Cougar Ash Vac Just Arrived

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Mr. Spock

Mr. Spock

Minister of Fire
Jan 2, 2013
680
SW MA
Burned my first Ton so I was looking forward to giving the XXV a good cleaning with the help of my newly ordered Cougar. With this weekend coming up warm I figured a perfect opportunity was upon me. To my surprise I got home this evening to find my Cougar delivered and ready for action. Couldn't wait to open and check out the coolness. Wait! WHAT is this? Dang it! I ordered black. The lovely scenery might match some decor but not so much mine. I really want to use this animal but :: sigh :: must ship it back.
[Hearth.com] Cougar Ash Vac Just Arrived
 
Have a case of OCD do we? Does it really matter? I keep mine in the basement and only pull it out when I need to vacuum.
 
You are kidding right???
 
Black Krylon. $3
 
I'll agree with Mr. Spock. If one is going to spend the $$$ on that vacuum, one wants what one ordered. I like the winter scene, it would work OK with my room, but if it doesn't "go" it doesn't "go." And yeah, if I spent that money on an ash vac I'd want it to sit by the stove, right at hand for ease of use, and I'd want it to look good in the room.

We use a Shop Vac with a wet/dry HEPA filter and, right this moment, a regular bag (not a drywall bag.) We used an ash vac for a couple of years. It was a less expensive ash vac and we hated it. The suction was terrible. We are now back to a Shop Vac, and we are much happier with its performance. The HEPA filter can be rinsed clean, and between the filter and the bag, we don't get dust in the house. It ain't pretty, it has a big 'ol footprint so it lives in the front closet. It does the job, though. I'd love to have the winter scene Cougar but the Shop Vac works so well for us, I can't justify the purchase.
 
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This is what I use as well. Craftsman with the Hepa filter. I like the idea on the bag as well

becasunshine said:
I'll agree with Mr. Spock. If one is going to spend the $$$ on that vacuum, one wants what one ordered. I like the winter scene, it would work OK with my room, but if it doesn't "go" it doesn't "go." And yeah, if I spent that money on an ash vac I'd want it to sit by the stove, right at hand for ease of use, and I'd want it to look good in the room.

We use a Shop Vac with a wet/dry HEPA filter and, right this moment, a regular bag (not a drywall bag.) We used an ash vac for a couple of years. It was a less expensive ash vac and we hated it. The suction was terrible. We are now back to a Shop Vac, and we are much happier with its performance. The HEPA filter can be rinsed clean, and between the filter and the bag, we don't get dush in the house. It ain't pretty, it has a big 'ol footprint so it lives in the front closet. It does the job, though. I'd love to have the winter scene Cougar but the Shop Vac works so well for us, I can't justify the purchase.
Click to expand...
 
The painted scenery one costs more, they gave you more for less. Do you have to pay to ship back?
 
My g/f just got home and I quote "If you are going to keep that thing in the living room you are sending it back for the black one" end quote.

Guess that makes two of us with OCD.:)

And ya, what's wrong with getting what you paid for!
 
I got one and never use it because the shop vac with a drywall bag is waaaaay better!!
 
Well if they charged you for a more expensive model, that's a different story. I'd wanna receive what I ordered as well BUT it's a vacuum, not a knick knack, piece of furniture, pellet storage chest, etc. I'm assuming it's gonna get stored away when not in use. Idk, I can see both sides I guess.
 
Btw, SEXY stove and beautiful pooch!
 
smoke show said:
I got one and never use it because the shop vac with a drywall bag is waaaaay better!!
Click to expand...

Yep.. Ash vacs suck... (Or really, they don't) Mine was about fully plugged after one use and hose is way to short IMO.

My Shop vac with HEPA and Drywall bag has 5 times the suction and also a hose that reaches the stove.
 
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becasunshine said:
I'll agree with Mr. Spock. If one is going to spend the $$$ on that vacuum, one wants what one ordered. I like the winter scene, it would work OK with my room, but if it doesn't "go" it doesn't "go." And yeah, if I spent that money on an ash vac I'd want it to sit by the stove, right at hand for ease of use, and I'd want it to look good in the room.

We use a Shop Vac with a wet/dry HEPA filter and, right this moment, a regular bag (not a drywall bag.) We used an ash vac for a couple of years. It was a less expensive ash vac and we hated it. The suction was terrible. We are now back to a Shop Vac, and we are much happier with its performance. The HEPA filter can be rinsed clean, and between the filter and the bag, we don't get dush in the house. It ain't pretty, it has a big 'ol footprint so it lives in the front closet. It does the job, though. I'd love to have the winter scene Cougar but the Shop Vac works so well for us, I can't justify the purchase.
Click to expand...

smoke show said:
I got one and never use it because the shop vac with a drywall bag is waaaaay better!!
Click to expand...

P38X2 said:
Well if they charged you for a more expensive model, that's a different story. I'd wanna receive what I ordered as well BUT it's a vacuum, not a knick knack, piece of furniture, pellet storage chest, etc. I'm assuming it's gonna get stored away when not in use. Idk, I can see both sides I guess.
Click to expand...

Ya the plan was to keep it next to the stove for ease of use. I know a lot of members here use a shop vac. 1) I just don't have the room 2) I thought using an ash vac would allow me to clean the stove without fear of fire. Even if it's it not completely out. The XXV is my only source of heat now so I just want to get it clean and get the heat going asap.
 
I hope you guys are wrong about the suction. I read a lot of positive feedback about this vac.
 
Mr. Spock, our ash vac was not nearly the quality of the Cougar, and it was about half the price of the Cougar, for what that's worth. I understand what you are saying when you say that the pellet stove is your primary and only heat source, so you want to limit its downtime. In your situation, an ash vac is worth the $$$ for you.
 
So is this Ash Vac is rated to suck hot ashes from the stove without fear of catching fire???
 
I had one (came with stove) used it 2 times the third time it found a glowing ember. Bad deal, house full of putrid smelling smoke and the end of the vac, not to mention the missus seemed somewhat paniced and pissed:rolleyes:. Then I switched to a hepa shop vac and would never go back, way more vac power.
 
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