Best Overall
PowerSmith PAVC101 Ash Vacuum
Best Bang For The Buck
Snow Joe ASHJ201 4.8-Gallon Ash Vacuum
Best Multiuse
Earth Sense Energy Systems Pellethead Ash Vacuum Pro
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Sales During Fireplace Season
Our favorite ash vacuum , thePowerSmith PAVC101 Ash Vacuumis on sale for $ 78.19(originally $ 99.99 ) right now . Other mannequin that we ’ve test and sleep with are also on sales event , like our favorite multi - use vacuum cleaner , thePellethead Ash Vault Pro Ash Vacuumfor $ 111.20 with 20 % off coupon at checkout(originally $ 139 ) . But rush , these deals wo n’t last long .
A crackling fire sum up coziness and ambience , but the resultingash cleanupis unpleasant ; that ’s where an ash tree vacuum comes in . While traditional hearth cleaning involves a broom , a dustpanful , and clouds of ash atom swim through the air , ash vacuity can make that method acting obsolete .
Our Top Picks
Most of the come after vacuity for fireplace ashes ( not all ) are designed to withstand suck up affectionate ashes ( up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit ) thanks to their compromising metal hoses , heat - immune filters , and brand canisters . ingathering capacity motley , as does corduroy length , hosiery distance , and sound level , but each one earned a fleck on this batting order by effectively and safely vacuuming ash in our tests — without spue them into the aura . One is sure to be a sound choice for your hearth ash cleanup needs .
This knock-down 10 - amp ash void by PowerSmith fall equipped with a 16 - animal foot electric cord and a 50 - column inch hose . The canister has a 3 - gallon ash capacity , a locking airtight lid , and a substance abuser - friendly on / off release on top .
The PowerSmith was a joyousness to screen , starting with caster roulette wheel that snapped on apace . The vacuum rolled swimmingly , which is a dainty convenience , but it also has a top hold , and at just 10.8 pounding , it ’s comparatively round-eyed to stockpile .
When turned on , the PowerSmith get about 82 dB ( manufacturer cite 79 decibels ) , which is about as tatty as a received vacuity cleanser . We found the noise level quite comfortable . We vacuumed a significant amount ofwood ash(from three back-to-back fire ) with the PowerSmith , which amounted to about 2.5 gallon of hunky-dory ash tree .
The ash tree void comes with two annexe and a brushwood nozzle that was ready to hand for brush ashes out of chap in our travertine - rock hearth while vacuuming them up . It also features a turbo hooter that repeat as a storey light touch , which we found well suitable to vacuuming ashes from a fireplace .
The PowerSmith comes with a ardour - resistant filter that keep all the ashes from recirculating in the air . If there ’s a downside to the PowerSmith , it ’s the pickle that can result when dumping the ash canister . We found accumulation of fine detritus on the filter that we had to shake out to clean it . For this reason , vacate must be done outdoors and , for the best results , we recommend shaking the filter downwind if potential .
Read our full review : PowerSmith PAVC101 Ash Vacuum
Get the PowerSmith ash vacuum atAmazon , The Home Depot , Wayfair , orWalmart .
There ’s nothing extravagant about the Snow Joe ash vacuum — it does n’t boast any bell and whistle , and its budget - favorable price excogitate that . Still , in our tests , this basic ash vacuum did a great line of breastfeed up ash from fireplace , fervour pit , and chimineas .
The Snow Joe ash emptiness use a 4 - amp electric motor to pull ash into a 4.8 - gallon canister , and it weighs just 8.8 Irish punt . The producer did n’t do much to insulate the void ’s motor , and so this theoretical account is quite loud . It ’s listed at 92 decibels , but it registered 95 decibels in our tests . Fortunately , unlike cleaning a fully carpeted dwelling house , vacuuming a hearth only takes a few instant ; some ethnic music may find a flashy operating noise a good trade - off for a cheaper price power point .
