You’re ready for the cold weather, but do you have all the necessary tools to enjoy a great fire on a cold winter’s night? A lot of people forget about getting an ash bucket for their fireplace and that’s a huge mistake. A nice fire in your fireplace isn’t just beautiful, it can also be quite messy. We believe that having a great fireplace bucket is a necessary tool for anyone with a wood-burning stove or fireplace.
Consistently burning wood in a fireplace leaves a lot of ashes behind, and it is something that must be cleaned up regularly to keep the fireplace both functional and looking nice. An ash bucket can also be a great addition to home decor, as buckets that have an attractive design always look nice sitting on the edge of any fireplace.
Ash buckets can also be useful for fire pits, pizza ovens, grills, and a whole slew of other wood-burning or coal-burning appliances, so they are a great thing to have around the house just in case you ever need one. Many people also use buckets while camping to keep the fire pit and campsite clean of ash and other debris that can easily be blown around and inhaled.
If you are looking for a new fireplace bucket for your home, this article will help you make the best selection for your needs. There are countless options out there, so keep reading to learn which ash bucket is the best for you and your home.
Product Review
Below you will find our top picks for the best fireplace ash bucket and how they can be very useful in keeping your fireplace area clean and tidy. There are some great options below and you’ll easily see why they made it onto our top choice list. We have also provided the answers to the most common questions asked about fireplace ash buckets and how you can choose the best one for your fireplace.
Here we go…
Amagabeli Bucket for Fireplace Hot Ashes Carrier Container Black — Best For Quality & Versatility
What We Liked Best
This bucket features a wide opening, making it incredibly easy to sweep or otherwise load ashes into the container safely. It makes cleaning up very simple, the ashes can be easily disposed of by dumping the bucket towards the spouted end. Another great feature we liked was how it can make a great storage container for lots of things like wood, kindling, or other fireplace tools when not in use as an ash bucket.
The handle on this ash bucket makes it easy to transport so you can efficiently get firewood down to your fire pit, or coals to your grill.
Pros
- Large Opening For Easy Cleanup
- Perfect Handle For Carrying
- Made From Durable Steel
- Very Versatile And Excellent Design
Cons
- Does Not Include Lid Or Broom
- Larger Than Other — Takes Up A Lot Of Space
- Potential For Rust If Left Outdoors
Recommendation
This bucket is a great choice for anyone looking to make ash cleanup simple and easy. It is also a great tool to have to transport wood to a fire pit or somewhere else that does not have available storage. The large opening allows for the storage of a huge amount of ashes, coals, or whatever else you may need to store in it.
Panacea 15343 Ash Bucket with Shovel Black — Best For Design & User-Friendly
This Panacea ash bucket is incredibly functional and user-friendly. Like the previous, this one is made from durable steel that makes it both durable and extremely safe. It’s a great choice for an at-home ash bucket because, with the design of the wooden handle, it won’t get hot even when the contents are hot, so you can safely transport it. Another great feature of this one is that the lid is designed to be air-tight to ensure that hot embers or coals get fully extinguished.
What We Liked Best
There are a number of great features to this bucket, however; the shovel that was included makes cleaning up hot or cold ashes both safe and easy to do. It also has a holder designed for the shovel so you never have to worry about misplacing it.
Pros
- Raised Base
- Heat-Resistant Wooden Handle
- Airtight Lid To Ensure Live Embers And Coals Get Extinguished Quickly
- 5-Gallon Capacity
Cons
- Not Weather-Resistant
- Heavier Than Most Other
Recommendation
The Panacea ash bucket is an all-around good container for cleaning up a fireplace or wood-burning stove. It’s pretty durable and functions as intended. We recommend it because we found it to be very user-friendly with its wooden handle and the included shovel. It’s a great choice for having beside your fireplace in your home.
Smedley and York Coal and Ash Bucket with Shovel and Hand Broom — Best For Functionality
This ash bucket is extremely functional and a great tool to have around the house. It makes cleaning up your fireplace a breeze as it is an all in one unit, and it has a very nice design that even makes it a great addition to your home decor. It comes with a shovel, broom, and lid for making clean up super quick and easy. You can use the shovel to move large pieces of ashes, and the broom to clean up the smaller remnants.
What We Liked Best
We were impressed with how functional this ash bucket was with the attached tools making everything easily accessible. We also found that this bucket can be used for a lot of other things besides ashes, making it very functional and a great tool to have around your house for whatever needs may arise. The large opening and design of the bucket make it simple to use and keep your fireplace clean.
