Cleaning out an open fire

Future proofing. I like that Annanan. 😄

Consider reaching out to Umega Home Repairs or local handymen in Edinburgh for personalized solutions. They may have experience with adapting fireplaces for easier maintenance, helping your mum with the task.

An ash or industrial vacuum. Of course either would need emptying but not on a daily basis.

When I realised that getting down on my knees and back up was becoming a real ordeal, I decided to replace my woodburning stove with a gas one, wood effect. It has really made a big difference and is one of the factors in my being able to remain in the house, I love. I call it “ future proofing my house”

You can get 'living flame' style gas fires. They can be pretty pricey depending on the type. I really fancy one that's set into the wall behind a glass window. They look really neat and swish but they cost a couple of thousand.....

Either an ash vacuum or a tippy ash carrier so no loose ashes to carry through the house.
Sorry, no idea how Baxi ash removal works, years ago we had a Dunsley back boiler fire, ash pan slid out at the front. Ashes into a tippy.

From about age six or seven my job was to clean out and re-lay the baxi fire in the lounge. We did have a long metal hook type thing that could be used to lift out the grate and ash box and put the grate back in place. I really wasn't tall enough to benefit from it but it was useful if the grate was still hot and may help a taller adult. I think now I would struggle most to sweep up the debris and re-lay the fire; scrunched up newspaper, paper sticks, small wooden sticks (yes, I had a little chopper), and then artfully laid coal.

Thanks everyone for the ideas. Will follow these up.

I remember having one, it was a job my husband did weekly the I vaccumed through, we now have a log burner which is easier to clean out but just as messy.

My sister has an old soup ladle to get the ash out and puts it in a lidded container to take outside.

I had a baxi and know what you mean you have to carry the ash right through the house.
My friend questioned and said hers was on an outside wall and the door was in the garden near the bins. Could the company possibly change the way your mothers is cleaned out and put an outside door on?

You can get ash vacuums.

The getting up and down bit would be the same if it was an open fire?

Maybe empty the bucket daily? If she doesnt do that already?

I think the company may still be going, so she could ring them perhaps, to see if they have any ideas?