If you have a wood burner, log burning stove, a coal fire or even a fire pit – what you need is an ash vacuum. An ash vacuum is basically going to suction up all the soot and ash which is created by the fire – leaving your fire clean and ready for its next use!
Cleaning any type of fire is a messy job which is made even worse when the fire is inside yourself and you are trying to avoid getting ash on the carpet! We have had one too many carpets ruined by spilling ash when trying to clean the fire – which is when we decided to look into purchasing an ash vacuum! Not only will they clean the fire, but we found ourselves so much cleaner and the room as a whole as they avoid an ash cloud from being created when cleaning!
Not only will an ash vacuum make your life easier but it will also help to create a cleaner burn of your fire, avoiding toxins and allergens from being sent into the air when you are burning logs on the fire as you know that the base of the fire is perfectly clean! Personally, it is something that we would now never do without!
Choosing the best ash vacuum can be tricky! You need one that is going to be built to last and not one that becomes clogged up easily, so here are some of the best models that we found!
Best Pick – VonHaus 15L Ash Vacuum Cleaner
- LARGE 15L CAPACITY: Tired of the extensive clean-up after an evening of relaxing in front of the firepit, or hosting a family BBQ? Make life easier with the VonHaus ash vacuum, boasting 800W of power.
- LONG-REACH: Complete with a 1.25m flexible hose, 4m power cord, and aluminium nozzle – access all those hard-to-reach areas and rid your space of residue for good. This log burner vacuum cleaner leaves nowhere unturned.
- 3 FILTERS INCLUDED: Create a cleansed space every time with the ash vac’s removable filters. The debris filter prevents blockages, whilst the HEPA and fabric filters trap fine allergen particles.
- CARRY HANDLE: Weighing just 3.6kg, use this ash vacuum cleaner anywhere around your house, garden, and workshop. Simply slot in the attachments and use the carry handle for easy transportation.
- THE VONHAUS PROMISE: All our products are backed by a minimum 2 year warranty, so you can be safe in the knowledge that if anything happens we're here for you. Use our products with confidence.
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Only got 5 minutes
When cleaning out ash from your fire, stove or hearth, you may be tempted to just reach for your household vacuum, but that is likely to prove a costly mistake.
An ash vacuum is the only type of vacuum that should be used to clean up ash residue.
Finding the best ash vacuum can be a daunting task. A good ash vacuum should:
- Be powerful
- Have a large-enough capacity
- Be easy to use and maintain
- Have attachments – to clean those hard to reach places
Points to consider
Ash types
Be clear on the fuel you intend on burning as some vacuums will only be designed to be used with certain ash types.
Filtration system
The filters in your ash vacuum must be effective and ideally, easy to clean.
The best ash vacuums have a 3-stage filtration system. Whereas not all ash vacuums have this, it is advisable to invest in one that at least has a HEPA filter.
Size, weight & capacity
When deciding on an ash vacuum, you need to be clear on the size of the area you intend on clearing and the storage space you have.
Unless you have a particularly big fireplace or heat-stove, then most standard sizes of ash vacuum will be fine – these tend to range from 15-25L.
Making sure a model is user-friendly
Power Cord
Check the length of the power cord and relate this to where your fire or stove is located and where the nearest power source is.
Hose
The hose itself must be long enough to reach all the ash in the target area; otherwise, the task becomes more laborious than it should be and can affect the performance of the vacuum.
Full capacity indicator
An LED indicator light that lets you know when it’s time to empty the vacuum, eliminating the hassle of having to keep checking whether or not the ash canister is full.
Best Budget – Allied UK Laptronix 15L Ash Vacuum Cleaner
- Fireplaces Ash Collector: The Laptronix Ash Vacuum Cleaner is custom-built for collecting ash & debris when cleaning fireplaces, wood & coal burning stoves, open fires, BBQ pits, charcoal grills, Chimney’s etc. (not for removing chimney soot). Minimises dust and maximises cleaning.
- High Quality Filtration with Two Layer HEPA Filter: This 15 litre Ash vacuum cleaner has been manufactured with advanced high-quality two-layer HEPA filtration system which traps even the smallest of ash particles. This makes it ideal for clearing ash and fine debris.
- Energy Efficient and Light weight: The powerful 600 watt motor is energy efficient and great for use on open fires, wood stoves and BBQ's - and its lightweight design means it is easily manoeuvrable to where you need it to be.
- Easy and Clean Operation: The powerful suction performance prevents the spread of fine ash around your home or garden. Doing away with the need for dust sheets or the extra time cleaning up after the job.
