If you have a fireplace and you make use of it, or if you have a BBQ stove that uses coal or wood, there will always come a time that you need to clean it up, this can be a very messy task if you are using a broom or some other crude method. The task can be a lot easier and safer if you use the best ash vacuum. You may find it hard to pick the best from the hundreds of thousands you may come across online.
I have taken the time to do research and come up with the best ash vacuum reviews so that it is a lot easier for you to make the choice. Here you will also get useful information to help you make a choice.
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Comparison Of The Top 6 Best Ash Vacuums
IMAGE | PRODUCT NAME | RATING | FIND NOW |
 | PowerSmith PAVC101 | ||
 | Cougar Ash Vacuum MU405-W | ||
 | Snow Joe Heavy Duty Ash Vacuum | ||
 | Shop-Vac 4041200 Ash Vacuum | ||
 | Vacmaster EATC608S 6 gallon | ||
 | Lynx Ash Vacuum A1201 |
IMAGE | PRODUCT DETAILS |
| | PowerSmith PAVC101 |
| | Cougar Ash Vacuum MU405-W |
| | Snow Joe Heavy Duty Ash Vacuum |
| | Shop-Vac 4041200 Ash Vacuum |
| | Vacmaster EATC608S 6 gallon |
| | Lynx Ash Vacuum A1201 |
The Best Ash Vacuum Reviews
PowerSmith PAVC101
If customer rating is anything to go by, then this is probably the vacuum you should consider purchasing. It is a current best seller and has received the most top ratings in America.
The thing I find most convenient about it is the fact that it is not just an ash vacuum, you can also use it as a dry vacuum for ordinary home use so you do not have to buy 2 vacuums.
Safety seems to be key when it comes to the PowerSmith as it is lined with fire-resistant material. It also has an auto shut down heat sensor in case you suck in hot coals. It is quite powerful with a 10 amp motor yet it is not very loud.
I also like that it has a 2 stage filtering system which ensures even the finest ash does not escape. With a 3 gallon capacity, it can clean up the fireplace without having to be emptied in between.
What We Liked
- It is an ash vacuum that can also be used for ordinary home use
- It is powerful yet quiet- It is clog resistant
- It is all metallic which makes it fire safe
- It has a wheelbase for easy movement
- Great performance at a reasonable price
What We Didn't Like
- Some people say there is a smell of burning rubber as you use it
Cougar-Ash-Vacuum MU405-W
My first impression of the Cougar Winter Ash Vacuum was that it is really beautiful. Unlike the same model that comes in black, this one has a print of beautiful winter. You may imagine that with its good looks it will not do much but far from it, the cougar will suck up all the ash and not let any back out. That is the main selling point for this vacuum.
I was also impressed that even if it is designed only for cold to warm ash, it still will not burn or catch fire if by mistake you suck up hot ash or coal. The thermal plastic can withstand heat up to 1000 degrees.
If you hate having to open up the vacuum to clean the filter, you will love that this one has an agitator which you can just shake and the filter will be cleaned. Its 6-gallon capacity is more than sufficient for domestic ash cleanup of any size.
It may have no wheels, but the carry handle is effective enough to move it around and it has a stable flat base. This ash vacuum may be expensive but it is worth the investment.
What We Liked
- It has a sealed canister which does not let any ash back out into the air
- Designed with thermal plastic which can withstand high temperature
- You can clean the filter without having to open the vacuum
- It is durable with a 10-year warranty
- It looks good
What We Didn't Like
- The carry handle is not very comfortable especially when the canister is full
- It is pricey in comparison to other ash vacuums
Snow Joe Heavy Duty Ash Vacuum
I would recommend this vacuum to anyone on a budget but is looking for a reliable ash vacuum. For a vacuum this strong, I say the price is really good. With 600watt suction, you can clean up the fireplace, BBQ stove or any ash in a matter of minutes. The filter system of this vacuum is impressive as it is designed to ensure the air you breathe after vacuuming the ash is free of ash.
There have been times when I end up with a substandard filter which ends up destroying the motor, with the Snow Joe, it can sense when the filter is not performing well and automatically shut off. Still, about the filter, it is easy to replace and install and it is reusable after a quick clean.
This vacuum, however, is only for cold ash even though it is designed to withstand heat and can shut down when you take in hot ash.
What We Liked
- Strong suction which gets the job done quickly
- It has good performance but is one of the most affordable heavy-duty vacuums
- The filter system is effective and replacing and installing a filter is quick and easy
- It is lightweight but with a 4.5-gallon canister
- It has a low centre of gravity so it cannot tip over when you tag on the hose
What We Didn't Like
- It does not come with other cleaning accessories except the wand and hose
Shop-Vac 4041200 Ash Vacuum
When I am thinking of a good carry handle for a portable vacuum, this is the kind I would prefer. The handle is thick and comfortable, you do not feel like it could slip out of your grip or break.
