Where to put the ashes from the fireplace or stove

The heating season comes to an end, whatever winter may still be trying to do. It is time for a thorough clean-up — including clearing the ash out of the fireplace insert or stove. But how do you clean the ash out properly and what should you do with it afterwards? Let us take it step by step.

How do you remove ash from a fireplace correctly?

Note that the ash must be removed from the firebox once you have finished heating for the season. It absorbs moisture, which can damage the appliance.

Bear in mind that ash is very light and scatters easily. It also has insulating properties and can keep live embers alive for a long time. So prepare:

a container, preferably metal;
a brush or a small broom;
a scoop or shovel;
or, instead of all of the above, simply a special ash vacuum cleaner for fireplaces.

With the last of these, collecting the ash is very quick and easy. If you do not have one, be as careful as possible so that the ash does not scatter around the room.

Using the scoop or shovel, collect the top layer of ash into the container.
With light strokes of the brush, gather the remaining ash into a pile and carefully remove it with the shovel.

How to remove ash from a fireplace correctly

How should ash be stored safely?

This is the point most often underestimated. Because ash insulates so well, embers buried in it can smoulder for several days — long after the ash feels cool on the surface. That is why ash is never emptied into a plastic bucket, a bin bag or a compost heap straight away.

use only a metal container with a lid;
place it on a non-combustible surface, away from walls, furniture, firewood and anything else that can burn;
keep the container outside the house if possible, and never in a garage next to fuel;
let the ash stand for at least a few days before you move it anywhere else.

What can you do with wood ash?

Do not be in a hurry to throw it away. Wood ash is a useful fertiliser:

it contains potassium, calcium and trace elements that plants need for growth;
it enriches the soil and can help against some pests;
it can be added to compost in small amounts;
in winter it is scattered on icy surfaces to improve grip.

One important caveat: wood ash is alkaline and raises the pH of the soil, so it does not suit every plant. It works well on soils that are too acidic, but it should be kept away from acid-loving crops — blueberries, cranberries, rhododendrons and azaleas — and it is not recommended on potato beds, where a higher pH encourages scab. Use it in moderation and, ideally, only where you know the soil is acidic.

And of course only ash from clean, untreated firewood is suitable for the garden. Ash from painted or impregnated wood, chipboard, packaging or household waste must not go anywhere near a vegetable bed — which is one more reason to burn only proper firewood in the first place.