Wood ash from pellet stove

by Luca

Feb 21, 2021

Is there anyone who uses the ash produced by pellet stoves and has experience on its use?
I'm wondering if there are any problems using this ash: I got the impression that the ash is coarser than the fireplace ash.
Actually the real difference is perhaps that the ash from the pellet stove is fine and fairly homogeneous but has few very thin particles: it seems fine, because there are not big pieces of coal but perhaps the really thin particles are missing because of the forced stove ventilation. Once washed, the ash from the pellet stove is more difficult to filter and remains darker, sometimes almost black. 

Is it possible that this aspect gives problems? Can it be solved in your opinion with some adjustments on the stove?

First photo is wood ash from fireplace

Second photo is from pellet stove

The red and blue effect in the photos is a camera fault.

  • up

    Norm Stuart

    Washing the Ash

    There are two differing views on whether or not ash should be washed. When it’s washed, various soluble alkaline materials are removed in solution with the washing water, and many feel that they’re throwing away precious trace ingredients and fluxes. The reasons for removing these materials are that they might enter the pores of the clay body and create various problems when they melt, and that they’re caustic. However, this is a personal choice generally best made from the experience of doing it both ways. Personally, I prefer to use unwashed ash with the soluble materials intact.

    https://ceramicartsnetwork.org/pottery-making-illustrated/ceramic-s...

    Feb 25, 2021

  • up

    Luca

    Thank you Norm Stuart for your replay,

    at the moment I prefer to use washed ash for some different reason: one is that it is less dangerous and give me less problems with glazes, the second is that I'm trying to use as a substitute of whiting.

    I'm firing between cone 6 and cone 7.

    Feb 27, 2021