Forgot to put ash pan back in - problem or just a mess?

My lovely husband did the regular coal routine this morning, but after dumping out the ash he forgot to put the pan back in the stove. This was sometime around 5:30AM. At around 10AM when I let the dog out again, there I saw the ash pan on the back porch.

I cleaned up all the ash that had spilled into the bottom of the stove and replaced the ash pan. It's running fine...but I'm still gagging on coal dust. Is this the worst of my trouble? Or is not having the pan in for almost 5 hours a bigger problem than just a mess?

Just the mess.

Shouldn't be any problem at all. Did you inspect the sheet metal that the ashpan sits on? (Just to make sure no red-hot coals burned through...very doubtful)

Oops....shouldn't cause any problems...just the mess.

Devil5052 wrote:Shouldn't be any problem at all. Did you inspect the sheet metal that the ashpan sits on? (Just to make sure no red-hot coals burned through...very doubtful)

The ash was cool down on the bottom -- I carefully shoveled it out and then when I realized it wasn't too hot vaccuumed out the entire bottom (then quickly tossed the sweeper bag!). I don't think any hot coals fell down.

Thanks for your replies.

just a big mess to clean up

Erin Marie, Just clean up the mess and move on. Maybe give hubby a whack on the back of the head the next time you see him. I know this is off topic here but how do you like your coal heat now that you have been using it for a couple of months?

FYI,

No problems since these bad boys are all steel

the bottom of my stove needs cleaning every few weeks, which means I do it every few months Some coals pile up and fall out of the bin and fly ash accumulates on the bottom as well.

I'm sure he was in a hurry this morning. don't give him to much grief when he gets home OK?