Top 10 Best Ash Vacuum Cleaner Of 2023 (Expert Opinion + Buying Guide)

Are you fond of barbeque but struggle cleaning the mess, it turns out? How about the ashes of the pellet stove? If you use a fireplace or even an old-fashioned oven, the ash will always be a constant. You know you’ll always end up cleaning all the ash at the end of the day. Gone is the day when people used to clean ashes using their hands.

Furthermore, cleaning ash using tools like a brush and shovel is a challenging task. You might also inhale some ash in the air which can cause severe lung problems. A great solution to these problems would have a Hot Ash Vacuum.

There is no denying that an ash vacuum cleaner is necessary for every home to keep it free from unwanted warm or cool ashes. But, choosing the Best Ash Vacuum Cleaner is not an easy fish to fry given that all poor-quality products are available out in the market. So, to help you out, we are here with our exclusive ash vacuum cleaner so that you can choose the best option for you. Stay with us throughout the article to know everything about the ash vacuum cleaner to buy the best product.

Sneak Peak At The Best Ash VAC of 2023

Quick Look at the Top Ash Vacuum Picked By Our Editor

Best Ash Vacuum Picked By Our Editors

1. Most Durable Ash Vac: Cougar+ Ash Vacuum
2. Top-grade Ash Vacuum Brand: Shop-Vac 4041200 Ash Vacuum Cleaner
3. Premium Ash Vac For Pellet Stove: PowerSmith PAVC101 Ash Vacuum
4. Ash Vac With Large Ash Capacity: BACOENG 5.3-Gallon Ash Vacuum Cleaner

A good quality ash cleaner will help you clean the ashes from the fireplaces, pits, or BBQ grills. You should always choose the top-quality ash cleaner to get the maximum benefit from it. Below, we have our Top 10 Ash Vacuum Cleaners to help you out in your buying decision-making process.

Number 1: Cougar+ Ash Vacuum

Cougar+ Ash Vacuum is considered one of the best ash vacuum cleaning tools out there. This vacuum is made to pick up ash from wood stoves, fireplaces, pellet stoves, and barbeques. It has a patented filter system that can remove even the smallest particles of sand from the pile. This ash vacuum did its cleaning job without letting even one micron of ash particles in the air. So, it won’t let you inhale any ash into your lungs when you are breathing. You should remember that according to Physicians for Social Responsibility and Earthjustice, breathing in ash dust can trigger the risk of asthma, lead to lung cancer, and lead to other severe lung diseases. You will hardly find any other ash vacuum in the market that can clean ash without exhausting any ash in the air. The product is heavy-duty and can withstand a harsh environment.

This hot ash vacuum is perfectly sealed in its metal finish, avoiding ash leaking from its openings. The vacuum can also pick up warm ash, cold ash, and even wet ash, and you don’t have to switch filters for that. The product weighs approximately 17 pounds, is designed and made in the U.S.A., has a 5-ft hose, and comes in black.

The entire ash vac is made of flame-resistant material. So, it is specially designed to clean hot ash, and you don’t need to wait for seven days to reach the ash in the cold/normal stage. Even the inner filter system is made of flame-resistant thermoplastic components which can tolerate 1000°F. So, it will not catch fire if it sucks up too much hot ash.

One of the crucial advantages of this vacuum for ash cleaning is that you don’t need to open it to clean the filter. There is a small agitator rod outside of the vacuum, and you just need to give the rod a shake for some time, and it will automatically clean the ash from the filter. The accumulated ash will pass to the canister without any further affording.     

The canister is made of durable steel which can hold 3 gallons of ash. No bag is available in the canister so the ash will safely remain in there for days. Just remove the lid of the canister to empty it when the canister is full of ashes.

It has a sturdy carry handle that helps you to move it confidently from room to room. Also, it makes the ash dumping process quicker and more convenient.

