Which is the best ash vacuum?

I'm finally buying an ash vac and am not sure which to get. Obviously, I'd like to not pay more than necessary, but I'd definitely pay a bit more for one that is reliable, effective and allows the least amount of ash into the house as opposed to simply the cheapest option.

Do you have any recommendations of what to buy or avoid? Thanks!

Mods: Sorry if I posted this in the wrong forum, I wasn't quite sure where it would go.

 

I bought the powersmith one last year. I just used it to clean the boiler a few minutes ago and it works great. My only complaint is the wheel mounts are weak and one broke so I took the other 3 off. I don't need wheels anyway so I don't care. No complaints other than that.

 

If I use a vac I just wait till cold and use a shop vac. If warm I just shovel out as much as i can

 

Thank you, I'm definitely considering that one. It's def that one that keeps coming up most on searches.

I was curious how that compared to the modes that cost twice as much like the Loveless Cougar or Cheetah. Also I wondered how it might compare to the comparably priced Bad Ash 3 which uses the HEPA filtration system (we have some allergies in our home). Anyone try any of these?

 

Ha, ha! Thank you

 

We have had the Powersmith a couple of seasons and like it.

On the plus side:
Good power, good filter, smaller hose/extensions makes it easier to reach back into crevices on the PH, long electrical cord, sturdy construction.

Less than ideal:
Hose is short enough that I can't set vacuum on the floor and reach down into the top of the PH, so I have to hold it while cleaning out the top.

 

That's very helpful; thank you

 

Alot of us run the powersmith, here is a old thread on it
Powersmith ash vac $59 shipped | Firewood Hoarders Club

 

Perfect, thanks. I did a forum search for "ash vacuums" but this didn't come up. Appreciate the assist

 

OK, just bought the Powersmith for $73 on Amazon -thanks for all the help!

 

Update: I just used my new Powersmith for the first time and it worked great! Super easy and quick to start using out of the box and very effective. It was much quicker than scooping out the ashes with the shovel and MUCH less messier. I was concerned that this might not be as good as some of the higher end Loveless models, but so far so good!

Now if only the could would return I can burn again and make more ashes to test the Powersmith further!

 

If you burn 24/7 how do you suck ashes out?

 

Good question. My insert cuts my oil consumption down by 1/2 so I don't actually burn 24/7. It runs all waking hours, but I don't load past bedtime. On days I want to clear the ashes I always start my last reload fairly early and then max the airflow overnight so I don't have too many hot coals in the AM.

 

Oh. I burn 24/7 and just take what I can out. Sometimes if warmer let cool more to get more of them out

 

Yeah, don't get me wrong, unless I'm sleeping the fire is rocking! I just try to plan a day each week where I can clean it -I've dubbed that day "Ash Wednesday"!

 

Here we use two different buckets, I have a metal bucket on a cinder block the coals go in, then use a plastic 5 gallon pail for the ashes. Once everything's clear usually I toss the coals back in and refire

 

Welcome sir saws!

I just sift as many coals out as I can and try for the ash. I usually use a plastic five gallon bucket. Its warm by the time I toss in garden. Sometimes I have melted through by the time I am outside. I need to get a new metal ash bucket. The old rusted out

 

I used a metal ash bucket until I got my ash vac this week -worked fine. Except I kept filling the room with ash!