Review on Craftsman Ash Vacuum: Powerful 5 Gallon, 3.0 Peak HP with Attachments by Maria Karkhanis

This vacuum cleaner works very well. The suction is good and it filters well so fine ash doesn't settle all over the room when you're done. This is much cleaner than using a shovel as no ash cloud forms in the work area. It sucks the chimney or stove very clean. There are 2 problems. Firstly, if there are any charcoal residue left, they will be attracted to the hole, greatly reducing efficiency, and you will have to turn off the vacuum for a few seconds to make them fall. Then turn it on again to continue working. As a result, you'll need a vacuum strategy to get the Ashes and avoid these obstacles. I'm going to make a wire basket to attach the end of the snout to prevent this from happening. I usually have to turn it off and on half a dozen times to get the job done. The second problem is cleaning. About 1/2 of the ash I vacuumed ends up in the tank. The rest sticks to the filter. I have a brush that I use to brush it off when I throw away the ashes. Dirty and painful, but still better than a shovel and a mess outside. If the filter had a better design, it would have earned 5 stars. Update: I had to deduct a star after using his vacuum cleaner for a month. The problem is that about 2/3 of the time the filter is clogged. It sinters completely, although there isn't much ash in the bottom of the jar, and loses 90% of its absorbency. It must be removed and cleaned with a brush. Dirt and ash get on clothes. I wanted to return it but I had my chimneys cleaned and the guy showed me how to use this tool. When using the shovel and bucket, hold the shovel and the end of the hose by the rim of the bucket. It gently sucks up the ash cloud and thus ensures clean operation. The shovel may be less comfortable, but just as fast. Inside the vacuum cleaner there is a metal cover for the filter. This cover is made by a punch and a former, and where the punch cuts through the metal there are burrs: around the outside edge on one side and around the hole on the inside, also on one side. I took a file and removed those burrs AFTER one of them left a nice deep cut on my finger while cleaning.