We have noticed that many customers have complained the hose is too narrow and it quickly gets clogged. But, we found that the problem is not with the hose. It happens because people use it to suck large chunks of charcoal, which blocks the flow of this ash vacuum. You should keep the nozzle away from the small charcoal. So, how can you do this? When you are clearing firebrick ash, you have to hold the nozzle at a certain angle so that it can create a narrow opening. This blocks the large size chunk that comes inside the nozzle.  

Although it is designed to pick up Fine Ash, the ash clogs the filter. But this is a widespread problem for all of the ash vac. But, the good news is this ash vacuum has an internal dust-cleaning shaker to bring the ash vacuum back in full suction, cleaning the filter within a second.

The vacuum’s motor is efficiently installed, providing an Air-flow rate of 90 CFM and a water lift capacity of 55″. The product is super easy to use, it doesn’t need to be opened for cleaning, and you can opt to get accessories that will help make the job easier.

[joomdev-wpc-pros-cons disable_title=”yes” title=”Title Here” button_text=”Get it now” disable_button=”yes” button_link=”” button_link_target=”_SELF” button_rel_attr=”dofollow”][joomdev-wpc-pros]

• The product is quite
• Can suck dry and wet messes simultaneously
• Easy and simple to clean
• Has a separate inner and outer filter
• Low power at 6 amps

[/joomdev-wpc-pros][joomdev-wpc-cons]

• Short cord length
• You have to carry it around
• No wheels; not great for very huge messes

[/joomdev-wpc-cons][/joomdev-wpc-pros-cons]

Number 2: Shop-Vac 4041200 Ash Vacuum Cleaner 

This vacuum is made by Shop-Vac Corporation, which was established in 1965. Since then, they have proudly manufactured quality vacuum cleaners and vacuum cleaner accessories like filters, bags, hoses, etc. This vacuum cleaner model of Shop-vac is known for its wide range and ash cleaning capacity in every type of situation. It has a straightforward design that makes it very simple for you to use, and you won’t need a manual to operate this.

The product uses a HEPA cartridge filtration system which makes it great for even the smallest ash grains. The filter has three layers of metal filter for a better lifetime. The filter is attached to the powerhead of the vacuum. Although the filter is made of durable materials, it will not last more than one year. So, you need to change it after using it for a season. For better performance and longer durability of the filter, it is recommended to clean the filter after every use. 

This Shop-Vac Ash Vacuum has a thermal protection feature that helps preserve the vacuum’s lifespan and a stainless steel container that will last for ages.

The vacuum comes with a 4-foot metal hose with a metal nozzle and metal crevice tool. Luckily, the hose of this ash vac is flexible, which is one of the essential features of this cleaner. The 5-gallon ash capacity is a beauty and is excellent for huge messes and extended use.

This vacuum cleaner also includes pellet stove kits. These kits have three tiny nozzles (two have attached brushes and one without brush) and two hose adapters. These five-piece pellet stove kits are handy for cleaning hard-to-reach spots of your pellet stove. Other than that, this ash vacuum cleaner also included a Wire-wound hose so that it could reach any spot very flexibly. 

On top of that, it has a carry handle attached to the top of the unit. You can grab and hold it effortlessly during the ash cleaning time. 

[joomdev-wpc-pros-cons disable_title=”yes” title=”Title Here” button_text=”Get it now” disable_button=”yes” button_link=”” button_link_target=”_SELF” button_rel_attr=”dofollow”][joomdev-wpc-pros]

• Straightforward and simple use
• Can be used for dry and wet ash
• Huge capacity
• Heavy-duty

[/joomdev-wpc-pros][joomdev-wpc-cons]

• You have to carry it around
• No wheels
• Relatively more expensive

[/joomdev-wpc-cons][/joomdev-wpc-pros-cons]

Number 3: PowerSmith PAVC101 Ash Vacuum

Are you hunting for an affordable ash vacuum cleaner for your home? Just end your quest. PowerSmith PAVC101 Ash Vaccum Cleaner will be the one that you’re looking for. The price of this ash vac is below 100$, which is excellent. Undoubtedly, you will not get any other quality ash vacuum cleaner at this price range. 

