Door insulation

[BoarsNest]

I have my evaporator done and am going to be putting in the brick and blanket for insulation. I see most people insulate the wood box door, what about the ash pit door? Also do most of you put steel over the insulation on the door?

[Pete S]

I don't have much room under my grates so I was simply going to pour some sand there.

My understanding is that the bare metal with hot coals on it will in time "burn through".

(?)

Pete

[RileySugarbush]

The air flowing through your ash pit and up through the grate minimizes the need insulation down there.

I have ceramic blanket bolted to my door without a stainless sheet and it holds up fine.

[Bucket Head]

Mine is like Riley's. Just make sure you put your wood in far enough so it does not rough up the insulation. It will be fine. Besides, another piece of metal on the fire door is just going to make it heavier to open and close and in time will wear out the hinge quicker.

Your ash pit is hot, but nowhere near the temp. of the fire box. Your ash pit will rust out before it burns out.

Steve