Rising from the ashes

[darryl]

That phrase from a recent post has reminded me that I have a wood stove downstairs, probably with ashes still in it. If my basement floods, those ashes would probably add to the mess. I guess I should clean that out too. Anyone ever had that particular issue?

[dicks42000]

Ashes are hygro or hydro-scopic (they absorb water), like many other salt family chemicals. That being said, they will contribute to accelerated corrosion of a welded steel wood stove if it was left full of ashes for a long period. Better to clean it out after the heating season in my book.
Rick

[oldtiffie]

And it will rise from the ashes as a phoenix.