The product is specifically made to clean hot ash from wood stoves, fireplaces, and barbeques. It is also one of the finest ash vacuum cleaners for pellet stoves. The vacuum comes with a wheeled base so you can use it around conveniently. You can also use it to vacuum your floor and carpet because the manufacturer of PowerSmith Ash Vac designed it to do this work.

The canister design of the vacuum makes it capable of containing around 3 gallons of ash. Aside from its vacuum function, you can use the product converted into a leaf blower along with its 16-foot power cord, making it great for outdoor use.

This versatile vacuum has a strong motor rated at ten amps, making it converted into a leaf blower. The vacuum comes with other accessories for household use and a washable filter that you can use as often as possible. Furthermore, the filter is replaceable and has two different layers. One is made of microfiber, which captures the finest ash, and the other layer is made of fire-resistant fiberglass, which conducts warm ash. This vacuum truly is the jack of all trades.

Many users of Powersmith Ash Vacuum are utterly disappointed with the motor quality of this ash vacuum. Because the ash vacuum becomes overheated after using it for only 3 minutes and the motor will shut down automatically due to overheating. But, our expert team has examined the ash vacuum to find out the main reason this overheating problem is occurring. The reason is this ash vacuum has an excellent filter so that it can block the fine ash passing through the two-stage filter system. Consequently, passing air through this fine filter of Powersmith ash vacuum is quite limited. As a result, the motor becomes overheated, trying to suck in air from the outside. To overcome this problem, we suggest you clean the clogged filter after every use. The best will be if you give it a good clean using an air compressor. Also, don’t forget to take it outside so that dust will not harm your home.

[joomdev-wpc-pros-cons disable_title=”yes” title=”Title Here” button_text=”Get it now” disable_button=”yes” button_link=”” button_link_target=”_SELF” button_rel_attr=”dofollow”][joomdev-wpc-pros]

• The product can be used as a blower.
• Long 16-foot cord.
• Extremely light at 9 lbs.
• Strong 10-amp motor.
• The canister is simple to clean.
  [/joomdev-wpc-pros][joomdev-wpc-cons]

• Short hose length.
• High power consumption.
• A bit hard to clean when full.
  [/joomdev-wpc-cons][/joomdev-wpc-pros-cons]

Number 4: Dustless Technologies D0015 Pit-Hawg Ash-Vacuum

Although Pit Hwang is pretty tiny in size, it does the cleaning job like a champ. Despite the small canister, it can hold 4 gallons of ash. The entire body of this ash vacuum is strongly built and designed to do many tough jobs. Aside from pellet stoves and barbeque, this vacuum is also designed to clean ash off wood burning stoves, fire pits, fireplaces, outdoor ovens, smokers, and biofuel stoves that create different types of ash and waste. It can manage warm ash and has an overheat failsafe if there is still some hot ash around. The ash vacuum is made of ash flame retardant components so that you can clean fine warm ash rather than waiting almost seven days to reach the ash in “cold” conditions. It would be best to keep in mind that this ash vac does not mean to clean off the hot ash or fiery coal; however, it can withstand the accidental suction of fiery ash. But, too much take-up of fiery ash may risk the filter catching fire, leading to a hazardous situation. 

This vacuum is specially designed to keep your hands off when cleaning. It has a self-cleaning mechanism so that you don’t have to manually clean the vacuum filter every time it gets clogged or obstructs the airflow. Another great feature that will win your heart is “Thermal Shut Off. “This internal feature of Pit Hawg will securely turn off the vacuum cleaner if the internal air of the vacuum cleaner becomes extremely hot. The product comes with a wire brush for the ash that tends to get stuck and clumped together on surfaces. With a standard length hose and a metal nozzle, the vacuum works out well, indoor or outdoor. The engineers of Pit Hawg swear that their specially made double-layer HEPA Filtration System will not let any single tiny particle get out from the sealed container and mixed with the air. Thus, it helps you to avoid any mess inside your home.

