We keep our windows clean to ensure maximum sunlight enters our homes, many regularly run petrol tank cleaner through their car systems so it goes without saying that keeping your stove clean ensures maximum efficiency. On the surface the modern day woodburning and multifuel stove may seem like a “big machine” but under the surface it is extremely finely tuned. An extra layer of ash, dirty fire bricks and other general deposits can and do have a significant impact upon your stove’s efficiency. The less efficient your stove is the less heat it will pump out and the more it will cost you in fuel. So, how can you keep your stove clean to ensure maximum efficiency?
Here are a few tips when cleaning your woodburning and multifuel stove to ensure you get the best value for money.
Never clean a hot stove
Aside from the fact it is dangerous, you should never clean your stove until it has cooled down and is no longer hot. At times it is difficult enough to get into the nooks and crannies to clean your stove but even more difficult if it is hot.
Consult your user manual
While you should consult your user manual when looking to remove and clean individual elements of your stove, it should be fairly straightforward to remove the baffle, great, ashpan and firebricks. However, before you remove these items make sure you know how to put them back together!
Using a vacuum cleaner
Once you have removed some of the larger elements of your stove you should be able to get into the nooks and crannies with a simple vacuum cleaner. This will ensure that all debris and unwanted deposits are removed from the inner workings of your stove which will improve its efficiency.
Cleaning deposits from internal surfaces
While a simple household vacuum cleaner will remove all of the loose debris within your stove, there will be deposits on internal surfaces which may be a little more difficult to remove. Again, after consulting your user guide, many people use wire brush and a scraper to clean more difficult surfaces and the stove grate.
Cleaning firebricks
Firebricks are very much at the cutting edge of any woodburning and multifuel stove because they maintain the heat within the burning chamber so that it can be efficiently transferred around the body of the stove. As a consequence, at some point your firebricks will attract debris and deposits which can be removed with a soft brush.
Cleaning the glass of your stove
There is nothing better than watching the flickering flames and the burning embers of a modern day woodburning or multifuel stove. These machines not only produce deep seated heat but the very act of watching the flames is extremely relaxing. As a consequence, it is advisable to ensure that your stove door glass is clean at all times. Even though the vast majority of stoves today have water fuelled cleaning systems sometimes the glass will become discoloured. You can buy specialist stove glass cleaner at any stove store or revert to a tried and tested method, newspaper dipped in vinegar which is just as good.
Summary
While each of the above cleaning actions individually may have little impact upon the efficiency of your stove, the cumulative impact can be marked. This will not only ensure your stove is operating at maximum efficiency but it also reduces your fuel costs in the long term.