Hi all,
I'm in the beginning stages of building a small charcoal forge. The design I've ultimately decided on is one of Tim Lively's concepts as seen here on dfoggknives.com;
http://www.dfoggknives.com/charcoal_forge.htm
This is going to be a new undertaking for me on a few levels, however, and the first obstacle is making the adobe for the shell. One of components needed is hardwood ash and, as it turns out, it's proving harder to find than I would have thought. I don't have a place to do any burning right now and it seems that everyone I know - family, friends and even co-workers - are suburbanites using a gas furnace for heat just as I am. I've tried contacting fireplace and stove shops in the area to see if they demo wood burning stoves and if they'd mind letting me collect some ashes but they probably all think I'm bananas seeing as no one has responded. Heck, I'm willing to pay for it.
To get to the point, does anyone here have any suggestions for where else I might seek out hardwood ash? I'm not sure what other type of shop or business might produce the stuff these days and, surprise surprise, no one's advertising it on craigslist! I live in Northern Colorado (Greeley, specifically) so if anyone is in the surrounding area and may know of a local resource that would be great but at this point I'd be tickled pink with general suggestions, as well.
Thanks in advance!