A single use of the fireplace indoors leaves virtually no traces. But the word “practically” may eventually lead to serious repair work. Why? It is enough to remember the village huts of our grandparents. They greeted us with painted towels, patterned embroidery and even entire paintings, and all this against the backdrop of dazzling white walls and ceilings. Work related to whitewashing was carried out annually. So, immediately before these works, not a trace remained of the former whiteness.
Now let's fast forward to modern times. Let's assume that sealed fireplace doors prevent soot from getting inside the room. But there is cleaning to be done every day, which involves removing ash from the firebox and ash pan. There are several folk tricks that can minimize the emission of dust into the room. This includes wetting the ash, using rag screens, and certain methods for collecting combustion products.
Collecting ash with a vacuum cleaner
No matter what wisdom we use, it will not guarantee that the finger will not get on the elements of expensive decoration of the room or furniture. One solution for carefully cleaning stoves and fireplaces is to use a vacuum cleaner.
If you go now, take a regular household vacuum cleaner and clean it, you can get a pretty good result, and at the same time say goodbye to expensive equipment.
The filtration system of a conventional device is not designed for large ash particles, and the amount of debris removed in one cycle is several times greater than the maximum volume of the built-in container. Hot coals that have not had time to cool down will burn through the material of the garbage bag, heat up and deform the plastic body of the vacuum cleaner. In addition, the suction power is unlikely to be enough for high-quality cleaning. From the above, it is easy to establish that a conventional vacuum cleaner, which is used for cleaning premises, is not suitable for fireplaces according to any of the required parameters.
Good to know: Installation of a fireplace with air heating, how to make it yourself
Suitable technique
Despite all the difficulties that arise when trying to use a vacuum cleaner to clean the firebox and ash pan in fireplaces and stoves, this idea has not been forgotten. Today, some manufacturers are ready to present separate models of devices designed for cleaning garages, workshops, fireplaces, and utility rooms. In short, they are used where it is necessary to collect large-grained waste in large quantities.
In accordance with the assigned tasks, a vacuum cleaner for a fireplace has certain distinctive features:
- It has a steel body, which allows you to collect hot coals. After all, it takes considerable time for complete cooling, and the next kindling has to begin after just a few hours.
- With the same power consumption, fireplace vacuum cleaners have increased suction power.
- The capacity where dust and ash is collected has been increased and reaches 20 liters.
- A multi-level filtration system distributes waste into fractions and does not fail due to the ingress of relatively large particles.
Models of fireplace vacuum cleaners
Before we begin our review of popular models for cleaning stoves and fireplaces, it should be noted that there are special nozzles in the form of a metal contour and pipe. The hose of a conventional vacuum cleaner is inserted into the nozzle, and the system works on the following principle: a vacuum is created in the container, as a result of which ash is sucked in. The pipe material can withstand high temperatures. Pre-filtration occurs inside the container, as a result of which fine dust enters the vacuum cleaner, and large particles remain in the metal container.
However, shortcomings in the operation of such a nozzle are constantly revealed. Unstable operation of the primary filter leads to clogging of the filter of the vacuum cleaner itself. The ash contains small particles that have a high temperature. They penetrate into the vacuum cleaner and cause overheating of the housing, which negatively affects the condition of the device as a whole.
The German company Karcher, which is a leader in vacuum equipment and high-pressure devices, presents the Karcher AD 3.200 model. This is a fairly powerful vacuum cleaner, although the current consumption is only 1.2 kW. The turbine design makes it possible to achieve a high degree of rarefaction. The device is easy to use, its weight is 7.4 kg, but you do not have to lift it during operation. The body is equipped with lightweight wheels, and the 1.7 m long hose allows you to reach any place in the fireplace where you need to clean.
The Karcher AD 3.200 is not only suitable for cleaning fireplaces. He can handle outdoor grills and barbecues, help clean up the garage, and collect trash on asphalt paths. The container capacity is 17 liters. This is quite enough to carry out a full cleaning. Convenient disassembly and assembly of the vacuum cleaner allows you to quickly empty the filled container. The wide range of applicability of the vacuum cleaner is due to the fact that the nozzle and container are made of metal, which makes the node elements resistant to impacts from large particles with sharp edges.
The Karcher AD 3.200 vacuum cleaner can be used at home for everyday cleaning. The kit includes a variety of accessories, including an extension pipe, a set of nozzles suitable for cleaning various surfaces, which are convenient to work with not only at home, but also in the car, and a reusable replaceable filter.
There are other models of similar devices on the market:
- Model ZD99 from the Chinese company Dongyi is an inexpensive and reliable analogue used for servicing furnaces. Some of its characteristics are ahead of the German brand. For example, the capacity of the tank is 20 liters, but the Dongyi ZD99 is slightly inferior in power. Unfortunately, this model is not equipped with nozzles, so it can only be used for collecting coarse waste.
