Ash Vacuums
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PA_Clinker
Member
Will do... I just tried it out this afternoon.
It is very quiet compared to the small "Stinger" portable shop-vac I had been using. Not a ton of suction, but more than adequate to suck up the light fluffy ash our pellet stoves produce. Wouldn't do well if I were trying to pick up small nails or staples. Seems there was a design change, as the unit I received did not come with the metal mesh pre-filter pictured on the box. Instead, it uses a Dacron sack that slips over the HEPA filter. Comes with a good length of AC cord and the flexible metal hose is of good quality. So far, I'm a happy camper.
It is very quiet compared to the small "Stinger" portable shop-vac I had been using. Not a ton of suction, but more than adequate to suck up the light fluffy ash our pellet stoves produce. Wouldn't do well if I were trying to pick up small nails or staples. Seems there was a design change, as the unit I received did not come with the metal mesh pre-filter pictured on the box. Instead, it uses a Dacron sack that slips over the HEPA filter. Comes with a good length of AC cord and the flexible metal hose is of good quality. So far, I'm a happy camper.
ARGlock said:PA_Clinker said:I just received the Hearth Country #400 Vac that I ordered on "cybermonday" from Mills Fleet Farm...$80 bucks shipped.I was surprised to find the pellet stove vacuum kit tucked inside the unit too, since it's usually a $25+ accessory. Can't wait to try it out! I know that Love-Less are supposed to be the Cadillac of Ash Vacs, but I couldn't justify the extra coin.
Wow, PA_Clinker, you got one heck of a dealYou actually Stole that thing from what I know the dealers have to pay for it
Let us know how you like it and what the pros and cons are of the unit.
Stay Warm,
AR
smilejamaica
Feeling the Heat
you could always try to win one i think member ..firefighterjake won one ..here is a thread and a link for the drawing https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/81978/P15/#1020447
https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/85126/
https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/85126/
i use the 5 gal bucket vac from HD for 19 bucks and then dump the bucket and leave it outside after i rinse the bucket and blow the paper shop towel filter cover off. I know the hot ash and paper dont mix for fire reasons, but i make sure stove is off for 3 hours before I clean it every sunday.
St_Earl
Minister of Fire
ARGlock said:PA_Clinker said:I just received the Hearth Country #400 Vac that I ordered on "cybermonday" from Mills Fleet Farm...$80 bucks shipped.
Wow, PA_Clinker, you got one heck of a deal
Let us know how you like it and what the pros and cons are of the unit.
Stay Warm,
AR
yeah. nice deal with the kit. i have that vac.
pros- quiet. poly filter guard and hepa filter included.
cons- low suction (fine for the ash,. not for vacuuming the auger channel) and it overheats after not very long if you leave it run.
the only reason i got an ash vac was that my shop vac was so old i couldn't get hepa filter for it.
looking back, i may as well have gotten a cheapie new shop vac and a hepa filter and dry wall bag.
still. i like that my hearth country is quiet.
wouldn't buy it again though knowing what i know now.
i still have to bust out the shop vac if i want to vac the auger channel.
and i could leave the shop vac running while i brush everything down in the fire box and wire wheel out the burn pot with my electric drill.
as it is i have to switch the ash vac on and off as i go.
also- i must add that i have nowhere near the down time some folks are reporting for the fly ash in my firebox to cool to warm.
10 minutes max and i can vac.
St_Earl said:ARGlock said:PA_Clinker said:I just received the Hearth Country #400 Vac that I ordered on "cybermonday" from Mills Fleet Farm...$80 bucks shipped.
Wow, PA_Clinker, you got one heck of a deal
Let us know how you like it and what the pros and cons are of the unit.
So you're saying a Cougar or Cheetah or Loveless whatever animal it is may be a better Vac???
Thanks,
AR
cons- low suction (fine for the ash,. not for vacuuming the auger channel) and it overheats after not very long if you leave it run.
the only reason i got an ash vac was that my shop vac was so old i couldn't get hepa filter for it.
looking back, i may as well have gotten a cheapie new shop vac and a hepa filter and dry wall bag.
still. i like that my hearth country is quiet.
wouldn't buy it again though knowing what i know now.
i still have to bust out the shop vac if i want to vac the auger channel.
and i could leave the shop vac running while i brush everything down in the fire box and wire wheel out the burn pot with my electric drill.
as it is i have to switch the ash vac on and off as i go.
also- i must add that i have nowhere near the down time some folks are reporting for the fly ash in my firebox to cool to warm.
10 minutes max and i can vac.
PA_Clinker
Member
I'm sure the Love-Less Ash Vacs ae the better animal, but they do cost much more. And seeing that a lot of members get away with just a shop-vac for their pellet stoves, I decided the Hearth Country vac was "good enough" for me.
