If your wood stove has gotten its fair share of heavy use, odds are, there’s a good amount of buildup on the glass door. Cleaning wood stove glass isn’t as straightforward as cleaning other types of glass, like windows or mirrors.
The glass on wood stoves is manufactured to withstand high heat. With high heat comes soot buildup, which can seem impossible to remove unless you know the tricks of the trade.
In this article, we’re going to break down how to clean a wood stove the right way and the wrong way, so you get a better idea of how to approach the task.
Let’s get started!
Contents
How To Clean Wood Stove Glass (The Right Way)
Cleaning burned-on soot is tricky, especially on the glass, which shows scratches if you try to remove it with force.
The best way to clean the glass of your wood stove is to let science help!
Burn a very, very hot fire, using nice, dry wood. Get the fire as hot as your stove can handle, then let the fire die down.
After the fire is completely gone and the glass is still somewhat warm, take a crumpled-up piece of paper and dip it in the ash. Use this to gently scrub the glass.
The mild abrasive will help remove stuck-on soot without causing any damage to the glass.
If your glass is still dirty, wait for it to cool down more and use a wood stove glass cleaner, or ceramic stove top cleaner. This should help get rid of the remaining soot.
After your glass is clean, set a schedule to keep it that way! The less buildup on the glass, the easier it is to keep it clean.
Now that you know what to do, let’s talk about the bad ways to clean wood stove glass, so you know what methods to avoid.
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How To Clean Wood Stove Glass (The Wrong Way)
This section of the article is dedicated to everything you think you can do to clean wood stove glass, but should definitely avoid.
Don’t spray the hot glass with any liquids. If you’re going to use a spray cleaner, make sure the glass is cool to the touch. Thermal shock can cause lower-quality wood stove glass doors to crack.
Don’t try to clean the glass of your wood stove while a fire is burning (duh). While yes, it is easier to clean a wood stove when it’s warm, that doesn’t mean you should be lighting a fire and cleaning with the fire roaring. You’re going to get burned, and your stove will get dirty again right away.
Don’t try to scrape soot and debris off with anything metal. If you’re thinking about using a razor or a scraper to clean glass, don’t. While these things may be effective at removing soot and debris, you’re also going to scratch up the door of your wood stove in the process.
Don’t use any cleaners other than what is meant to be used on hot surfaces, and preferably only use cleaners that are specifically designed for use on wood stove glass. Other cleaners may react badly to heat and leave a residue, or worse, create a fire hazard.
Closing Thoughts
Keeping a wood stove clean can be a little tricky. With these tips, you’ll be able to clean glass of your wood stove without any issues.
Remember, only use light abrasives, like paper dipped in ash, and never use anything metal that could scratch the glass. Only use cleaners that are designed to withstand high heat and won’t create a residue or a fire hazard. Also, stay safe. If you play with fire, you’re bound to get burned. Practice good habits when using and cleaning your wood stove.
Let us know your thoughts!
Do you have a wood stove cleaning method that wasn’t mentioned here? Let us know about it in the comments section below!
