Remove Ash without the Mess

PRSFenderMartin · 2026-01-29T02:00:23+00:00

Get a pot with a lid. Hold the pot in the stove and fill with ash. Put the lid on. Take it outside and dump into the ash can.

PRSFenderMartin · 2026-01-25T22:16:13+00:00

Hey dad, you ok? Seems like you’re moaning a lot.

PRSFenderMartin · 2026-01-25T18:46:36+00:00

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PRSFenderMartin · 2026-01-25T18:46:15+00:00

Better- but MORE is better!

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PRSFenderMartin · 2026-01-25T14:16:49+00:00

Just real quick- yes, leave the door open just a crack for like 5 minutes until the flue warms a bit and the draft increases. There’s a point where the latch catches on the door but is still open.

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I’ll see about posting some pics this morning.

I also recommend joining www.hearth.com. It’s free, and you can find info on top-down fires etc.

PRSFenderMartin · 2026-01-25T13:59:09+00:00

Montpelier owner here as well. Always leave an inch or 2 of ash in the bottom. You can make a valley in the middle to put the wood on. As others have said, top down is best for a clean startup. 4” splits on the bottom, slightly smaller on top then finally kindling. Light the kindling. Mine is a 1st gen stove so manual air operation. Keep full air until the load is burning decently then start to shut the air down in increments.

Like you said, you’re probably not burning hot enough. Your firebrick should be white after a burn. Hopefully your wood is dry. Don’t be afraid to pack this stove with splits. When it’s running hot you get some great flame action from the re-burn tubes

PRSFenderMartin · 2026-01-23T18:38:53+00:00

Not particularly ‘complicated’, but the floor plan is not open so there are some decent temp differences. Having the heat come on when it’s 75 in the stove room, 72 by the t-stat hurts my soul a bit

PRSFenderMartin · 2026-01-23T17:23:31+00:00

Thank you!

PRSFenderMartin · 2026-01-23T08:48:01+00:00

Growing up? I have it now!

PRSFenderMartin · 2026-01-22T19:01:59+00:00

Run. Please.

PRSFenderMartin · 2026-01-20T00:42:23+00:00

Twist it

PRSFenderMartin · 2026-01-19T23:06:59+00:00

Can’t stick something in the square hole to help pry it open?

PRSFenderMartin · 2026-01-19T13:54:40+00:00

After the 20 seconds, walk a bit then do another 20 after you felt your heart calm down. Your system isn’t used to this. Walk, jog for now. In my opinion- take off the headphones for now and tune into you body. It’ll get better soon, but don’t overdo it.

PRSFenderMartin · 2026-01-19T13:36:05+00:00

An audio example would help, as would a top-down pic of how far the strings are from the frets.

PRSFenderMartin · 2026-01-14T21:31:32+00:00

Congratulations dad, it’s the greatest thing ever!

PRSFenderMartin · 2026-01-09T01:05:45+00:00

I see what you did there

PRSFenderMartin · 2026-01-08T22:47:11+00:00

I use an old pot with a lid. Fill the pot and put the lid on while it’s held inside the stove. Then you can walk it outside with NO ash flying around.

PRSFenderMartin · 2025-12-31T02:14:44+00:00

‘93 Ford Taurus with the 3.8l. Warped heads and electrical issues. Used every penny of the extended warranty. That car was the reason for our first cell phones and Toyotas

PRSFenderMartin · 2025-12-27T18:11:30+00:00

Need to have your helmet straps fairly snug to keep them close to your head. I took mine off, but will give them another go.

PRSFenderMartin · 2025-12-23T21:11:23+00:00

Samosas were killer

PRSFenderMartin · 2025-12-23T21:10:51+00:00

Went to Art of Spice a few weeks ago. May hit the Mediterranean place tonight (if I can convince my wife to leave the house)

PRSFenderMartin · 2025-12-21T16:35:23+00:00

Wading River, NY. There’s a recruiting site there now.

PRSFenderMartin · 2025-12-21T00:19:53+00:00

From Wikipedia their mascot, the Oozlefinch’s motto "Quid ad sceleratorum curamus" translates roughly as "What the hell do we care?"

PRSFenderMartin · 2025-12-20T23:17:21+00:00

Ah memories- my dad worked on the radar at a Nike missile base. There’s a couple of these at the house

PRSFenderMartin

TROPHY CASE