Cleaning the ashes from your fireplace or pellet stove can be a messy task. While in the past, a shovel or broom and shovel have been the tools to deal with it, there is a much better and cleaner way to get rid of the ashes from these home heating systems. Many people choose the best ash vacuum because of the speed and cleanliness that these products have to offer. They quickly suck up the ashes, preventing them from spreading and getting into the air you breathe. These vacuums can also be used outdoors to clean your fireplace or smoker if needed.

When looking for a new ash vacuum for your home, there are a few features to check, to make sure you have the right model for you. One of them is power, as the more powerful the motor, the faster it will be to vacuum up large piles of ashes. Capacity is also important, as pellets create much smaller ash piles than wood, so you need to choose the right model for the job. A long hose will allow you to reach the entire area of your chimney or stove, without leaving anything behind. The weight of the vacuum cleaner determines how easy it is to move around, while the dimensions tell you the size of the unit.

To help you choose the best ash vacuum for your home, we spent countless hours checking out different ash vacuum manufacturers, reviewing product features and reading hundreds of customer reviews. Then we picked the best models, created a comparison chart and added in-depth reviews. We’ve also written a buying guide to help make your decision even easier.

The 6 best ash vacuums

Arebos Ash vacuum cleaner

The Arebos is the top rated ash vacuum for several reasons. It’s versatile, allowing you to pick up cold ashes and finer particles from your pellet or wood stove, fireplace, smoker or grill, all with this one unit.

This ash vacuum is durable, thanks to its sturdy construction. This includes the metal-lined tube, hose and drum, all of which are designed to withstand a little rough use, both at home and outdoors.

This vacuum features a HEPA filter, which has a non-stick coating and is capable of capturing all the ash and dust particles in your heating systems. It doesn’t just collect all the particles the unit targets, but holds them in the vacuum until you’re ready to evacuate them, so you don’t breathe in any ash particles while you clean.

The lockable hose is one meter long and has an LED light on the end to improve your visibility when cleaning dark corners or working in a poorly lit area. In addition to the hose, there’s also a metal crevice tool to help you remove any ashes from tight corners or under your cooking grates.

While there are no wheels to help you maneuver this ash vacuum, it is lightweight, with a sturdy handle on top for easy movement. It also has an 8-foot power cord, with a built-in cord reel for more organized storage.

Monzana

Buying the best ash vacuum for your fireplace, wood stove or barbecue doesn’t have to cost a fortune. The Monzana is proof of this, as it offers everything you need in a quality ash vacuum without the high price tag.

This unit is equipped with a 1200 watt motor, which gives it a suction power of over 18 Kpa to remove ashes in no time. This motor is also very quiet, so you won’t have to scream to vacuum all the ashes from your fireplace, stove or barbecue.

A dual filtration system filters out the finest ash and dust particles and prevents them from damaging the motor. The filters are also washable, so you can clean and reuse them instead of adding replacement filters to the overall cost. However, the filter can easily become clogged if there is too much ash in the tank. It is therefore recommended that it be washed after each use to avoid this.

Although not designed for use with hot ashes, the Monzana ash vacuum is ideal for hot or cold ashes. It includes an aluminum nozzle, flexible metal hose and metal tank, all of which are heat resistant and durable.

The power cord is five meters long, giving you extra leeway if there is no outlet right next to your stove or fireplace. This unit also has vacuum and blowing functions for added convenience.

DEWALT DXV10P

While the DEWALT DXV10P isn’t technically designed to clean fireplaces or stoves, it may be one of the best ash vacuums on the market. It has both wet and dry functions, so it can clean the ashes from your heating systems or barbecues with ease, even if you soak the ashes to extinguish each ember.

This vacuum has a powerful 5.5 horsepower motor that gives you the suction you need to clean up ashes in no time. Inside is a filter cartridge that works well for small, dry debris like ashes, but can also be used for wet materials if needed.

The large 10-gallon tank will save you from having to empty it every time you use it. The cord is 20 inches long, which gives you room to move around without worrying about finding another outlet, and has a cord reel for storage. The hose is also long enough to reach even the most remote corners. Swivel casters and a sturdy carrying handle make it easy to move this vacuum anywhere you want.

