What I'm Learning about too much build up off ash and embers

I will at times open the primary and secondary air pretty well open to burn down coals but have ran into a time or two when we have been gone or busy and it's time to load the stove at night and the red coals are deep. I have done fine just raking them around to break them up and loading whatever will fit on top of my best hardwood, up to temp, engage the cat and will easily keep all night

 

It's nice if your stove is big enough to have that luxury. With a small fire box, I can't have a lot of coals in there if I want room to get in enough wood for an 8-hr. burn in cold weather. That's when it's also nice to have the ash grate in the floor of the stove...easy to make more room by stirring and dropping the excess ash and small char.

 

Welcome to the club Rich L

Once again great info here folks! It's amazing how much knowledge can be gained here!

 

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