[joomdev-wpc-pros-cons disable_title=”yes” title=”Title Here” button_text=”Get it now” disable_button=”yes” button_link=”” button_link_target=”_SELF” button_rel_attr=”dofollow”][joomdev-wpc-pros]

• Dustless use and very clean.
• Wide metal nozzle.
• Great Warranty service.
• The filter cleaning mechanism doesn’t need to be opened for cleaning.

[/joomdev-wpc-pros][joomdev-wpc-cons]

• Average hose length.
• Average suction power.
• No wheels; hand carried.
  [/joomdev-wpc-cons][/joomdev-wpc-pros-cons]

Number 5: Snow Joe ASHJ201 Ash Vacuum

This is a simple vacuum that you can use for simple outings and small messes. It has a dual filter system that cleans up your ash efficiently. The vacuum’s simple design resembles a paint bucket and will blend in nicely in your shed or garage.

The vacuum is relatively smaller than those in the list and can be conveniently carried around with the handle. It is designed to be used for at home use and small occasions. The filter cartridge is reusable and is easy to clean.

This product has a relatively big storage capacity of 4.8 gallons. This would be convenient for huge piles, and you won’t have to empty the cans while working. The 4-amp motor can pick up ash at an airflow rate of 42.4 cubic feet of air per minute and will surely get the job done. It also has a small inspection window that you can use to check if the airway is clogged.

This tiny ash vac is made of an impressive dual filtration system. One filtration system is dedicated to holding coarse dust particles, including pollen, fly ash, plant and insect parts, spores, etc. Coarse dust particles are larger airborne particles than 2.5 micrometres and smaller than 10 micrometres in diameter. Another filter layer known as the fine dust pleated filter is designed to trap fine dust particles during the ash cleaning process. Fine particles are smaller than 2.5 micrometres in diameter, usually found in smoke and haze. The filter system of this Snow joe ash vacuum is not washable, but you can replace it with a new one if it is damaged. 

This ash vacuum is only designed to clean the cool ash. Don’t use it to clean the hot ash; otherwise, it may destroy the filter system of the vacuum cleaner. It can pick the fine ash quickly, but the motor’s suction is not powerful enough to pick up the small piece of wood that isn’t entirely crushed into the fire.

[joomdev-wpc-pros-cons disable_title=”yes” title=”Title Here” button_text=”Get it now” disable_button=”yes” button_link=”” button_link_target=”_SELF” button_rel_attr=”dofollow”][joomdev-wpc-pros]

• Very simple to use.
• Has a blockage inspection window.
• 2-year warranty.
• Safety stop for filter fit.
• A Dual-layer filter.
  [/joomdev-wpc-pros][joomdev-wpc-cons]

• Average hose length.
• Relatively less suction power.
• Hand-carried.
  [/joomdev-wpc-cons][/joomdev-wpc-pros-cons]

Number #6: PowerSmith PAVC102 Ash and Shop Vacuum

Not every vacuum cleaner can handle warm and cool ash effectively and efficiently. Thanks to Powersmith for this awesome PAVC102 ash and shop vacuum, as it can clean the ashes of fireplaces, stoves, or even BBQ grills. The washable and replaceable filter, resistant to heat, will trap the finest dust and ash effectively. The capacity of this ash cleaner is 4 gallons, and the heat-resistant metal hose will help you to use it conveniently. It comes with a powerful 10 AMP motor to ensure proper cleaning. Besides, this machine produces tolerable noise, which is 79 dB, so you don’t need to disturb other people in the room. However, the hose is too long and you may face problems while using this machine.

