what is the metal plate in the floor of the fire place for?

Question

Ok I am still having problems getting my wood to stay burning in my fireplace now what is the metal plate in the floor of the fire place for? do I leave it open/ or Close it? or what ?Thanks

Answer 1

Ash removal.

Thank you very much, while you're up.

Answer 2

Sugar, that is an ash dump. Keep it closed for normal operation. You open it after a few fires, and scoop the ashes into it. There is a door on the outside of the chimney that you open to clean those ashes out, and use them on your plants, dispose of, or whatever you do with them. If you are having trouble keeping your fire going, check these things:
1. Make sure that your damper is opened up all the way. There is a handle above your firebox. Before you light a fire, look up, and work the handle both ways to see which way opens, and which way closes the damper. Open it fully.
2. Make sure that the wood you are burning is fully dry, or cured. If you are using hardwood, which you should be - you will need some 'fat lighter' wood to start your fire with. This is simply pine wood which was full of sap when it was cut, and the sap has dried and crystallized inside of it. It burns fast and very hot, and will start good dried hardwood to burning sufficiently for a good, hot fire.
3. Position your logs so that air can get through and around all of the logs as they burn. This will insure that they will continue to burn evenly, and as hot as possible so that they burn all the way down to ash. Not too much space. You'll get the hang of it. Keep that spacing as you feed the fire more logs.
If you do all of these things, you should have no problem keeping a good fire going. Hope this helps you out.

Answer 3

it has to be a ash trap.......u open it and let the ashes go down it and there should be a door outside the chimney to remove the ashes.......