Recycle ash to top off next bowl?

[Thisisme]

Originally Posted by andrew

Be less inventive, just stick with what is known to work.

I'm afraid I'm just not built that way. In the end, I might just do "what is known to work", but I just can't assume that "the way it was always done is the way it should always be done", right from the start.

[Mad Hatter]

Originally Posted by PipesandGOP

Takes more heat which = bad. Not to mention ash never really tasted all that great to me. How did you even come up with that?

I agree with GOP on this. Also I often use ash when relighting because it insulates against lighting, ie near the bottom of the bowl I rake it to the rear of the pipe so only the front part catches from the flame.

Originally Posted by Thisisme

I'm afraid I'm just not built that way. In the end, I might just do "what is known to work", but I just can't assume that "the way it was always done is the way it should always be done", right from the start.

It was a good question but your top ash should develop quickly if you sprinkle dry crumbles loosely on top to aid in the lighting process. Remember that ash insulates both ways, holding heat down and keeping heat out.