We're on limestone, so have to be very careful about adding ash to the soil. Sometimes I think I should try making soap....
After the ash cools I place it into saved dog food bags. The bags are designed to hold 44 pds of food, not sure what the total in gallons is but I have filled 6 bags so far this season. I don't have a place to spread the ash so they go to the incinerator to get cooked again
I generally take out ashes every 2-4 days.They are poured from the bucket across a piece of 1/2" mesh wire screen that's placed over the 30 gallon can.Ashes & small bits whether hot or cold fall through,anything bigger stays on the screen to be placed back in the firebox.
I've filled up the keyhole pit clean full twice so far this burning season, which probably equates to around 60 gallons, give or take...... I've kicked around the idea of trying my hand at leaching lye out of the ash for use in Makin gnome made soap and detergent, has anyone leached lye out of ash before? I looked at a couple things on the net and it seems easy enough, and I have PLENTY of ash!!
I have everything I need to make soap, even molds. I was going to do it last summer but never got around to it. I may try it in a few weeks, when the weather breaks and it's bearable to sit outside.
Yuppers. You can "fry" the ground with too much ash. Also if spreading chicken or rabbit manure; spread it very thin. Horse manured, leave it in the pile for a year before spreading it if at all possible. No matter what the one the soil, even in very acid soil, of you plan on growing anything, you'd best spread it super thin, else you'll wait a year or two until the ground recovers.
We used to do it and use the lye soap for washing milking machines but that was many, many moons ago. For the most part, I got out of that chore but not the chore of washing the milkers. I will say it is not difficult.
Well, washing the milkers was not all that bad except that it has to be done morning and night. Just one more chore if you have dairy cows. In the winter it was nice to put your cold hands into the warm water.
I live in the city so I just throw mine in the trash. Never thought of spreading it on the lawn. How much and what's the best way to spread it. Sounds messy.
