A wood-burning stove can make homes feel warm and cosy, making family bonding more fun and intimate. Aside from that, it can significantly enhance the aesthetic appeal of a room, as it can give off a classic and luxurious appearance.
However, like any other home appliance, log-burning stoves require proper cleaning and maintenance to last long and work efficiently. That is why, as a homeowner, you should learn how to take proper care of one.
With that said, here is a quick guide on how you can effectively clean wood-burning stoves:
For Sooty Stove Glass – How to Properly Clean a Woof-Burning Stove – Our Guide
The glass cover of your log burning store can get sooty if it is not correctly ventilated or moist firewood is used. Soot is not pleasing to the eyes and can make your stove more prone to dirt build-up and damage.
To resolve this problem, you can use either of these two cost-effective solutions:
- Use the ashes for cleaning: Dip a slightly damp cloth in the cold ashes and wipe and rub the inside of the glass cover with it. When doing this, make sure that the glass is cool to avoid shattering.
- Use specialist cleaning products: Buy the appropriate cleaning solution in the market and apply it to the glass as instructed on the label.
For an Overfilled Ashpan – How to Properly Clean a Woof-Burning Stove – Our Guide
Although it is recommended that you empty your ashpan during the summer months to avoid ash and dust getting everywhere, most homeowners keep ash in their ashpan for too long. While a small amount of ash will not be a problem, an overfilled ashpan can affect the airflow to the stove’s grate and can make lighting a fire more challenging.
When cleaning an overfilled ashpan, do not run it under water or wipe it with a damp cloth right away. This is because wet ashes can stick to the ash pan and damage it, making it harder to clean.
Instead, clean out the ash first by discarding it in a safe place. You can stop there, but if you want to clean it thoroughly, make sure to remove as much ash as you can before rinsing the pan with water or any liquid solutions.
For the Exterior of the Log Burner
Most wood-burning stoves are made of cast iron, allowing them to withstand and resist the heat produced by the burning wooden logs. As such, you will need dry cleaning methods for the outside of the burner.
To clean its exterior, dust it with a vacuum cleaner or a stiff brush. Make sure to avoid wiping liquid solutions on it, as doing so can leave streaks that may encourage oxidation.
For a Blocked Flue
The flue is a vital part of log-burning stoves, so thorough cleaning and careful maintenance are needed to address any problem that is present in it. However, attempting to clean it yourself may cause it to break further, especially if you do not have adequate knowledge about it.
To ensure safe and proper maintenance, consider hiring a chimney specialist to resolve any blockages in the flue. Doing so will save you a ton of money, effort, and stress.
Conclusion
Cleaning a wood-burning stove doesn’t require much effort and a big budget. You can do it yourself as long as you know the necessary and proper cleaning tools and techniques. However, if there are blockages in its flue, it would be best to consult a chimney specialist to address the problem.
In case you are looking for reliable and expert stove fitters in Scotland, get in touch with us today. Apart from installing wood-burning stoves, we also supply high-quality burners and offer professional maintenance services.
