My husband just uses a small shovel to get the bulk out, then a wisk broom and dust pan to get the rest. The ash doesn't seem to fly around too much. Maybe you have more ashes than we do. We just burn a few evenings then clean it.

the only problem we seem to have with ash flying around is when we open the door to add add wood to a burning fire. when the bed is cold, it doesn't seem to be a problem. and we clean it just as socks does (except calling in the chimney sweep every 2 years to inspect and clean out any creosote build up). fireplaces are pretty but i sure do get tired of the woodchips that fall off and that flying ash and the greasy residue on walls and ceilings...

Humm... I wouldn't think that residue inside the house would be right. Perhaps your flue is malfunctioning (not opening all the way), or your chimney opening is not the right size for your firebox, causing an improper upflow of air. When you have a fire going does it tend to get a little smokey in the house?

Also, are you burning properly seasoned wood? That is wood left to dry out and age for 6 months, perferably up to a year! Burning green wood would both burn unevenly and add to the cresote buildup.

Good luck!

We live in Alaska a burn many fires. We don't have any tye of residue or grease on walls or ceilings. Something's wrong there and I'd get that checked.

We shovel it into a box lined with a plastic bag. Set it out the back door and in the spring I spread it over the grass and wooded areas of our yard.

Since we burn so frequently, there's no point to even brush it out. I will scoop it all out and for the summer I will get up the last little bit with my regular vac, so I can set up some candles for a summer display. We sometimes spill a little bit on the tile in front of the fireplace, and again, just clean that with the regular vacuum.

Gloria

If you use a spray bottle of water and dampen the ashes, they are easier to shovel.

I put them into a triple set of plastic grocery bags, tiel the bag shut and put it in the trash. A shop vac can vacuum up ashes.

funny that roadtrip and gloria both had thoughts along the same line...and thank you! yes, we only burn seasoned wood. we buy several cord of seasoned wood and an extra one of green wood in the spring. we stack the green wood on the bottom, followed by the seasoned wood so even the stuff on top has been around for a minimum of five months before we use it.

we never had a fireplace before we moved here and had no idea what kind of maintenance had been done before us so that first spring, we called a well-known local company to check it out for us. they cleaned the creosote build up and recommended that we have a new cap installed, which we did. they said everything else looked fine and we have someone check and clean things every 2 seasons. we changed companies 2 years ago, just to have a different perspective. no problems noted and no, the room doesn't seem "smokey" when we have a fire going. however, as i first said, the walls and ceilings are dirty! our main source of heat is a pair of LP gas heaters and about 3 years ago, we had them inspected by our local supplier--no problems noted by them. it's a little frustrating to see a problem and not be able to pinpoint it. but this spring we'll have both companies back for a check up and cleaning and guess we'll just have to see how that goes. but i appreciate the suggestions!

Also never had any dirt on walls from a fireplace....I would think that is from your central heat.
I open the flu when I shovel ash out of my fireplace. The draft causes the loose ash to go right up the chimney.
I make sure the ash is cool, put a paper bag in the fireplace, with the flu open, and shovel the ash into the bag....roll the top down and take it outside.
Linda C

You can clean your fireplace with a special scoop. You can find some more information on this on http://www.theashtrap.com
It is easy and mess free ash cleaning.

If you are burning those candles that look like they are made of Jello, I understand they leave a residue on ceilings, etc.

I make sure the fireplace is cool. Open up a brown paper bag and lay it as close as possible to the ashes. Then I use the dust pan to gently scoop the ashes and place them in the back of the brown paper bag. The dust pan hold so much it goes pretty quickly. But the other trick is to scoop slowly and gently. I then close the bag and vacume around the fireplace (but not in it).

Katy