Ash vacuums

Search?

https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/search_results/840ec3d4e323c65a4e5cc6effa4893c2/

I think choosing between the ash vac, and a shop vac with hepa filter is an individual choice. I was using a cheap shop vac with a dry wall filter, and I bought the $250 ash vac. For me it's an investment in a quality tool. There are 2 fabric like filters that wont burn inside the ash vac, and I believe the reason they cost as much as they do is because they are made here in America, and not China.

I remove my filters in the spring, shake them out and put them back in, and Im good for another season. Im not sure just how many hepa filters I would have had to buy in the past 3 years that I've used my ash vac. But here again it's a matter of personal choice. The shop vac does work, and it gets the job done, nothing wrong with that at all.

To me the ash vac has only one job, it sucks up ashes, which is the only thing I bought it for. I will admit that I think they are slightly over priced, but mine is made in America, and I would rather support the American worker, than I would the Chinese.

I like the ash vac, some people prefer the shop vac's and thats perfectly fine, we all have our own reasons for the things we do. And, there are many who just cannot afford a $250 vacuum and that's ok too, we buy what we can afford, same with our pellet stoves.

I bought my 14 gal shop vac on black friday special from lowes online for $29. got a pack of drywall bags and it came w/ the hepa filter. I use the bag and filter. 2 bags last me all season w/ 2 stoves, about $15?

I bought a HEPA filter for my shop vac. I've use it since 2004. I clean the filter once at the end of the season buy hosing it off and drying it. I'm able to store a whole winter's worth of ash in it. I burn about 3 tons. It will weigh about 30#. Between uses to maintain suction I will take a large screw driver and smack the filter to release some ash. This is done in the garage or outside the garage.

mithesaint said:

Can someone explain the importance of an ash vacuum to me? Why would I want an ash vacuum as opposed to putting a hepa filter on one of my shop vacs?

I did manage to pick up a Hearth country #400 ash vacuum at TSC the other day on clearance for $70, but I'm not sure if I will keep it or not. Seems like it would be a lot cheaper just to buy a hepa filter. I was on Englanders website, and saw that they're selling ash vacuums for $250. Why are these so expensive? I feel like I'm missing something here.

Click to expand...

Hi mithesaint!!

If you got that HC #400 for $70.00 you actually stole that thing You better keep it at that price since Sears is selling it for $155.00. before shipping and taxes.

I have one of the #400's and for where it is made is not a bad unit. I would prefer a Loveless USA made unit since I know the quality and features are better than the 400.

When my 400 dies, I'll bite the bullet and buy a Loveless (the quietest unit).

Stay Warm,

AR

mithesaint said:

Can someone explain the importance of an ash vacuum to me? Why would I want an ash vacuum as opposed to putting a hepa filter on one of my shop vacs?

I did manage to pick up a Hearth country #400 ash vacuum at TSC the other day on clearance for $70, but I'm not sure if I will keep it or not. Seems like it would be a lot cheaper just to buy a hepa filter. I was on Englanders website, and saw that they're selling ash vacuums for $250. Why are these so expensive? I feel like I'm missing something here.

Click to expand...

Ash vacuums will not burn, most have fire resistant canisters so that even if you accidentally suck a warm ember it wont burn. With a shop vac, it burns in an instant. Ash vacs contain ash dust, shop vacs do not, or they do not well, there is still an ash that forms on furniture nearby, whereas with an ash vac it sucks up like 99% of ash. I would say if you dont use a fireplace very often maybe a cheap shop vac will do but if you use the fireplace a lot, then an ash vac will probably suit you better.

On another note, if you would be interested in winning an ash vac, Loveless Ash Co is giving away a vac a week, think one of the guys on this board won one! They cost $250, so worth a try! Ill see if I can find the link to enter, and Im sure you can enter each week, I know I have, just hoping to hear I win one of these weeks!

OK.....has anyone besides Jake been lucky enough to win one? I have entered the contest every week, I am determined to win one!!

After reading on here about a few instances last year of people sucking up a smoldering pellet and then storing their plastic shop vac in the garage or on the porch only to find it on fire a couple of hours later, I bit the bullet and bought a Loveless, too. Just not worth the risk, IMHO, but to each his own. I would rather eliminate one possible hazard rather than be a statistic.

tjnamtiw said:

After reading on here about a few instances last year of people sucking up a smoldering pellet and then storing their plastic shop vac in the garage or on the porch only to find it on fire a couple of hours later, I bit the bullet and bought a Loveless, too. Just not worth the risk, IMHO, but to each his own. I would rather eliminate one possible hazard rather than be a statistic.

Click to expand...

