No Stupid Questions, Eh?

I'm not sure if I believe the saying 'There are no stupid questions.' Maybe this falls into that category... Forgive me if it does. But I genuinely don't know a good answer to my question, and I feel like this group of humans (versus weeding through the abundant but wholly unreliable answers from 'Google') might send me in the right direction.

My main source of heat for my home is a wood burning stove. It isn't very large, but does it's job. Because of it's smaller stature, I find myself cleaning the box of ashes and leftovers every time I light a fire. This leaves me a lot of ash/mostly burnt bits and pieces.

My question lies at this part... When I clean the box out, and I have my nice receptacle of leavings, is there anything beneficial I can do with this? I feel like there must be SOMETHING useful for it. Can it go in my compost? Should it NOT go in my compost? Are there potentially inedible bits in my yard or forest that might use it?

I'm not sure this counts as recycling, but I like to think it does.

Thank you in advance for any ideas, suggestions or learning opportunities you might provide me!

Lots and lots and lots of love,

F

Wood ashes in general are a bit acidic  EDIT: my error! they are alkaline, so those get used in moderation (some, but don't smother an area in them) and the unburned debris is just mulch, totally garden happy-making.

So yes. put in anywhere you like, spread it around so it's not thick, and it's fine.

And be warned, I bet you'll get lots of replies telling you about rocket stoves :D

PS: It wasn't a stupid question!
:D

Pearl Sutton wrote:Wood ashes in general are a bit acidic, so those get used in moderation (some, but don't smother an area in them) and the unburned debris is just mulch, totally garden happy-making.

So yes. put in anywhere you like, spread it around so it's not thick, and it's fine.

And be warned, I bet you'll get lots of replies telling you about rocket stoves :D

I am OVERJOYED with your response. I didn't want to sound demanding, but my ideal reply would tell me not only where I could use this, but WHY... And you did that without me having to ask. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. You make the world go round, my friend.

And regarding rocket stoves, that's okay. I'm happy to learn. There are upgrades and improvements I can make to this space, (in fact, it's part of my agreement to do so) but ultimately, any changes or modifications I want to make are up to the home/landowner. I am here as a preservation/improvement implement while the previous 'tenants' are deployed elsewhere in the military, with the intent to return in about 4 years.

I likely won't be able to change her mind about the heat source, but I can DEFINITELY do my due diligence to make what I am using as efficient as possible.

This property has so much potential. In some regards, I'm going to err on the side of 'forgiveness than permission' because I think the IDEAS would derail her, but seeing the finished, working products will negate any would-have-been resistance. But the woodstove (which has sentimental value to her) is not an area I'm ready to challenge her with... Yet. :)

Thank you so much! I have been saving the ashes in boxes and containers and it's driving my partner a bit crazy. I shall go disperse responsibly!

Lots and lots and lots of love,

F

just wanted to note - as the substance that use you make lye, wood ashes are fairly alkaline, not acidic. it doesn’t change what to do with them (unless your location’s pH situation suggests it), but it can make a difference.

greg mosser wrote:just wanted to note - as the substance that use you make lye, wood ashes are fairly alkaline, not acidic. it doesn’t change what to do with them (unless your location’s pH situation suggest it), but it can a difference.

I thought that only hardwoods created lye. Is that a misunderstanding on my part?

I ask because I burn mostly pine.

F

If you live where it snow often you could put the ashes on your walkway or driveway to melt snow.

I like your question and it is not stupid.

Kaarina said, "If you want to quickly melt the snow with zero pollution, sprinkle ash. It melts the snow fast and fertilises the soil. Just do not overdo it, since ash is alcalic.

I would build a wall around the beds and cover the beds with a frost blanket. You will not change the temp drastically, but every bit counts.

Also, a sool rich in microbial action melts much faster than a tilled, packed soil. The difference can be striking. See this pic.

https://permies.com/t/212882/Extending-Growing-Season-Cold-Climates#1790812

i think you may be able to make better lye from hardwood ashes, but i’ve never seen information that suggests that pine ashes aren’t also alkaline. and ol’ goog is unsurprisingly unhelpful for that distinction.

We've used ours for:
Amending soil
Getting our car unstuck, on ice
Melting ice on the gravel driveway
Used hot, on weedy walk areas - followed with a bit of water showered over it works best
Used (with heavy rubber gloves and a bit of water) for scrubbing the cement front porch, or glass
Flushing clogged pipes(be very careful and conservative with this one, as it's incredibly caustic, and can potentially eat through old metal pipes 1/4 cup is generally more than enough)

I've not yet tried making soap with it, but it's on my list.

Faeryn Savage wrote:I'm not sure if I believe the saying 'There are no stupid questions.'

Well, there aren't any here at Permies. Hopefully you can believe that now! Every question can lead to a great new discussion, and I have learned so much reading this thread!