Ash rake/coal scooper

[saichele]

Generally I'm loving the new Englander. But it does seem to make a lot more ash than the VC WWL. More specifically, there's a lot more large coals left buried in ash. So I'm looking for a rake/scoop to separate the ash from the coals.

I've seen the ash rakes that look kind of like garden hoes, but I'm looking for one that looks more like a kitty litter scoop - some kind of basket that I could scoop a bunch of ash, let the small stuff through, and get the big stuff in a pile in the corner.

Then shovel the small ash out and use the big chunks to relight the next fire.

I could get some rebar and make it, but 1) it's about 0F in the barn, and 2) if I can buy one for $12 or something, that sounds pretty good.

Any leads or ideas?

Thanks
Steve

 

[begreen]

ash dragon
http://www.amazon.com/Ash-Dragon-Sifter/dp/B00GT8J30K/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1424109116&sr=1-1&keywords=coal sifter
or the whole kit
http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Scoop-Sifter-Shovel-Package/dp/B00GZNGBTK/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1424109142&sr=1-2&keywords=coal sifter
or
http://www.amazon.com/Shovel-Sifter-Extractor-Junior-stoves/dp/B009XDIXDQ/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1424109203&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=coal sifter
or the koalkeeper, though the reviews are that this is a bit light-duty
http://www.koalkeeper.com/

 

[Christopix]

I've been using these items for a number of years:

Wood Burning Stove Accessories, Ash Shovel, Fireplace Fork | Hearth Helpers

 

[velvetfoot]

I've been using these items for a number of years:

Wood Burning Stove Accessories, Ash Shovel, Fireplace Fork | Hearth Helpers

I've had the scoop for a few years and it's been great.

That new coal fork looks interesting, but I just figure out a way to burn 'em down.

 

[velvetfoot]

I've just decided that I'm going to get a machete so I can move the coals to one side.

Edit: Hey look, Fiskars makes one and HD carries it! Color me there.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Fiskars-22-in-Machete-with-Softgrip-Handle-70786966J/202319442

 

[BobUrban]

Made this after a lot of talk about ash sifters here a couple years ago but rarely use it. I'll sell you this one or make you any tool you can dream up but it wont be $12.00

 

[fespo]

This is my homemade job ,I'm not a welder. I've been you using this for years. (broken image removed)

 

[Poindexter]

I have essentially a metal kitty litter scoop that I made with expanded sheet metal from Lowes-Depot. The grid is basically too small for my conditions. I look longingly at the garden rakes for kids every time I'm in the store. Tines about 3/4" apart looks about right, shovel out everything smaller.

Darn plastic handles.

My next one will be a kids garden rake with 3/4" spacing and a wood handle when I get motivated enough to take it on.

 

[velvetfoot]

The machete seems to work pretty well. The blade is a little bendy though and the paint is a little smelly for now. The coals can be piled up on, for me, the left side, leaving more room to put in bigger chunks north/south on the right side, while the coals burn down under a split on the left side.

 

[glennm]

I use one of these works great. Around $10$