We like to leave plenty of ash in the stove. As to how often we clean the ashes, it is too variable to set a limit. During the coldest part of winter we will empty ashes maybe every 4th day. So far this fall I think we've done it twice. Probably if I had to guess an average for the heating season it would be weekly.
Most folks empty their ashes way too often and most also do not leave enough ash in the stove. We hear a lot about them being dirty so they want them out of the house and they also make such a mess, etc, etc. Well, they are not dirty (you can even use them to clean the black off the glass) and they need not be a mess. You can handle the ashes do you get no dust.....but not if you hurry. Do it slow and never drop the ashes off the shovel into the container. Gently lower the shovel down and then gently slide the shovel out from under the ashes. No dust, no mess.
Most folks empty their ashes way too often and most also do not leave enough ash in the stove. We hear a lot about them being dirty so they want them out of the house and they also make such a mess, etc, etc. Well, they are not dirty (you can even use them to clean the black off the glass) and they need not be a mess. You can handle the ashes do you get no dust.....but not if you hurry. Do it slow and never drop the ashes off the shovel into the container. Gently lower the shovel down and then gently slide the shovel out from under the ashes. No dust, no mess.