Unlike the other ash tree vacuums in our lineup , the Snow Joe is plan for cold ash only ; in fact , vacuuming quick ashes is considered a fire hazard , even though the vacuum has a flexible alloy hosepipe and a steel ash container . The twofold - filtration system keeps cool ash dust at Laurus nobilis very well . We tested this vacancy on an outdoor chimera and an indoor fireplace and did n’t notice any dust particles in the air . Though this model does not have wheel , it does let in a carrying handle that makes it easy to lug . This Snow Joe ash tree vacuity has an 8.5 - foot - tenacious cord , a 3.9 - foot - long hosiery , and an 11.8 - column inch - long nozzle .
Get the Snow Joe ash vacuum atAmazon , Tractor Supply Co. , orThe Home Depot .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
With an ample 10 - groundwork cord plus a 7 - foot hosiery , the Earth Sense Systems Pellethead ash tree vacuum offer versatility and allows user to secure into outlets far off from the firebox or fire infernal region that requires clean . We tested the Pellethead indoors and out , and it was great to have a recollective cord that rent us work without an annex cord .
Like most ash tree vacuums , the Pellethead is project to take in up ash tree as strong as 140 degree Fahrenheit . It features a goodly steel ash canister with a 5 - Imperial gallon capacity and comes with several attachments , include a crevice tool for reach into tight spots and a clash tool that allowed us to remove packed ash from between cinder cube on our firing pit . When vacuum-clean without any attachments , using just the aluminum metro , we could suck up pieces of burn wood up to about 1 inch in diam .
The producer does n’t list a decibel level , but the Pellethead registered 87.5 decibels during operation in our tests , which is not as loud as some models , but not as quiet as others . We did n’t find the level of noise to be uncomfortable .
The model take aim its name , Pellethead , from its ability to vacuum on a pellet stove , and while we did n’t have a pellet range for examination , we conceive it would do a great job as a shot stove vacancy . It has a HEPA filter that pin supernumerary - fine ash junk mote to keep them from recirculating in the air . It ’s a shade heavier than some at about 13.5 hammer , but it has a wheeled base for easy rolling on a arduous floor .
Get the Earth Sense Energy Systems ash vacuum atAmazon .
Best Light-Duty
Porter-Cable PCX-18184 4-Gallon Ash Vacuum
The Porter - Cable ash tree vacuity is compact and lightweight yet offer robust suction for pick up cold ash in small fireplaces or fire pits . It even suck up up all the ashes from three wood fires . It has one of the small ash tin ( 4 - gallon capacity ) , and it lacks wheel for rolling along , so it ’s best befit to unaccented - duty cleanup spot and frequent emptying . Fortunately , it weighs just 7.9 hammering and has a big fold - up handle .
This Porter - Cable is desirable for vacuum-clean wet ash as well as juiceless , so if smolder ashes need to be dampened to see to it they ’re completely out , the whole soggy mess can be sucked up with this framework .
This ash vacuum is quieter than some . It registered 88 decibel in our tests , which made it about fair in term of noise . We did n’t find it uncomfortably trashy during use .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Get the Porter - Cable ash tree vacuum atAmazon , Walmart , orZoro .
Best Heavy-Duty
BacoEng 20L Advanced Ash Vacuum
The double - stage filtration system is a perk of this BacoEng ash vacuum that feature a knock-down 1,200 - watt motor and a sizable 5.3 - gallon metal armored combat vehicle to go with it . The compounding of a HEPA filter and a secondary filter ensures that o.k. ash tree molecule do not escape back into the air once strip from the fireplace , wood cooking stove , or shot stove . We tested the BacoEng on both an indoor open fireplace and an outdoor chiminea , and it quick sucked up all the ash we ’d gather with multiple fires . Plus , there was still plentiful way in the ash canister for more .
We really like the rotating castor wheel on the BacoEng . Some model we test come with roll infrastructure that the canisters lay out into but were not for good attached . That was usually o.k. , but when we picked up those vacuums , the hair curler groundwork were always go out behind , and we had to carry them individually . In dividing line , the wheel are for good tie to the BacoEng emptiness , so they stayed put when we carried the unit to a fresh spot .
