Ash Vacuum

[ronman451]

After a few cooks in my new Pit Barrel Cooker, I've decided that I'm going to be using this thing a lot. The one thing I don't dig about the PBC is tipping the barrel over to clean the ashes out after each cook. From past experience, I know that using a regular shop vac for ashes can be a challenge (such as: filter not fine enough causing a nasty ash-cloud).

I've been in the market for a new shop vac anyway, and I came across this beastie: PowerSmith PAVC101 10 Amp Ash Vacuum

http://www.amazon.com/PowerSmith-PAVC101-Amp-Ash-Vacuum/dp/B0060EUA32/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422552268&sr=8-1&keywords=ash+vacuum

Anyone have experience with this or other "ash vacuums"?

Looks like it would double up as a general purpose shop vac, so it might help with the wife's objections to "you're gonna buy ANOTHER BBQ thingie?"

[teesquare]

Ron - I bought one virtually identical to the one in the link. DO NOT use it with warm ashes of course...But, the real disappointment is that it doesn't have enough suction to be very good. Truth is - the best for cold ash removal I have found yet is about $20 bucks  and it fits on a 5 gal. plastic bucket. - at Lowe's see link:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_49940-20097-6004511_0__

I tried a similar one from HD - and it worked too - but was not as convenient due to the location of the hose attachment. I highly recommend buying the extra long hose accessory kit.... it allows me to leave the vac on the ground, and clean out the pit - it gives you a full 6'' of reach.
The paper/tyvek pre filters are cheap and easy to change, and - they do not allow ash/ash dust thru.

Hope this helps-

[Smokin Don]

I think the one Tee showed would be good. Mine is a cheapy about 2 gal. I got at lowes but I don't see them any more. I use it only for the ashes in my pellet smoker. I like the small size and the filter will need cleaned long before it fills with ashes. Don

[Ka Honu]

... or you could go REALLY cheap (like I do) and just line the bottom of the barrel with foil and lift it out when cold.

[drholly]

... or you could go REALLY cheap (like I do) and just line the bottom of the barrel with foil and lift it out when cold.

X2!

Actually, not sure how cheap that ends up being - but it sure works well...

[pmillen]

I bought this one (or one that looks like it) at Costco for about $40.  I only use it for ash from my pellet pit and PBC.  It sucks well.  The bags are also the filter.  I only empty it when it gets uncomfortable to carry.

[sparky]

I bought this one (or one that looks like it) at Costco for about $40.  I only use it for ash from my pellet pit and PBC.  It sucks well.  The bags are also the filter.  I only empty it when it gets uncomfortable to carry.

me too.  same thing.   

[muebe]

I just use the mini wall mountable shop vac brand. Works fine. I only use it for ash and it is very easy to carry!

[smokeasaurus]

... or you could go REALLY cheap (like I do) and just line the bottom of the barrel with foil and lift it out when cold.

Do what the turtle says, I have been doing the foil thing since day 1 of PBC ownership, nice easy clean-up