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Best Soot vacuum in budget

Please help to choose best soot vacuum in budget ($100)
Note: Please Suggest me Best in Market

Comments

  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 5,804
    0 soot vacs for $100 new. Maybe you can find a used one.
    florenceccollinscB_Sloane
  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,615
    With very few exceptions, I have been sorely disappointed in tools purchased under a cheap budget; I invariably end up with a quality tool well outside my original budget.

    NB: I use them professionally.

    Canuckerflorenceccollinsc
  • SlamDunk
    SlamDunk Member Posts: 1,570
    edited September 2019
    I have used filtered, bag in, shop vacs in place of my Goodway soot-o-matic with success. Goodway was in shop for repair.

    So, Goodway- Best in market

    Shop vac - under $100.00.
    rick in Alaska
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,587
    From a customer point of view, If I had an oil fired boiler and I hired someone to clean it.

    I would absolutely rather a guy who brings a $100 shopvac in to clean it over one that leaves a $600 sootvac on the truck because he can't be bothered to actually clean the boiler properly.

    Do the best with what you've got. I'd say Shopvac with a filterbag.

    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
    florenceccollinsc
  • Robert O'Brien
    Robert O'Brien Member Posts: 3,540
    > @ChrisJ said:
    > From a customer point of view, If I had an oil fired boiler and I hired someone to clean it.
    >
    > I would absolutely rather a guy who brings a $100 shopvac in to clean it over one that leaves a $600 sootvac on the truck because he can't be bothered to actually clean the boiler properly.
    >
    > Do the best with what you've got. I'd say Shopvac with a filterbag.
    I make the argument that a properly adjusted burner doesn't need to be vacuum cleaned. Get the guy with the analyzer who knows how to use it!
    To learn more about this professional, click here to visit their ad in Find A Contractor.
    ChrisJSlamDunkSTEVEusaPAvibert_c
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    Filters or not, shop vacs often pass that real fine, fluffy soot into the room. Not fun to clean up.

    Our company uses Sootmaster vacs.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    SuperTech
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,587
    edited September 2019

    > @ChrisJ said:

    > From a customer point of view, If I had an oil fired boiler and I hired someone to clean it.

    >

    > I would absolutely rather a guy who brings a $100 shopvac in to clean it over one that leaves a $600 sootvac on the truck because he can't be bothered to actually clean the boiler properly.

    >

    > Do the best with what you've got. I'd say Shopvac with a filterbag.

    I make the argument that a properly adjusted burner doesn't need to be vacuum cleaned. Get the guy with the analyzer who knows how to use it!

    I've never seen one that was perfectly spotless.
    There's still going to be junk. I guess it could be swept out into a dust pan........


    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    @Robert O'Brien , of course you're right that a properly installed and tuned oil burner should create little or no accumulation. But how often do we follow the rag-and-taggers?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    ethicalpaul
  • STEVEusaPA
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,506
    edited September 2019
    That SootMaster feels heavier & heavier every fall. I might actually try this one out and see how it goes.

    https://www.hammacher.com/product/cleanest-fireplace-vacuum?promo=search

    I know it says for 'cold ash', but hey, that guy isn't dirty at all...lol.

    As someone who does clean and tune them correctly, almost all of my oil fired units are rarely sooty. So this may work for most and save my back.

    I also looked at a backpack canister model that floor refinishers use, but if I recall was up over 2k...so no.

    --

    Most of my customers are on 2 and 3 year cleaning schedules, some with annual filter/strainer/nozzle.
    I'll crack my boiler open in a week or 2. Hasn't been cleaned in 4 years (but opened up and checked every year). And double filtration with a vacuum gauge, which isn't showing any restriction. So at least nozzle/filters/strainer this year.

    Like Dragon says..."If it ain't broke, you can't fix it". I miss him. Gotta get on Facebook.
    steve
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796

    That SootMaster feels heavier & heavier every fall.

    C'mon, it builds character >:)

    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,587

    That SootMaster feels heavier & heavier every fall. I might actually try this one out and see how it goes.

    https://www.hammacher.com/product/cleanest-fireplace-vacuum?promo=search

    I know it says for 'cold ash', but hey, that guy isn't dirty at all...lol.

    As someone who does clean and tune them correctly, almost all of my oil fired units are rarely sooty. So this may work for most and save my back.

    I also looked at a backpack canister model that floor refinishers use, but if I recall was up over 2k...so no.