[joomdev-wpc-pros-cons disable_title=”yes” title=”Title Here” button_text=”Get it now” disable_button=”yes” button_link=”” button_link_target=”_SELF” button_rel_attr=”dofollow”][joomdev-wpc-pros]

• Cleans warm and cool ashes
• Heat-resistant metal hose
• Heat-resistant filter
• Powerful motor
• Quiet operation
  [/joomdev-wpc-pros][joomdev-wpc-cons]

• The hose is too long
  [/joomdev-wpc-cons][/joomdev-wpc-pros-cons]

Number #7: Pellethead Ash Vacuum Pro

The final product of this expert roundup of top ash vacuum cleaners is Pellethead Ash Vac. If you want a vacuum cleaner with the ability to clean, cool and warm ashes, this product will surely give you an optimum solution. This superb product comes with dual HEPA filters, which are washable and, of course, heat resistant to provide you with the best user experience with vacuum cleaning. The powerful 10 AMP motor will ensure that you’ll get nothing but effective cleaning with this cleaner. The noise level of this tool is only 78 dB, so you can perform the cleaning quietly without disturbing other people. The canister size is 5 gallons, and the metal hose is 7 feet so that you don’t need to face any problems while using this cleaner.

[joomdev-wpc-pros-cons disable_title=”yes” title=”Title Here” button_text=”Get it now” disable_button=”yes” button_link=”” button_link_target=”_SELF” button_rel_attr=”dofollow”][joomdev-wpc-pros]

• Cleans warm and coal ash
• Washable and heat-resistant filters
• Powerful motor
• Quiet operation
• 7-foot metal hose
  [/joomdev-wpc-pros][joomdev-wpc-cons]

• The vac requires cleaning after each use
  [/joomdev-wpc-cons][/joomdev-wpc-pros-cons]

Number 8: WORKSHOP Wet/Dry Vacs Ash Vacuum Cleaner

This Workshop wet/dry ash vacuum cleaner comes with many exclusive features to meet all of your expectations. It is specially designed for collecting ashes under 122˚F so that you can quickly clean up any kind of messy dry spots in your house. The HEPA media filter will collect ash and acceptable debris easily to give you a whole new level of user experience. Besides, the hose comes with an LED light, so you’ll get better visibility while collecting ashes from stoves, fireplaces, or pits. On top of that, the large carry handle will help you to work with this device conveniently. However, on the downside, you should use this cleaner for dry use only and never use it in any wet places.

[joomdev-wpc-pros-cons disable_title=”yes” title=”Title Here” button_text=”Get it now” disable_button=”yes” button_link=”” button_link_target=”_SELF” button_rel_attr=”dofollow”][joomdev-wpc-pros]

• Highly portable cleaner
• Built-in LED light
• Reliable and good quality motors
• On-board tool and power cord storage
  [/joomdev-wpc-pros][joomdev-wpc-cons]

• For dry use only
  [/joomdev-wpc-cons][/joomdev-wpc-pros-cons]

Number #9: BACOENG 5.3-Gallon Ash Vacuum Cleaner

If you are looking for a multi-use vacuum for cleaning up ashes from all of the rough and tough spots of the house, you have landed at the right place. BACOENG 5.3-gallon ash vac is a beautiful cleaner for getting an outstanding and professional cleaning experience. The double-stage filtration system of this cleaner will provide you with enough flexibility while using it. Besides, it gives the motor good protection from being damaged. Again, it comes with an effective filling level indicator to tell you the right time to empty the canister. The motor is of 10-AMP will give the machine an outstanding level of suction power. In contrast, the heating protection of the motor will ensure extra safety. The metal hose, which is 5-foot in size, along with the 15-foot cable, will provide you with enough flexibility to clean out even the challenging unreachable spaces of your house. Besides, you can store the product accessories conveniently with an innovative design to give you this facility.

