5 ways to clean the glass on your wood burning stove

There is nothing more frustrating than lighting your stove, closing the door and not being able to see the fire through the glass.

Glass on a wood burning stove gets dirty from one of two ways – burning wet wood or burning wood with a lot of resin in it. Over time, if not cleaned, you won’t be able to see the beautiful, glowing flames; which after all, is a big part of why you got a stove in the first place. So, to prevent the dreaded build-up of soot and tar, you need to clean your glass regularity.

But it’s such a nuisance, I hear you say! I just don’t have the time for it!It will ruin my well deserved weekend rest! I’m worried I’ll damage my stove! Well, fear not, with these 5 useful and easy tips, we will have your stove door sparkling again!

1. Don’t burn wet logs

Prevention is better than cure so this is the number one way to keep your stove door glass clean. Wet logs produce more smoke, therefore more soot and tar and a blacker glass. The drier the wood, the cleaner your glass will stay. Our Kiln Dried Logs are Ready to Burn approved and our Briquettes such as Hotties Heat Logs are excellent at providing great heat and keeping the glass clean.

Shop Logs

2. Use stove glass specific cleaning pads

Here at Calido Logs & Stoves, we recommend cleaning your glass with Stove Glass Cleaning Pads. They are the best stove glass cleaner we have ever used! They clean fast, are scratch resistant, do not require water and create no mess. But, best of all, one pad will last all winter – and there’s two in a pack!

3. Use crunched up newspaper

Use crunched up newspaper, dip it in water and then in the ash from your fire and scrub gently until the glass clears up. You may need to wipe with a damp cloth when done to remove any remaining residue. Be careful when using this method that you don’t scratch the glass with any bits in the ash.

4. Use a ceramic cooker cleaner

Use a ceramic cooker cleaner, such as Hob Brite, with a non-scratch sponge. Remove and blackened soot/tar, then wipe clean with a damp cloth.

5. Good old elbow grease

If all else fails, go for good old elbow grease! If you have left your glass dirty for too long, you may find you will just need to keep scrubbing until it is clean again. Don’t worry, if Cinderella can do it, so can you!

Don’t forget, if your stove glass isn’t clean, yourchimney won’t be clean either.

We recommend you get your chimney cleaned at least once a year to prevent any build up. If left uncleaned you run the risk of a chimney fire and damage to your home.

The key point here is burn dry wood. Wet logs may appear cheaper and may seem like you are getting more for your money, but you will do damage to your stove and chimney in the long run. Besides, kiln dried logs give you a much brighter, warmed and all round better fire. Here at Calido Logs and Stoves, we only supply kiln dried wood, which your stove will love you for!

Firewood