‘No hot ashes’ is the traditional message provided by dustbins to their owners. But once our ashes have cooled down, most of us throw them straight into the bin.
This is a bit of a waste really, so here are five examples of ways in which you might like to put your ashes to better use.
1. On your garden
Wood ash contains lots of goodness for your plants, including potassium, magnesium and phosphorus. Someone more green-fingered than Gr8fires will be able to tell you which plants will particularly benefit from your ashes.
Wood ashes tend to contain lots of lime, which is useful for combating acidic soil. Head to the Royal Horticultural Society website for more tips on using ashes in your garden.
2. On oil spills
If you’ve got a drop of oil on your drive or in your garage, drop some cool ashes from your wood-burning stove on it. Leave your ashes overnight and in the morning, if everything has gone to plan, both ashes and oil should easily be swept away.
3. To clean your wood-burning stove
If you’ve got a wood-burning stove with airwash then your glass should keep itself fairly clean. But if you do need to clean your glass by hand, a lot of people swear by a bit of newspaper dipped in some cool ashes.
Wood-burning stoves are our area of expertise, but we’ve heard tales of people using this method to get tough stains off other glass surfaces too.
4. To keep bugs at bay
Another use in the garden. Tiny piles of ashes used as borders around each of your plants will help to keep unwanted visitors away from your plants. Insects, slugs and snailed can all be deterred from tucking into your greenery by a humble pile of ashes.
5. To polish metals
Mixing your wood ashes with water creates a paste that does a great job of buffing up your silver or pewter. It is abrasive, but if used with care it’s mild enough to create a nice shine without causing any damage.
If you’ve found another use for ashes from your wood-burning stove, let us know in the comments section below.
Our range of companion sets to deal with your ashes more easily.
There are two items Carrried in my car boot when it has been snowing a strong plastic sack of ash and a garden hoe, why a hoe well its lighter than a spade or shovel and can reach under the wheels of a car with minimum effort to clear snow then apply ash arond the wheels and you have grip.also use ash for doorsteps and paths it breaks down ice and snow so no more slipping or sliding for you or the postman. G.M.H.
On the garden to keep cats at bay. Spread the ash on the garden and cats will not use it as a toilet, keep spreading it daily in different spots.http://sweetcaptcha.s3.amazonaws.com/widget/v2/upload/answer_93.png
Love ALL comments ” Uses For Woodash” , great tips !
Gonna try em all ..
Don’t forget to spread cold ashes on a calm day, low to the ground, with any wind behind you; otherwise you will be wearing them and breathing them in, not good.
Ashes are particularly good for fruit bearing trees, plants and bushes, also root vegetables and the onion family. If you have a lot just put it every where, even lightly on the lawn, when rain is imminent, no plant will complain.
Yes, Janet, but don’t forget about your compost heap – your garden will particularly love you for the addition of ash, mainly wood ash.
Just wondering about cleaning glass with ash. Would or does that leave scratches? John
Hi John, It shouldn’t do – it usually just takes the soot away. If you’re still unsure, here are some alternatives: https://blog.gr8fires.co.uk/2014/12/03/five-ways-to-clean-your-wood-burning-stove-glass/?utm_source=Social&utm_medium=Social
John, we always use paper and ash very slightly dampened. Just yesterday somebody commented on how clear it looked as we enjoyed the flames sitting in the dark.
I use newspaper dipped in ash and vinegar on my stove glass , comes up lovely ?
I have to admit, although I have a woodturner with airways, and ensure the wood is very dry, the glass still does not stay clean and having used the ash for cleaning, I have noticed some small scratches on the glass 🙁
If wanted to be sure would have to sift it – it’s the fines’ that polish so if have any carbon products not fully burned in the ash pan there is some potential for scratching
There may have been grit (as in sand) in or on the wood you were burning – trees grow in the ground after all!
I use newspaper dipped in vinegar and ash , not noticed any scratches 😎
Some people have used the ash for a toothpaste.. ( So I have heard ..
Yes, it’s been used for years as a tooth paste. Mind you on delicate enamel…….
We use ash on ants nests, the ants can’t move it and are forced to find accommodation elsewhere.
For cleaning sooted glass, I first wipe over with a Multi-surface moist wipe ( I use Lidl’s ‘W5’), then dip it in ash to remove the more stubborn stains. Then wipe away any residue with a moist paper towel.
wow brilliant comments!
Enjoy reading these kinds of comments as they help me decide whether to invest in a stove Thank you
Hi
Like you, I was undecided about a wood burning stove but decided in Nov to invest in one. Got a fantastic Heatas engineer to fit it….. all done in one day!
One of the things to remember about a wood burner /multifuel burner is that they need your attention.
Remember it is a live flame, so protect carpets and your hands.
You will need to clean it out after each use and make all the mistakes most of us will have done whilst you get used to it …..BUT it really is worth the effort.