While you probably don’t need these features to clean your stove or chimney, this model also includes a built-in blower port to remove sawdust and other debris from your work area. It also has a tank drain port for easy disposal of liquids. A storage bag for all accessories, such as nozzles and extra attachments, is also built into the body of the vacuum, keeping everything organized.

Vacmaster VQ607SFD

The Vacmaster VQ607SFD is technically a wet/dry shop vacuum, but it has features that also make it the best pellet stove ash vacuum. The hose is only an inch thick, which is ideal for the finer ashes you get from burning pellets. The hose is a little stiffer than other models, but it’s a decent length, allowing it to reach into the corners of your pellet stove to extract all the ash.

This vacuum has a stainless steel tank with a six-gallon capacity, so you can suck up a good amount of ash before you have to empty it. It’s also very powerful, thanks to its 3 HP motor, and won’t leave a single speck of dust behind.

Another advantage of this vacuum is that it is lightweight, with a handle on top and four wheels on the bottom for portability. Molded cutouts on the sides of the unit allow you to store all the included accessories and keep them together at all times. The 12-foot cord has a reel to keep it in place when cleaning is finished and the vacuum needs to be stored.

In addition to using this vacuum for your pellet stoves, you can use it for all of your other heating systems, as well as your carpets, floors or workbench. It even has wet and dry filters, as well as a blower function for added versatility in its cleaning capabilities.

Snow Joe ASHJ201

For some people, the best ash vacuum needs to be small and light, so they can use it wherever they need it without getting tired in the process. The Snow Joe ASHJ201 is a portable model that weighs less than ten pounds and has compact dimensions. It doesn’t have wheels for easy rolling, but it does have a convenient carry handle for easy movement.

This ash vacuum is designed for cold ashes only, so you can use it to clean the ashes from your pellet or wood stove, fireplace, barbecue or fire pit, as long as no embers are still burning. It has a decent 4 amp motor that gives you up to 500 watts of suction. That’s great for ashes, although it’s not powerful enough to pick up the remaining chunks.

To keep dust in its place in the vacuum, this unit has a dual filtration system. It includes a pre-filter for dust and a pleated filter for the finest ash. They work together to keep the ash that’s sucked into the vacuum cleaner where it belongs, instead of back into the air you breathe.

Other great features include a 4.8-gallon tank, cord and hose organizer, and aluminum vacuum nozzle. There is also a safety switch that prevents the ash vacuum from turning on if the filter is not in place.

PowerSmith PAVC101

You don’t always have time to wait for the ashes in your stove or fireplace to cool completely before cleaning them. An ordinary vacuum cleaner will be damaged by these hot ashes, but the best hot ash vacuum cleaner will suck them up and keep working.

The PowerSmith PAVC101 is one such model. It features a heat-resistant metal hose and a metal tank, both of which can handle higher temperatures. It also features a two-layer filter system, including a heat-resistant outer layer that can handle hot ashes up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit and an inner layer that traps finer ashes and dust. This filter is also washable and replaceable if it starts to wear out.

The 10-amp motor is powerful but quiet, so you can get the suction you need without drowning out your conversations. It does get a little hot, but an automatic shut-off feature keeps it from overheating.

This ash vacuum also comes with a 16-foot cord, a wheeled base, two straight extensions, a turbo nozzle and a brush nozzle, and on-board accessory storage for added convenience. There’s also an ash indicator that tells you how full the tank is and when to empty it. The hose is only one meter long, which may be a little short for cleaning certain areas.

What an ash vacuum cleaner is capable of

An ash vacuum is very similar to other vacuums. It has a tank that collects ashes, dust and other debris, and a long hose to suck it up. They also have the usual features of vacuum cleaners, such as nozzles, attachments, handles and wheels.

The difference is that these vacuums are built a little more solidly than your average home vacuum. They include metal tips, hoses and tanks that can withstand a little more heat than regular vacuums. Even the filters are heat resistant, in case hot ashes get sucked through them.