[joomdev-wpc-pros-cons disable_title=”yes” title=”Title Here” button_text=”Get it now” disable_button=”yes” button_link=”” button_link_target=”_SELF” button_rel_attr=”dofollow”][joomdev-wpc-pros]

• Multi-use vacuum cleaner
• Double-stage filtration system
• Filling level indicator
• 5-foot Extended lined metal hose
• Provides effective cleaning
  [/joomdev-wpc-pros][joomdev-wpc-cons]

• Filter clogs easily
  [/joomdev-wpc-cons][/joomdev-wpc-pros-cons]

Number #10: TACKLIFE 800W Ash Vacuum Cleaner

Wouldn’t it be awesome to have an ash cleaner that can effectively clean all of the dry ashes without any kind of clogging? Yes, of course, that would be awesome. Thanks to TACKLIFE 800W Hot Ash Vacuum Cleaner. It comes with many unique features to take your users’ experience to a whole new level. With FB01A Non-woven filter sheet, this ash cleaner will prevent clogging, and you can clean the ashes more quickly without any hassle. Besides, it also has a washable and replaceable fire-resistant filter system that protects the motor from being blocked by filtering out the fine dust and ash. With 5 gallon capacity and 800W power, this fantastic cleaner will help you to clean ashes up to 40°C. However, it lacks the onboard tool and power cord storage facility.

[joomdev-wpc-pros-cons disable_title=”yes” title=”Title Here” button_text=”Get it now” disable_button=”yes” button_link=”” button_link_target=”_SELF” button_rel_attr=”dofollow”][joomdev-wpc-pros]

• Prevents clogging effectively
• The replaceable fire-resistant filter system
• Effective cleaning of ash and small debris
• Lightweight cleaner
• 5-gallon capacity
  [/joomdev-wpc-pros][joomdev-wpc-cons]

• Lacks on-board tool and power cord storage facility
  [/joomdev-wpc-cons][/joomdev-wpc-pros-cons]

Ash Vacuum Buying Guide For Beginners

Why You Should Use Ash Vac

It is essential to consider a safe way to keep your fireplace clean. If you use wood or wood pellets to heat your home, you need to clean the ash residue regularly. The fireplace should be kept clean to allow the wood to burn well and reduce the smell of smoke and charred wood fibers.

You can use the best quality fireplace tools set to clean and maintain your fireplace safely but cleaning the ashes of a fireplace isn’t so must easy and clean if you don’t have a premium quality ash vacuum cleaner at your home.

Here are the reasons why an Ash Vacuum Cleaner should be your first choice for cleaning wood ash:

• It is safe to use. It has a metal construction that can handle hot ash.
• It will last long because it is built to handle hot ash, unlike regular vacuum cleaners made of plastic.
• It reduces the risk of any fire incident
• It is built to trap and hold ash dust
• An Ash Vacuum is very easy to use
• It is also very affordable.

If you are looking for tips on buying an ash vacuum to clean your wood ash, you will find this ash vacuum cleaner a helpful guide to provide you with all the information that you require.

Quick Look at Type of Ash That Our Top 5 Ash Vacuums Can Handle

Product Name	Dry Ash	Wet Ash	Pellet & wood Ash	Hot Ash	Charcoal Ash	Firepit Ash	Drywall Dust	Water	Soot
Snow Joe-ASHJ201		✘		✘				✘
Dustless Pit-Hawg		✘		✘				✘
PowerSmith PAVC101		✘		✘				✘
Shop-Vac 4041200		✘		✘				✘
Cougar+ Ash Vacuum		✘						✘

Quick Comparison of Some of the “Grade A” Ash Vacuum Cleaners

Product Name	Weight in Pound	Hose Length	Cord Length	Wattage	HEPA Filter	Diameter of Hose	Ampacity	Material	Noise Level	Canister Capacity
Snow Joe-ASHJ201	8.82	46.8 inches	8.5 ft.	500 W		1.6 Inches	4 A	Metal	92 dB	4.8 Gallon
Dustless Pit-Hawg	13.1	5.00 ft.	10.00 ft.	Not Specified		1.5 Inches	8.30 A	Metal	79 dB	Not Specified
PowerSmith PAVC101	13	4 ft.	16 ft.	1200 W	✘	1.5 Inches	10 A	Metal	79 dB	3 Gallon
Shop-Vac 4041200	21	7 ft.	6.00 ft.	Not Specified		1.25 inches	6.3 A	Stainless Steel	80 dB	5 Gallon
Cougar+ Ash Vacuum	15.35	5.00 ft.	6.00 ft.	Not Specified		1.25 inches	6 A	Metal	80 dB	3 Gallon

Why it is Wrong to Use a Regular Vacuum Cleaner to Clean Ash

Here are some of the reasons why a regular vacuum cleaner cannot work in cleaning ash.

