How to empty top loader

[emmaf]

Hello all. I have a very very old top loading, large wood stove. There's no other entry except for the top. It's great, it keeps us very warm. The only problem is emptying the ashes. It's very difficult to do with just an ordinary little shovel, as you can imagine. The ashes fall off the shovel as we try to bring it out of the top.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Is there a special shovel thingy we can get, specifically design for top loaders?

 

[Babaganoosh]

If you have the means maybe bend a shovel at 90 degrees to make it shaped like a garden hoe? Failing that how about an ash vac or a shop vac with filter bag.

 

[emmaf]

If you have the means maybe bend a shovel at 90 degrees to make it shaped like a garden hoe? Failing that how about an ash vac or a shop vac with filter bag.

Thank you! I will talk to the husband.

 

[begreen]

Is this an old Tempwood stove? If so, maybe Pen can answer that question.

 

[emmaf]

Yes it is!

 

[Mad Trapper]

Let ashes die out. Put the biggest metal can ( gallon paint can?) you can fit inside then use a small shovel (custom) to fill the can inside. The draft will pull any ash up the flue. Transfer to larger can outside.