I don't blame you, gosh, I have heard that several time too!! Yikes that would be scary! Well, I intend to buy one too, but I am still going to try to win one thru their contest where they give 1 a week away, would sure be nice and save me $250!! I agree is not at ALL worth the risk!

Another point. A shop vac can be used for multiple purpose. Wet, dry, water pump and a blower. You get way more for the money. Plus its cheaper. And mine sucks better compared to my friends $239 ash vac.

If you use a hepa filter with a shop vac you will have no dust blow by. Works great. And if your still paranoid you can add a drywall filter type bag.

Both vacs cant suck hot embers. And it should be good practice, whether shop vac or ash vac to put the unit outside after cleaning for safety sake. So just study the facts and see what makes a better choice for your personal needs.

tjnamtiw said:

After reading on here about a few instances last year of people sucking up a smoldering pellet and then storing their plastic shop vac in the garage or on the porch only to find it on fire a couple of hours later, I bit the bullet and bought a Loveless, too. Just not worth the risk, IMHO, but to each his own. I would rather eliminate one possible hazard rather than be a statistic.

Click to expand...

Same here, would rather spend the 250 for the right tool than to replace my house.... not to mention the wife factor, can't put a price tag on that.

padfitz said:

tjnamtiw said:

After reading on here about a few instances last year of people sucking up a smoldering pellet and then storing their plastic shop vac in the garage or on the porch only to find it on fire a couple of hours later, I bit the bullet and bought a Loveless, too. Just not worth the risk, IMHO, but to each his own. I would rather eliminate one possible hazard rather than be a statistic.

Click to expand...

Same here, would rather spend the 250 for the right tool than to replace my house.... not to mention the wife factor, can't put a price tag on that.

Click to expand...

BINGO!!

Tom C.

another way to part you and your hard earned money

padfitz said:

tjnamtiw said:

After reading on here about a few instances last year of people sucking up a smoldering pellet and then storing their plastic shop vac in the garage or on the porch only to find it on fire a couple of hours later, I bit the bullet and bought a Loveless, too. Just not worth the risk, IMHO, but to each his own. I would rather eliminate one possible hazard rather than be a statistic.

Click to expand...

Same here, would rather spend the 250 for the right tool than to replace my house.... not to mention the wife factor, can't put a price tag on that.

Click to expand...

Amen! You couldn't have said it better! =)

Katie8103 said:

padfitz said:

tjnamtiw said:

After reading on here about a few instances last year of people sucking up a smoldering pellet and then storing their plastic shop vac in the garage or on the porch only to find it on fire a couple of hours later, I bit the bullet and bought a Loveless, too. Just not worth the risk, IMHO, but to each his own. I would rather eliminate one possible hazard rather than be a statistic.

Click to expand...

Same here, would rather spend the 250 for the right tool than to replace my house.... not to mention the wife factor, can't put a price tag on that.

Click to expand...

Amen! You couldn't have said it better! =)

Click to expand...

I think the cautionary tale of the Christmas house fire says it sll. There the embers were foolishly put in a bag, but it's my guess that there is little difference to a hot ember between a bag and a plastic shop vac.

http://news.yahoo.com/deadly-conn-fire-caused-old-fireplace-embers-210914225.html

Having said that there are shop vacs with a metal cannister and I suppose metal hoses can be found.

I blew ash into the house twice with a shop vac, that was enough for my wife to make me buy an ash vac. I've had it for 2 seasons and have not had to replace either of the filters, I just shake them out in the spring.

RKS130 said:

Katie8103 said:

padfitz said:

tjnamtiw said:

After reading on here about a few instances last year of people sucking up a smoldering pellet and then storing their plastic shop vac in the garage or on the porch only to find it on fire a couple of hours later, I bit the bullet and bought a Loveless, too. Just not worth the risk, IMHO, but to each his own. I would rather eliminate one possible hazard rather than be a statistic.

Click to expand...

Same here, would rather spend the 250 for the right tool than to replace my house.... not to mention the wife factor, can't put a price tag on that.

Click to expand...

Amen! You couldn't have said it better! =)

Click to expand...

I think the cautionary tale of the Christmas house fire says it sll. There the embers were foolishly put in a bag, but it's my guess that there is little difference to a hot ember between a bag and a plastic shop vac.

http://news.yahoo.com/deadly-conn-fire-caused-old-fireplace-embers-210914225.html

Having said that there are shop vacs with a metal cannister and I suppose metal hoses can be found.

Click to expand...

I saw this yesterday, very sad, but PROOF that you don't need to be using a shop vac or any other vac that is not a metal canister and approved or intended for ash removal, even when you think you have a cool ember, it could still be red hot in the center, you never know, usually until its too late or if you dispose of them properly.

I am hoping everyone on this board will watch the video above that doesn't believe in ash vacs!