Fireplace Ash Dump

The ash dump pit is under the fireplace (fire box) floor. The ash dump sits on the fireplace floor and generally is a louvered grate (trap door) with a lever that opens and closes as needed. The standard opening is 4 inches by 8 inches but the trap door looks bigger since it has a wide flange that fits over the opening. The ash dump pit is directly below the fireplace floor. On some homes there is a clean out door on the exterior wall just behind the fireplace on the chimney wall. In older homes and some newer ones the ash dump pit can be several feet below in a cellar. In this case the ash dump door is located in the cellar. The ash dump trap door/caddy is a time saving innovation.
The ash dump door/caddy combination eliminates the need to use the ash dump pit. The caddy type trap door can be used with shallow or deep ash dump pits because the caddy detaches from the trap door. The ash dump door separates from the caddy, then the caddy is removed, dumped and replaced. Take care not to drop the caddy if you have a deep ash pit. This is a really easy way to dump ash if it works in your fireplace. Dry ash, if it is moved too quickly, shaken or dropped, billows into dust clouds that cover everything close by and create a huge cleanup. A great tip is to dampen the ash with a spray bottle filled with water. Voila! No dust.
The ash dump door or cleanout door is made in a couple of ways, cast iron or aluminium, and vented. I do not recommend the vented type. Even though they are made so one can open and close it from inside, I don’t see the need of another way for outside air to enter the home. If it is open, the direct upward airflow would consume the log much faster, not to mention cold air in the winter months. Andirons or a good grate provide just the right amount of airflow. Many grates are shaped to cast more heat into the room so research which style suits your firebox.
Solid cleanout doors are better but I recommend the cast iron over the aluminum type. Cast aluminum has, in my experience, a tendency to crack. The cast iron clean out doors come in many sizes and styles. If your existing cleanout door is rusted or the frame is broken, in most cases the correct replacement size is available. Your local chimney pro’s usually carry these items and they are available online. Also, an odd size opening can be made bigger to accomodate a common size. Making an opening smaller is more difficult and care must be taken in both cases to assure there are no combustible materials used.

If the ash dump door or clean out door has not been used and is stuck there are several methods that work to un-stick it. Clean the area carefully. Use a wire brush if there is rust or any other buildup present. Use a lubricant and let it soak in for a while. If it still doesn’t open try gently tapping the lever and louvers with a hammer. In the case of the clean out door, gently tap the handle. If nothing works, replacement is the next step.
*Smoke Guard (aka lowering the fireplace opening ). Thr purpose of these is to prevent smoke from entering the room. These come in kits and are a DIY project if you are handy. There are several good video tutorials online.
*Uses for wood ash. As ash is accumulated from a wood burning fireplace one might wonder what in blazes to do with it. There are several ways to use ash. Dampen it and let the kids use it for body paint and graffiti. OK!, so scratch that one, I’m just making sure you are paying attention. This Old House, https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/10-uses-wood-ashes lists ten uses, de-skunk pets, hide driveway stains, enrich compost, block garden pets, melt ice, control pond algae, pump up tomatoes, clean glass fireplace doors, make soap, shine silver. Wow!. Natural Living Ideas, https://www.naturallivingideas.com/wood-ash-uses/ , says much of the same but in more detail. Lastly, if you know a prepper, check this out at Ask a Prepper, http://www.askaprepper.com/uses-for-ashes/ .
*Coal burning creates carbon monoxide and burns a lot hotter than wood. Surprisingly, many companies still sell coal burning stoves. These are made to withstand the higher temperatures and therefore generate a lot of heat and must be vented using a flue to the outside. Obvoiusly you shouldn’t burn coal in your fireplace. The Woolwine Volunteer F.D. in Virginia, http://www.woolwinefire.com/?page_id=929 , posts some handy tips.
NO colored paper, pizza boxes, treated or stained wood, plastics, accelerants, Christmas trees, more. Read their post to the end.
Always burn safe! http://fireplaceflair.com/