• Regular vacuum cleaners cannot handle hot ash because they are made of plastic.
• They are not designed to hold warm ash and thus can lead to fire incidents when the plastic is overheated. You can’t take the risk of cleaning up cold ash because cold ash may still present some hot ash particles, which may cause the overheating hazard.
• A regular vacuum cleaner does not include a filter designed to hold in ash. Though ash looks like dust and dirt, they are more different. Ash is so fine that they tend to enter into the motor quickly. Hot Ash Vacuum has a special kind of filter only designed to handle ash.
• Regular vacuum cleaners are not compact enough to fit inside corners, and you might have challenges getting the dirt out of the firebox.

What to Consider When Getting an Ash Vacuum Cleaner

Here are some of the features you should be able to get in an Ash Vacuum.

• It should have a long power cord

If you want to buy an ash cleaner, you should get one with a very long cord. You will need to move around, and you don’t want to find your cord snapping out every time you try to clean an area. It also helps a lot if the cord is retractable, so you can easily remove it at your convenience.

• It should have a long hose

As much as it is convenient to have a long power cord, it is the same to have a long hose. It would be best to have an ash cleaner with a long hose that allows you to reach the areas you are cleaning conveniently. If the hose is short, you won’t get by areas ordinarily difficult to reach.

• It should be resistant to heat and made with a metal material

Another important feature of a good ash vacuum cleaner is that it should be lined with metal. Most ash vacs are made of metal, but you will still find some short of this, especially the low-priced ash vacuums. Ordinary household vacuum cleaners are usually made of cheap quality plastic because they don’t withstand warm temperatures. But, when you choose an ash vacuum cleaner for your home, you must look for one made of heat-resistant material like stainless steel, aluminum, or copper. Also, you have to make sure that the nozzle and crevice tools of the specific vacuum cleaner you have chosen are also made of metal.

• It should come with an aluminum crevice tool

Ash is a very tiny substance, and sometimes it can be complicated to get them out of corners and some very difficult areas. This is why you need a crevice tool to help extract the ash from those problematic areas.

• It should be easily adjustable

When cleaning ash, you may need to work around places that are difficult to clean. You will need to get an ash vac that is easily extendable and can easily be adjusted.

• It should have a large canister

It can be a little frustrating if you have to stop during intervals to empty the canister when vacuuming. If your ash vac tank is small in size, it may not be able to clean all of the ashes at once. You may need to stop once or twice depending on the ash pile before you can finish your ash cleaning job.

You should get a canister that can do the job of evacuating the ash in your fireplace without having to make about five trips when cleaning to empty the canister. If you need to clean the ashes of several machines, then you should go with models like Shop-Vac 4041200, which has an ash holding capacity of 5 gallons.

• You need a powerful engine or motor

The size of the engine of the ash vacuum is also very important. A big engine will do a better job at cleaning, but it should also be very quiet. The bigger the size of the motor of an ash vac the better and more powerful it will be. Typically, a bigger engine ensures the perfect suction and deeper cleaning than a standard ash vacuum with a small motor.

You can also use an ash vac with small motors like PowerSmith PAVC101 Ash Vac or Snow Joe ASHJ201 Ash Vac to clean up the ashes of a fire pit and BBQ grills and smokers. Pellet or wood stove/fireplace used very frequently for heating may need a more powerful ash vacuum cleaner like Cougar+ Ash Vac to perform daily take care of residual ash. Otherwise, your loved stove or fireplace will not clean properly, which may hamper its performance of the stove or fireplace.

