Cleaning the glass on the wood stove

I haven't ever needed anything more than just a damp paper towel every few weeks. I like the glass really clean though.

 

+1
If my glass gets a white haze on it, it bugs the crap out of me. After all, that's half the reason I bought a Woodstock: clear, beautiful fire shows with cat control.

 

Can't say I have really watched the stove much to be honest. I'm sure a few on here are going... WWWWHATTTT?
I guess maybe with ~6 months a year of the stove going, after a while it's "old news"

When its burning properly its mostly just a red glow with an occasional flame. Not much to look at.
Most stoves not like that?

The newspaper and ash thing never worked for me. I had to scrape it with razor blades and then several rounds of soaking oven cleaner on the buildup, then scrub with rags/scotchbrite.

Then it would look just the same a few days later.

 

It's funny you mention the cleaner, because I had totally forgotten that I had a bottle in the cabinet, too. I've just been doing the damp newspaper and ash every time which gets it perfectly clean. Also, I can tell my wood supply is aging well because the ceramic is staying very clean and I think I've only cleaned it once this winter when company was coming over.

 

Dirty glass use to really bug me and I tried to keep it clean weekly. Now I just let it go and don't worry about it. I only cleaned my glass once this Winter when I did my mid season sweep. There is some white haze and fly ash sticking to the glass but I can still see the fire just fine.

 

I agree Sav, who gets black stuff

 

Mind you, this is an old stove, so bear with me.
Now that the wood is dry, not much buildup on the glass. A little ash and possibly some brown crap when I have a bit longer than usual split in there n/s.
There's a U-shaped channel running on the floor of the stove from the air intake to the back of the stove, where it's then got a welded piece blocking the end of the channel.
I have yet to figure out why it's there.
Anyway, I have some aluminum foil shaped in the U to block the air from going anywhere but to the air holes feeding the box and airwash.
Seems to also help keep the glass clean. I don't clean the glass unless one of the above happens and it starts bugging me. Most of the time, a lot of it will burn off.
I've used glass cleaner from Rutland, and a damp towel on barely warm glass, and the damp newspaper/ash method.
They all work........for me.
I've had the glass cleaner for a few years, and it's still not empty. I see that as a sign I'm doing something right.
I also have an admission to make, and DO NOT suggest anyone else do this, but..........
A few years ago, when I redid the glass gasket, there was a bunch buildup around the edge of the glass that didn't want to let go.
I took it out to the shop, chucked a wire brush in my drill, and scrubbed the edge with it.
Crazy, right? Well, yes, but there are only very slightly noticeable scratches in the glass from that little misadventure.
Tough stuff.
Again, DON"T TRY THIS AT HOME!

 

Try making a light paste out of baking soda and water. It is how I get stains off of glass. It is a kitchen trick but I bet it would work on stoves.

 

Damp newspaper & ashes trick
after a hot burn. Works good for me.

 

Sorry about your luck

 

Thanks Nate for the scraper idea.


Ran to Sears last night and picked up a scraper. It worked pretty good . I only got about half of the glass cleaned because it was just too hot.
When it warms up outside I will let it burn out and finish cleaning it.
Thanks for all your input. There is a wealth of knowledge here!
TimK

edited from aboveSome day I will figure this reply thing out)

 

It seemed a bit repetitive. And redundant.

 

What glass?