Pros
- Includes Shovel, Broom, And Lid
- Made From Galvanized Iron
- Wooden Handle Makes Transport Easy And Safe
- Eliminates The Need To Buy More Accessories
Cons
- Lid Is Not Airtight
- Smaller Than Other Options
- Design Doesn’t Match All Decor
Recommendation
For someone looking for a great all-in-one bucket, this seems to be a great choice. The included broom and shovel make clean up quick and easy. They can both be stored securely attached to the ash bucket so that they never get misplaced. Plus, the lid keeps ashes from flying out while moving the bucket and the wooden handle ensures that your hand will not get hot.
Mind Reader Large Fire Place Ash Bucket Black — Best For Simplicity
This Mind Reader bucket is one of the most simple designs while being functional and stylish for storing your fireplace ashes. The bucket itself is very easy to keep clean and comes with a simple easy to use handle. This ash bucket is ready to use straight out of the box with no need for attaching any handles or additional parts. It’s solid and feels quite durable.
What We Liked Best
Besides the stylish look of this ash bucket, it also has many other great features, such as the large opening and easy-tilt handle. Emptying ashes out of the container are quick and easy due to the design of the bucket. It also comes with an additional handle to keep your hands away from the ashes. Its large capacity holds all the ashes from your wood-burning stove or your fireplace.
Pros
- Durable And Sturdy
- Simple To Use
- Easy To Grip Handle With Tilt Feature
- Medium To Large Capacity
Cons
- Lid Not Included
- Not Intended For Outdoor Use
- Not Weatherproof
Recommendation
For those looking for a functional and stylish addition to their fireplace, this ash bucket is a great choice. It’s very easy to use and makes keeping your stove and fireplace clean and tidy at all times. The simple design and extra handle make this bucket worth the investment.
Aboniris Mini Ash Bucket with Shovel and Lid Black — Best For Convenience & Compact Size
This Aboniris mini ash bucket is an adorable and functional choice for a small or lightly used fireplace or wood-burning stove. Even though it does not come with a very large capacity, it is incredibly durable given its tiny size and made from high-quality materials. It functions perfectly for the smaller rooms or even on-the-go trips such as camping or traveling. The shovel functions well, and the lid stays on securely to make moving ashes a clean and simple process.
What We Liked Best
The beautiful matte black finish of this ash bucket adds a special touch to any home decor. It comes with a nice lid and shovel to keep your home clean and free of ashes from your fireplace. The wooden handle keeps your hands from getting too hot while carrying the bucket, and it is designed for maximum comfort. Because of its size, storage is very easy. It’s also built with ultra heavy-duty steel making it very durable and impressive.
Pros
- Compact Size — Great For Small Spaces, Traveling, And Storage
- Very Durable And Strong With Double Bottom Protection
- Includes Lid And Shovel
- Maximum Comfort Wood Handle
Cons
- Might Not Be Ideal For All Fireplaces
- Only 1.3 Gallon Capacity
Recommendation
If you have a small fireplace or wood-burning stove then this compact size ash bucket is perfect and we highly recommend it. Its size makes it easy to transport on camping trips or traveling with you due to its durability and design. The included shovel makes cleaning up ashes very easy, so it is a great choice for someone who wants a simple solution regardless of where they are.
Buyer’s Guide
When burning wood in your fireplace, you’re going to have a certain amount of ashes to get rid of at some point in time. So when choosing what fireplace tools are essential for having the perfect fire, you need to consider having a good quality ash bucket to help make cleaning easy and effortless.
Use our buyer’s guide below to answer any questions you might have to find out why we chose the top 5 on this list. You might think that fireplace bucket is just a simple container that transports ashes. But what you don’t know is that sometimes those ashes are still hot and not just any type of bucket is suitable for carrying warm or hot cinder.
What Material Are The Best Fireplace Ash Buckets Made From?
There are a lot of fireplace buckets on the market that are made of plastic or some other cheap material and are not safe to use for ashes unless you are 100% certain those ashes are completely cooled. These types of materials are possibly flammable or might melt if warm to hot ashes are stored in them. We recommend never using a plastic bucket to store your ashes in your home.
The best material for storing fireplace ashes are made from some type of metal like steel or even iron. These are normally fireproof and provide you with the safest option to store or transport your ashes.
