A clear view again: how to clean stove glass properly

The view of the fire is the best thing about a wood stove, which makes it all the more annoying when the glass turns grey. Our explainer film shows where the deposit comes from, how to clean the glass properly and what you should avoid. Above the film you can switch to the interactive version and go through the steps at your own pace.

The film is in German with German subtitles. Below you will find the most important points in English.

Why the glass turns grey

The grey or black deposit on the glass is soot. It forms when part of the wood gases does not burn completely. The most common reasons are wood that is too damp, too little air and a fire that burns too cool, for example because the air was turned down too early. How to store wood properly and measure its moisture is explained in our guide Storing firewood.

The chimney plays a part too: if its draught is too strong or too weak, combustion suffers and the glass can turn black more quickly. Our film New stove, old chimney? shows more about this.

Many stoves have an airwash system. Air comes in from below, runs along the back of the stove, is preheated there and then flows along the inside of the glass. This keeps the glass clear for longer, but even an airwash cannot prevent the deposit completely. So clean the glass regularly, because if the soot stays on it for too long, it burns in and can hardly be removed.

How to clean it properly

We recommend our Kerstens Kamine glass cleaner. It is viscous and has a brush head, so you can apply it exactly where the soot is. The cleaner dissolves soot very effectively and is therefore corrosive. Please also follow the instructions on the label.

• Only when the stove is cold: Clean the glass only when the stove has cooled down completely.
• Protect and cover: Wear protective gloves and goggles, and first cover the floor and painted surfaces of the stove with some kitchen paper.
• Apply and wipe off: Use the brush to apply the cleaner to the sooty areas and leave it to work for a short time. Then wipe off the loosened soot with kitchen paper.
• Wipe again: Wipe with a damp cloth and rub the glass dry.
• Protect the seal: Make sure the cleaner stays on the glass and does not run into the seal around the pane.
• After use: Rinse the brush and bottle with water and screw the cap on firmly until it clicks into place.

Keep oven spray away from your stove

Oven spray is not a good idea for your stove. When you spray, the fine mist lands not only on the glass but also on the seal and the paintwork. Over time this makes the seal rock hard. It then no longer gives and builds up too much pressure on the glass during heating. In the worst case the glass cracks, and then the glass and the seal have to be replaced.

The paint on the stove cannot tolerate such products either. So only use a cleaner made for stove glass and apply it specifically to the glass. Also stay away from scouring cream, steel wool and the rough side of a sponge. They scratch the glass, and you cannot get scratches out again.

The household tip with ash

You may have heard of the household tip with ash. You dab a damp kitchen cloth in a little fine, cold ash from the stove and rub it over the glass. This does work, and some manufacturers even describe it in their instructions. The catch is that ash often contains small, hard grains, and these can leave fine scratches in the glass as you rub. That is why we recommend the glass cleaner. If you still want to try ash, use only very fine ash and rub without pressure.

A clear view of the fire

Dry wood, enough air and an occasional look at the glass, and your view of the fire stays clear. You can get our glass cleaner from us in Ausbüttel, Germany. If you have any questions, please call us on +49 5374 66092 or write to us using the contact form.