Jotul Oslo - necessary to empty ash pan?

[Kitchen]

I have had a Hearthstone Heritage stove for many years and have to admit that I have very rarely cleaned out the ashes using the ash pan. I don't burn 24x7 and like to empty the ashes by shoveling them out the front door and just leave about an inch on the bottom.

I'm replacing this stove with a Jotul Oslo and probably will continue the same practice. Is it necessary to empty the ashes using the ash pan or can I continue the same shoveling method?

 

[Blue Vomit]

It is certainly not necessary to use the ash pan. Do what you are comfortable doing. Whatever works for you. The only thing I would suggest is using the side door to shovel ashes. One common complaint about the Oslo is ash spillage out the front door. I hardly ever open it.
Good luck.

 

[webby3650]

One common complaint about the Oslo is ash spillage out the front door. I hardly ever open it.

I hear that all the time on here. I never thought it was a big deal. It wasn't any worse than other stoves I've had in the past. The only one that didn't spill out the front was Blaze King.

I really like ashpans. They are a PITA if you don't dump the pan regularly, if you don't keep up with it, ashes will fall into the bottom when the pan is removed.
If kept up with, the ashpan can make the whole process alot cleaner in my experience.

 

[begreen]

I used the pan originally on the Castine, but after a season I let the pan fill up with ash and just shoveled. This worked well for me. I got longer burn times and less ash dust in the house because I was only cleaning out the stove once ever 2-4 weeks.

 

[Kevin Dolan]

I used the pan originally on the Castine, but after a season I let the pan fill up with ash and just shoveled. This worked well for me. I got longer burn times and less ash dust in the house because I was only cleaning out the stove once ever 2-4 weeks.

Begreen why do you think not emptying the ashes only 2-4 weeks apart helped you get longer burn times and how did you deal with the ash bed buildup in the stove bottom. I do agree not cleaning out as frequently reduces the amount of ash dust floating around. Always interested in longer burn times info on the castine.
Kevin

 

[lumbering on]

It's been suggested to me to leave the ash pan full to slow down the burn rate in a downdraft stove. Does this really work? How does it work?

 

[webby3650]

It's been suggested to me to leave the ash pan full to slow down the burn rate in a downdraft stove. Does this really work? How does it work?

That would only make a difference if the stove had leaks down below.

 

[webby3650]

I do agree not cleaning out as frequently reduces the amount of ash dust floating around

I find that using a shovel to empty the stove is super messy. If I use the ashpan(before it's overflowing)there is way less mess.

 

[Kevin Dolan]

I find that using a shovel to empty the stove is super messy. If I use the ashpan(before it's overflowing)there is way less mess.

Webby I do like the ash pan but was interested in understanding how shovelling the ashes less often helpswithnlonger burns. I used to always shovel out of my old dragon and it was messy.

 

[Butcher]

I clean the ash pan in march or april depending on the weather that year. The Oslo does have a serious problem with ash spillage when using the pan or the front door. The only time I even open the front door on mine is to clean the glass which is about once a month. I shovel out the side and load with the side door. Thats just me though. Your milage may vary.

 

[begreen]

Begreen why do you think not emptying the ashes only 2-4 weeks apart helped you get longer burn times and how did you deal with the ash bed buildup in the stove bottom. I do agree not cleaning out as frequently reduces the amount of ash dust floating around. Always interested in longer burn times info on the castine.
Kevin

I think the fire worked better with an insulated bed of ash under it.

 

[Nick Mystic]

I think when you leave the ashes build up in your stove they seem to reach a certain level and then they taper off. I think if you keep burning hot fires with your ashes in the stove some of them must get burned up, or at least get pulverized more to reduce their volume. This has been the case with every stove I've burning in over the years.

 

[webby3650]

Give the Oslo ashpan a try, especially since you don't burn 24/7 anyway. I bet you will like it! It's a great feature that I think most people don't take advantage of.

 

[remkel]

I have the 600 and utilize the ashpan. Only recommendation I would have is when you empty the pan you do it outside. I find it produces a lot of dust.

 

[webby3650]

I have the 600 and utilize the ashpan. Only recommendation I would have is when you empty the pan you do it outside. I find it produces a lot of dust.

It sure will when it's dumped. I use a 35 gallon steel can with a lid. It sits on the patio, In the spring I dump it.

 

[remkel]

It sure will when it's dumped. I use a 35 gallon steel can with a lid. It sits on the patio, In the spring I dump it.

Same practice here. Smaller can, though.

 

[jotul8e2]

The large ash pan of the Oslo was one of the deciding factors when I chose my stove. In use I find, for whatever reason, my Oslo will not burn well once the ashes accumulate to the bottom grill. In fact, this often is how I find that the pan needs to be emptied. My theory is that the Oslo needs the space under the grill for the air circulation pattern. However, others say theirs actually burns better with the pan full.

There was a long thread on this very topic just a couple of weeks ago. In fact, I think there was a poll attached.

 

[adrpga498]

I empty the ash pan on a reload with only a small coal bed. Helpful hint, I open the front door a bit (prior to ash pan door ) this seems to reduce the blast furnace effect quite a bit.

 

[remkel]

I empty the ash pan on a reload with only a small coal bed. Helpful hint, I open the front door a bit (prior to ash pan door ) this seems to reduce the blast furnace effect quite a bit.

On the Oslo, open the side door.....same effect. I open the side door of the 600 when emptying the ash pan when I have some hot coals present.

 

[Stubborn Dutchman]

I find the ash pan on my F600 to be very efficient when dumped before it overflows. Open the door, remove pan, close door, dump pan outside, and replace pan. Simple as that and minimal dust created indoors. Plus I'm not scooping up any coals.

 

[firefighterjake]

The Oslo ash pan works quite well . . . that said . . . some folks shovel out the ashes and are also just as happy as us ash pan lovers.

 

[eyefish2]

I am an Oslo ash pan user. I burn approx 5 days a week on evenings and overnight and empty the pan approx every two weeks. If it is allowed to get too full, it will make a mess when you pull it from the stove. Seems to be very little waste of unburned coal.