Understave
Understave is a term used in the context of historical blacksmithing and metalworking, particularly in relation to the construction and operation of furnaces and forges. It refers to the lower portion of a furnace or forge, specifically the area beneath the hearth or the main working chamber where fuel is burned and heated. This understave often houses the ash pit and provides a space for air to be drawn in and distributed to the combustion zone.
In traditional forge designs, the understave would be constructed from robust materials like stone or brick
The ash pit, typically located within the understave, served as a collection point for the residue of