Cleaning glass door of wood burner

[BackToSchoolTOWIE]

I've just had a new wood burner installed (absolutely love it!). The glass door has already become heavily sooted up and I can't shift the thick black marks. Elbow grease is not working.

I've read about using the ash on the door but some people say that it'll scratch the glass?

Any ideas what I can use to clean my lovely wood burner?

[SqueezyCheeseWeasel]

My mum used newspaper and the ashes on hers and it did a great job.

[BackToSchoolTOWIE]

Did it scratch the glass at all? Some of the internet stuff I've read says that the ash could scratch it.

[BornOfFrustration]

I either use wet newspaper and ash or just the wet newspaper on its own, it's not scratched the glass

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Wet newspaper and ash here too, never had any scratches. If it is that black that quickly you might need to change the air settings (look in the manual). Is your wood properly seasoned?

[BackToSchoolTOWIE]

Yes the wood is properly seasoned. But it might be the air settings - we've been playing around with it to see what it does (2 controls), and I think this is what has caused the problem so quickly.

[windchimes8]

Try wet wipes, just basic ones, like Huggies, then dry with kitchen roll. It maybe a bit smeary after though. Speaks from experience!

[madeofkent]

Yes, wet paper and woodash - it's coal ash that scratches. I found that Tesco's antiseptic wipes do a pretty good job, too, one day when I had a relatively clean one in my hand. As long as it's not too bad. There is a cleaning product though. It's called HG interior, stove glass cleaner.

[BlackandGold]

Another one for wet newspaper and wood ash; brings ours up a treat.

[BackToSchoolTOWIE]

Thank you! I used wet wipes with wood ash and then buffed up with kitchen towel. It's all come off and no scratches. It really was thick and baked on - wipes on their own didn't work but the ash did the trick.

Now to work out how to stop it happening again!

[IamMummyhearmeROAR]

I just use slightly damp kitchen towel with ash then buff with a dry piece

[blahblahblah72]

Another vote here for ashes with newspaper.

[erin99]

I think it tends to go black if there is a lot of resin in the wood. Not lack of seasoning, but just certain types of wood or if you are burning offcuts that are varnished or something.

[Highlandbird]

People clean the door of their wood burner?? I'm officially a useless slattern!!

[beccajoh]

DH does newspaper and ashes too. I can't be arsed!

[amazonianwoman]

Causes of sooty door (from Morso site):

Soot will appear on the glass if the combustion temperature is too low or if the lighting period is too short. When lighting the stove a lot of air must be supplied to warm up the chimney.

Open the riddling grate and the air controls. If necessary, open the door a bit to supply as much air as possible. When the kindling have turned into embers, dry wood is added. Plenty of air must still be supplied.

Close the riddling grate and primary air supply when the blue/purple flames have disappeared. The combustion is now exclusively controlled by the secondary air controls. The combustion temperature is increased by supplying more secondary air and at the same time by keeping the riddling grate and primary air control closed.


Wet wood or poor draught conditions might also cause sooty glass. Ask your chimney sweep to measure the draught in your chimney.

[specialsubject]

I do as instructed by the installer; use a washing up sponge with a scrubbing side, BUT it must be a bit worn out. Damp it down, dip it in the ash and use that combo to get rid of the soot. Dry and polish with ONE piece of kitchen roll.

and yes, you are doing something wrong if it is getting that mucky.

[Bslami]

White vinegar on a clean cloth.

[BackToSchoolTOWIE]

Thanks everyone. I think the quick buildup of thick soot was exactly as Amazon said - "Soot will appear on the glass if the combustion temperature is too low or if the lighting period is too short. When lighting the stove a lot of air must be supplied to warm up the chimney."

So I've been experimenting with the 2 controls to get the optimum conditions for no-soot.

[macwheeldon]

Hi all, a Mr here....Ok log burning glass...Easy...5 mins...short and simple Oven cleaner... spray in on glass, cold, 5 mins and wipe off. That easy and 100% spotless. Oh baking tins etc... works the same.

[Handsoffmysweets]

CIF is the absolute best at removing the hard to remove soot. Cover the area in it, let it soak in a bit and then scrub off.

[dangermouseisace]

I got a bottle of spay stuff from a shop that sells woodburners- Victas glass cleaner. You only need a couple of squirts and wipe it off and hey presto sparkly clean. Before that I used Ecover cream cleaner but it took longer to get the cream cleaner deposits off.

[dangermouseisace]

get a stove pipe thermometer e.g. Stovax they are cheap and they have zones that show if you're burning too low (creating creosote) or too high (risking fire). I found mine absolutely essential. But you still get a bit of soot, it's inevitable.

[Pootles2010]

Yes i just use the purpose made spray - very easy & quick.

[nusnus]

I have been burning cherry on a new stove and soon ended up with a yellowish glaze. I think it's resinous but, yes, it came off with woodash very easily. Charnwood said use hobcleaner but it was hard work and cost something. They said the more you damp it down, the more you may get a coating.