shop vac?

I use a ShopVac brand vacuum. I have a 6 gallon and a 16 gallon. I use a paper bag filter with it that is sold as an accessory. Works great. ONLY use it when it has been shut done and completely cooled. I've even modified attachments to work better on the stove. With the standard filter and the bag I have never had ash or even sheet rock dust blow thru. When the bag is full you just throw it away. Check out Lowes.

Rick.

beerwizza said:

I use a ShopVac brand vacuum. I have a 6 gallon and a 16 gallon. I use a paper bag filter with it that is sold as an accessory. Works great. ONLY use it when it has been shut done and completely cooled. I've even modified attachments to work better on the stove. With the standard filter and the bag I have never had ash or even sheet rock dust blow thru. When the bag is full you just throw it away. Check out Lowes.

Rick.

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yep, what rick said...only when the stove is shut down and cooled.


my wife tried to help on day and cleaned the stove for me while i was at work, and thought if it was shut down for just 15 mins. or so it was safe to clean because she could see no sparks.anyhoo, i had to go and buy another vacuum.but i told her i loved her and thank you for trying to help but from now on i will clean the stove myself.


mike

I would invest in one they make a huge difference. You can get one for like $200 online. We sell them at like $220

I've got a Rigid 12 gallon wet/dry shop vac that I've had for a some years that I got from Home Depot. A few years ago I found a special filter they sell for it which is designed for sheetrock dust. Believe me when I tell you that it really works. The filter is almost like a plastic material and when it gets dirty, you simply shake it out and you can hose it off - just like new. I know they still sell them and they are about $25.00 to $30.00 but worth every penny. That's the only filter I've used in that vac quite often and very heavily for the past 3 years.

No, I have not used it on stove ash, but the fact that it works so well on trapping sheetrock dust, it just might work. I'll have to try it once we have our new stove up and running.

Steve

The shop vac with the sheetrock filter does work pretty good as everyone says BUT not that well. a lot of fine dust still gets through. What i did was cut a short piece ( apx 8") of PCV pipe that fit snugly in the exhaust of the shop vac then use a Copier Vacuum Filter and cut a hole in the side Larger then the PVC pipe either by enlarging the existing hole ( the one that comes with a red plug) or cutting a new one (or 2) anywhere else. This will be the EXHAUST of the filter ( the normal use uses the existing hole (with the plug) as the 'entrance' the the filter. then slide the Center hole of the Filter over the PVC pipe it must be very snug or it will blow off, so if the fit is too loose, just put a wrap of duct tape arount the end of the pipe to enlarge it. Then Vacuum away.

If you dont believe me about how much dust gets past the sheetrock filter, you will see the copier filter darken after the 1st use ( it starts as white) This filter will last a VERY long time. There are 2 types available the better of the two is "Type 1" which will capture much finer particles, but either will work well.

A quick Google came up with the following link, but that price is very expensive, if you search you should be able to find a generic for about $8 ( I paid $6 a few years ago) - I also use this setup for sheet rock, and now so does my neighbor and 2 contractors that saw my setup.

http://www.action-electronics.com/vacuum.htm

My El Cheapo imitation shop vac doesn't have a good filter available, so I continued with the El Cheapo philosophy. I bought a hose to fit the exhaust side, and on the end i use a wet sock. I scoop as much ash as I can out of the stove, and don't run the vac for more than a few seconds at a time. No dust, but make sure the stove is cold. I may break down and buy an ash vac some day because it's tough to wait for the stove to cool off while the house is cooling off too.

Cheap method for me for now anyway.
I just double up on the cloth/paper type disc filters . It seems to catch the fine stuff too but obviously it`s not for hot ashes.
As the above poster mentioned there`s no need but to run the vac for a few seconds at a time anyway.
I suppose at some point I`ll break down and get a good one.
John

Ashvac from Ebay. Brand New and was like 175.00 in Dec

Not sure now

Why take the risk burning your house down

I prefer the Ash Vac.

IMO, no futzing around with different filters or getting ash dust in the
air when cleaning. No worries about the ashes re-igniting inside
the vac and potentially burning down my house.

I have a cheap shop vack with the sponge and cloth filter. Just get a extend long hose, however long it takes to set the vack outside the door and your in busness. I only cleaned mine once this spring. If you have to clean it more often, do it on a warmer day in the winter and all the dust that gets through, goes outsite.

Bill

I use a Loveless Drywall vac. It's made by the same company
that makes the Cougar ash vac. Let the stove cool down then
let the vac do it's thing. I paid 135.00 for the vac and two drywall
bags 8 months ago. No dust gets through into the room ever and
I vac out the stove once a month. I'd say any shop vac that will
take a drywall vac bag is going to do the trick.

Plowboy said:

I have a cheap shop vack with the sponge and cloth filter. Just get a extend long hose, however long it takes to set the vack outside the door and your in busness. I only cleaned mine once this spring. If you have to clean it more often, do it on a warmer day in the winter and all the dust that gets through, goes outsite.

Bill

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Hahahaha. That`s an idea Bill but everytime you want to start and stop the vac you need to go outdoors to wherever the vac is located. That is unless you have a remote controlled vac.
Seriously, Why not just put a long hose on the vac outlet to reach outside ?
John

Giovanni said:

Seriously, Why not just put a long hose on the vac outlet to reach outside ?
John

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Because then you'd have to listen to it inside.

Wet1 said:

Giovanni said:

Seriously, Why not just put a long hose on the vac outlet to reach outside ?
John

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Because then you'd have to listen to it inside.

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Yeah, thats a point. My wet vacs are noisier than hell. Not that I`m familiar with hell but I don`t suppose it`s going to be a picnic when I get there either.
John

Giovanni said:

Yeah, thats a point. My wet vacs are noisier than hell. Not that I`m familiar with hell but I don`t suppose it`s going to be a picnic when I get there either.
John

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Hey! You going there too? I wonder if they use pellets for heat???