Vacuums (for Dust/Ash) and Searching the Forums

It seems to me that when you attach both wands and the floor head, the suction is diminished.

What model # do you have, there are several handhelds.

small shop vac with drywall bag and cleanstream filter. Long lasting, zero problems

Wood'nCoal wrote:

It seems to me that when you attach both wands and the floor head, the suction is diminished.

What model # do you have, there are several handhelds.

BB870-AD

csstoker wrote:small shop vac with drywall bag and cleanstream filter. Long lasting, zero problems

A drywall bag, I like that idea. The ash powder that is clogging the bag is just a fine. A drywall bag wont clog?

ablumny wrote:

Wood'nCoal wrote: What model # do you have, there are several handhelds.

BB870-AD

That's the better model, similar to the commercial model. The problem I see with it is that since it's a compact unit the surface area of the bag is small and will clog up fast when vacuuming up ash. I use mine (commercial model) for cleaning up around the stove, not for heavy ash pick up. I like the Oreck Compact canister because it's easy to use to get into places where the XL Upright can't and I don't have to drag out my Numatic canister. I think the shop vac with the drywall filter is better suited to clean up ash.

http://www.numatic.co.uk/

I have the "James" now known as the "Henry". Incredible suction power and almost indestructible. One of these will take care of your ash pick up needs but they are pricey.

ablumny wrote:

csstoker wrote:small shop vac with drywall bag and cleanstream filter. Long lasting, zero problems

A drywall bag, I like that idea. The ash powder that is clogging the bag is just a fine. A drywall bag wont clog?

I picked up a 6 gallon shop-vac for $30. from Lowes. The 6-8 gallon drywall bag is sized for the unit and made for drywall dust and works fine with fly and fine bottom. The clean stream filter (read secondary bag with smaller pores) is made to catch what the bag doesn't. I have filled about 1/4 the bag so far without clogging and a visual of the filter doesn't show any ash. I have the bag intake vent turned to fill one side of the bag rather than straight down. I don't know if it makes difference though

Wood'nCoal wrote:
That's the better model, similar to the commercial model. The problem I see with it is that since it's a compact unit the surface area of the bag is small and will clog up fast when vacuuming up ash. I use mine (commercial model) for cleaning up around the stove, not for heavy ash pick up. I like the Oreck Compact canister because it's easy to use to get into places where the XL Upright can't and I don't have to drag out my Numatic canister. I think the shop vac with the drywall filter is better suited to clean up ash.

http://www.numatic.co.uk/

I have the "James" now known as the "Henry". Incredible suction power and almost indestructible. One of these will take care of your ash pick up needs but they are pricey.

VACUUM1.JPG

I think you are right about the size of the bag contributing to the problem. If I shake out the bag the unit seems to work fine. We are using it for light cleanup around our stove as well; when we remove and replace the ash pan for example. It doesn't take long for the unit to lose suction in this manner. I specifically told the Oreck dealer my purpose, he said perfect application. I hope he's so helpful when I return it today!

I have a Lowes $30 shop vac. Little blue guy. The filter bag clogs in second, is held on by a plastic ring which inevitably falls off allowing ash dust to fill my house. I suppose if thats the unit mentioned in a post here, I could extract it from the mound of snow it's in after I heaved it out of my back door in complete frustration, get a drywall filter for it and give it another go!

Ultimately I'm going to look into a Fein or another recommended unit here, leave it outside under a vented cover and through a central vac type setup, get the hose inside near the stove (another idea by a forum member here).