Keeping wood-burning stove glass clean

[mrsj]

Hi we have an old woodburner and it is really difficult to keep the glass clean. What do you use on your stove windows to keep it nice and clear? We have tried lots of things but are open to any suggestions!!

[Oola]

White wine vinegar cuts through grease really well, and it doesn't smell that much either. I use it when our cooker extractor gets a bit gunked up with gerase, and it comes up like new afterwards, no smears! It's worth trying it neat first and then giving it another rinse with a diluted solution, then buffing up with a paper towel or lint-free cloth.

[jazzactivist]

I have the same problem with one of my woodstoves. The only ones where the glass keeps clear is if they include a special 'clearglass' airflow system. I clean the glass with a strong solution of washing up liquid, but depending on what you burn in it the glass soon soots up again. One solution is to leave the door open very slightly, but then your logs burn very quickly! Good luck. Maybe someone else has a more effective solution.

[Ivy]

Once the glass is blackened take some (cold) ashes on a moist kitchen paper and wipe. Works better than any glass cleaner. Leaving the door open would only mean you get the smoke and dirt all over the room. Usually these stoves are not designed to have the door open.

[Ma Larkin]

Never had a stove but as a suggestion my mum tells me to clean my oven door while its still hot ( Being carefull of course) would this work for your stove ?

[SummerSkye]

I agree with Ivy, we have a wood burning heater and I always clean the glass door next morning when it is cold. I use a scrunched up paper towel, damp, dip it in the ash and rub over the glass. Wipe clean with fresh damp paper. I believe newspaper works as well with the ash.
If the stains are really burnt on you may need to scour with a scotch brite type scourer and a cream cleanser the first time.

[sheddie]

What about a good old faishoned brillo gently.

[SummerSkye]

Sheddie, that will work but it does leave scratches on the glass; depends how fussy you are, the ashes are gentle but effective.

[jazzactivist]

The ashes method sounds good, I'll try it. I think that my woodstove is meant to be used with the door open sometimes as it comes with an optional black mesh insert which is exactly the same size as the door and fits into the door recess. However, the logs do burn up more quickly with it in.