Sifting Through the Ashes

[Oldtoad of Green Acres]

Get a cat liter box sifter from amazon

Plastic does not work for me, great idea though, too hot when I pull ashes.
This time of year I end up pitching a bunch of charcoal chunks into the snow. Great for traction.
Of course we need to leave some ash for insulation.
Willing to lose some of the smaller bits.
Suggestions?

 

[EatenByLimestone]

How about those scoopers made for deep fryers?

6" Round Mesh Skimmer

Safely and effectively remove items from stockpots, steamers, and fryers with this 6" round mesh skimmer! This skimmer features a durable wire mesh bowl and long, nickel-plated, one-piece handle. Use it to remove particles from your fryer, as well as lost french fries, chicken fingers...

www.webstaurantstore.com

 

[brazilbl]

I use the one the moderator is showing. Since the web is made of steel, it is rugged. Have had it for over 2 years with no problems...

 

[Oldtoad of Green Acres]

You guys are perfectionists.
Thinking of something with teeth or tines.
Like an Afro hair pick
Only not plastic.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Lol, that seems perfectionist to me! I just stir the coals with my poker so the ash falls to the bottom and the larger chunks rise. They'll burn down! I pull the ash out when I can no longer fit the amount of wood I want in the stove!

 

[spuldup]

My furnace has shaker grates and an ash bin, so the method would change if you don't have those. But, I dump the ash bin into a 16" X 16" metal box I made which has a punched metal screen in the bottom and two handles rising to the top of the box. When the box is mostly full (and cold) I pull the handles while shaking and the punched metal filters the big stuff and any nails for manual separation. Sometimes I throw the big coals back in the fire or use for traction. Fine ash to the garden unless we've burner coal then it fills groundhog holes.

Of course the shaking is done outside. And on a windy day, if possible!

 

[TvSteve]

Home maid rake does a good job. I rake coals foward, a few small pieces of pine to burn down a large pile and I'm ready to reload. Why throw away good coals?

 

[spuldup]

Home maid rake does a good job. I rake coals foward, a few small pieces of pine to burn down a large pile and I'm ready to reload. Why throw away good coals?

That's a good idea. A landscape rake with the handle cut down would be a quick way to get something similar.

 

[Oldtoad of Green Acres]

Anyone ever use a poop rake, rather bedding fork?
Still looking for something smaller but like this.

 

[bigealta]

Bent this from a coat hanger. Ugly but works well. Use it to push the ash and coals around over the grate in the Jotul f400. The ash drops down thru the grates into the ash pan and the coals whether hot or cold stay on top of the grates. No need to scoop them out as they burn in the next load.

 

[Oldtoad of Green Acres]

Bent this from a coat hanger. Ugly but works well. Use it to push the ash and coals around over the grate in the Jotul f400. The ash drops down thru the grates into the ash pan and the coals whether hot or cold stay on top of the grates. No need to scoop them out as they burn in the next load.

View attachment 309868

Yes, should have bought a better "value" stove.
No ash pan on mine.
Live and learn.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

every stove I’ve owned had an ash pan. I only used the first 2 ash pans. The last 2 just got their ashes scooped out.

 

[Oldtoad of Green Acres]

every stove I’ve owned had an ash pan. I only used the first 2 ash pans. The last 2 just got their ashes scooped out.

Thanks, really enjoy my stove.
For a second there I had ash pan envy.
Over it now.

 

[begreen]

Yes, should have bought a better "value" stove.
No ash pan on mine.
Live and learn.

Ash pans are overrated.

 

[Oldtoad of Green Acres]

Found something worth trying on a recommendation from a friend.
Restaurant supply, Culinary basket, size medium, $7.
There were several sizes, even considered a fryolator basket.
If it does not work out will try a different, larger size mesh.
At the very least will have something to sift Panko coated foods.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

There’s a scoop that ice fishermen use to pull ice from their holes. You may want to look at them too.

Scheels Outfitters Ice Fishing Skimmer Chipper

With this ice skimmer / ice chipper combo from Scheels Outfitters, you can easily maintain your ice hole and keep the slush out for a cleare SCHEELS

www.scheels.com

 

[EatenByLimestone]

It’d be easy enough to make the holes bigger with any twist bit.

 

[30WCF]

Saw this the other day. Though if you guys.

 

[Oldtoad of Green Acres]

That looks better than what I have seen so far.
Mine fits in the ash bucket.
And I can use it to cook with.

 

[30WCF]

In the BBQ section of sportsman’s warehouse.

 

[30WCF]

Better have your gloves on, but the prospecting section at Bass Pro

 

[stoveliker]

This is what I use. $16 on Amazon.
All steel.