Utilizing ALL OF THAT ASH

 
Chubby79
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Post by Chubby79 » Thu. Jan. 04, 2018 8:28 pm

Anyone reuse any of their collected ash? In light of the weather I was thinking to try it out in place of ice melt (saw it somewhere on the internet) also working on slowly filling a drop at the end of our backyard and thought itd do just fine for that as well.. I've also seen lots of things online about how dangerous this stuff is... lots of mixed reviews out there


 
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windyhill4.2
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Post by windyhill4.2 » Thu. Jan. 04, 2018 8:43 pm

Since i started reading this forum in 2013,i have read numerous threads about the supposed dangerous ash from burning coal.

It has been pointed out many times that the EPA has never classified residential coal ash as hazardous. Most of us are also aware that the EPA likes to usurp its authority any time it can & make new things hazardous.

Residential coal ash can be used for amending soil , even in a vegetable garden,fill in low spots, anti-skid for slick surfaces,etc.I first fired my coal stoker boiler Oct 2014 & have not bought sand or salt since, coal cinders work very well.

 
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Post by lobsterman » Thu. Jan. 04, 2018 8:52 pm

Not good for garden like wood ash is. Take to dump.

 
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Sunny Boy
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Post by Sunny Boy » Thu. Jan. 04, 2018 8:53 pm

Coal ash used in some products such as concrete and sheet rock.

As far as the rumors about toxic amounts of heavy metals in it, tests have shown it's no more than the levels found in natural soil.

And as for garden it's used by many to improve the soil.

Where I dump it in my driveway the grass and weeds love it.

Paul
Last edited by Sunny Boy on Thu. Jan. 04, 2018 8:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Thu. Jan. 04, 2018 8:53 pm

At one time I found something on the EPA website that said anthracite ash was considered clean fill.

I use it to fill in low spots, for traction, etc.

 
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windyhill4.2
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Post by windyhill4.2 » Thu. Jan. 04, 2018 8:57 pm

lobsterman wrote:
Thu. Jan. 04, 2018 8:52 pm
Not good for garden like wood ash is. Take to dump.
That is BS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have gone over & over & around & around on this issue in many other threads. Anthracite coal ash is an approved soil amendment !
But , just like fertilizer ,moderation is needed.

Water is very good for the human body,but too much can kill a person . :roll:

 
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Post by lobsterman » Thu. Jan. 04, 2018 9:18 pm

Well yeah, like moderation is I can dump a few ash pans there but not 50 right? Take to dump.


 
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Post by Chubby79 » Thu. Jan. 04, 2018 9:19 pm

Well bollocks.. I suppose I was hoping for just some good old fashioned confirmation bias. But really, I'm glad to hear anyone's opinion who uses anthracite. I'll do some more homework and figure it all out, definitely trying it for the icy walkway though!

 
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Post by warminmn » Thu. Jan. 04, 2018 9:44 pm

Use it for about anything you want. Or haul it to the dump. Up to you. Myself I have not used it in any of my gardens and wont. My soil is extremely good without it so why would I? The holes in my yard Ive filled, that worked good.

Anyway about the only downfalls Ive seen using it on my driveway yearly is when I mow it can be on the dusty side. I hold my breath when the wind is wrong when I hit those spots. It has worked VERY good as a filler and for traction on my driveway. Very little gravel, just a buggy path. Ask me next year after I do a cement test with mine.

I always enjoy dumping it on my driveway on a windy day, 350 out of 365 days a year.... its fun watching the dust blow away for half a mile or so until it disappears.... then again im easily entertained :lol:

 
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Post by lobsterman » Thu. Jan. 04, 2018 9:46 pm

:) 101010101010101010

 
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Post by coaledsweat » Thu. Jan. 04, 2018 9:56 pm

I gift wrap mine and leave it on the bus. Someone is bound to steal it.

 
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Post by WNY » Thu. Jan. 04, 2018 10:04 pm

I use on my driveway and sidewalk all the time. great traction. and helps melt on the sidewalk when the sun comes out.

 
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Post by CoalJockey » Fri. Jan. 05, 2018 7:04 am

coaledsweat wrote:
Thu. Jan. 04, 2018 9:56 pm
I gift wrap mine and leave it on the bus. Someone is bound to steal it.
Oh my, I just spit coffee all over the place as I read that! That was awesome. :lol: :lol:

 
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Sunny Boy
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Post by Sunny Boy » Fri. Jan. 05, 2018 7:44 am

Some fun facts,....

http://coalashfacts.org/

https://www.epa.gov/coalash/coal-ash-reuse

https://www.epa.gov/coalash/frequent-questions-ab ... e-coal-ash

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coal-ash-in-soil/

" .................. Plants grown with smaller amounts of fly ash have fared much better. In a three-year study, University of Florida researchers applied 22,000 pounds of fly ash per acre (1.1 percent of soil weight).

Mixed with yard waste compost, the fly ash increased tomato yields by up to 70 percent. The study found no groundwater contamination or soil-fertility decline after three years, while the presence of trace metals remained low. "


Paul

 
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windyhill4.2
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Post by windyhill4.2 » Fri. Jan. 05, 2018 9:06 am

Sunny Boy wrote:
Fri. Jan. 05, 2018 7:44 am
Some fun facts,....

http://coalashfacts.org/

https://www.epa.gov/coalash/coal-ash-reuse

https://www.epa.gov/coalash/frequent-questions-ab ... e-coal-ash

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coal-ash-in-soil/

" .................. Plants grown with smaller amounts of fly ash have fared much better. In a three-year study, University of Florida researchers applied 22,000 pounds of fly ash per acre (1.1 percent of soil weight).

Mixed with yard waste compost, the fly ash increased tomato yields by up to 70 percent. The study found no groundwater contamination or soil-fertility decline after three years, while the presence of trace metals remained low. "


Paul

Thanks, Sunny Boy.
Sound thinking occurs occasionally even in the well educated circles.
I do know that my coal ash piles will grow the weeds very well,along with tomatoes,potatoes,etc.


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