Started using a shop vac on flues instead of my old hand brush method

For 8 years I used a stiff wire brush and a tarp to clean flues. Made a mess every time. Last spring I tried hooking a skinny hose attachment to my shop vac and feeding it down from the top. Cut cleanup time by half and I don't spend 20 minutes shaking out my tarp anymore. Has anyone else ditched their traditional brush for a vacuum setup?

2 comments

2 Comments

hugobarnes2mo ago

Yeah I swapped to a vac setup last year and never looked back, way less mess.

piper_flores692mo ago

Those vac setups work fine for most people. Only problem is if your coffee bed is too fine, the vac seal can crack and you lose all your drawdown. I had it happen with a light roast Ethiopian that was ground pretty tight - wasted a whole cup.