Nothing is better than enjoying the warmth of your wood burning fireplace and watching the flames flicker. And the last view you would want is flames through a dirty glass. Your glass could be turning black from soot due to several reasons.
How To Keep Your Stove Glass Clean:
When burning quality fuels that ensures you will be having a more efficient and cleaner burn. When burning wet wood, will not only make your stove glass dirty but will also cause a less efficient burn that releases more harmful emissions, such as particulate matter.
Make sure the firewood you are burning, has a moisture content of 20% or less would provide much more heat into your home and keep your stove glass cleaner for longer.
Every stove has different operating conditions, making it important that you get to know your fireplace and understand how to burn optimally.
Some top tips to help you use your wood burner efficiently and responsibly:
- Utilizing your air wash in your stove keeps the stove glass looking sparkling clean. Many modern stoves come equipped with an air wash system, wherein a cool flow of air is drawn in from the room, and then continually washed over the glass to keep it clean of any soot and residue.
- Use your vents correctly to achieve the optimal burning conditions for your stove – this will make sure you are burning cleanly and efficiently. Incomplete combustion occurs when your fire has insufficient oxygen, causing sooty deposits to form on the stove glass and flue. Incomplete combustion also leads to health risks due to the increased levels of particulate matter and carbon monoxide emissions.
- Providing your stove with sufficient oxygen through the correct use of your stove vents will keep your stove glass cleaner and your installation, minimizing the build-up of creosote and number of harmful emissions.
Cleaning Techniques:
Some cleaning tips:
- Using cleaning pads that are specifically made for stove glass.
- Scrunched-up newspaper is an old technique that has been used for many years.
- Dip the paper in water and cool stove ash, then scrub gently until the glass clears up. Wipe away any residue with a clean damp cloth. Be careful not to scratch your stove glass with any large remnants from the ash.
- Ceramic Cooker cleaner
- Use the cooker cleaner with a non-scratch sponge to remove blackened soot, then wipe clean with a damp cloth.
How Often Does My Stove Glass Need Cleaning:
There is no strict rule on how often you should clean your glass stove. It is only good practice when you clean your glass regularly or often enough to enjoy the views and the warmth of your fireplace. This will also help with the longevity lifespan of your stove glass.
You should at least once a month clean your stove glass, to keep it shimmering clean.
If you notice that your stove glass is getting dirty at an increased rate to usual, it might be a sign of an issue in your installation.
What Not to Do When Cleaning Stove Glass:
There are common mistakes that some people make when trying to clean their stove’s glass, which can result in damage to the appliance.
When cleaning your glass:
- Do not attempt to clean your glass directly after a fire; make sure your glass is cool to the touch before cleaning to avoid the risk of it shattering.
- Do not try and clean the glass with any sharp or abrasive materials – these will damage the glass, leaving scratches where you have cleaned.
- Do not neglect cleaning your stove glass; the more residue is built up, the harder it is to clean.
