I think that I may start using one. I sometimes feel a sinus / throat tickle after cleaning the stove.
The shop-vac gets the other 99.9% of the dust.
The shop-vac gets the other 99.9% of the dust.
Do you wear a dust mask while cleaning your stove?
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I keep wondering about that myself. I clean my stove with a shop vac and can see dust blowing out the other end. I don't use a mask and I just figure it's like breathing sawdust. I am sure that it would be terrible for you if you sniffed it like a bad drug for a long period of time but I figure a minute or two every now and then is not really worth wearing a mask.
pkitfox
New Member
Get a good filter for the shop vac. Use a mask rated for sheet rock dust, or better. You may not drop dead from breathing small amounts of dust, but we really don't know the long term effects. The outcome can be different for different people (like some people can smoke all their life, and others die at 30 from smoking). Why take the risk. Protect yourself, as best you can.
Maybe some Pros will offer up information on what they are using.
Maybe some Pros will offer up information on what they are using.
pkitfox said:
Very much agreed. First thing I got after installing the Harmon Accentra stove was a Bulldog model Shop Vac with the special drywall dust filter bag. It is marked for "cold fireplace ash", and it really works. No dust output at all. Tried the regular filter when the hardware store was out of the special ones. Big mistake. Fine black ash deposited all over the place.
Souzafone
Feeling the Heat
Particle mask for me, a hose on the outlet for the vac, with a damp sock held on with a tight elastic for good measure.
NEVER..but then again I clean my stove completely assbackwards from all you folks..but it seems to work just fine for me
Always, even though pellet dust is typically too fine for a 'dust mask' to capture all of it. With that said, last time I cleaned my stove w/o a mask on I got sick with some type of sinus or respiratory infection the following day... so yes, I'll continue to wear the dust mask. I'd rather be safe than sorry.
First time I cleaned my stove I didn't wear a mask. Not to be gross but when I sneezed later, I put out a lot of black residue.
Now I always wear a mask when cleaning.
Now I always wear a mask when cleaning.
Xena
Minister of Fire
Always! The first time I cleaned my stove I felt sick for a couple days after
and for several hours had black stuff every time I blew my nose.
While I didn't purchase it for cleaning the stove, I have a 3M respirator mask
that I wear when cleaning the stove. That fine black ash/dust cannot be
good for your lungs.
and for several hours had black stuff every time I blew my nose.
While I didn't purchase it for cleaning the stove, I have a 3M respirator mask
that I wear when cleaning the stove. That fine black ash/dust cannot be
good for your lungs.
Czech
Minister of Fire
geek
Minister of Fire
tinkabranc
Minister of Fire
I use a particle mask every time I clean my stove now.
Did not use one originally, but after realizing how much black ash
gets into my nose, I changed my mind quickly.
Did not use one originally, but after realizing how much black ash
gets into my nose, I changed my mind quickly.
My Ridgid vac lets me use a pleated style drywall filter on the motor and a wrap-around drywall bag on the intake of the tank. I figure that it must be getting most everything but I like the idea of attaching a hose to the outake and sending it out a window.
I have the vacuum setup outside when I clean my stove. I run a long hose in through a window (use a towel to block off the remaining window 'gap'), and this keeps the vast majority of the dust and noise outside the house. I also take the filter out of the vac since it's outside, so there's no clogged filters, or even special filters needed.
I agree:Keep the dust outside.I run a shop vac with a HEPA filter and about 30' of hose.The vac is outside on the porch and used only for the stove.Between this set up and the leaf blower(THANKS KROOSER) trick clean up isnt that bad.Just have to check the hose connections before I begin.
Greg
Greg
Czech
Minister of Fire
On some stoves (Quads I know), you can turn the t-stat up then down right away and this turns the comb fan on for a bit. Helps if your just doing the inside of the stove, pulls the dust out the vent.
weatherguy
Minister of Fire
And drink beer?
I wore a white rag over my face last time and theres was black on the rag where I breath, so Im going to pick up some masks for next time.
I used to blow black out o my nose after cleaning too.
jtakeman
Minister of Fire
No, I never have. But I guess I will now. Never really thought about the black dust going in my lungs and sinus's. Yuk!
jay
jay
woodsman23
Minister of Fire
Wet1 said:
This is exactly how i clean my stove including removal of the filter but i leave the foam one on. Cleans the stove and NO duct in the house ever. Works to well. i use a towel also in the window to keep the cold at bay and no noise to boot.
woodsman23
Minister of Fire
tinkabranc
Minister of Fire
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