Cleaning oxygen sensor

I fired up my Froling for the first time this season and got an intermittent error message saying the O2 sensor or wiring was bad. Oxygen at 2.1%, primary air at 0%, secondary air at 99%. I disconnected the actuators and set the air dampers manually (by guesstimating based on flue temp and appearance of flame).

I called Tarm the next day figuring I needed a new sensor. The very helpful gentleman who answered suggested cleaning the sensor. When removing it the end was a ball of gray fluff - very fine ash. Carefully brushed it off - it almost fell off very easily. Then, at the advice of the Tarm guy, I tapped it to shake loose anything inside. I tapped quite a while and got a LOT of very fine ash. He had said to power it while cleaning as it has an internal heater and warned me it gets very hot. It does warm up when powered but did not get too hot to hold. Turned things on, oxygen started at 2.1% went to 1.9%, 0%, 11.2% and 20.7%. I then decided to try vacuum the probe and the O2 dropped back to 2.1%. Stopped vacuuming and it went back to 20.7% - I think it must have cooled it too much. Anyway, it seems to work fine now.

Wondering if anyone cleans their oxygen sensor regularly?

It is a Bosch sensor but I don't have the number with me right now. Gently tapping and rotating it until all the ash was out seemed to be the fix. It has been working for two weeks now with a fire every other evening. Once the ash was off it looks almost new. No creosote or erosion.

I have never tried to clean an automotive sensor - just change them out.