Carbon monoxide and ash

We used to have a log burner which was our main heating. We had to take hot ashes out if we were to "damp it down" and keep the fire going overnight. In winter we did this for years. It was a continental woodstove with an extra baffle system which made it more efficient. It was easy to manage the ash. This woodstove took huge logs too -which was good for us as we split all our own logs.

But we were very aware of the dangers and had a safe place for outdoor ashes to cool. I'm surprised more people don't know about ashes. I remember them being talked about as a child.

Carbon Monoxide poisoning is scary because it's silent and deadly.
So sorry for this terrible loss absam.

I must say, I would never take, even warm ashes out of the burner. I wait until the ashes are stone cold. Warm ashes are a fire risk, apart form anything else.

We use our log burner on Sunday afternoons, Christmas and to supplement the CH in sub-zero temperatures. the big problem with log burners is those using them in built up areas where air pollution is already high.

As someone who has lost their daughter to carbon monoxide poisoning, I have become an expert in a world I didn't want to be involved in. Ash can be really dangerous. One of the reasons why Barbecues shouldn't be left burning near to a tent. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-42300475

I do love my wood burner, but you hear more and more against them these days. Sigh!

Right. You just wouldn't think of that would you. Just goes to show.

Were there actual embers in the bucket, still burning?

Someone is coming to check the boiler - but I am sure it is not the problem as it has been on for a very long time now and the CO level is still 0.

As soon as the ash went outside the door the level rapidly went down.

I think you should check again if you have put the boiler back on. Sounds like the CO took a while to dissipate once the boiler was off. I think the culprit was, in fact, the boiler, not the ash.

You are correct, warm ash still gives off fumes, best to put it straight outside.