Also, very important to get all of the ash out, it can be quite corrosive when it gets moist.
Everything burns out/leaks eventually.
Ashes were cleaned out regulary and stirred every day to keep them from building up moisture. The ash pan still looked like the day I bought it. The thin metal occurred about half way up the side wall way above the ash line. I realize everything burns out eventually, but not in six years. A indoor wood burner will last better then 20 years.