Disposal or use of Ashes - ideas?

[Paul in Rockwall TX]

My new oven is great - starting to accumulate some ash. Are ashes any good for anything? Is there any harm to dispersing them in the yard? Or do they just need to be thrown in the trash?

any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

[Tman1]

Re: Disposal or use of Ashes - ideas?

I thought i heard that ash is a component of homemade soap?

[dmun]

Re: Disposal or use of Ashes - ideas?

Cold ashes are lightweight and bag up easily, for handy disposal. Water run through them is pretty alkaline, so you could use them as a soil treatment for acid soil. What else? Soap? Food grade lye for pretzel boiling? The list is pretty short.

[brickie in oz]

Re: Disposal or use of Ashes - ideas?

I put them in the compost bin.

[david s]

Re: Disposal or use of Ashes - ideas?

I also compost them. As wood ash is alkaline it will balance material like a large amount of rotting leaves which are acidic. Don't put in too much ash though. Because my oven is small I sometimes remove 1/2 the coals to give me more room. For safety and the preservation of the zinc coating on my bucket, I dump the coals into 1/2 bucket of water. The unburnt charcoal also goes into the compost which is particularly good for the soil.

[Paul in Rockwall TX]

Re: Disposal or use of Ashes - ideas?

Thanks for the composting advice. Composting has been on my list of things to do, just haven't gotten to it (what with building a wfo and all). I have lot's of rotting leaves. Also bermuda grass clippings. I assume that grass is acidic as well as it decomposes?

A strictly composting question: We have alot of racoons, possums, armadillos (and rabbits and mice), so I've been a little concerned about composting food waste. Properly done, does a compost pile that includes kitchen waste still attract critters?

[david s]

Re: Disposal or use of Ashes - ideas?

Yes probably, but you can cover it.

[GianniFocaccia]

Re: Disposal or use of Ashes - ideas?

Vegetative kitchen waste is fine for compost piles. Oils, fats, bones are not.

[azpizzanut]

Re: Disposal or use of Ashes - ideas?

Hi Paul,

There is a book called "The Wonders of Wood Ash" by Judith James that should give you some ideas on how to use your wood ash.

Cheers,

[heliman]

Re: Disposal or use of Ashes - ideas?

I have a small "wheelie bin" that I wheel up to the WFO and remove the ash with a peel. It's done its job...

[drogers]

Re: Disposal or use of Ashes - ideas?

Ashes are an excellent source of potash.

[lwood]

Re: Disposal or use of Ashes - ideas?

can you make soap out of the ashes?

[Neil2]

Re: Disposal or use of Ashes - ideas?

"Properly done, does a compost pile that includes kitchen waste still attract critters?"

Yes, but some of the critters are tasty.

[azpizzanut]

Re: Disposal or use of Ashes - ideas?

Hi All, & lwood,

Look here for information on making soap: SOAP MAKING IN THE BUSH

Cheers,

[lwood]

Re: Disposal or use of Ashes - ideas?

thanks Bob, good article.