove to be worth it to you if you choose to keep the paintings in that room

http://www.woodlanddirect.com/Featured-Items/Hearth-Country-Ash-Vac

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/na...77&pid=_Froogle&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=260570

http://www.amazon.com/Dustless-Technologies-MU305-Cheetah-Vacuum/dp/B0006FKJFU

With three stoves this purchase might be in my near future. Do you own one?

 

[par0thead151]

i have the same issue as you do.
my solution?
get a 5 gallon bucket(steel) and empty ashes into that. hold the bucket so it is flush against the opening of your stove. this takes advantage of the draft to pull 95%+ of the dust up the chimney.
i will post pix of what i am describing.
if you have some $ to throw at the problem, maybe have someone custom make(or if your handy do it yourself) a chute for the ash so you can have the bucket on the floor and the chute to feed the ash to it.
when done place a lid over the chute and take ashes outside..

 

[bywater56]

It might be an issue with the flue where dust/soot/ash are not going all the way out and are being blown out by the fan. Do you have a partial flue or is there any down draft? You can open the sides up and see if there is dust/soot/ash there.. if so, you know where the problem is

 

[jadm]

I invested in an ash vac and am very glad I did. I do not use it every time I empty ashes because it takes a long time to get them all up but when I do use it I don't worry about a fire in a vacuum.

When I don't use it I use a very small sized metal roasting pan. I start by moving the coals over to one side of the firebox and then I put the pan right in the firebox and I can scoop away without ash getting into the room. When I am done I put the lid on it and then lift it out and dump the ashes in the metal bucket I keep outside.

For scooping ashes I got a mini shovel that is very handy. Before I got that I used a garden trowel.