January 2009

Glass doors on fireplaces and wood stoves are wonderful since they allow us to enjoy more radiant heat, monitor burn rate and enjoy the beauty of the fire. Most new stoves with glass doors utilize a type of air wash system which sends clean, fresh air for combustion over the window before it enters the fire. The high temperature of the fire also helps to keep the glass clean but no glass stove door is going to stay perfectly clean by itself. No matter what you do, your stove glass will get dirty. The following tips will help you keep that nasty soot minimized by providing a non-stick surface to the glass.

The daily soot build-up isn’t easy to remove and finding the easiest and least expensive method for removal was a primary goal for me. The stove dealer sent us home with an 8 oz. glass cleaner priced at $6.99. Needless to say, it was used up in no time and its performance did not merit its high price.

Cleaning a stove glass door is going to require some elbow grease, reducing the amount of effort was important to me since I clean the door each morning before start up. This works well for our family since we do not burn the stove at night. I like starting the fire with a clean glass surface and a freshly polished shine to the stove so the beauty and warmth of the fire can be fully enjoyed.

Frustrated by suggested methods of using newspaper and ashes, or scraping I decided to try what made sense to me. This method works only when the wood stove is completely cold, never use this cleaning method on a hot or burning wood stove.

Materials Required

1. 0000-superfine steel wool (Pull off in portions and reserve the rest for later).
2. Liquid or powder abrasive cleaner similar to Comet or Ajax or its generic equivalent
3. Sprayer filled with water
4. Newspapers
5. Several old washcloths or cut-up old towels.
6. Cheap Silicone Spray  (Never apply spray after lighting fire, doing so will cause fire to ignite spray)
7. Cheap painting masks (Use to prevent inhalation of soot or silicone spray).
8. Plastic glove

Make sure the fire is out and stove is cold. Lay out your supplies, including kindling, newspaper, wood, and lighter, this will make it a one stop job and save you from getting up and down to retrieve items. Spread one sheet of newspaper under the stove door; and put on your plastic glove and mask. Lightly spray the glass with water and then add a small amount of powder or liquid abrasive cleaner to the steel wool.

Begin scrubbing gently in a circular motion with the #0000-superfine steel wool. The soot and creosote will come off quickly, as long as you keep the surface lightly damp. Do not overspray, and wipe up frequently to minimize dripping of dissolved creosote or water on you stove or floor. When finished removing soot, use a fresh cloth to shine the glass. Next, spray a small circle of silicone spray on both sides of the glass; spread the silicone with a small piece of plastic or your glove over the glass surface of the door. Make sure you apply silicone to the glass only and not to any other stove surface.

Put your cleaning supplies away.

Tips for keeping glass door clearer, longer

1. Start fire and load fresh logs in the rear of the firebox.
2. Smoldering fires cause condensation of unburned soot to collect on the glass. Burn wood at a medium burn rate.
3. Use dry, well-seasoned firewood.
4. Try to maintain a smaller, hotter fire by not setting the draft down too far to maintain a medium rate burn.

Disclaimer: Always wear a mask when cleaning the stove, airborne particles of soot and lubricant can and will cause health related concerns.  It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Never apply lubricant after you have lit the fire or on a hot stove because of extreme fire danger.

This sample is available to teachers and school administrators, send for your free sample of Nicky’s® Folders, Sheet Protectors,  Stick on holder and Mini-Wallet.