As the summer season comes to an end, everyone starts to stockpile the firewood needed for wood fireplaces. A major task is also easily cleaning a wood-burning stove chimney at home. Fall is the best time to clean before the burning season and get a fresh start to anticipate the cozy ambiance in the cold evenings.
In this blog, we will share how to clean a wood stove chimney and how much it costs to have it cleaned by professionals.
In addition, Chimney and Stone Masonry offers a wide range of services, from chimney cap installation to chimney cleaning in Connecticut.
Book your slot now to get professional chimney cleaning services.
Read: Does a Gas Fireplace Need a Chimney? Find Out Here!
Clean Your Wood-Burning Stove:
A dirty stove can make your room messy and pose serious health issues related to breathing. Keeping it clean makes it more efficient and increases the stove’s lifetime.
Further, it helps with the ambiance and room environment. So, here we will discuss how to clean a wood-burning chimney using some easy steps.
Prep Work
Before starting the process, make sure that you assemble all the necessary equipment and tools. This will ensure that you have everything in place and can work in a peaceful environment without any hassle.
In addition, you can look for a YouTube tutorial to get insights about what you will do.
Safety Gear
The second major thing is safety gear that you must have when cleaning a wood stove. Ensure you have a supply of hand gloves, protective eyewear, a mask, a respirator, and others.
The ash from the stove can harm your lungs, so be very conscious. Further, you must use close-toed shoes while cleaning.
Supplies
Thirdly, check that you have all the cleaning supplies needed, such as brushes, ash buckets, mini shovels, vacuums, drop clothes, spray bottles, paper towels, and more. You can also use vinegar, dish soap, commercial stove cleaners, and more.
Before starting:
- Prep the area for cleaning.
- For this purpose, use the drop clothes on the sides and beneath the stove to collect the ash and debris. If cleaning the chimney stove, you don’t want to mess around, so be prepared.
- Ensure all other supplies, such as a bucket, vacuum, brushes, and detergents, are within easy reach.
Cleaning The Inside of Wood Burning Stove:
After the prep, the first thing to do is start the cleaning process from the inside. Before starting, make sure that the chimney stove interior is cool enough. Please do not burn the stove for more than a few hours, and let it cool down before removing the ash.
In the next step, use a small spade to move the ash from the fire to a metal container using a shovel or scoop. Then, vacuum the space, removing all the ash and soot using a brush or vacuum cleaner.
Cleaning the Firebox:
The next step is to focus on cleaning the firebox, which is the main compartment and needs all your attention. To clean this compartment, use an explicitly designed soft-bristled wire chimney brush.
Scrub the walls, floor, baffles, and air tubes to remove soot, dirt, ash, and other particles. Scrub all the sides, build up using the brushes with long handles, and remove all the large chunks.
Cleaning Glass Door On Wood Burner:
Then comes the glass door of your burning stove. You can use a cold piece of charcoal from your stove and rub it inside the glass, focusing on the dark and blackened areas to clean it.
Additionally, you can use glass cleaning detergents available in the market, but ensure your product is not inflammable. Further, use drop clothes or kitchen towels to clean it thoroughly.
How to clean wood-burning stove exterior?
Once the inside and glass are clean, focus on the exterior, which is easy to clean with the standard household Hoover. If you keep the exterior clean regularly, it prevents buildup and saves your time and energy on inside cleaning day.
Use a dry cloth to clean the exterior. Never use a damp cloth, as it can cause rust and damage the whole exterior.
Wood stove Chimney Cleaning:
Now comes the most tricky part of cleaning. It cleans the chimney with soot and ash buildup and requires proper cleaning with up-to-date methods.
If it becomes tough to clean at home, we recommend getting some professional chimney cleaning services.
Or, if you want to do it yourself, you can start with the prep. Use a drain rod with a bush to clear the wood stove chimney.
Make steady strokes as you work that will dislodge the chunks and build up ash in the chimney design. Pay extra attention to the horizontal areas of the chimney where the excess ash accumulates.
Further, avoid scribing aggressively, as it can damage the chimney liner. Your goal is to remove creosote, not brickwork.
Get Help from Us:
Get professional services if you want to be safe without damaging your property. Our licensed and experienced professionals have a better understanding of how to clean wood stove chimneys, interior, exterior, and glass. So, book your slot online and reach us by phone or email.
FAQs
Can you clean your wood stove chimney?
Cleaning the wood stove chimney at home is a daunting task that requires working with the brushes, rods, and scrubbing of the chimney parts.
How do you clean a wood burner chimney?
One of the methods of cleaning the wood burner is using the drain rod. It is not flexible but can be used to remove large chunks and ash buildup.
How often should I clean a wood-burning stove chimney?
According to the experts, you should clean the wood stove chimney once a year. This not only clears up the space but also increases the chimney’s overall efficiency.