Equal first, yes the filters dirty very quickly because only a screen between the filter and ash, but I've an intermediate filter cut from a fluidized anther my household vacuum cleaner and put it between the sieve and filter, and lo and behold, dirty the filter is no longer so fast and the bags not cost the earth. Otherwise really thoughtful vacuum cleaner for ashes. He comes every day with me used alone for our wood stove with which we heat our whole house. I recommend further him harmless.