Are there any uses for charcoal BBQ ash?

[Victoria26]

mm.....posted several threads so far which have been subjected to the old " A moderator will look at these and approve" and have since been lost...

My last was asking if there were any practical uses for charcoal ash on an edible garden patch?

Any input would be appreciated x

[SarzWix]

mm.....posted several threads so far which have been subjected to the old " A moderator will look at these and approve" and have since been lost...

That's because you're posting them in the Growing Techniques board... All posts on that board are moderated, there's a thread at the top of the board explaining why I've moved you here, where posts aren't moderated, so people can reply...

[arpoet]

On yesterdays Beachgrove Gardens they were looking at peat substitue composts and one did contain Charcoal. Its must be like using ash from a garden fire.
Roger

[Aberdeenplotter]

charcoal and ash are different.

Charcoal is said to increase soils physical quality by its shape and its absorbent properties, will help stabilize soil humidity and texture, has a pH of around 8.5, is said to absorb excess humidity, and also some toxic elements which may be present in the soil. As an anti oxidant, it is said to prevent root-rot. It is also said to that it may help attain proper porosity levels in soil mixes.

I haven't got a clue whether any of that is correct, just picked up the snippets on google where I also learned that there are different grades of charcoal which are better than others for some things.

[Flummery]

I would think that if you use fire-lighters (like I do) then there are petro-chemicals involved. I wouldn't personally put this on my garden. However, if you are the sort of pyromaniac who can get a fire going with a damp match and an old newspaper, then it should be ok.

[Victoria26]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

My hubby tends to love to bbq and as he doesnt use firelighters i was hoping that I could make some use of the ash... but every internet search i do is fruitless... Grr!!

The quest continues! x x

[SarahStrawberry]

If we had an ashes from the fire or leftover charcoal we used to keep them in a bin outside once they had cooled and in the winter use them to put on icy paths, worked quite well as an alternative to rocksalt or grit and saved a bit of money. I don't know if it is of any other use - sorry!

[Comfreyfan]

The ash from our wood burner or the bbq goes around the apple trees or into the compost. Wood ash provides potassium and lime. If your soil needs the extra lime put some wood ash on the soil when you plant - saw Carol Klein doing this on GW once. Lime is good for helping to prevent club root in brassicas, but can make your potatoes more likely to get scab.

[SarzWix]

We don't barbecue very often (mainly because the OH feels the need to cook a week's worth of meat in one go!), but if we do, I put the ashes in the compost heap. It helps to counteract the acidity of leylandii clippings.

[Victoria26]

Thanks Sarzwix! I also like the idea of using them to grit paths and patios in the snow! I just hate to throw things in the bin as I recycle 90% of everything we use! x

[Newton]

Hey Victoria

Your poem was on a weather predicting thingy i bought my grandmother as a holiday gift from minehead in 1974. I ve never heard it since......... Fond memories of a lovely lady.........thanks......

[rachel clark]

The ash catcher is usually shaped like a saucepan and is located at the bottom of the grill.

[bearded bloke]

As this got revived this morning & it reminded me about the small mountain of ash the wood burner had made this year i searched the RHS site & found .............

Barbeques

Ash from lumpwood charcoal can be used as recommended for wood ahses. Ash where other fuels have been used including briquettes is best discarded.

Taken from .... Wood ash: using in the garden / Royal Horticultural Society

[Urban]

Yes I think it's fine if you use proper wood ash, defo don't use the ash if it's from briquettes they have all kinds of nasty stuff in them

Also for lighting the barbecue the starting chimneys are brilliiant, a couple of sheets of paper bang in your charcoal. Light and come back 10 mins later and your charcoals lit and ready to pour into your BBQ