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Cleaning ash out of a wood burning fireplace?

Holy smokes I forgot how much ash a fireplace produces! It's time to clean mine out... we've been in our new house for about 6 months now and I haven't lived in a home with wood heat for many years. Growing up my dad always used a metal bucket that he set outside for a while before he dumped it. I don't have a metal bucket, so I haven't had a fire for over 12 hours to make sure there aren't any hot buds in there. I'm just going to use some grocery sacks, etc but I'm wondering what other people use or if you have any tips/tricks?? Thanks!

Public Comments

  1. Lay out a large Plastic sheet-Enough to cover the floor around the fire-Then lay a Dust sheet on top of that! Scrape out the Ash onto the dust Sheet. Make sure there are No Drafts Blowing through the house-When You cleaned it out completely.Roll both the plastic and dust sheet together-Take them away from the house and empty!!
  2. use a shop vac. A lot easier and cleaner.
  3. When I clean mine, I open the flue so the air rises up and takes the dust with it. (hopefully) and I use the little shovel that came with the fireplace tools to scoop out the ashes into a paper bag. Slowly and carefully.