Cleaning & Maintaining Your Wood-Burning Stove

After not using your wood-burning stove for a few months during the warmer period, you will want to clean up both the inside and outside of your stove before lighting it again as the temperatures drop and the nights draw in.

There are plenty of branded cleaners and tools you can use, as well as a few DIY methods that have been tried and tested. Keeping your stove well-maintained will increase its lifespan thus making it more efficient and cost-effective.

Cleaning the surface

Before starting with any cleaning, it is worth laying down a small tarp or old towel so that the soot and debris doesn’t make the surrounding areas dirty. Also, make sure that the stove is completely cooled.

When cleaning the exterior of your stove all you need is a vacuum cleaner, a damp cloth and a soft-bristle brush. Firstly, use the brush to lightly go over the surfaces to remove any dirt buildup and then use the damp cloth to wipe away any remaining dirt or grease. Once everything has been cleaned you can use the vacuum to clean around and underneath the stove.

Cleaning the glass door

There are a number of ways to clean the glass window in your stove. However, it’s worth remembering that burning firewood with a higher moisture content will create a buildup of soot on your glass quicker than well-seasoned logs.

The good news is that it is straightforward to clean the glass. One method includes taking a damp cloth and dipping it into the ashes from the stove and simply wiping the soot off the glass.

There are a number of specialised commercial cleaning products available on the market, however, WD40 is just as effective! It is great for cleaning the glass as well as polishing up the surrounding slate hearths – just take care to read the instructions and check whatever product you are using doesn’t invalidate the warranty.

Lastly, a mixture of ammonia and water in a spray bottle will work wonders. If the soot is stubborn, simply spray it on and leave for a few minutes before wiping it away.

Check the ash pan, seals & flue

Whilst your stove is not in use it is worth emptying the ash pan as well as the firebox. When lighting your stove again for the first time it’s worth remembering that lighting the fire on a bed of ash is much more effective.

While you are giving your stove some TLC, take a moment to inspect the rope seals on the door and flue. It is not uncommon for the seals to suffer from some wear and tear so check these regularly and replace them when needed.

The flue pipe from your stove to the outside of your home can become blocked due to a build-up of deposits so it is imperative to check on this and have your flue professionally cleaned. It’s not recommended to clean the flue yourself, as any damage to it can cause fumes to enter your home.

Final Tip…

Lastly, if your stove has discoloured over the years, it is possible to restore it to its original colour, or even change it completely, by applying specialist heat-resistant spray paints. You’ll have your stove looking as good as new in no time!

For more information on keeping your stove in tip-top condition, you can speak with one of our knowledgeable team at Incendium Stoves & Fireplaces – we will be more than happy to help.