The vacuum canister is made of stainless steel which makes it fire resistant. Like most Shop Vacs, you can use it for different purposes not just for ash.
This is a basic vacuum that gets the job done, it may not be like the PowerSmith or Cougar but it will clean up ash from wherever. It is equipped with a HEPA filter which ensures the air is clean as you vacuum. It comes with 2 nozzles so you can change them according to the place you are cleaning up.
What We Liked
- It has a good handle for portability
- It is made from stainless steel to resist fire and withstand heat
- HEPA filtration to ensure clean air
- It works on cold or warm ash and has auto shut off is hot coals are taken in
- It has 2 nozzles which make cleaning flexible
What We Didn't Like
- It tends to clog when you take in chunks
- It has a short hose and cord
Vacmaster EATC608S 6 gallon
I don’t know about you, but I sometimes would appreciate it if there was light in the fireplace, well instead of having to shine a torch as you vacuum, this Vacmaster comes with a LED light. I also like that it has wheels for easy movement and there is onboard storage for the accessories. If you want a reasonably quiet vacuum, this is a good option.
It is designed from fire resistant material and can handle warm and cold ash. The filter is able to prevent ash or fine dust from escaping into the air. There is a carry handle at the top so you can lift it in case you are working on a raised BBQ stove. This is another inexpensive ash vacuum that still manages to perform to impress.
What We Liked
- It has an LED light to illuminate dark fireplaces
- It has onboard storage for accessoriesIt is reasonably quiet
- Does not cost a lot but performs well
- Cord and hose a reasonably long
What We Didn't Like
- It is not as powerful as other ash vacuums so takes a bit longer to complete tasks
Lynx Ash Vacuum A1201
If you love your tools, you probably would love this vacuum. It comes with a 10 piece tool kit complete with a bag. This makes it easy to clean different surfaces that have ash. It is a fairly standard ash vacuum able to get the job done.
The material is fire resistant and it will handle both cold and warm ash and if hot coals find their way in, the thermal shutoff kicks in to prevent fire. The mouth of the hose is fairly wide which lets in more ash and gets the job done faster.
This vacuum is durable and it comes with a 3-year warranty. The filters do a good job and you can clean them without having to open the vacuum. Most people who have used it say they are contented with its performance.
What We Liked
- It comes with a number of tools for more flexible performance
- You can clean the filter without getting it out
- It is durable and has a 3-year warranty
- The large hose lets in more ash for a faster clean up
- It does not let out ash
What We Didn't Like
- It seems pricey
How to Choose the Best Ash Vacuum
There are key features that you need to look out for when choosing an ash vacuum, these include:
Filter system
Ash is made up of powdery particles which can easily escape into the air as you vacuum, a good ash vacuum has the kind of filtration system that can trap the ash inside. Not every filter is able to do this. HEPA filters are recommended as the best filters since they are also used in air purifiers to ensure good quality air. Other filter systems are the double mesh filters that trap particles that manage to escape from the first filter system.
Fire safety
You should remember that you are going to be dealing with fire sometimes. Hot embers may be covered by the ash and you may assume that the ash is cold only to end up with a fire. The material used for the tank and nozzles should be resistant to heat and fire. Stainless steel is the most recommended as it will not melt like plastic. However for extra caution, some of the ash vacuums have thermal switches that turn off if by mistake you take in hot embers, this way you can stop and check if there are anymore as well as dispose of the one that found its way to the tank.
Multi-purpose
To save money, you can get an ash vacuum that can vacuum both ash and ordinary household messes. By doing this you do not have to buy a second vacuum for the house. Not all ash vacuums can do this but if you want to save money, look for those that can. You will read about some in this ash vacuum review.
Accessory Tools
The tools that come with the vacuum are of great importance as well. Look at the fireplace, you will be cleaning and then think of the tools you will need to use. It is best if the ash vacuum you choose comes with the tools you need because you do not want to spend on accessory tools after paying for the vacuum also it is important that you can easily find replacements or add-ons when you need them otherwise you may find your vacuum becomes useless if the tools get lost or spoiled.
How to Use an Ash Vacuum
Ash vacuums can be operated very easily. The basic operation procedure would be to connect the hose to the port and then attach the tool you intend to use then plug in to the power and take care that the nozzle is not facing something small that you do not intend to vacuum, face it towards the ash and then press the on switch which is usually at the top of the vacuum and begin vacuuming.
After the vacuuming is done, you need to take off the lid and then dump the ash in the bin or remove the collection bag and dump the contents in the bin.
Conclusion
So we have the top 6 here, which would you go for? When you take everything into consideration, versatility, high performance, affordability and the different features, I would recommend the PowerSmith.
You would be getting 2 in one as it is an ash vacuum that you can use around the home as well. If you do not mind the price though, you may opt for the Cougar Ash Vacuum which is also hot in contention and has a number of people saying they love it too.
You may have some other reasons for choosing a particular vacuum and I believe you can find just what you want from one of these 6 best ash vacuums.