Custom Ash Sifter

[spolleypt]

Picked up my custom ash sifter this week for my PE Summit. Made by a local sheet metal fabricator. Ash Dragon online was a bit small so this one oversized. Wanted the lips on side to hold coals on sifter. Used twice and pretty happy the results

 

[begreen]

Nice. I like it!

 

[CenterTree]

What is the purpose of sifting ashes? Just wondering.

 

[begreen]

To get still viable coals separated from the ash. Sift, move them to one side, and repeat. Then when you shovel out the ash on that side it is not full of good coals.

 

[spolleypt]

What is the purpose of sifting ashes? Just wondering.

As begreen stated above. Since upgrading to the Summit I have only had to re-lite my stove with kindling twice. Coals are always present and stove stays hot. I tried raking but always seemed to mix larger coal pieces in with the ash upon scooping. I use the ash around the property and in flower beds and larger chunks are not desirable on the lawn. Ash needs to be scooped and separating the hot coals from the ash is much easier with the sifter.

 

[Poindexter]

The grate on my current one is too small. For my next build I'll either replace the plastic handle on a kid size garden rake from Lowes-Depot, or find some expanded mesh with openings .75 x 1.25" (give or take). I bet there are many variables to choosing mesh size for a sifter.

 

[Tenn Dave]

A stove with a good engineered ash pan system is worth its weight in gold. I love mine. But that ash sifter you have is pretty sweet.

 

[Lance]

I made one out of expanded mesh, attached a old metal handle. Works great for sifting out the hot coals, put ash shovel under while sifting to catch the ash, empty the shovel in ash can. Then rake coals back to the front for reload. I still leave about a inch or so of ash on the bottom, not a complete clean out.

 

[begreen]

I had a stove with a good ash pan system. Used it for a season. Then the next I just let it fill up. The stove seemed to run better and longer with more ash over the grate.

 

[Tenn Dave]

I had a stove with a good ash pan system. Used it for a season. Then the next I just let it fill up. The stove seemed to run better and longer with more ash over the grate.

That seems to be a common experience with a lot of stove owners on Hearth.com. So far my stove seems to like less ash, but I'm still experimenting.

 

[weatherguy]

I made one out of expanded mesh, attached a old metal handle. Works great for sifting out the hot coals, put ash shovel under while sifting to catch the ash, empty the shovel in ash can. Then rake coals back to the front for reload. I still leave about a inch or so of ash on the bottom, not a complete clean out.
View attachment 148519

How did you make that? I saved a handle similar to yours with the idea of making one, any tips you can offer?

 

[Lance]

I just cut it to the size that looked good. Cut in where you would like the bend to be to create the sides. Clamp to a piece of angle and form it over the edge. Did the same for on end and welded on the outside corners. Then weld the rod of the handle in.

 

[BobUrban]

I fabbed up this one to match the set of tools I made after all the talk I read on here about them. I find it never gets used. My rake seems to do 99% of what I want/need with coal distribution and the shovel comes out once a week or two during peek season to keep ash levels manageable.

That is nice work with the wooden handle - I would have your artist create a whole set that matches

 

[weatherguy]

I just cut it to the size that looked good. Cut in where you would like the bend to be to create the sides. Clamp to a piece of angle and form it over the edge. Did the same for on end and welded on the outside corners. Then weld the rod of the handle in.

thanks, I think I see what you did. Ill give it a shot, worst case I chuck it and try again.