They wait until the pan is overflowing, which takes about a day and a half, and leave about half the ash in the ash pit. Can't get the ashpan back in the stove until all the ash is out. So they grab the Electrolux and the next thing they see is about a foot and a half of fire shooting out the tail end of the vacuum. If you gotta have an ashpan, do yourself a favor and buy a second pan so you can switch them before they are full. It's far easier to shovel out a woodstove, usually about once a week.
People have the perception that the stove has to be stone cold to shovel out the ashes.
Only if you are using a paper bag to transport the ashes. Put on a pair of protective gloves. Use a steel pail, and load it with whatever is in the stove. Dump out everything except for a shovelful or two of hot embers. Here we go with perception, again.