How to Clean a Gas Fireplace

Important almanac gas fireplace maintenance.

Time

An hour or less

Complication

Beginner

Cost

Complimentary

Introduction

Every year you lite up the gas fireplace and wonder, what'due south that awful smell? It'south clay, dust and bugs called-for off the logs. To avoid that this year, follow these easy steps to keep your fireplace burning cleanly and efficiently.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Tin can of compressed air
  • Glass cleaner

Project step-by-pace (12)

Step ane

Inspecting the Gas Fireplace

  • Check that the logs are intact and free of dust and debris.
  • Bank check that the drinking glass is not cracked or loose.
  • Inspect the chimney and exhaust vent for loose bricks or blockages within the vent.
  • Get-go information technology up and check that the ignitor and burner are working properly.

Step 2

Access Fireplace Controls

  • Remove the front screen or open up the bottom grate of the fireplace.
  • Remove the top grate of the fireplace (if applicable).
    • Annotation: Some of these grates are held on with magnets — simply lift up and pull out.

Pace 3

Turn Off the Gas

  • Turn off the pilot light (if applicable).
  • Shut off the gas valve.

Step four

Remove Glass

  • Release the bottom two spring clips, then release the elevation ii clips of the glass frame.
    • Annotation: Some frames are held on with screws.
  • Tip the glass out and lay the glass on a clean soft surface.
  • Inspect the condition of the perimeter gasket. It'south ordinarily a woven rope.

Pace 5

Clean the Glass

  • Clean both sides of the drinking glass with a glass cleaner and a soft cloth or paper towel.
    • Pro tip: For stubborn carbon deposits, you can utilise fireplace glass cleaner by Rutland.

Stride 6

Take a Photo

  • Take a motion picture of the logs so you tin recall how they go back together.

Step 7

Remove and Clean the Rocks

  • Remove the lava rocks and place them in a container to launder.
  • Remove ember fiber and identify information technology in a separate container.
  • Identify the rocks in an erstwhile strainer and rinse them with cold h2o.
  • Spread the rocks on an onetime towel and let them dry out.
    • Pro tip: Throw the dirty h2o exterior — non down the drain or in your toilet.

Pace 8

Remove the logs

  • Remove the logs ane by one and place them on an old towel or piece of paper-thin.
    • Note: Sometimes the logs are attached to a mounting plate that is and then attached to the floor of the firebox.
      • Remove the screws that hold the mounting plate to the firebox floor not the screws holding logs to the mounting plate!
  • Vacuum the logs or blow them clean with compressed air.

Stride 9

Clean Firebox

  • Vacuum any dirt, dust, or debris from the firebox floor.
  • Clean all the walls of the combustion chamber using a microfiber cloth.

Step 10

Make clean the Burner

  • Remove any shields or comprehend to admission the burner and ignitor, taking note of how it comes apart.
  • Vacuum the burner, removing whatsoever soot or deposits in the burner orifice or on the burner.
    • A compressed air canister works well for this.
  • Check and make clean the thermocouple and ignitor for carbon build-up.

Step 11

Put information technology All Back Together

  • Reassemble your fireplace in the opposite order you disassembled it.
  • Install the burner comprehend.
  • Install the logs one by one, being careful not to fleck or break them — they're frail.
  • Sprinkle in the rocks around the logs.
  • Place the ember cobweb simply behind (non on) the flame ports (if applicative).
  • Install the glass and secure the clips.
  • Install the forepart screen or grate.

Step 12

Lite the Fire

  • Refer to the fireplace owner's manual and follow the lighting instructions.
  • Check the airplane pilot flame — it should completely engulf the thermocouple.
  • The main burner flames should have stiff xanthous tips with a base of bluish/white.
  • Flames should not be straight hit the logs — they should bend around them.

Unsure how to use a wood-called-for fireplace? Check out these tips on fireplace maintenance.

Originally Published: Oct 15, 2020