The BacoEng is suitable for both cold and warm ( not live ) ashes . It has a 5 - foot - long flexible hose and a 15 - metrical foot - long king corduroy , cater copious reach for most cleanup situations . With wing scepter , a crevice nozzle , an upholstery nozzle , and an attachment for carpets and hard floors , this versatile vacancy can be used for more than bare ash cleanup . On the downside , this manikin registered 96 decibel during operation , which is quite loud , so we did n’t think we ’d use it to vacuum big areas in our homes because of that .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Get the BacoEng ash tree vacuum atAmazon .
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Tested the Best Ash Vacuums
Before hand - on examination , we cautiously analyzed over two dozen ash tree vacuums , regard build timbre , materials , cord and hose distance , and stated stochasticity levels , before choosing the highest - blackleg example for testing in our fireplaces .
In actual examination , we used the vacuity to suck up ash dust and small-scale woods particles from fireboxes , fire pits , and chimenea trough . We noted suction power , portability , simpleness of use , and whether the internal filters kept ash junk from recirculating into the air as we influence . We also certified legal levels with a decibel tester .
Each ash vacuum was scored using a statute title — the dependable a model did on a specific trial , the more percentage point it received . After testing , we averaged the points to determine the best performers and help categorize the ash tree vacuums by their pros and cons .
Photo: Amazon
What to Consider When Choosing an Ash Vacuum
When searching for the good ash vacuum , believe each unit ’s electrical capacity , portability , superpower , weight , and other substantive features . “ While ash vacuums are extremely beneficial for anyone with a wood - burning fireplace or similar warmth root , they may not be an absolute necessity for everyone , ” says Mullins .
Capacity/Storage
Before shopping for an ash tree vacuity , believe the size of it of the open fireplace and its frequence of usage . If the hearth produces a lot of barren because it is used regularly or it ’s especially large , count for an ash vacuum cleaner with a larger capacity .
simulation set out in size from small hand-held ash tree vacuums to larger shop - vacuum - style pull - around dry cleaners . Their repositing tin range in volume from 3 to 16 gallons . Many of the best ash vacancy have sealed case shot that not only contain the ash tree but also their smell .
Frequent fireplace or woodwind stove user who often revel the warmth and ambiance of fires may want to invest in a powerful gravid - capacity ash tree void to slim down the necessary of vacate it often . nonchalant fireplace users may be happy with asmall handheld modelwith reduced ash capacity .
Photo: Amazon
Portability
Folks who have multiple fireplaces may need an easily channelize ash tree emptiness . And since these equipment expect rather useful and can clutter up a decorativehearth , owners may well require to gather them away for storage .
Ash vacuum may be relatively lightweight for portability , but more herculean framework can be heavy and unwieldy . Many models have some type of underlying handgrip for add up . Some also have castor wheels for rolling on hard surfaces . When factor out the need for portability , moot the aloofness from the emptiness ’s storage blank space to the fireplace . If there are stairs to steer or it ’s a trek to get to an outside scrap can , a light - weight unit vacuum may be the best alternative .
Construction and Heat Resistance
While ash vacuums resemble standard workshop - type vacuums , there are a few notable difference of opinion . store - character vacuums are frequently made with heavy - tariff plastic canisters that are not design to hold lovesome ashes . In situations where smoldering ashes are vacuum up in a store - type vacuity , there ’s a luck the plastic case shot could meld and a fire might result .
Many ash emptiness are made with heat - resistive fabric , such as flexible metallic element hose , aluminum scepter , and brand canisters that wo n’t mellow or ignite . Not all ash vacuums are suited for use on affectionate ash , however . Some specify they should be used only on inhuman ashes . While heat - resistant materials will keep a fervor from starting in the canister , cold - ash tree vacuity often contain filter that are not estrus - resistant . These filter can be destroyed by vacuum-clean hot or warm ashes , but users are still afford a measuring of fire rubber from the brand canister .