Some of the best chimney ash, pellet ash or barbecue ash vacuums are even good for both cold and hot ashes, like the PowerSmith PAVC101, so you don’t have to wait for the ashes to cool completely before cleaning them.

Features to consider when choosing an ash vacuum

When choosing the best ash vacuum for your home, there are a few features you may want to check before purchasing one. This will ensure that you have the exact model you need for the type of ash you’ll be cleaning, especially if you’re using it for more than one area in your home or yard.

Power

When it comes to the motor, the bigger it is, the more powerful it is. It increases suction power, which allows you to clean a little deeper than with a small motor model. If you only need to clean the ashes from your chimney, fireplace or barbecue from time to time, a small motor, like the 500-watt Snow Joe ASHJ201, can do the trick.

A stove or fireplace that you use regularly to heat your home during the colder months may need a little more power to take care of the ashes on a daily basis, the DEWALT DXV10P’s 5.5 HP motor may be a better option for those big jobs. The 5.5 HP motor in the DEWALT DXV10P may be the best option for those big jobs. This will give you the power you need to clean up every particle of ash and any debris, leaving your heating area clean and ready for the next fire.

Capacity

The tank capacity is pretty important, especially if you use your ash vacuum regularly. If you’ve been building fires all day, there will be a large amount of ash accumulated in your fireplace or stove.

A small tank may not be able to clean the entire ash pile at once, requiring you to stop and empty it once or twice before you can finish the job. If you need to clean multiple areas, such as a fireplace and a barbecue, the larger tanks in models like the DEWALT DXV10P can handle both jobs before needing to be emptied.

Smaller capacity tanks do have their uses, however. Pellets produce smaller amounts of ash, which is finer than regular wood ash. Smaller tanks can therefore usually handle them without having to be emptied every few minutes.

Hose and cord length

The length of the hose on an ash vacuum is quite important because it determines how far you can reach into your stove, oven, fireplace or barbecue. A cord that is too short may not allow you to reach as far as you would like, limiting the quality of ash cleanup in your heating system or cooking area.

The length of the cord is also a consideration. The vacuum does not work without power, so you need to be able to plug it in close to where you plan to use it. That’s why many ash vacuums come with an extra-long cord that will allow you to plug it into an outlet a little further away. Of course, if the cord is a little too short, you can always use an extension cord to provide a little more space, but this will add an extra cost to the ash vacuum.

Noise Level

Regardless of the type of vacuum cleaner you use, they are all likely to make some noise. But they don’t have to be so loud that they cover everything around you. Fortunately, many available ash vacuums have motors that run quieter than your average vacuum.

Models like the Vacmaster VQ607SFD aren’t as loud as other vacuums, allowing you to talk to those around you, listen to music, or just do your work without excessive noise. It’s also a little safer for your ears, as too much noise can actually cause damage, especially if you use them regularly. People who clean their chimneys or stoves daily can protect their hearing by getting a much quieter chimney vacuum.

If it’s for cold ashes only

It’s never a good idea to try to vacuum the ashes right after the fire is out. This is because there may still be burning embers that can damage the internal parts of the vacuum cleaner, such as the filter. Although some models are designed to handle hot ashes, most ash vacuums are designed for cold ashes only. This means that you must wait a certain amount of time to let the ashes cool before you can take your ash vacuum out and vacuum them.

Size and Weight

Working with limited space means you don’t have much room for bulky tools. Stoves and fireplaces are no exception. If you don’t have a lot of space, you’ll need a compact ash vacuum to fit in the available space, like the Snow Joe ASHJ201. Smaller models still have good motors and decent capacity, so you’ll have no trouble getting all the ashes out of your fireplace, barbecue or whatever you need to clean up.

You’ll also want to consider storage space when it comes to the size of your ash vacuum. Limited storage space means that a large model won’t fit or will take up space that you could have reserved for something else. So make sure you have a place to store your ash vacuum that won’t leave your other belongings out of place.

