Hello, we have been using this bucket for a few years. However, we fill the ash the following day. That is why we have never noticed anything. I don't think hot ash residue should do anything to the bucket. I would always put it outside on a stone base to cool down. As the bucket is sprayed with black paint, it may only tolerate red-hot heat to a limited extent. When it has cooled down, we put the ashes in 2 rubbish bags, as is required in our community, and put them out on collection day. Very practical for us.