So, I mentioned in another thread (don't remember which) that I ordered an ash rake. It arrived today. They can have it back. Ok, not really, but man is this thing cheesy. I really wasn't expecting much, but this isn't even that. The handle isn't too bad, but he "rake" isn't even 1/16" thick. I already used it, and will continue to do so while also looking for something with a bit (read...A LOT) more substance. Here's a peek...... One of the dogs had her doubts as well.
I think you have seen this before but this thing is great and I think it will last my lifetime, Since I put the sleeve on to protect the wooden handle. 10 bucks, real tools for kids garden rake
Yeah, I remember that HDR. I'll try doing a search. I still think someone..Jon/Scotty....should make these...Jon/Scotty...and sell....Jon/Scotty....'em...Jon/Scotty. That was a subliminal message brought to you by a guy in need of a real ash rake.
I will get one made in a few weeks Dave and post some pics. I plan on it being a looker and ergonomically friendly.
Any new wood comes in the house or anything else the cat has to check it out. I saw those ash rakes at Tractor Supply but I didn't want an ash rake, I wanted a coal rake
I honestly don't know Jon. I do know the poker isn't a very good coal, or ash rake. It does work fairly well to lift the ash plug though.
I use these when pulling the coals to the front and the shield has made my life a whole lot easier/safer
I use a fire poker and it works fine. Blaze Kings come with one actually. I empty the ash maybe once a month so I don't mess with with coals. Spread whatever is in the stove out so its flat, fill with wood, and burn. Repeat in 8-24hrs depending on outside temps.
Yeah nate, but you have Alien tech. on your side. I've used the poker or shovel for ash since we got here in '06. For us, the rake works better, because we actually need it.
Same procedure for the many other stoves I've run, though I've never used a stove that couldn't hold at least a few gals of ash. The stove my folks used we emptied maybe 2 times a winter, but it held 15-20 gals of ash. Do you guys empty your stoves every few days? I've always found it burns better with a good 2-3" deep (at least) ash bed.
Def. burns better and holds heat longer with an ash bed. Always leave some in when pulling ashes, and I'm still learning this one. I drop ashes into the pan every 3 days or so. Did some last night...they're still in there. Those must have been some big stoves. Whoa.
The stove in my folks place could hold a ton of ash, it had an ash "bin" about 2ft wide x 3 feet deep x 1.5 ft tall. The firebox was over top and had grates. Just found it worked better to have a bed of ashes so we left the ash "bin" full and shoveled it out of the firebox when that got full. Wish I had photos, never really thought it to be "special", much like I wouldn't normally take photos of the dishwasher or water heater. I clean my Blaze King out when it gets full to about the door frame, maybe 5-6" deep.., I've never measured it. I know it usually fills my 5 gal ash pail when I shovel it out.