- Enhanced Safety with Heat Resistant Design: With specialist heat resistant design features, soot and ash residues are captured safely and remain sealed within the tank. One Year Manufacturer Warranty
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Ready to buy?
Ash vacuums range from around £25-£50.
A powerful motor; decent warranty; and those that come with a range of accessories are obviously at the top end of the price range.
Ash vacuum V household vacuum
You may well be thinking an ash vacuum is a luxury, and one which you can do without; tempted instead to just reach for your household vacuum, but that is likely to prove a costly mistake.
An ash vacuum is the only type of vacuum that should be used to clean embers and ash residue, with safety being the foremost reason for this.
It isn’t safe to use a standard vacuum cleaner with a paper bag or waste compartment when cleaning out hot or even warm ash due to the risk of fire.
Even if the ashes have cooled, and so the risk of fire gone, they will soon fill any vacuum cleaner bag/compartment and clog the machine with potentially harmful particles. So, unless you fancy using a dustpan and brush, the only viable option is to use a specialist ash vacuum cleaner.
These vacuums will ensure that cleaning your fireplace or stove is a quick, safe, stress-free, and mess-free process.
What to consider when shopping for an ash vacuum
Ash types
Depending on the fuel you use in your fireplace, stove, fire-pit, or BBQ, the type of ash produced will be different.
You may have pellet ash, wood ash, or charcoal ash. Ashes may be hot, warm or cold and, if the fire is extinguished using water, the ash residue will obviously be wet.
When shopping for an ash vacuum, keep in mind the kind of ash you expect to deal with as some vacuums will only be designed to be used with certain ash types.
Filtration system
The filters in your ash vacuum must be effective and ideally, easy to clean.
The best ash vacuums have a 3-stage filtration system:
- In the first stage, a metallic mesh filter captures hot ash and large particles.
- The second filter is made of cloth and seals the top of the canister.
- Lastly, there is a HEPA-standard cartridge that traps the tiniest particles in the canister. This way, no ash particles or allergens such as dust or pollen are allowed back into the air, crucial for anyone dealing with allergies and asthma.
Whereas not all ash vacuums have the full 3-stage filtration system, it is advisable to invest in one that at least has a HEPA filter.
Size, weight & capacity
When deciding on an ash vacuum, you need to be clear on the size of the area you intend on clearing and the storage space you have available.
At the same time, you need to know how heavy a particular model is – you don’t want to buy a vacuum that is difficult to move around, making a task which should be quick and easy more strenuous than it needs to be.
If you decide on an ash vacuum which is particularly heavy, ensure it has wheels to avoid the risk of injury when manoeuvring the vacuum around.
You must also check the dirt capacity of the canister. Unless you have a particularly big fireplace or heat-stove fire chamber then most standard sizes of ash vacuum will be fine – this tends to range between 15 and 25 litres, with 15 litres being sufficient for cleaning most average-sized fires and stoves.
You may be able to get away with less than this for smaller fires and barbecues, however, the vacuum will require emptying more often – sometimes midway through one job.
Convenience
Convenience is an important factor to consider when choosing an ash vacuum model – the vacuum needs to be easy to use to enable you to clean out your fire quickly and without hassle.
Power Cord
Check the length of the power cord and relate this to where your fire or stove is located, and where the nearest power source is.
A short power cord may mean you end up having to buy an extension lead, which means more expense and more hassle when it comes to using the vacuum.
It’s also worthwhile checking that the power cord is retractable. Added features such as a retractable cord make using the vacuum hassle-free and save you time.
Hose
Fireplaces and stoves aren’t the easiest places to clean so the hose itself must be long enough to reach all the ash in the target area.
Having to strain the hose means the task becomes more laborious than it should be, and it also can affect the performance of the vacuum, as well as causing damage to the hose and seals.
Attachments
To make the cleaning process even easier, most models will come with at least some accessories to help reach ash which has found its way into tight spots.
These attachments can include extension wands, crevice tools, and an upholstery nozzle for any unexpected accidents.
Suction power
Just as you’d expect from a household vacuum, an ash vacuum should be able to pick up ash residue effectively.
The higher the motor rating, the more powerful the suction should be.
Low-power models tend to be around 800W, ranging up to 1200W for the more-powerful motors.
Full capacity indicator
Some ash vacuums have an LED indicator light that lets you know when it’s time to empty the ash canister. However, basic models without this indicator will require manual checking.
