Pellet burning generates a small amount of ash. 1 ton of pellets burned produces about 2 kg of ash. This, in practical terms, means that the ash pan does not need to be emptied frequently. So if you find yourself cleaning stubborn ash from the grate of your pellet stove on a daily basis, there is undoubtedly a problem, often related to the quality of the pellets.
The elements contained in pellet ash, including heavy metals, are of natural origin, as the plant has absorbed them from the environment during its growth. However, because of the minimal amount of ash generated, the concentration of these elements is high, so pellet ash is not recommended as a garden fertilizer.
How to dispose of ash properly:
- Ask the chimney sweep to dispose of it during regular maintenance
- For small pellet plants, dispose of it with household waste. Quoting the Canton's "Disposal of ash from wood-burning plants" fact sheet, "small volumes of ash should be disposed of in regular garbage bags (MSW) through the municipal/consortium collection round. To minimize dust development and thus protect the health of operators, cooled ashes should be packed in bags of up to 60 liters. The ashes thus collected are thermally treated at the cantonal waste-to-energy plant (ICTR) in Giubiasco."
- for heating systems equipped with an ash container of at least 250 liters (power > 80 kW), consult a professional for vacuuming and proper disposal.
