How To Clean Outside Of Wood Stove | 8 Quick Steps

Cleaning the outside of your wood stove is important for keeping it safe, working well, and looking nice. This guide will help you learn how to clean outside of wood stove step by step, using easy methods like vinegar and baking soda.

Types of Wood Stoves

There are different types of wood stoves, and each one needs a little different care:

• Cast Iron Stoves: These are strong and keep heat well, but they can rust if not taken care of.
• Steel Stoves: These are lighter and easier to clean, but they can still get dirty.
• Soapstone Stoves: These look nice and hold heat well but need gentle cleaning to avoid scratches.

Why Cleaning is Important

Cleaning your wood stove is important for a few reasons:

• Safety: It helps stop fires caused by soot (black stuff) and creosote (a sticky substance).
• Efficiency: A clean stove burns wood better, giving you more heat.
• Looks: A clean stove makes your home look nicer.

Tools You Will Need Before Cleaning Your Wood Stove

Before starting to learn how to clean outside of wood stove, gather these tools:

• Soft Brush: For dusting off surfaces.
• Vacuum Cleaner with Ash Attachment: This special vacuum helps remove ash without blowing soot into the air.
• Damp Cloths: For wiping down surfaces (make sure they aren’t too wet).
• Mild Detergent or Special Stove Cleaner: Good for tough stains.
• Old Newspapers or Drop Cloths: To protect your floor from dirt.
• Rubber Gloves: To keep your hands safe while cleaning.
• Steel Wool or Wire Brush: For scrubbing rust off cast iron stoves.
• Stove Polish or High-Temperature Paint: To make your stove look nice again.

How To Clean Outside Of Wood Stove Step-by-Step Cleaning Process

1. Getting ready for Cleaning

1. Let It Cool: Make sure the stove is cool before you start cleaning. This might take several hours after you last used it.
2. Protect Your Area: Put down old newspapers or a drop cloth under the stove to catch any dirt.

2. Remove Ashes From Stove

1. Open the Door: Carefully open the door of the stove to see inside.
2. Use an Ash Vacuum: An ash vacuum is best for cleaning both inside and outside of a wood stove. Regular vacuums can blow soot into the air and might catch fire if there are hot ashes.
3. Scoop Out Ashes: Use a metal scoop to put ashes into a metal container with a lid. Don’t use plastic containers because they can melt or catch fire.
4. Leave Some Ashes: It’s good to leave a little bit of ash (about half an inch) in the bottom of the firebox; this helps keep the heat in for your next fire.

3. Clean the Outside Of Wood Stove

1. Dust Off: Use a soft brush or vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to remove dust from all outside parts, including knobs and handles.
2. Wipe Down Surfaces:
   • For regular cleaning, use a damp cloth with mild detergent to wipe down surfaces.
   • For tougher dirt, mix some mild detergent with warm water.

4. Clean with Vinegar

1. Make a Vinegar Solution: Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. This mixture works well to cut through grease and dirt without using strong chemicals.
2. Apply It: Spray the vinegar solution on the outside of the stove and wipe it down with a soft cloth. This method is great for removing rust on cast iron stoves.

5. Clean with Baking Soda

1. Make Baking Soda Paste: Mix three parts baking soda with one part water to make a paste.
2. Scrub It On: Apply this paste to stubborn stains on the outside using a soft cloth or sponge, then rinse with water.

6. Clean the Glass Door

1. Use Glass Cleaner or Ash Paste: If your stove has a glass door, use a special wood stove glass cleaner or make a paste from wood ash mixed with water to clean it well.
   • You can also mix one part vinegar with three parts water in a spray bottle, spray it on the glass, and wipe it clean with a kitchen towel.

7. Check Seals and Gaskets

1. Inspect Door Seals: Look at the rope seals around the door and flue (the pipe that lets smoke out). If they are worn out, replace them so that everything seals properly.

8. Final Touches

1. Polish or Paint (if needed):

• If your stove looks old, apply high-temperature stove polish according to the instructions on the package, letting it dry completely before using it again.
• If you need to paint it, cover areas you don’t want painted, like glass or handles.

Cleaning the Inside of Your Wood Burning Stove

To clean inside your stove:

1. Remove ashes as mentioned earlier.
2. Use a damp cloth to wipe down inside surfaces after removing ash buildup.
3. For tough spots inside the firebox, use vinegar mixed with water as described above.

Cleaning Your Wood-Burning Stove Chimney

Cleaning your chimney is very important for safety:

1. Take off any chimney caps or covers.
2. Use a stiff brush attached to a long rod to scrub away soot inside the chimney flue.
3. It’s smart to hire a professional chimney sweep once a year for thorough cleaning and checks.

Read also: How To Clean Rings At Home

Stove Polish Paste Recipe

To keep your wood stove looking good, you can make your own polish paste at home:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of natural wax (like beeswax)
• 1/2 cup of carbon black pigment (found at art supply stores)
• 1/4 cup of linseed oil (to help mix everything)

Instructions:

1. Melt the natural wax in a double boiler until it’s liquid.
2. Slowly stir in carbon black pigment until it’s mixed well; this gives your polish its color.
3. Gradually add linseed oil while stirring until you have a smooth paste.
4. Let it cool before putting it into an airtight container for storage.

How to Use It:

1. After cleaning your stove’s outside, apply this homemade polish using a soft cloth in circular motions.
2. Let it dry completely before using the stove again; this will help protect against rust and make it shine.

Wood Stove Polish Trick to Apply

To keep your wood stove looking great:

1. After cleaning, apply high-temperature stove polish using a soft cloth in circular motions.
2. Allow it to dry completely before using the stove again; this will enhance its shine while protecting against rust.

Read also: how to clean kitchen cabinets

Conclusion

Cleaning the outside of your wood stove is vital for keeping it safe, working well, and looking nice in your home. By following this simple guide that includes methods on how to clean outside of wood stove using vinegar and baking soda as well as recipes for homemade polish paste, you can keep your wood stove in great shape.

Regular maintenance will help your stove last longer and stay beautiful while providing warmth on cold nights. With these tips and tricks ready to go, you’ll enjoy many cozy evenings by your wood-burning stove while making sure it works safely and efficiently.

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