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[american-pacemaker]

How do you separate the ashes from the coal bed without taking out to much of the coal bed ?

[Jwood]

You need an an ash-coal seperator, sold seperately.
Only kidding, I'm not sure on an Optimizer!

[coolidge]

You are always going to throw some out, I use a shovel to kinda rake them to one side, scoop out ash and repeat on other side.
One thing I did find if I was planning on ash removal I will burn some pine or any softwoods and it burns the cools down also.

[JTS717]

If i know i'm going to be cleaning out the firebox. I go out an hour or so before and flip the switch so the fan won't come on.  This way the coals aren't hot when I clean it.  For me it is easier to get the coals to come to the top so I rake the ashes around and scoop out the coals and put them in a metal bin ( you will never get them all).  Then I take out the remaining ashes and put them in my ash pail.  This way the entire firebox is cleaned out.  Then I put the coals back in and light them with the torch.

This may not be the best way especially if you have a high heat load, your water temp might drop too much while the fan is off. 

[Winalov]

Metal rake works just fine. You rake it , you shake it .....thats all

[Shrek1112]

 

[martyinmi]

I've not scooped any ash from mine at all during the last couple burn seasons.
I do do a thorough cleaning at seasons end, at which point coals get thrown out with the ash.
I just rake the firebox contents over the nozzle every time I load it(twice daily) in figure "X" push/pull motions. Takes less than a minute.
I also clean the secondary burn chamber 2x/week.

FYI-P&M does not recommend doing what I do, as they are afraid the nozzle opening will be damaged.
Since I have been using karlK's nozzles, fracturing does not appear to be an issue.

[Maxnchej]

I have a bl 2840 and this is my first year and I had to shovel out some of the ash today. The ash was up to the top of the brick line and it wasn't falling into the ash pan to much. I ended taking out about a wheel barrow full out. Stove is working much better now. Have others had to do this?

[Bud Man]

Maxnchej, you need to read the Calling All BL Owners post. Sounds like you might have had some bricks fall over and block your airflow and ash disposal. It happened to me and I had to build the spacers. Everything is working much better now. Hotter fires, longer burn times and ash is falling into the ash tray.

[FareNorth]

My ash build up varies depending on type of wood I burn. Have had the ash and coal build up that it impeded air flow and temps wouldn't climb. So scraped the creosote off and emptied the ash bin and Presto!

So now I try to empty it once a week before it becomes an issue.

This boiler is such a pleasure compared to my indoor fireplace. So much less time loading and maintaining/feeding wood. Plus the added benefit of not splitting wood has been so much easier. I do keep some split wood for when I let it burn down to do a better clean out and then it's a challenge to get whole logs burning again but that's to be expected.

[Uponthehill]

I think Bud nailed it. I have noticed the back section of mine won't drop ashes. I think a few brick in the back have fallen. I am cautious now cause I don't want to let mine burn out to fix. I'll take care of mine and fix like Bud Man's then. My ashes have never gotten over 8" thick. I too agree with Bud Man. Have you noticed a diff in your burn times?