Maintenance
How to clean my wood burner?
Cleaning the surface: When it comes to cleaning your stove's exterior, you can't go far wrong by using a soft brush, damp cloth and a vacuum cleaner. This is probably the best method to remove any soot and dirt. Make sure you do this task when the appliance is cool.
Cleaning the glass: If using kiln dried logs, there should only be minimal soot on the glass. However, the good news is, it can be easily removed by dipping a damp cloth into soft ashes from your stove and simply wiping the glass.
Our MD, Nic Snell, also highly recommends the Schott Robax dry wiper. These are great value and really simple and effective to use – no water required and scratch free.
Cleaning the Ash Pan: When your stove is not in use, it is worth emptying out the ash pan ash well as the firebox, however, when it's time to use your wood burner again. remember that lighting your fire on a bed of ash is much more effective. If you're looking for a place to discard of your ash, did you know that you could add it to your compost? More on that here.
Inspect the door and flue seals: When cleaning your stove, it is worth inspecting the rope seals on the doors and flues as it is not uncommon for them to succumb to everyday wear and tear. If they do need changing, call your manufacturer. [4]
Can I use ash to clean the glass of my woodburner?
Yes, you can use ash to clean the glass on your wood burner. The most effective way of cleaning the glass is to dampen a cloth and dip it into the ashes, rub in a circular motion and hey presto, the soot comes off easily. Just be careful not to use coal ash because this will scratch the surface.
How often should I get a chimney sweep?
Even though you should be using using high-quality fuel which provides a clean burn, you should still ensure your flue or chimney is swept a minimum of once a year, and we recommend you use an approved chimney sweep. Visit: http://nacs.org.uk/
How do I clean my firepit?
The first step in cleaning your firepit is to remove the ashes from the pit. It would be best if you waited until the day after it's been used to ensure the fire has gone out and the ash has cooled. After, use hot, soapy water and a soft cloth to wash down the inside of the firepit (according to which.co.uk). Then use a dry cloth to wipe the firepit as sitting water can cause a metal firepit to rust. [5]
References:
[4] Charnwood Stoves -cleaning your wood burner - https://www.charnwood.com/news/how-to-clean-your-wood-burning-stove/
[5] Which.co.uk - how to clean a firepit - https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/fire-pits/article/fire-pit-buying-guide/how-to-get-the-best-from-your-fire-pit-atiK65I3PlzV