Ashes (fine ash vs chunks)

[Camp Bohica]

I have a question regarding ashes left from burning. We got an Osburn 2000 last Fall. The firebox fills up much more quickly then our previous woodstove (Regency, which was a larger unit.) The ashes used to be fine and much smaller in the old unit. The new woodstove has way more larger chunks leftover. I could previously burn a whole weekend and not have to worry about cleaning out the fire box, but now I find myself having to take ashes out while actively burning (more so in the middle of the night after a long burn.) I hate doing this as dealing with hot ashes are not ideal and using the ash can, it heats up fast while the ashes are placed in it. Any suggestions? I'm burning the same type of wood (mainly maple and oak, with some occasional other hardwood. I only use softwood, such as pine for kindling to start the initial fire) as before. So, not sure why this is going on? Is there something that helps burn to finer ash vs chunks? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[NickW]

Possibly loss of draft in a tighter unit not maintaining enough air flow and burning the coals down.

I use a coal sifter to separate ash and embers to one side and the coals to the other, then build a small fire on the coals. The heat generated by the fire helps burn the embers in the ash down making for easier removal.

 

[gthomas785]

If you're talking about the chunks of charcoal they still have heat value and will burn down so you can leave them.
If you want to make space before a reload, just throw 1-2 pieces of kindling on top with the air wide open for 10-15 mins.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Wet oak? How long has it been cut/split/stacked?