How to Clean Stove Glass on Your Wood Burner

Your stunning wood-burning stove is a focal point of the room, people comment on its beauty, and they marvel at the warmth it generates yet you sit there slightly embarrassed. Why? Because the glass is filthy! You have loved using your new stove so much, but you have missed the glass slowly taking on a shade of black as the logs inside burn away.

Luckily, we are heading into a part of the year where you may not have to use it so much, giving you ample time to get it gleaming all shiny and new again! Just remember to keep on top of it come the colder months so you can avoid that embarrassing moment again!

So how are we going to get that glass from dirty to dazzling? Read on and find out!

Why is my stove glass black?

A variety of reasons may cause your stove glass to turn black but quite commonly it could be down to your fuel source. In the last blog, we mentioned how important dry wood is to your wood burner. Using damp wood rather than one that has less than 20% moisture will see an increase in smoke that will, in turn, make your glass much dirtier. Another potential cause could be the temperature that your fire is burning. If your fuel is not burning at an optimum temperature, it will smoulder much slower causing the glass to blacken faster as heavier fumes are created.

Dry wood can remedy this but not completely. It will just take longer for the dirt to build up.

How to get wood burner glass clean

Whichever reason caused your glass to blacken up to such a level you will still need to take the same approach to get it clean. Our first little hack into cleaning your stove glass may sound a little odd but stick with us, it works.

Before trying it out though there are a few other steps to take first, just to make sure you clean your wood burner glass safely and correctly.

Let it wood burner glass cool before cleaning

In some instances, cleaning something whilst it is hot can be an easier way to get the job done, from a safety perspective we would say just wait until the glass has cooled. You will still get the same result as if it was warm and you will reduce any risk of injury.

Once it is all cool, remove the ashes from the bottom but do not chuck them out. Keep them to one side in a bowl or a bag. We will be using those shortly.

Then get a brush, preferably soft, to sweep out any debris from the door itself and the areas around it. You could also give the remainder of the stove interior a little spring clean if you like!

Cleaning your stove glass with ash

You read it right! The ash you saved will now come into its own. Collect some old newspaper or kitchen roll, a bowl of warm soapy water, a cloth, and the leftover ash.

• With the cloth and soapy water, gently wipe the inside of the glass, you can apply some pressure if there are stubborn marks that could come off with a little effort.
• Then get the newspaper or kitchen roll. Make it into balls and dip it into the soapy water, then into the ashes.
• Start to scrub the glass with your ash/newspaper combo. Apply in circular motions and you will gradually notice the dirt coming away.
• Once all areas are covered, get your cloth or some fresh kitchen roll and wipe away the residue. You now have a gleaming stove glass!

How Can I clean my wood burner glass?

The ash method is tried and tested but if you have neglected your wood burner for a while, you may need to get a little more aggressive with it! There are a few other handy hacks that can have your stove glass looking as good as new, or at least as close to new as possible!

Cleaning stove glass with oven cleaner

This is one that some people prefer not to do due to it being a chemical product. Just like how you would clean the oven, you will be able to apply it and see some seriously sparkling results. Just check the instructions on the chemical you are using to see if it is safe to be applied to glass. It may also have reactions with other materials so check that both the chemical and your stove are compatible with each other before risking it!

Cleaning wood burner glass with bicarbonate of soda

This is often a popular option. Without the risk of chemical reactions causing any damage, it is worth considering. Simply use it with water and a cloth and you should be able to get a clean and shiny stove glass.

Cleaning a wood-burning stove with stove spray

In some shops, you will find products that exist solely for this purpose. Simply spray and wipe and done.

How can I stop my wood-burning stove glass from getting dirty?

The best answer here is just to make sure you are burning the correct fuel types. This way, less smoke is made which then results in less chance of blackened glass. So, sticking to dry wood rather than damp will make a huge difference. In addition, the vents that are around your stove may not be getting utilised. They should always be open if only just a little. Your stove may have what is known as air-wash built in which means the vents around the stove bring air in that keeps smoke and fuel away from the window.

Hopefully, this helps you with keeping your stove clean, just remember not to leave it too long between the times you clean the glass, a larger build-up becomes harder to remove! In addition to this, the dirtier your glass, the dirtier your flue will be so keeping on top of your chimney cleaning is just as important too! Our team at Ignition Fires are experts in wood burners and have been installing them for over 30 years. Covering locations across the Southeast of England, our dedicated and knowledgeable staff are on hand to advise you on anything and everything to do with fires, stoves and surrounds. Contact us today to learn more and have your home heated beautifully