    --

    Most of my customers are on 2 and 3 year cleaning schedules, some with annual filter/strainer/nozzle.
    I'll crack my boiler open in a week or 2. Hasn't been cleaned in 4 years (but opened up and checked every year). And double filtration with a vacuum gauge, which isn't showing any restriction. So at least nozzle/filters/strainer this year.

    Like Dragon says..."If it ain't broke, you can't fix it". I miss him. Gotta get on Facebook.

    My boiler hasn't had a cleaning in 8 years. Bet she's still spotless too. :p
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • JakeCK
    JakeCK Member Posts: 1,356
    Since some people recommended shopvacs, put a hepa filter in it with the hose attached to a water filter. You can make a water filter out of a 5 gallon bucket with lid. One hose goes between the vac and bucket, another hose comes out of the bucket for pickup. There is pvc piped in the bucket down to below the water on the pickup hose. They work great for drywall dust, and they keep the hepa filter almost spotless. Don't know if it'll work for soot tho... Look online for instuctions on how to make one.
  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 1,882
    @florenceccollinsc For $100??
    Probably not.
    At least not a soot vac.
    There is a type of ash vacuum that some use that are sold at big box hardware stores.

    There's one that is green in color that I have used called power ash? or power ash vacuum? (I no longer have it.)

    Good luck finding one in that budget. If you do find what you're looking for please share that info here.
  • STEVEusaPA
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,506
    JakeCK said:

    Since some people recommended shopvacs, put a hepa filter in it with the hose attached to a water filter. You can make a water filter out of a 5 gallon bucket with lid. One hose goes between the vac and bucket, another hose comes out of the bucket for pickup. There is pvc piped in the bucket down to below the water on the pickup hose.

    There’s no way I’m lugging all of that in and out of a customers house.

    steve
    SuperTech
  • Canucker
    Canucker Member Posts: 722
    > @JakeCK said:
    > Since some people recommended shopvacs, put a hepa filter in it with the hose attached to a water filter. You can make a water filter out of a 5 gallon bucket with lid. One hose goes between the vac and bucket, another hose comes out of the bucket for pickup. There is pvc piped in the bucket down to below the water on the pickup hose. They work great for drywall dust, and they keep the hepa filter almost spotless. Don't know if it'll work for soot tho... Look online for instuctions on how to make one.

    We've filled half of a 55 gallon drum with water and dropped a hose below the water line to keep carbon particles from escaping our loading tanks while we purge it out. It catches everything that escapes the tank. As long as long as the exhaust from your suction line goes under the water, it will catch your soot
    You can have it good, fast or cheap. Pick two
  • clammy
    clammy Member Posts: 3,103
    I brought my soot vac about 15 or 20 years ago and she still working ,I don’t think I would waste my time on using a shop vac .i have a few buds who do and they don’t last and usually before hitting the garbage can they spew usually when not wanted .if on a budget take a look at Sid Harvey they used to sell re conditioned one for a couple of bucks less. I rarely do oil any more just ain’t no money or at least what most will pay to have there un maintained oil burners serviced .one final note junk stuff will always let you down when most needed and least convenient time never fails at least for me .when I brought my soot vac I also didn’t want to spend but I did and haven’t had to buy another shop vac or fine vac since just my thoughts peace and good luck clammy
    R.A. Calmbacher L.L.C. HVAC
    NJ Master HVAC Lic.
    Mahwah, NJ
    Specializing in steam and hydronic heating
    ethicalpaulSTEVEusaPAvibert_c
  • Steamhead said:

    Filters or not, shop vacs often pass that real fine, fluffy soot into the room. Not fun to clean up.

    Our company uses Sootmaster vacs.

    I think sootmaster under $100 :)
  • ChrisJ said:

    That SootMaster feels heavier & heavier every fall. I might actually try this one out and see how it goes.

    https://www.hammacher.com/product/cleanest-fireplace-vacuum?promo=search

    I know it says for 'cold ash', but hey, that guy isn't dirty at all...lol.

    As someone who does clean and tune them correctly, almost all of my oil fired units are rarely sooty. So this may work for most and save my back.

    I also looked at a backpack canister model that floor refinishers use, but if I recall was up over 2k...so no.

