Vermont Casting 2461 Further suggestions, Remove Ashes Frequently, Safe Ash Handling, Dutchwest

Further suggestions...

*If the charcoal bed is relatively thick and your fuel is well-seasoned, it is possible to add fresh fuel (smaller pieces first), close the door and damper, and reset the air control within five minutes.

*When refueling, avoid breaking the charcoal bed into small pieces. Large pieces of charcoal help the fire recover quickly.

*The glass will remain cleaner if refueling is done when the previous load of fuel has burned down to hot, glowing coals. Use a crumpled piece of dry newspaper to wipe fly ash buildup off of the glass. Do not use liquid cleaning agents of any type on hot glass.

Remove Ashes Frequently

Wear heavy stove gloves when removing ashes. Check the ash compartment before reloading the stove. If the ashes are close to the top, empty the pan. Before re- placing the ash pan, clear away any ash that has spilled over the sides and back of the ash pan.

Empty the ash drawer regularly - typically every one to three days. The frequency will vary depending on how hot you run your stove: the hotter the fire, the more wood you burn, and the faster ash will accumulate.

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Fig. 26 Hot ashes can be dangerous and must be stored outdoors on a noncombustible surface in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid.

Dutchwest

Safe Ash Handling

Ash may contain hot coals and must be treated with extreme care. Ashes should be placed outdoors in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid. The closed con- tainer of ashes should be placed on a noncombustible floor or on the ground, well away from all combustible materials, pending final disposal. If the ashes are dis- posed of by burial in soil or otherwise locally dispersed, keep them in the closed container until all cinders have thoroughly cooled. Wood ash may be used as a gar- den fertilizer.

CAUTION: Never use a vacuum cleaner to remove ash from the stove; always remove and dispose of the ashes properly.

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