Craftsman shop vac...free, craftsman hepa filter..27 bucks, result...about 170 bucks in my pocket, and getting the same results and clean air without blowing a small fortune.
ghandy131
Member
Installed this Fall: Invested in a great pellet stove (Englander 10-CPM) $2300, beautiful hearth board $350, terrific installer $550, and a great Cougar Ash vac $250 (the beautiful "winter scene" was worth the extra $'s just so I didn't need to here from my better half - get that bleepin, ugly shop vac out of my family room). my $.02
PA_Clinker
Member
ghandy131 said:
Nice setup. I notice that you didn't list an essential tool for the wood pellet burner...a good leaf blower! Gotta add at least another $40-$75 bucks to your expenditures, depending on what you pick.
Katie8103
New Member
ghandy131 said:
I have heard a lot about these Loveless Ash Vacs, Cougar and Cheetah, and one of my buddies has one, I wanted to share this link for those still looking for any kindof an ash vacuum.......who doesn't love FREE
I entered the contest too, they are giving 1 a week away!! It's worth a try anyway!! Here is the link to enter, you have to watch a short 2 minute video on the product and then it just simply asks for your name and email. Worth a try!! http://dustlesstools.com/AshVac_offer.htm
jtakeman
Minister of Fire
Katie8103
New Member
jtakeman
Minister of Fire
Katie8103 said:
Good Luck to you too! And anyone else that enters. I think firefighterjake won one already! Nice if hearth members get some of them! ;-)
Katie8103
New Member
j-takeman said:
Thanks! Yes, I saw that he did win one, that is so cool, how do some always get so lucky!!?? =) Hopefully several hearth members will win one so we can all compare notes!
smilejamaica
Feeling the Heat
hey you said the vac was to loud..i bet you wont be saying that if you get one for free..lolj-takeman said:
jtakeman
Minister of Fire
smilejamaica said:
Free is for me
!! It will take years to equal out paying for ear plugs compared to paying for the vac. No??? ;-)
ghandy131
Member
When you win one, I suggest you get the one with the "winter scene" on the canister. Your better half will love it and be happy - and when she's happy, you're happy.
Katie8103
New Member
j-takeman said:smilejamaica said:
Free is for me
It will take years to equal out paying for ear plugs compared to paying for the vac. No??? ;-)
LOL! ;-)
Katie8103
New Member
ghandy131 said:When you win one, I suggest you get the one with the "winter scene" on the canister. Your better half will love it and be happy - and when she's happy, you're happy.
You couldn't have said it better! =)
Very inntereessting.I have been looking at getting a better vac and have read all sides of this debate. I am in the meantime using my 16 gal shop vac with a HEPA Filter. I cannot find a dust bag that fits my Ridged to use as prefilter. Yes the vac works but loads up quickly and is very large for the job. I just dont need a big hose (for the vacuum)to clean properly,if I have anything that big in my pellet stove i have other issues. So if I dont win one should I buy one? I kida want to wait until I get the latest-greatest! But as I am learning cleaning is key .thanks for everyones input.
OK, I'm in. Hope one of us here gets one.
I have been kicking around a way to turn a metal bucket into a collection canister while having a shop vac hose attached to it. I would have the shop vac outside with the hose coming in to house and connected to bucket contraption. Some fine metal window screening and fiberglass blanket shaped into a mushroom inside bucket would be my primary bucket filter to prevent anything hot from entering the shop vac/hose. Small and light enough to push out of the way but still have to deal with a shop vac.
I would love to forget my idea if a free one was to show up on my doorstep.
I have been kicking around a way to turn a metal bucket into a collection canister while having a shop vac hose attached to it. I would have the shop vac outside with the hose coming in to house and connected to bucket contraption. Some fine metal window screening and fiberglass blanket shaped into a mushroom inside bucket would be my primary bucket filter to prevent anything hot from entering the shop vac/hose. Small and light enough to push out of the way but still have to deal with a shop vac.
I would love to forget my idea if a free one was to show up on my doorstep.
tym4pellets said:
This what i use with my big hose shop vac. Works great for the tight spaces.
http://www.amazon.com/Micro-Vacuum-...JCLY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323317003&sr=8-1
John97
Feeling the Heat
My ash vac came today that I ordered from Costco. It came drop-shipped from US Stove. Once i opened the outer shipping box, the unit was in a Breckwell box which kinda threw me. But, a quick check with Google tells me US Stove bought Breckwell earlier this year.
http://breckwell.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=145&Itemid=315
Looks good. It's sitting next to my fireplace waiting for the stove to get here.
http://breckwell.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=145&Itemid=315
Looks good. It's sitting next to my fireplace waiting for the stove to get here.
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