The weight of your ash vacuum is also important, especially if it doesn’t have wheels on the bottom for easy movement. The heavier it is, the harder it will be to transport. Also, if it’s heavy when empty, it will weigh more the more you fill it with ashes, and you may have to empty it more often to maintain its weight. A lighter model is much easier to maneuver, with or without the ashes inside.

Warranty

The warranty on your ash vacuum is very important, especially if it doesn’t work as it should. The TACKLIFE PVC03A only has a 30-day money back guarantee, which means you only have 30 days to try the ash vacuum before deciding whether to keep it or return it. This is fine if there are any problems

The weight of your ash vacuum is also important, especially if it doesn’t have wheels on the bottom for easy movement. The heavier it is, the more difficult it will be to transport. Also, if it’s heavy when empty, it will weigh more the more you fill it with ashes, and you may have to empty it more often to maintain its weight. A lighter model is much easier to maneuver, with or without the ashes inside.

Warranty

The warranty on your ash vacuum is very important, especially if it doesn’t work as it should. The TACKLIFE PVC03A only has a 30-day money-back guarantee, which means you only have 30 days to try the ash vacuum before deciding whether to keep it or return it. This is fine if problems arise immediately, but if the vacuum fails after that time, you’ll be responsible for the cost of repair or replacement.

The majority of the models we reviewed above have a two-year limited warranty, which covers you for any problems caused by defects or poor workmanship. The DEWALT DXV10P has the best warranty of any product on our list, offering a three-year limited warranty that gives you plenty of time to look for defects in your new ash vacuum.

Additional Features

While the main features of an ash vacuum are more than enough to do the dirty work of cleaning your stove, chimney, smoker or fireplace, there are a few extras that can make them worthwhile. For example, you can look for casters on the bottom, which will help you move the ash vacuum easily and relieve your back from the strain of carrying a tank full of ashes.

You may also want to consider accessories. These can include extra nozzles, crevice nozzles or brushes to make sure you pick up all the ashes. These accessories also contribute to the versatility of your vacuum, allowing you to use it in your home or workshop and clean up ashes from your heating systems.

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The included filters are a must with your ash vacuum, to keep the dust inside the vacuum where it belongs. They should be easy to clean and reuse to keep costs down, and should be replaceable in case the included filter wears out over time.

Cord and hose wraps are also very handy, as they keep the hose and cord well wrapped for easy storage. A carrying handle is a must, especially if there are no wheels on the bottom. The tank should also be easy to empty, otherwise you’ll have ashes everywhere that you’ll have to vacuum a second time.

How to Maintain an Ash Vacuum

If you’re going to spend your money on the best ash vacuum available, you’ll probably want to take good care of it, so that it lasts at least a few years. The following tips can help you keep it in top working order:

Empty the tank regularly to keep the suction power at its optimum level.

Clean the filter after each use to prevent it from clogging and reducing suction.

Do not vacuum embers, as they may create sparks inside, burning the filter.

If the nozzle becomes blocked, tap it on the side of the chimney or stove to clear the ashes inside.

Do not use your fingers to unclog the plugs, as hot embers could cause burns.

Our verdict

Whether you use a pellet or wood stove to heat your home, a fireplace to create ambiance, or a barbecue to cook great meals, there’s bound to be a pile of ashes to clean up at some point. The best ash vacuum can make that cleanup a breeze, leaving you more time to enjoy yourself. While there are several quality models on the market, some stand out from the crowd.

Our favorite ash vacuum is the CRAFTSMAN 17585. This heavy-duty model has a powerful motor, with a HEPA filter to lock the ashes in the large tank. It also has a lockable hose with an LED light on the end, a metal crevice nozzle, a sturdy handle and a 2.5 meter cord with a cord reel for storage.

Our economical choice is the TACKLIFE PVC03A, which has an 800-watt motor, dual filtration system with washable filters, and works for both cold and hot ashes. It is also quiet, with both vacuum and blowing functions.

The DEWALT DXV10P has a 5.5 HP motor, a 10-gallon tank, and a dry and wet cleaning function. It also includes a 20-inch cord with cord reel, swivel casters, built-in fan, tank drain and accessory storage bag.