clucker1 Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 We now have a woodburner which we burn both wood and coal on. Where is the best place for all the ash? Can it be composted? The burner is now keeping our house warm all day, so just put the heating on initially and then turn it off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 I think the coal rules out quite a lot of uses, I dont think that can be composted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 As it's a wood burner, if you stick to using just logs, then you can compost the ashes and even use them for a chicken dust bath. I'm not certain, but I didn't think you were meant to burn coal in a wood burner? But, I don't know that for sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucker1 Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share Posted January 8, 2012 Thanks for that. The woodburner is designed as a combi burner so can burn both. So, for the fires which are just wood, can they go on the compost or anywhere else? It is quite a large burner so is churning out loads of ash. If not compostable or can go on the gardens is if off to the dump with it for the stuff with coal? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 The ash from the wood burner can be composted. The coal eliment most probably should go to the dump. Having said that, I put my BBQ coal ash around the garden but mixed with a high element of strong chicken compost. You may find this link useful: http://www.stovesonline.co.uk/wood-coal-ash.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 If you stick to just logs, you can use it as a dustbath for the hens. They will love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 I put my woodashes in the compost bins and then I also spread some around the base of plants which seem to like it - raspberries and blackcurrants - although you may read conflicting things about raspberries preferring acid soil whereas wood ash is alkaline. I've been doing it for the past few years and can't really say if it makes a blind bit of difference! However, I don't burn coal so can't comment on what to do with coal ash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 You can make ashcrete with it, I think you can put it on your garden but it needs to weather for a good while first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 If it contains coal then you'll have to bin it. If it is just wood ash then you can add it to your compost heap or the chickens' dustbath. Mine have two containers full of wood ash and they love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucker1 Posted January 9, 2012 Author Share Posted January 9, 2012 Thank you everyone. The girls will be soooooooo pleased to get more of a mudbath. Its a bit like my teenage daughter and showers and or the mirror...they both can't get enough of it! Will be onto a wood fire tomorrow (if it is cold enough....quite warm here today.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 We put our coal ash / cinders on our track in the hollows, where mud & water collect. It serves as decent hardcore & helps with drainage. But I agree, bin them otherwise. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 We only burn wood, so all of the ash goes into the compost bins or onto the garden, fruit trees like a dose each year and so long as it is well mixed with other vegetable matter it will be fine in your compost bins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angeluk69 Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 Whatever you do, don't do as I did a few month ago and put ashes on the compost heap! I managed to burn down 12 ft of fencing with what I thought were cold ashes...needless to say my neighbours weren't too happy. I put mine in a metal bucket and then leave them outside until completely cooled, and then I dispose of them in the bin...we use smokeless fuel now so can't compost it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 Oooh! happy neighbours.....are they speaking to you now? We use a metal dustbin to store the wood ash and then spread it around fruit trees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angeluk69 Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 Not talking to us much, I don't think they are too keen on us as a family...never mind tha I've lived here for 28 of my thirty years (I inherited my house from my parents when they passed away) ...In fact this would cover one of our most recent onversations; Me: 'hello' Her: Me: 'ok bye' I always feel like a naughty child, and shejust has a 'tone' Oh well, I've learnt from it and no longer put my fire ashes on the compost heap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 I have a handmade steel ash pan to empty my ash in, then it's stood on the stone kitchen floor so it can't burn anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Marple Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 Mine always go into the chicken run for a dustbath-only when cold though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