Hose and Cord Length
Since most ash vacuums take external big businessman , hosepipe and cord length go deal in paw with portability . The distance between the approximate outlet and the fireplace may make the difference between wanton cleaning and barely reaching . accession to the hearth or stove is also critical . Longer cords and hoses volunteer easy choice for cleaningevery inch of the fireplace .
For large hearth or hard - to - accesswood range , a farsighted hose may be necessary . Be indisputable to check the length of the hose before purchase . Though not all models have them , hoses typically range between 3 and 10 feet long .
Similarly , the length of the electric corduroy , which can range between 6 and 30 feet , is an crucial retainer . Some mannequin offer retractable cords and contain tube - management systems .
Photo: Amazon
Power
The great the motor strength , the more powerful the sucking of the vacuum cleaner . Power for an ash void is rate in adenosine monophosphate or watts . A gamy electrical power or amperage translates to an ash vacuum capable of draw in even the dense pile of ash tree .
Most manufacturers lean the amperage and wattage of the motor in their specification . The majority of ash vacuum punch easily into menage exit , while smaller models may be barrage fire - power .
Noise Level
disturbance is another important component in choosing the honest ash vacuum . A jet locomotive clocks in at 140 A - slant decibels , while a household refrigerator give rise about 55 decibels . Traditional vacuum cleaner generate an norm of 75 decibels , so they do make noticeable dissonance levels .
Not all producer include decibel military rank in their ware specifications , but most high up - power vacuums are louder than low - powered models . Most ash tree vacuity function in the 79- to 90 - dB range . The minimum division between high-pitched and low decibel ranges means noise may be a petty component when choose the respectable ash emptiness for a home .
FAQs
To teach more about ash vacuum cleaners , keep reading for answers to some of the most ofttimes asked head about these products .
Yes , ash void are a great way to clean fireplaces because that ’s what they ’re designed to do . Using ahousehold vacuum cleanerto vacuum cleaner ash not only can ruin the machine ’s motor but can also pose a flame hazard . Ash vacancy , on the other hand , are design to suck up fine ash .
open fireplace ash has been used as a resource for century . From clean up discoloration in the drive to making soap , hearth ash tree has manysecondary utilisation .
Photo: Amazon
Clearing out an ash tree filter can be mussy , so it ’s best to do it in the garage or 1000 . filter with multiple uses normally must be clean with soap and water and left to dry out before being used again .
For specialist ash tree vacuum , cold ash are typically the easiest to vacuum . In fact , most ash vacuums are able of handling stale ashes , but not all will be able to manage tender or hot ash . Remember : It is not recommended to hoover ashes with even family vacuum cleansing agent , which are not normally designed to handle okay corpuscle like ash tree .
Yes , you’re able to hoover out a pellet stove , but it ’s authoritative to expend a emptiness specifically project for ash removal . Before vacuuming , insure that the stove has wholly cooled down and is not generate any hotness . Then , carefully vacuum-clean the interior of the pellet stove , include the burn mark pot , ash pan , and any accessible ash and rubble area . Make certain to follow the manufacturer ’s teaching for using the ash vacuum and pay attention to any specific guidelines for cleaningpellet stoves .
Photo: Amazon
This depends on the type of fireplace you have . You ’ll desire to vacuum wood - burn fireplaces after every one or two consumption to prevent lampblack and ash from building up .
The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends leaving a small layer of ash tree in a hearth during your steady heating system season . A 1 - inch stratum will help make starting a fervour easier as the hot coals settle into the ash , adding more heat to the fuel . The ash tree layer can also protect the firebox base . However , you will need to make certain to clear out ash tree if it has accumulated more than 1 in .
Typically , ash tree firewood takes about 6 month to 1 year to season to the full .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
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Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a product quizzer and writer specializing in the construction , remodeling , and real estate of the realm industries . She and her hubby own a universal contracting company , and Taylor is experienced in both residential and commercial-grade building applications . She test a wide reach of power instrument as well as other habitation improvement , household , and lawn - and - garden products .
Additional enquiry provided by Mike Burton .
This Is the twelvemonth for a Kitchen Renovation
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Whether you ’re selling or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . Learn why we consider this redevelopment the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stay on budget .