Manual checking is frustrating. Until you have worked out the average period of time between needing to empty the canister, you may find yourself playing a guessing game as to whether or not it is actually full.
An LED indicator eliminates the hassle of having to even think about whether or not the ash vacuum is nearing full capacity as, once it is, that little red light will make it very clear.
Best of the Rest
- Powerful ash and dry vacuum: The AD 4 Premium with a 600-watt turbine and exhaust air filter ensures impressive high, long-lasting suction power
- Integrated filter cleaning system: Cleans the clogged filter at the touch of a button, so that the suction power is immediately increased again
- Maximum safety: High-grade flame-resistant materials ensure maximum safety in vacuuming up ash and thanks to the bevelled hand tube, all ash residue is comfortably vacuumed up – even in corners and difficult-to-reach places in the chimney
- Doubles as a fully-fledged dry vacuum cleaner: Includes a floor nozzle for hard surface cleaning and a high-quality chrome-plated suction tubes as well as storage of the cable, accessories, suction hose or suction tubes with floor nozzles
- Scope of delivery: Kärcher AD 4 Premium, 1,7 m suction hose, 2 chrome-pleated suction tubes, 1 flat-pleated filter, 17 l metal container
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
No products found.
- Effective ash & debris BBQ vacuum cleaner collector
- 15 litre capacity
- 800 watt cleaner complete bagless ash & dust collector
- Ideal for cleaning up ash (cold not hot)
- Lightweight and low noise
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Other features worth thinking about
- Inspection window blockage indicator
- Carry handle/wheels for easy transportation
- Accessory carry-bag
- Warm air blower function for easy and effective vacuuming
- Removable mesh nozzle filter for preventing large debris intake that could block the system
- 2-in-1 multifunction with both suction and blowing functions
Ensuring you get value for money
The average price you pay for an ash vacuum intended for home-use ranges from around £25-£50.
Models with powerful motors; longer, inclusive warranties; and those that come with a range of accessories, are obviously at the top end of the price range.
As well as making sure the model you choose is fit for purpose in terms of power and additional features, it is important to look into the warranty and customer support offered at the time of purchase.
Most models come with a 2-year limited warranty, some with an option to extend at the end of the term, whilst some of the more expensive models come with a warranty lasting anywhere up to 10-years.
It is worth taking the time to look into how long the manufacturer’s warranty period is for; what is covered (i.e.parts, labour etc.); how the claims process works; and any conditions which apply relating to maintenance or wear and tear.
This will give you peace of mind when you outlay for a vacuum should you encounter any problems with it further down the line.
Safety
The distinguishing factor of an ash vacuum is its ability to resist heat.
Normal vacuums are usually made of plastic parts. If you attempt to suck in ash using these, you can cause major damage.
A good ash vacuum should be made of heat-resistant materials but it’s important to be clear that there are vacuums that can handle hot ashes and those that cannot – most ash vacuums are intended to be used on cold and warm ash – cleaning up hot ash is not recommended with these models.
Why?
As well as the fire risk, hot ash can also damage the mechanics of the vacuum, which are not designed to withstand the high temperatures of burning ash embers.
Precautions are taken by manufacturers in case of hot ash accidentally entering the canister – any decent model will have filters which are flame-resistant, and any plastic components should be made to withstand the heat of a higher-than-normal temperature for plastic.
Ideally, the hose should be made of metal although, if it is a heat resistant hose, it should be well-insulated to avoid the casing feeling hot on contact.
The canister and all components such as nozzles and crevice tools should be made of metal, usually aluminium.
Should extreme temperatures be reached, albeit unintentionally, most motors will be equipped with an overheating prevention mechanism, which will shut off the vacuum motor in the case of overheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where else can I use an ash vacuum?
The clue’s in the name – an ash vacuum can be used pretty much anywhere that ashes are! This includes BBQs, fire pits, coal fires, wood-burning stoves and even chimney hearths.
Can all ash vacuums suck in warm or hot ash?
No. Most ash vacuums are meant for cold ash. Be careful to check whether the manufacturer indicates that the vacuum is capable of handling warm or hot ash.
How do I deal with wet ash?
If you deal with wet ash regularly, you need to buy a wet/dry vac. Even the best ash vac can get clogged if used with wet ash.
How do I clean an ash vacuum?
It is really important to periodically clean your ash vacuum if you want it to be long lasting and functioning as best as possible! Make sure to remove the suction pipes to remove any build up of ash that begins to collect. It is also important to check for the connector to the bag becoming blocked and clean this out too!
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