• It should have wheels or casters

This is also a very important detail to consider when buying an ash vacuum cleaner for your home. Hard ash can be very heavy when it is filled up in the canister. You will need an ash vacuum with wheels to easily move it around and dispose of the ash dust.

• It should have a dust indicator

When the canister is full, an indicator shows you when it is time to empty it. Usually, you can get a vacuum with an LED indicator with lights to show when it is full.

• A good filter system

A good ash vacuum typically has a triple filter system that comes with a HEPA cartridge The first filter made of metal traps the ash dust, while the second filter is a cloth bag found at the top of the canister to seal the dirt. The job of the HEPA cartridge is to trap the tiniest ash dust and keep it away from the engine.

• The filter should be easy to clean

This is very important because ash can be very messy. It would be good to have an ash vacuum that has an easy-to-clean filter.

Picking the Right Vacuum For Ash

You can’t deny the importance of a premium quality ash cleaner, especially if you have a pellet stove, fireplace, or BBQ grill. This tiny beast removes ash remains after burning woods, and also it is a better option than using a flat shovel or broom, which is a bit risky to use for cleaning hot ash. When you use an ash vacuum cleaner, it does not stir up dust in the air and reduces the risk of fire incidents.

The cost of vacuum cleaners is usually very high; before you go ahead and buy an ash vacuum cleaner, you should consider the following: 

– Cost

Most ash vacuum cleaners are usually at a very high price. If you are running on a budget, you should look at some of the ash vacs that fall within your budget

– The volume of Ash to Clean

Even though the cost is also important, the volume of ash you plan on cleaning determines the type of ash vacuum cleaner you should buy. For instance, to clean a charcoal grill, you need a smaller ash vac, usually not so expensive. You can also use small ash vacuum cleaners to clean a pellet stove. You will need a giant ash vac to clean areas like a fireplace because of the large chunk of wood that may remain in it. Smaller ash cleaners will get clogged when a large piece of wood gets stuck because it does not have a large filter compartment like the large ash vacuum cleaner.

How to Keep Your Fireplace Clean

If you want to keep your fireplace clean, you should always use your ash vac to clean it out thoroughly regularly. An especially made vacuum cleaner for hot ash should also be adequately maintained and the filter clean at all times to use for your fireplace.

Here are some of the ways you can keep your fireplace clean all the time:

– By burning the suitable wood

It is unhealthy to use green wood because it does not give a clean burn but smoke and leaves. If you want a clean fireplace, use seasoned wood that lights up better and leaves ashes that are not too difficult to clean.

– Clean your fireplace regularly

It is one thing just to clean it when you feel it looks dirty, but then the ashes get stuck and become difficult to remove. When you clean a fireplace regularly, you can get a clean burn and a clean fireplace. For every cleaning, you have to remove the ash and scrub the inner chambers of the firebox, the grates that hold the logs, and the doors. It is vital to get out all the ash inside the fireplace with your ash vac.

– Apply a mixture of liquid hand soap with table salt for cleaning

Aside from getting all-purpose cleaners that can do the job of cleaning your fireplace, some stubborn ash deposits are difficult to remove. For this purpose, you can mix liquid hand soap with table salt to form a thick paste for cleaning this stubborn dirt. You should apply the mixture to the dirt and leave it in for about fifteen minutes before scrubbing it off.

FAQs

Wrap up

We hope this roundup of the top 10 ash vacuums and detailed buying guide would be helpful to find appropriate ash vac for your home. In the end, we can say Cougar+ Ash Vacuum is our hot favourite and the winner of this best ash vacuum cleaner roundup. But, PowerSmith PAVC101 is the best option for those looking for a decent performing ash vacuum cleaner at a reasonable price.

Without any doubt, all the best-picked ash cleaners have both good and bad sides. The good news is that our expert has highlighted all the pieces of information unbiasedly.

You should keep in mind that having a lot of features doesn’t necessarily equate to better performance. There are many more choices out there that would satisfy you just as much but make sure that you don’t get a vacuum that sucks.