    --

    Most of my customers are on 2 and 3 year cleaning schedules, some with annual filter/strainer/nozzle.
    I'll crack my boiler open in a week or 2. Hasn't been cleaned in 4 years (but opened up and checked every year). And double filtration with a vacuum gauge, which isn't showing any restriction. So at least nozzle/filters/strainer this year.

    Like Dragon says..."If it ain't broke, you can't fix it". I miss him. Gotta get on Facebook.

    My boiler hasn't had a cleaning in 8 years. Bet she's still spotless too. :p
    Thanks for the suggestion but this is out of my budget :)
  • Bob Harper
    Bob Harper Member Posts: 1,034
    Here is an example of what we use for all our professional sweeping of oil flues, fireplaces and woodstoves: https://www.lindemannchimneysupply.com/3-Motor-HEPA-Filtered-Chimney-Dryer-Vent-Vacuum Note the decent CFM at HEPA filtration. Of course that drops off the moment you begin clogging the filter. However, we don't dust people's houses out with these beasts. They do make a smaller unit that's ok for oil other than summer time sweeping (no draft). Soot particles can remain airborne for over 8hrs.
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,453
    A lot depends on what and how often your using it. If your doing cleanings often buy a sootmaster.

    The water filter is interesting for doing your own house if you don't have a soot vac , not having to lug it around on jobs.

    @JakeCK

    So you get a bucket with a tight fitting lid. The intake hose gets piped to the bottom with pvc. The hose to the vac just pulls air off the top of the buckett. So the soot/air mixture gets pulled through the intake soot stays in the water air bubbles up and goes to vac.

    Have I got that right??
  • Bellwether
    Bellwether Member Posts: 1
    I use SootMaster, they are good enough for me.
  • neilc
    neilc Member Posts: 2,689
    edited February 2020


    The water filter is interesting for doing your own house if you don't have a soot vac , not having to lug it around on jobs.

    @JakeCK

    So you get a bucket with a tight fitting lid. The intake hose gets piped to the bottom with pvc. The hose to the vac just pulls air off the top of the buckett. So the soot/air mixture gets pulled through the intake soot stays in the water air bubbles up and goes to vac.

    Have I got that right??

    I'ld be doubtful,
    youall heard of bongs, water pipes, houkas, right?
    If I remember right, it seems I remember that smoke still got where it was going, and still did what it did,
    (I didn't inhale, really, I didn't, least I don't remember , , ,)
    I would think that sooty soot would do the same,
    unless the bucket had a screen system that would break the bubbles, and allow for thoughough wetting, etc,
    kinda like the air seps used in the hydronics.
    Buy the soot vac.
    or buy extra hose and make sure the vac exhaust vents to the outdoors, away from open doors and windows.
    not to mention the sloppy gloppy mess you would still need to dispose of.
    known to beat dead horses
  • BDR529
    BDR529 Member Posts: 281
    Really? A shop vac! Get Proper vac your insurance company will thank you.
  • rick in Alaska
    rick in Alaska Member Posts: 1,457
    Yep, a shop vac. I have been using one for 27 years and never had a problem. For the cleanings I do, those big soot vacuums are just to big and heavy, and I am getting too old for lugging much.
    I just have a 6 gallon shop vac, with the regular paper filter in it with the cloth cover over it. Then I have the paper bag liner inside that the soot goes in. When the bag is full, I pull it out and dump it and don't have to clean the vacuum out. The main thing you have to watch out for is to not pull in any wet stuff. Otherwise, it works good and is cheap and light.
    Rick
  • retiredguy
    retiredguy Member Posts: 898
    edited February 2020
    Since this is about soot and your choice of a vacuum cleaner I thought --1 story from my early experience would bring a chuckle. Back in about 1970 or 1971 I had a night call on Christmas Eve in an area of Pittsburgh, Pa called Stanton Heights for little to no heat. Upon my arrival to the residence I found there was a "booze party" and the hostess was a very drunk and wanted to help. The furnace was sooted which I proceeded to clean. She would not allow me to use my vac but insisted I use her brand new Hoover upright vac with the added vac accessory hose kit. To make a long story short, half way through the cleaning she thought that the vacuum needed to be cleaned and without shutting off the power switch, pulled at the bag causing it to rip open. You know what happened. All the men and women in their fancy clothes could not exit the area quick enough. What a mess. The husband told me that his drunk wife was to blame and that I was free of any fault. They paid the "BILL" . This is another reason for me getting out of residential service. I probably should have posted this under "heating Hell"
    SuperTechvibert_cratio