Below, you’ll find 5 pieces of advice which will make your wood burning stove shine during the summer months.
1. Sooty glass
Sooty glass is a result of using moist firewood, of lighting the fire incorrectly or bad draught in the flue. One of the oldest tricks for cleaning the glass window is to use the ashes from the stove. Dip a moist cloth in cold ashes and rub the soot off the glass. Many wood burning stove companies also make special products for cleaning wood burning stoves. You could for example try Aduro Easy Clean which is an efficient sponge which is used to clean the glass. The sponge requires neither water nor cleanser.
2. Dirty surface
The wood burning stove’s exterior is most easily cleaned by using a vacuum cleaner with a mouthpiece with soft brushes. Alternately, a soft dry cloth can be used. Never use a moist cloth as it might cause rust.
3. Scratches in the paint
If there are scratches in the paint, it can easily be fixed. Most wood burning stoves have been painted with a heat resistant spray paint which you can typically buy where you bought your stove. Make sure that the surface of your stove is clean, dry and greaseless before you paint it. You can sand the surface gently if there is still rust and old paint on it.
4. Worn gaskets
Inspect the gaskets and change them if necessary. They are worn over time, and if they are not tight, they should be changed so the stove remains tight.
5. Empty ash pan
It can be a good idea to empty the ash pan and the firebox completely so it’s empty during the summer. But remember that in the wood burning stove season a layer of ashes makes it easier to light a fire because it insulates.
