Watch this video for instructions on how to empty your ash pan.
Empty the ashes when they get 3” to 4” deep. Make sure that the fire is out - Never try to empty the ashes when the stove has an active or full fire, doing so will over heat the stove. Always wear gloves while handling hot ashes. The ashes may be removed by pulling out the ash drawer (if equipped on freestanding models) or scooping out the loading door of the stove. To operate the ash drawer:
- Turn the ash pan handle to the left or right to release the latch
- Pull out the drawer and empty the ashes safely as described below.
- Clean out any ashes that may have fallen into the cavity that the ash drawer slides in to. If any ashes remain in the cavity it can prevent the ash pan from sealing, resulting in excessive air to the fire.
- Slide the ash drawer back into place, push in to compress the spring and turn the handle down.
- NEVER OPERATE THE STOVE WITH THE ASH DRAWER REMOVED OR OPENED.
Leave 1” of ash in the bottom of the stove to help maintain a hot charcoal bed. Dump the ashes into a metal container with a tight-fitting lid and keep away from the house. NEVER EMPTY ASHES INTO A COMBUSTIBLE CONTAINER SUCH AS A PLASTIC BUCKET OR PAPER BAG. NEVER LEAVE ASHES NEAR THE HOUSE OR GARAGE.
Not all Kuma stoves will have the optional ash pan feature. If you are removing ashes through the door, use fireplace tools and scoop the ashes into a metal bucket then immediately remove them far away from the house.