When taking ashes out of your wood stove as part of your personal maintenance, it is important to do so properly to prevent fire and damage to your home.
Do not use a household or standard shop vacuum; they are not designed to handle extra heat or embers that can ignite a fire. There are some ash vacuums on the market for this purpose.
My best recommendation is a small metal container with a lid and an ash shovel. Scoop out the ash by placing it into the bucket. Then remove the bucket from the home and place it in a non-combustible location such as concrete or bare dirt.
Avoid setting it on a wooden deck or porch. Avoid setting containers in areas with dried vegetation.
After it is cooled, you can spread it on the ground or in a garden area as nutrients for plants, though it is not recommended for fruit or berry plants.
If you are disposing of ashes in a trash receptacle, it is recommended to let them cool for at least a week before doing so. Make sure they are completely cool to the touch all the way through to avoid starting a fire in the receptacle.