- The Shop-Vac Ash Vac 20-I model differs in that it can remove dry or wet ash. For example, after it has rained outside, you can clean the grill using Shop-Vac Ash Vac 20-I. Tank capacity – 20 l. The metal and flexible hose is attached using a threaded connection. This fastening method allows you to work without damaging materials. The vacuum cleaner is capable of collecting not only large coals, but also fine dust. The Cleanstream HEPA filter filters up to 95% of harmful particles. Similar performance is achieved with only 800 W of power consumption.
DIY cyclone filter
So I started renovating my apartment and, as expected, decided to change the wiring. After I tried cutting grooves with a grinder, I realized that I could “die” from the dust; even the respirator I bought didn’t really help. We needed a dust collector!!! After monitoring prices for construction vacuum cleaners, I realized that 1500 UAH. I’m not ready to spend on such happiness. It was decided to make a cyclone filter, since my LG vacuum cleaner would die with me from such a load.
I once had the experience of cleaning up construction dust with this vacuum cleaner after the walls were broken through for the installation of autonomous heating. For a long time I cleaned the vacuum cleaner and its filter with tears in my eyes.
Well, I present to your attention my “hand-made industrial and construction cyclone”.
All components were purchased at Epicenter, which is why the prices are all from there.
Oil filter
Peculiarities
So, you have a fireplace in your house. Previously, you removed soot and dust manually. But suddenly the idea occurred to you that your home can be cleaned using a regular vacuum cleaner. In this case, you risk being left without your dear assistant. The fact is that the coals may not cool down completely and damage parts of the device, and the soot will certainly “clog” the unsuitable filter.
In this situation, you should not save. It is better to purchase a special vacuum cleaner for the fireplace. With its help, you can collect everything that is left of the burnt wood, without the fear of losing your property forever. Specialized equipment can easily withstand the load due to the fact that it has special parameters:
- a steel body into which burning coals can be collected without consequences;
- the required suction power;
- trash container with a capacity of more than 20 liters;
- multi-level filtration system;
- special nozzles: metal contour and pipe.
The pipe material can withstand high temperatures. Filtration occurs inside a metal container. Thus, the dust gets into the vacuum cleaner itself, and large particles remain in the container. It follows from this that not a single unsuitable device can replace a vacuum cleaner for a fireplace.
With its help, you will make your life much easier, and the consequences of sitting around an open fire will no longer be a challenge.
What You Shouldn't Vacuum During Everyday Cleaning
Cleaning your home using household appliances saves a lot of effort and time. But, no matter how wonderful this method of putting things in order is, it has its limitations.
Dirt that cannot be vacuumed up
In order not to damage an expensive electrical appliance, it is worth knowing some nuances. For example, what kind of dirt and objects should not be vacuumed under any circumstances.
Ash and ashes
If the home has fireplaces or stove heating, the owners often remove ash that spills onto the floor with the help of a mechanical assistant. But ash particles are too small to be effectively retained by filters .
Advice! It is better to remove such contaminants by first sprinkling them with coffee grounds left after brewing.
Moisture will bind even the smallest dust, and it can be effectively removed using a dustpan and broom. This is a safer way of cleaning than if you remove small debris with a household unit.
Plant debris
It is better to collect withered leaves and flowers of indoor plants by hand and throw them into a bucket. They can easily clog the device and reduce its efficiency.
But small debris and sand that remains from plants can be vacuumed.
Dry cosmetics
If a woman suddenly breaks her favorite powder, bronzer or blush, there is no need to rush to get a vacuum cleaner.
Reference! Dry cosmetics are too finely ground, so they should be removed using wet wipes or a broom.
Items that may damage the device
- If there are small children in the house, then before cleaning you should make sure that there are no small toys . They can also clog the unit's pipe very quickly. And the sharp edges that are exposed when parts break can easily cut corrugated parts or a bag of garbage.
- The dust collector bag can also be damaged if coins, sharp metal parts, glass fragments, broken dishes, needles, or pins .
- a hairball stuck in it .
Advice! If it is possible to collect hair with a broom, it is better to use it.
- Small pieces of paper that remain after working with children or using a shredder clog the vacuum cleaner along with long hair. Therefore, it is better to remove such garbage without using electrical appliances.
Attachment for cleaning ash and ash
This device is quite usable. It attaches to a regular vacuum cleaner. The device consists of a metal body in the form of a bucket and a specialized tube (metal suction hose) with nozzles, which is inserted into the body of the unit.
There is nothing special about the product. Anyone can make such a device, but manufacturers offer convenient ready-made options (for example, an attachment to a vacuum cleaner for sucking up hot coals VAS-18 or a Puzer preseparator). Such devices have a fireproof filter and are capable of removing large amounts of debris.
However, it is worth taking into account that the operation of such products also has some disadvantages that can lead to breakdown of an ordinary vacuum cleaner. In addition, they take up a lot of space.
Whether it is worth buying such a console is up to you to decide. Of course, you won’t throw money away. With the help of such a simple device, you can easily remove any debris that a simple vacuum cleaner without an attachment cannot remove.
However, for those who strive for perfection, it is better to purchase specialized models for removing ash and unburned ash.
