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Is there an optimum depth for the ash bed? The ash bed underneath the burning splits glows red when my fire gets hot, therefore it would seem logical that a two to three inch ash bed should be a good thing. Please share your wisdom. Thanks.
Optimum for what? You may get as many differing opinions as there are models of stove. I don't know how a LOPI Endeavor works with more or less ashes but my stove puts out way more heat with less ashes. The ashes do however preserve the coals longer.
The design of the stove can have an effect as well. On the VC's there is a small supplementary air intake in the ashpan housing that brigs air in directly through the grate into the coal bed. On low with the primary closed this is the main supply for the fire. A reasonable ash bed helps preserve the coals after an overnight burn but too much and the fire might go out on minimum air.
Is there an optimum depth for the ash bed? The ash bed underneath the burning splits glows red when my fire gets hot, therefore it would seem logical that a two to three inch ash bed should be a good thing. Please share your wisdom. Thanks.
I have a lopi liberty and I find the less ash in the firebox the better the fire burns, but I find the more ashes there are in the firebox, the more coals will be there in the morning for an easy restart. Last year I was removing ashes every three days, this year I am removing ashes every five days or when the ashes are up even with the ledge at the bottom of the door. When I remove ashes I let the fire go completely out and remove all but a very thin layer of ash and try to leave any of the unburnt charcoal
Check your manual. Mine says 1 inch. I don't maintain 1 inch of course, just clean it out to 1 inch whenever I start having trouble keeping the ash in the fire box ;-P
Check your manual. Mine says 1 inch. I don't maintain 1 inch of course, just clean it out to 1 inch whenever I start having trouble keeping the ash in the fire box ;-P
Optimum for what? You may get as many differing opinions as there are models of stove. I don't know how a LOPI Endeavor works with more or less ashes but my stove puts out way more heat with less ashes. The ashes do however preserve the coals longer.