Disposing of ash from pellet stove

[watchingtheblur]

Hi everyone,

I am a new homeowner with a US Stove Company pellet stove that I am still learning the ins and outs of. Today I bought an ash vacuum that was reasonably priced and enjoyed finally getting to do a more thorough cleaning of the inside of the stove. Now, though, I'm unsure what to do. How do I know when it is safe to take the vacuum outside and dispose of the ashes? It has been close to 24 hours since the stove was run, so I'm assuming I didn't suck up anything hot, but my worse-case-scenario brain is telling me that no matter what I do there is a risk of fire. Also, any suggestions on how to best empty the vacuum once it is safe to do so? I have never dealt with ash before and so I'm not sure if I'm just supposed to dump it in a pile in my backyard or something else. I feel ridiculous!

 

[jackman]

Scatter the ashes in your garden and then hose it down.

 

[Lake Girl]

I have a outside metal garbage can that I empty the ash pan into and put the lid on. Once that is full, I can spread it on the lawn, garden, etc.

 

[Deezl Smoke]

Hi everyone,

I am a new homeowner with a US Stove Company pellet stove that I am still learning the ins and outs of. Today I bought an ash vacuum that was reasonably priced and enjoyed finally getting to do a more thorough cleaning of the inside of the stove. Now, though, I'm unsure what to do. How do I know when it is safe to take the vacuum outside and dispose of the ashes? It has been close to 24 hours since the stove was run, so I'm assuming I didn't suck up anything hot, but my worse-case-scenario brain is telling me that no matter what I do there is a risk of fire. Also, any suggestions on how to best empty the vacuum once it is safe to do so? I have never dealt with ash before and so I'm not sure if I'm just supposed to dump it in a pile in my backyard or something else. I feel ridiculous!

Never feel ridiculous. Asking questions is how we all grow and learn. You are right to always be extra cautious when chance of fire is concerned. But unless it is extra dry and windy where you are, by now you should easily be able spread the ash thin anywhere in your yard. IMO.

 

[railfanron]

I spread them on the lawn. Been doing it for 35 years with no ill effects. I do scatter them so there isn't big gobs laying around. They're the same as Potash basically which is part of the fertilizer you're paying 30.00 a bag for.
Ron

 

[FirepotPete]

Hi everyone,

I am a new homeowner with a US Stove Company pellet stove that I am still learning the ins and outs of. Today I bought an ash vacuum that was reasonably priced and enjoyed finally getting to do a more thorough cleaning of the inside of the stove. Now, though, I'm unsure what to do. How do I know when it is safe to take the vacuum outside and dispose of the ashes? It has been close to 24 hours since the stove was run, so I'm assuming I didn't suck up anything hot, but my worse-case-scenario brain is telling me that no matter what I do there is a risk of fire. Also, any suggestions on how to best empty the vacuum once it is safe to do so? I have never dealt with ash before and so I'm not sure if I'm just supposed to dump it in a pile in my backyard or something else. I feel ridiculous!

I'm with everyone else, spread them on the garden/lawn.

You are in Vermont. So also keep a small bucket of ashes (like an ice-cream pail) of ashes in your vehicle(s). They are lighter than sand and still give great traction on ice. And they're free!

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

Ashes can do things to the flavor of garden produce. I've told this story before, but we had an apple tree in the backyard that produced apples to die for. But it was a handy spot to dump ashes from the wood stove. After awhile the apples lost their tartness and became quite bland.

 

[Lake Girl]

Changes to the ph of the soil likely changed the flavour on those apples!

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

Yep. The apples were never quite the same.

 

[tlc1976]

I usually just dump them in the fire pit. I always make sure there is moisture but that's pretty much a certainty here. Not worried about fire, but because I don't want the dust to blow around. I don't put them anywhere they will get tracked in the house.

 

[GT_Sharp]

I just put 'em in an empty pellet bag and then in the garbage they go.

 

[Dr.Faustus]

i dump them on snow if available. if not i dump them where my sump pump discharges. its always really wet there. I wait 2-3 hours after turning off the stove. yes there are still hot embers but my scoop is metal and so is the bucket. then right into water they go.

 

[Peterfield]

I spread them on the lawn. Been doing it for 35 years with no ill effects. I do scatter them so there isn't big gobs laying around. They're the same as Potash basically which is part of the fertilizer you're paying 30.00 a bag for.
Ron

Had some problem with moss overtaking the grass on my front lawn. Started spreading ash over the moss and the moss died and grass started growing again. I'm guessing it lowered the acidity of the soil.

 

[Iburnslow]

Never feel silly asking questions. We learn as we go. Hot ash is dangerous, you're right to be concerned about proper disposal. For one, I'm glad you asked because I've never thought about fertilizing my lawn with ash...looking forward to a green lawn this coming summer!

 

[Deromax]

I burn around 80 bags a year. I empty the ash from the stove each week in a 2 gallons metal bucket by the stove and keep it there. At the end of the burning season, the bucket is near full. I dump the ash in a plastic bag and with the trash it goes. At the same time, the vaccum bag is also full and it too goes with the trash.

I live by a lake that is in somewhat bad state. We're told to not disperse ashes on our soil, as it is bad for the lake. ymmv.

 

[Lake Girl]

Had some problem with moss overtaking the grass on my front lawn. Started spreading ash over the moss and the moss died and grass started growing again. I'm guessing it lowered the acidity of the soil.

Thanks for that tip ... same happening here so will dose it with ash and see what happens.

Just be careful in how much ash is spread on the lawn. A little is good, a lot is not necessarily better as it changes the ph of the soil. We have been donating our ash to a neighbour who tries to grow grass under his pine trees. The ash changes the ph of the soil so that relatively healthy grass can grow ... not as robust as his grass in other places but definitely better than before.

 

[GT_Sharp]

Had some problem with moss overtaking the grass on my front lawn. Started spreading ash over the moss and the moss died and grass started growing again. I'm guessing it lowered the acidity of the soil.

Heck, I should try this on my porch roof

 

[Lake Girl]

Heck, I should try this on my porch roof

Wait until they are cool!

 

[Tonyray]

I just put 'em in an empty pellet bag and then in the garbage they go.

simple solution which I do also..last time I spread ashes outside I got most of them on me with a slight breeze.

 

[Peterfield]

simple solution which I do also..last time I spread ashes outside I got most of them on me with a slight breeze.

This why I don't pee into the wind anymore.

 

[alternativeheat]

Yep. The apples were never quite the same.

Wait a minute, the older I get the less flavor everything seems to have LOL !

 

[Tonyray]

Wait a minute, the older I get the less flavor everything seems to have LOL !

Agree with that...

 

[alternativeheat]

Agree with that...

Yeah, in my case I wouldn't bet that it was the apples that changed.

 

[vinny11950]

This year the ashes go in the compost pile I have in the back yard. First I dump them in a 5 gallon bucket in the yard, far away from the house, spray some water on them. When the bucket is full (about 3 ash pans), it goes in the compost pile.

 

[Pellet-King]