has anyone tried this type of ash rake?

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twd000

twd000

Feeling the Heat
Aug 28, 2015
448
Southern New Hampshire
I am looking for something to help me separate hot coals from ash. I tried drilling a bunch of holes in a shovel, but it brings too much ash along with it. Plus I don't like shaking it side-to-side because it makes ash go airborne. I need something that will let me pull coals forward to burn them down before a reload cycle. I'm thinking of finding a buddy with a welder that can tack this together. A piece of angle iron on one side for a hoe to push ash+coals, and a piece of expanded metal on the other side to pull coals.

Has anyone fabricated or used something like this? Does it work? What size of expanded metal provides an ideal sifting action?

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https://www.ebay.com/itm/Combo-Wood-Stove-Fireplace-Set-Poker-Ember-Ash-Rake-27-Made-by-a-Blacksmith/122266450695?_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIM.MBE&ao=2&asc=49566&meid=2caf466df3e847a6864a136f5e43ccfe&pid=100005&rk=2&rkt=2&sd=122862818983&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851
 
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I have built a couple similar devices with smaller grid expanded metal boxes on the business end and wrought iron handles.

The one pictured above will probably work really well, but maybe be kind of hard on the firebrick in the floor of your stove.

I have noticed that what size coals I have varies with the MC of my fuel. I bet burning different tree species at the same MC will give different sized coals too, I burn spruce only here.
 
Shove the mess to the back, then run a poker through the ash/coals, and the coals will tend to float to the top. Skim those back to the front with the edge of a shovel. Then shovel out the ash in the back (along with some unavoidable small coals.)
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Next time you will know better and get a stove with an ash grate. ;)
 
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I just use a regular shovel, go under everything, and tilt the shovel to the side to make embers fall off. Normally nothing big ember wise is on or near the bottom. Only small embers make it into my Ash bucket. I take a few scoops a day out like this and as long as it's hot and the flue is open creating a draft, the dust stays in the firebox and doesn't make a mess.


I have an England Madison with a built in Ash box but I never use it. Doesn't seem worth the hassle.

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wayne.nestor said:
I have an England Madison with a built in Ash box but I never use it. Doesn't seem worth the hassle.
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The Buck 91 actually has a decent ash dump. Nice 3.x" X 5.x" opening with a flip-up hinged lid. Problem was that ash would get behind the hinge and make it harder to flip up the lid. Luckily my MIL had an L-shaped poker which fit perfectly in the groove behind the hinge to clean the ash out. The dump was on the left side so I first swept the pile to the left, swept the big coals to the right, opened the lid and swept the ash into the dump. Worked pretty darn well..
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Poindexter said:
I have built a couple similar devices with smaller grid expanded metal boxes on the business end and wrought iron handles.

The one pictured above will probably work really well, but maybe be kind of hard on the firebrick in the floor of your stove.
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I may have him weld a piece of flat bar stock across the teeth to prevent them from digging into the fire bricks
 
Woody Stover said:
Next time you will know better and get a stove with an ash grate. ;)
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I have a Dutchwest in the basement with a nice ash clean out tray. But the burn cycle rollercoaster made it a pain to manage

My BK Princess insert burns nice and steady for 12 hours, but no tray. Life is about compromises
 
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twd000 said:
I may have him weld a piece of flat bar stock across the teeth to prevent them from digging into the fire bricks
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Walmart grilling section.
 
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Blazing said:
Negative, it came just as pictured from the grilling section. Does have a nice loop handle like that one as well. Look for charcoal and grill accessories they won't be far away.
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great - I'll take a look next time I'm in a Walmart. You find it does a good job separating the coals while leaving the ash behind?
 
twd000 said:
great - I'll take a look next time I'm in a Walmart. You find it does a good job separating the coals while leaving the ash behind?
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I don't get fussy with separating them honestly. I've got a metal scoop and bucket if they get in with the ash no big deal. Obviously I try to leave them behind though. Of course safety first never leave the ash bucket in the house or near/on something flammable.
 
No but I am going to make one....simple enough.
 
Village Idiot said:
I use a kitty litter scoop for sifting out coals when I feel like it. The rubber handle has held up well so far. It can get a bit soft if I spend a lot of time sifting. Once it is cooled back down it is fine.
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Disclaimer: Plastic fumes may poison your catalyst. ;) ;lol
 
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I use one of these and it works fantastic

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