Barrel Method
There are a few different ways to build an ash hopper but they all serve the same purpose: Leaching or straining your ashes.
Leaching lye takes time, using a ash hopper automates that process. I built my own ash hopper out of plastic bucket, inserting a spigot into the bottom.
I then covered the bottom of the bucket with clean small river rocks, to act a natural filter.
About 6 inches of rocks will help create a filter
Over these rocks I inserted my fabric.
I held the fabric in place by use some more rocks and some duct-tape.
The fabric acts much like a tea bag or coffee filter
The ashes are placed on top of the fabric and the lye making process can begin.
See also: Making lye from ashes, Frontier Freedom: Making Soap From Wood-Ash Lye
Mountain man soap 
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I’m wondering how that ever turned out. Also maybe how much water to how many ashes? How long should the leeching process take? And then were you able to prove you made lye.. Like by floating an egg, melting a feather or using a ph stick?
Please let me know… I think the article stopped short. I’m trying to make lye in my kitchen with ashes from my fireplace for genuine Potassium Hydroxide soap.