As the season shifts and temperatures drop, a fireplace is perfect for bringing warmth and ambiance into your home. However, your fireplace needs regular cleaning to continue running safely and smoothly. One essential maintenance task for wood-burning fireplaces is ash removal.
In this blog, we explain how to properly remove ashes from your fireplace and offer tips for doing so safely and effectively.
How Often Should I Clean Out My Fireplace Ash?
You should clean out some of the ashes from your fireplace when it builds up over an inch in depth. While it may seem tempting to clean the ashes out after every use, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends leaving one inch of ash in your fireplace throughout the heating season1. This inch of ash can make it easier to get the fire going and protects your firebox from damage.
Once the fire-burning season ends, only then should you fully clean out all the ash from your fireplace.
The Importance of Proper Fireplace Ash Removal
It’s completely normal for wood-burning fireplaces to generate ash, especially with frequent use. However, letting too much ash accumulate can damage your fireplace over time and even pose safety risks.
Consider cleaning the ashes from your fireplace for the following reasons:
- Corrosion prevention: Ashes are acidic and can corrode the fireplace’s masonry, nearby surfaces, and even the log grate.
- Aesthetics: A fireplace is a beautiful focal point, but excess ash accumulation can make it less visually appealing.
- Safety: Even after the fire has gone out, ashes can still retain heat. Ash piles over one inch pose a greater fire hazard.
Properly removing the ashes from your fireplace and disposing of them responsibly can help keep your home safe and clean.
How to Clean Ashes from Your Fireplace
When cleaning out your fireplace, following the right steps is crucial. Ashes can pose a significant fire risk when mishandled. If you have any concerns about cleaning your fireplace on your own, contact a Creative Energy fireplace technician for services today! Otherwise, read on for a step-by-step guide to removing ashes from your fireplace.
1. Ensure the Ashes are Completely Cool
Before doing anything with the ashes, you should always make sure they are completely cool. Even if they seem cool on the outside, there could still be hot ashes hiding in the pile. The minimum recommended cooling period for ashes is 96 hours, or about four days.2
2. Use the Right Ash Removal Tools
Once you’ve determined that the ashes are completely cool, you will need to procure the right tools, including safety gear like gloves and a mask. To remove the ashes, you can either use an ash shovel or a vacuum designed specifically for fireplaces. You will also need a heat-resistant metal container to store the ashes.
3. Removing the Ashes
How you remove the ashes from your fireplace depends on which tool you are using. If you are using an ash shovel, consider these tips:
- Use smooth, gentle movements to avoid ash clouds
- Don’t overload the shovel; smaller scoops are easier to handle
- As you move the ashes to the container, tilt the shovel slightly so the ashes gently slide off
- Be wary of any potential embers still present, even in cooled ashes
A fireplace vacuum is a specialized vacuum made specifically for cleaning out fireplaces. This is the only type of vacuum suitable for ash removal. Check the filter before each use to ensure it’s clean, then work slowly and steadily with gentle movements to vacuum the ashes.
4. Proper Ash Disposal
Improper ash disposal is a common cause of accidental fires2, so it’s crucial that you dispose of them correctly and responsibly. Once you have scooped or vacuumed the ashes from your fireplace, store them in a heat-resistant metal container outside where there is open air3.
After storing them in this designated spot for about a week, they can typically be thrown away once they are completely cool. You should always check with your local trash collection service or fire department for advice specific to your area.
Find Expert Fireplace Maintenance Services at Creative Energy
Ash removal is a necessary part of fireplace maintenance, and by following the proper steps, you can effectively clean out your fireplace to keep it in good shape for years to come.
If your fireplace needs cleaning, maintenance, or repair, the skilled technicians at Creative Energy are ready to bring our services to your home. We proudly service all fireplaces, no matter where you bought them! Contact Creative Energy online to request a technician today.
References
- The Ultimate guide to using your fireplace properly & efficiently. (n.d.). CHIMNEY SAFETY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA (CSIA). https://www.csia.org/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-using-your-fireplace-properly-efficiently
- User, S. (n.d.). Ash Can Program – North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District. https://nltfpd.org/outdoor-burning/ash-can-program
- Safe Disposal of Ash from your Stove | Tips and advice from HETAS. (n.d.). HETAS. https://www.hetas.co.uk/consumer/advice-hub/advice-articles/safe-disposal-of-stove-ash/