Can I use any shop vac to vacuum out my insert (52i)? Not sure if it will blowout dust/ashes out the other end.
Or perhaps a certain filter needed?
Or perhaps a certain filter needed?
Shop vac
- Thread starter wally1234
- Start date
-
Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.
We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.
We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil. -
Super Cedar firestarters 30% discount Use code Hearth2024 Click here
- Status
bostonfan49
Minister of Fire
Eros...yes you can use a shop vac as long as you use "high efficiency bags"...cold ash, cement dust. You also must run it with the highest filtering capability HEPA filter. Most shop vacs have this capability... The HEPA filter usually is good for a minimum of one heating season and typically can be washed. The bags can last many cleanings.....just make sure that each time you put in a new bag, that it is "seated" properly. As far as the exhaust end, you have 3 options...if your still concerned. You can run a hose of the exhaust port.....a bit cumbersome. You can drape a damp wash cloth over the exhaust port....or you put another small HEPA filter over the exhaust port. I have a pic posted on another thread. Ash vacs are great, I have a Power Smith that many folks here use.....I just find the filter very hard and messy to clean but that just my opinion....PS, if you don't use a HEPA filter in the shop vac you WILL blow ash all over your house..... Bill
TimfromMA
Minister of Fire
bostonfan49
Minister of Fire
Yeah...as Tim said Cold ash, you don't want a fire! The vac bags usually have an 800 number on them and you can call and ask about any possible higher efficiency bag available....Bill
TimfromMA
Minister of Fire
Potentially warm or hot ash in a plastic vac that has paper filters and or bags..... Is it really worth the risk?
Get a Gore Cleanstream HEPA filter for your Shop-Vac.....they work great, are washable, and last a long time.
Peterfield
Minister of Fire
regular shop-vac will work if you are careful but below are two links to ash vacuums that are used by many posters here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0060EUA32?keywords=ash vacuum&qid=1448462704&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FKYEWXW?keywords=ash vacuum&qid=1448462704&ref_=sr_1_8&sr=8-8
Harbor Freight has a small shop-vac ($32) that is perfect for cleaning pellet stoves. You can usually find all sorts of vacuums in the Thrift Stores that can be adapted to exclusive stove clean-out duty...The smaller tank-type are best..Just be sure the stove is STONE COLD before you vacuum it. The little hand-held "Dirt-Devil" types are useless, they plug up in seconds..The fine fly-ash you will be vacuuming will clog ANY vacuum filter system fairly quickly so be prepared to clean or change the filters often..With a "shop" type Vac, you can put 2" of water in the bottom and this helps trap the dust and keep the filter from clogging up but it leaves you with the the nasty chore of cleaning the mud out of the vacuum..They make special ash vacs, Cougars and Cheetahs, but they are VERY expensive....
Edward Hughes
Member
Shop Vac
Do you used a fine filter yellow bag with the Clean Stream Hepa filter?
Thanks for the Help
Tim Linden
Burning Hunk
I found a washable filter that works great, but I can't for the life of me find it anywhere anymore. I believe it was Sears, but like others say it was Hepa and I make sure the stove is completely cold.
True Story.. My mom tried to help my dad out by cleaning out their stove. She didn't realize there was a hot ember in it, and while the vacuum didn't catch fire the ember made a hole in the filter and the entire room was covered in ash as a result.
True Story.. My mom tried to help my dad out by cleaning out their stove. She didn't realize there was a hot ember in it, and while the vacuum didn't catch fire the ember made a hole in the filter and the entire room was covered in ash as a result.
I just use the Cleanstream HEPA filter, no extra filter bag on top of it.
- Status
Similar threads
