I have an old US Stove Wonderwood/Wondercoal. This unit has a grate in the bottom for burning coal, I get excessive ash buildup and am dumping WAY too often. When I dump, 12-14 hours AFTER the last load I have plenty of coals to start another fire, however they are in the ash pan and are too small to sit on top of the grate. The air intake is on the bottom, the grate has holes as well as the bottom of the firebox has holes (below the firebrick). My question is this, would it be a bad thing to put a 1/4" steel plate in the bottom of this stove to help keep the ash and coals up with the fire? It would not go full length and therefor would allow me to rake the ash and coals around as I need but still access the ash pan with them. There would also be the holes in the lower portion that would still be open for air intake. I have plenty of steel plate, would 1/4" steel hold up or should I line it with refractory material?
Jason
Jason