Hearth Design Philosophy

[bolex16mm]

I am getting ready to pour the hearth but before I do, I have a question. Is it necessary to have an ash slot? I noticed on some of the other designs that they do but this design does not. Thanks

[RTflorida]

I didn't put one in, can't say how useful it might be. I do know that ash removal is not an issue if you have a brush and shovel.
I have seen mention that an ash slot can actually get in the way when loading pizzas or other baked/roasted goodies.....having done all of the above, I can see how it might get in the way...excluding pizza, I tend to sit everything on my landing when loading and unloading.

RT

[Hendo]

I have included an ash slot with an ash pit below, but can't yet comment on its usefulness or whether it gets in the way etc. I thought it seemed like a good idea at the time, and figure I can always fill it in if it proves cumbersome. Difficult to do it the other way around ....

My landing will extend some 12" in front of the slot when finished.

[james]

I have an ash dump on both of my Healdburg ovens, and never use them. The also can get in the way when you are doing fire in the oven cooking -- as opposed to retained heat baking.

They take some effort to install, so on the whole, we recommend that you don't need one.
James