Getting up and down off the floor, refuelling as required can all be part of a daily workout, so all beneficial.
Just watching the flames dance is so much more entertaining than TV.
I would definitely recommend one and GR8 are so helpful with any queries, but the decision has to be yours alone.
Best wishes.
You don’t have to clean out every time. Just brush the ash through into the pan. A bed of ashes is fine.
We empty ours every few days.
Ash can be used in conjuction with cement to make fireproof bricks and or fireproofing ( barrier ) for all kinds of things in the home and garden. Also ! ..
Mixed with builders sand to make a dust bath for chickens in the winter months when it is too muddy for them to make their own in the garden.
That’s a new one for us, Christine! We always love hearing new ideas, so thanks for sharing.
Ashes used to be put in the void under floor boards for sound deadening in Glasgow tenements. Don’t put too much down though, or you may redecorate your downstairs neighbour’s flat…
Another new one! Thanks for sharing, Eric.
Help my new multi stove is in a mess. Its on all the time but there is dust on the top and inside the door not the glass side has turned a brown colour when cleaned it goes back to its orig. colour I have never had a problem with stoves before even the flue leading out of the wall is covered in dust.
any ideas please.
Hi Ros,
We were a bit unsure about where the discolouration is occurring. Discolouring usually happens when the fire is not hot enough or there is not enough oxygen at the fuel face, where the discolouring happens. This can be caused if there is fuel or ash buildup in front of the fuel retainer, where it will disrupt the flow of the airwash preventing the soot being burnt off.
If burning wood, make sure it is properly dry and seasoned (tested with a moisture meter, not just assumed to be dry).
Have the flue cleaned and make sure it is giving a good draw.
With regards to the ash settling on the stove, this is fairly common on woodburners. A little will come out into the room when refuelling, especially when the fire dies down and the flue draw decreases because it is not hot enough to suck the smoke, soot and ash up while the door is open.
Thanks,
Gr8Fires
Wood ash can be the basis of interesing stoneware pottery glazes, especially in a wood fired kiln.Not for everyone, I appreciate !
Thanks, Margaret.
Please can you clarify which ash you can safely use on your garden – especially when growing vegetables? I understand that ash from multi-fuel stoves that burn coal, smokeless fuel, briquettes etc has too much sulphur and may harm plants (and animals).
Hi Anna,
As alluded to in the article, we’re by no means gardening experts. We’re referring to wood ash here.
As you say, the indication seems to be don’t use coal and smokeless fuel ashes in the garden, but it doesn’t seem like anyone has a definitive answer.
Thanks,
Gr8Fires
We are in the process of changing our open fire to a wood burning stove. Is it possible to open the doors without it affecting the efficiency of the stove ?
Hi Jane
Opening the door will reduce the efficiency and potentially damage the stove: https://blog.gr8fires.co.uk/2012/04/30/shut-that-door-the-importance-of-closing-the-door-on-a-wood-burning-stove/
Thanks,
Gr8Fires
We thought the same, but find you don’t need to open the doors as you can see the flame ,very clearly and safely, through the glass. The only thing you’d miss is the crackle, but , as compensation , instead of the heat disappearing up the chimney it gets absorbed by the cast iron that radiates heat throughout the night.
wood ash is alkaline and good for most plants,except those lime hating like rhododendrons,azaleas etc.
coal ash is acidic and is best left to weather before use on the garden.
Ash is amazing for cleaning ovens. Removes all the grease with ease. All your racks glass doors it’s so easy no nasty chemicals or fumes. Also great for oven dishes pans etc great for the environment and zero cost.
Do you just use the ash sraight on to the oven. Or does water have to be added, eg, a paste?
Thanks for this thread. Found it absolutely fascinating and picked up a couple of useful tips to boot.
Well, now heres a problem: I have been burning a lot of wood over many years in a brazier in the garden ( I say ‘brazier, but it’s just a washing machine drum )
I was going to put the ashes on the garden assuming that it’s all biodegradable, but I was told that the ash has a lot of potassium and will do all sorts of horrible things to your plants.
Hi Bruce
It’s generally considered to be good for plants, as long as it’s used correctly: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=621
Thanks,
Gr8Fires
Make lye water for cooking or making soap.
Enriching your compost.
De-skunking the dog.
One of the major elements of wood ash is sodium. When wood is burned it oxidises to form sodium oxide which then very quickly absorbs water to form sodium hydroxide (ie caustic soda). NaOH has a very low pH so be very careful to mix and dilute the wood ash well with soil and never put it directly on plant roots.
Never put the ash from wood, which has been burned with COAL, on the garden as coal ash contains heavy metals such as lead and arsenic, … which are extremely toxic to plant roots.
… Oops! correction! sodium hydroxide has a very HIGH pH!
Add oil to ash to make a basic soap
Wow I’ve learnt so much from your comments, thanks everyone.