Question about removing coal grates to burn wood

[jdenver]

I have a Newmac combination furnace CL 115-170G. The old owner burned wood directly on top of the grates for years which led to them becoming warped. Since I have owned it I have used a plate to cover the grates for burning wood. The manual says that there should be a minimum of 1" of wood ash but that is close to being level with the loading door. So I want to remove the grates and start burning wood from ash pit instead. The manual for this model is a bit ambiguous as to if this is possible so I'm coming to you guys. Please help lol

 

[jdenver]

Here's a PDF of the manual in case it helps too

 

[Eureka]

I have a Newmac combination furnace CL 115-170G. The old owner burned wood directly on top of the grates for years which led to them becoming warped. Since I have owned it I have used a plate to cover the grates for burning wood. The manual says that there should be a minimum of 1" of wood ash but that is close to being level with the loading door. So I want to remove the grates and start burning wood from ash pit instead. The manual for this model is a bit ambiguous as to if this is possible so I'm coming to you guys. Please help lol

Without knowing one way or the other, I would initially question whether the ash pit is designed or able to withstand that kind of direct heating.