Curious Ash

[Leaky Waders]

Good Monday morning, everyone. I have recently found that I am getting some curious looking ash forming in my stove. While I usually get a very fine, almost fluffy gray ash in the stove (and not very much of that, even) lately I have been getting a few rock-like chunks that are black in color. Anyone get this type of ash from time to time, and know what the culprit might be?

Thanks for any input.

 

[shawneyboy]

Sounds like unburned coals not ash.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

If it's that fused-together looking stuff, there's been speculation here about it forming when there's wood on an ash bed that gets really hot and compresses it together- amongst other things.

Nothing to worry about

 

[pgmr]

It's called a clinker.

 

[Jags]

Yep, clinker from fused ashes. In the past, I have noticed that Elm did it more frequently than other woods (for me).