Why Do You Need An Ash Bucket For Your Fireplace
The most important reason to have bucket for your fireplace is to dispose of ashes caused by burning wood. It’s the perfect solution for keeping your fireplace neat and free of any dangerous hot embers that often cause damage to floors and furnishings. When you have flying embers coming out of your fireplace — the ash bucket can quickly be used to prevent anything bad from happening.
They are also the main tool for transporting your dirty ashes to a location for disposal. Ashes from burned wood can be messy and not an easy task to deal with. Having fireplace bucket makes this process so much easier and gives you peace of mind knowing you have the best solution for a fast and easy cleanup process.
Ash Bucket Multiple Uses
Most people don’t realize how versatile buckets truly are and usually think they should only be used to store or move their ashes. But during months or periods of time when you are not using your fireplace, you could be using your bucket to help keep things neat and ready for the next fire burning season.
Here are some clever storage ideas for using your ash bucket out of season. You could use it to store:
- Kindle
- Extra Wood
- Charcoal
- Pine Cones
- Fireplace Tools (Poker, Broom, etc.)
What Additional Features Are Important When Looking To Buy A Fireplace Ash Bucket
One of the most important features of bucket is going to be whether or not it comes with a raised bottom. When placing any hot embers or ashes that are not completely cooled, you don’t want to risk your bucket bottom transferring heat to your carpet, tile, or wood floors. Unfortunately, you will never know if there is enough heat to damage your flooring until after the fact.
Even if you don’t see or smell anything unusual or it doesn’t ignite, it could still burn your wood floor or leave scorch marks that are very hard to remove on your flooring. If your floor is carpet, then you have a higher risk of igniting and possibly causing a fire. Here are some suggestions to look for when considering purchasing a new bucket with a raised bottom:
- Raised Bottom Of A Minimum Of One Inch
- Visible Gap Between The Bottom Of The Interior Of The Bucket
- Base Includes Bottom Ring For Keeping The Ash Bucket Raised At All Times
Other features to look for are whether or not the ash bucket comes with some accessories such as a lid, shovel, or extra handle. The convenience factor of having everything together makes tending your fireplace that much easier.
You also want to consider the design and style if you plan on displaying this visibly next to your fireplace in your home. People often like their decor to match or add character to their space, so color, size, and design might be something you also want to consider when choosing the best fireplace ash bucket.
FAQ’s
Do you need a lid with your ash bucket?
This really depends on the intended usage, however; a lid does make transporting dirty ashes a lot easier than using bucket without a lid. Ashes tend to blow very easily and can often create huge messes in the worst way. There is nothing worse than carrying your bucket out the door only for the wind to blow the ashes right in your face! But if you are using your bucket for light usage and don’t fill to the top, you could easily get away without using a lid. Some people prefer not having a lid because they like to store things in their bucket when they are not using it for ashes. Again, it really comes down to personal preference.
Do all ash buckets come with shovels?
No, not all ash buckets come with shovels. So if you don’t already have a shovel, you will want to look for bucket that comes with one or you will need to purchase one separately.
Why can’t you just use any bucket for cleaning ashes?
Fireplace buckets are made specifically for the intended use of cleaning up burnt wood cinder and are made of materials that are safe to use with warm to hot ashes. If you use a plastic bucket or one made from any other material that is not fireproof or heat-resistant, you could have a big problem on your hands, or in the worst-case scenario, you might start a fire outside your fireplace.
Does a fireplace ash bucket always come with a raised bottom?
A good fireplace ash bucket should always have a raised bottom and some even come with a double raised bottom for extra protection. This prevents transferring unwanted heat to your tile, carpet, or wood floors while removing hot embers or ashes that are still warm to hot.
Can I use my ash bucket for anything else?
Absolutely! Many folks use their fireplace ash buckets to store extra wood, fireplace tools, and or kindle when it’s out of season for their fire burning. You could even use it for carrying other things in your backyard or garden, just make sure to clean it up afterward and store it indoors. You don’t want to leave your fireplace bucket outside and you certainly don’t want it sitting in a place where it will be filled with water.
Conclusion
There are many options out there for ash buckets, but naturally, there will be some that are made better and have more functions and better design than some of the others. We would suggest the Amagabeli Bucket for Fireplace Hot Ashes Carrier Container Black.
Though people have many different things that are important to them when purchasing an ash bucket, there are still many products to choose from. Whatever your needs may be, you will certainly be able to find what you are looking for in our top 5 list above.
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