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Collecting ashes
Introduction to Collecting Ashes
Collecting Ashes in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a simple, low-effort money-making method that capitalizes on the remnants of fires left by players training Firemaking or those naturally occurring in specific areas. Ashes, a secondary Herblore ingredient used to create Serum 207 and a common drop from fire-based creatures, have a steady demand due to their utility in quests and low-level potion crafting. This method requires minimal skills or gear, making it ideal for new players or those seeking a passive income stream while training other skills like Woodcutting or Firemaking. This guide will cover the requirements, locations, collection process, and strategies to turn these humble ashes into a profitable venture.
Requirements
Collecting Ashes has almost no barriers, making it one of the most accessible money-makers in OSRS. Here’s what you need:
Skills
- No Skill Requirements: No specific levels are needed to pick up Ashes, though basic combat (20+) helps if gathering from monster drops.
Quests
- No Mandatory Quests: Access to key ash collection spots doesn’t require quests, but Priest in Peril (for Canifis) or Shades of Mort’myre (for Mort’ton) can unlock faster travel options.
Items
Here’s a list of essential and recommended gear:
- Teleportation Items:
- Amulet of Glory: For teleports to Edgeville or Draynor Village.
- Ectophial: Free teleport to Port Phasmatys (requires Ghosts Ahoy).
- Games Necklace: For Burthorpe or Corporeal Beast lair teleports.
- Weight-Reducing Gear: Graceful outfit or Boots of Lightness to maintain run energy.
- Energy Potions or Stamina Potions: To restore run energy during long collection runs.
- Empty Inventory: Maximize space (28 slots) for Ashes.
- Coins: A small stack (500-1K GP) for boat fees or emergency teleports.
Optional but Helpful
- Fairy Ring Access: Code ALQ (near Mort’ton) or BKR (Mort Myre Swamp) via partial Fairy Tale II – Cure a Queen.
- Ring of Wealth: For quick Grand Exchange teleports after collecting.
Accessing Ash Collection Locations
Ashes spawn in areas where fires are lit or where fire-based monsters dwell. Here are the best spots:
- Grand Exchange (Varrock):
- How to Get There: Use a Ring of Wealth teleport or Varrock Teleport (25 Magic: 1 Law Rune, 3 Air Runes, 1 Fire Rune).
- Details: Players frequently train Firemaking here, leaving Ashes behind.
- Mort’ton (Mort Myre Swamp):
- How to Get There: Use an Ectophial (Port Phasmatys) and walk southwest, or Fairy Ring BKR and head east.
- Details: Shades of Mort’myre minigame activity results in frequent fires and Ashes.
- Fire Giants (Waterfall Dungeon):
- How to Get There: Games Necklace to Corporeal Beast lair, exit, and walk south to the dungeon (requires rope and Waterfall Quest).
- Details: Fire Giants (level 86) drop Ashes 100% of the time.
- Entrana (Monks’ Island):
- How to Get There: Boat from Port Sarim (free, no combat gear allowed).
- Details: Monks and players light fires, leaving Ashes near the dock.
Note: Grand Exchange and Mort’ton are safest and most passive, while Fire Giants add combat profit.
Collecting Ashes
The collection process varies by location but is simple overall:
- Passive Collection (GE/Mort’ton/Entrana):
- Arrive: Teleport to your spot (e.g., Ring of Wealth to GE).
- Pick Up Ashes: Click Ashes on the ground (respawn every 30-60 seconds). Fill your 28-slot inventory.
- World Hop: After collecting visible Ashes, hop worlds (e.g., 300s or 400s) to reset spawns.
- Bank: Teleport to a bank (Edgeville for GE, Port Phasmatys for Mort’ton) when full.
- Combat Collection (Fire Giants):
- Gear Up: Equip melee gear (e.g., Rune Scimitar, Rune armor) and Protect from Melee (43 Prayer).
- Kill Fire Giants: Attack level 86 Fire Giants in the Waterfall Dungeon. Each drops 1 Ashes.
- Loot: Collect Ashes (noted after banking one) and occasional drops (e.g., Fire Runes, coins).
- Bank: Teleport to Edgeville when full (15-20 Ashes per trip).
Passive trips take 3-5 minutes, while combat trips take 10-15 minutes.
Selling Ashes
Turning Ashes into profit is quick and easy:
- Grand Exchange: Teleport to Varrock (Ring of Wealth) and sell. As of March 29, 2025, Ashes fetch 100-150 GP each.
- Bulk Selling: 28 Ashes per trip yield 2.8K-4.2K GP. Sell in stacks of 100-500 for speed.
- Alternative Markets: Trade with Herblore trainers at World 1 GE if GE prices dip.
- Timing: Sell after Herblore updates or during peak training hours.
Tip: Ashes are low-value but high-volume; sell frequently to avoid clogging inventory.
Profit Analysis
Here’s a profitability breakdown based on March 2025 prices.
| Location | Ashes per Trip | GP per Ash | Revenue per Trip | Cost per Trip | Profit per Trip | Trips per Hour | GP per Hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Exchange | 28 | 125 GP | 3.5K GP | 50 GP (teleport) | 3.45K GP | 12 | 41.4K GP |
| Mort’ton | 28 | 125 GP | 3.5K GP | 50 GP (teleport) | 3.45K GP | 15 | 51.75K GP |
| Fire Giants | 20 | 125 GP | 2.5K GP | 100 GP (supplies) | 2.4K GP + 5K loot | 4 | 29.6K GP |
Cost Breakdown
- Teleport Costs: 50-100 GP per trip (e.g., Games Necklace charge).
- Combat Supplies: ~100 GP (food/prayer for Fire Giants).
- No Material Costs: Ashes are free to collect.
Net Profit
- Grand Exchange: 3.5K – 50 = 3.45K GP x 12 = 41.4K GP/hour.
- Mort’ton: 3.5K – 50 = 3.45K GP x 15 = 51.75K GP/hour.
- Fire Giants: 2.5K + 5K (loot) – 100 = 7.4K GP x 4 = 29.6K GP/hour.
Mort’ton is the most efficient for pure Ash collection, while Fire Giants add extra loot value.
Tips and Efficiency
Maximize your Ash-collecting profits with these strategies:
- World Hopping: Hop to low-pop worlds (e.g., 400s) after collecting all visible Ashes to reset spawns.
- Weight Reduction: Wear Graceful or lightweight gear to run longer.
- Stamina Potions: Use a dose per trip to maintain 100% run energy.
- Bank Proximity: Use Edgeville (GE) or Port Phasmatys (Mort’ton) for quick deposits.
- Combat Efficiency: For Fire Giants, use a Slayer task (if available) and Salve Amulet for faster kills.
- Multi-Task: Train Firemaking/Woodcutting at GE while collecting Ashes.
- Bulk Runs: Collect 10-20 inventories before selling to minimize GE trips.
With these tips, you can push hourly profits toward 60K GP at Mort’ton, making Ash collection a solid low-level money-maker in OSRS. It’s perfect for beginners or as a side hustle while skilling.
