F3500, how clean is your glass?

[ShaneMac]

How often do you clean your glass, do you need to clean your glass?

 

[EatenByLimestone]

It depends on what is on the glass and what you want it to look like.

There are no safety concerns if you don’t want to clean glass.

Creosote can etch the glass, so that should be removed if you want to keep the glass nice. Soot should probably be removed every once in a while. I use a wet paper towel dipped in ash to do it. Heavy buildup can be removed with a razor blade.

 

[mari]

I clean mine about once a week. I shop vac the gasket then use Easy Off fume free, wipe with paper towels, more Easy Off if it needs it, and follow up with glass cleaner. I like clean glass.

 

[ShaneMac]

With my new heat pump working down lower I have not used stove in last two weeks. Will be getting -5F tomorrow night. Will see how well it works.

Bought some rutland glass cleaner and it didn't work as well as I would have expected so thru a new blade in my razor and went to work. Cleaned up nicely. I should probably do it more often or run stove hotter. Some creosote likes to creep onto the gasket which is prob why last one I replaced after buying it used was hard as gas when replacing it.

I'm not second guessing if I should keep the F3500 now that new heat pump is installed. And get a smaller secondary stove like a PE Super to be additive heat on super cold nights yet not heat me out of basement when running. When I got it, it was to replace my old Napolean 1900 which was primary heat in winter and the F3500 was great for that.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I think a backup plan for power outages and low temperatures is worthwhile.

 

[ShaneMac]

I think a backup plan for power outages and low temperatures is worthwhile.

I wouldn't go much smaller, prob something like a PE Super, I really like there simplicity.

 

[mtndragon]

I have a F5200 and clean the glass anytime the door temperature drops below 150F. This is usual at some point every day or every other day, either in the morning first thing or if I've been away from the house for an extended period of time. I wet a sponge from the instant hot water (140F) put some Bar Keepers Friend on the scotch bright side and grab two paper towels, one also moist with instant hot water. Quick rub down with the sponge, wipe clean with wet paper towel then dry. Stir the coals, throw the paper towel in the stove and fire back up. If there's anything in the corners, I'll use a razor blade. The whole thing takes about two minutes and the coals have a chance to heat back up in the process.
I like crystal clear glass and the slow dance of the blue, cat flames.

 

[ncstar126]

My glass is pretty dirty. I used to clean it frequently but now I don't see the point.

 

[Loueze]

I wish nobody told me the creosote was etching my glass
The stove was new last year and I clean the glass sporadically.
I didn’t clean it at the end of the season , and now , that is at the top of the list .
I love to have it clean , but it requires a really hot fire to prevent the black yuck
And the stove is huge , and it makes a lot of heat
Guess this is what proper operation is all about …

 

[begreen]

I wish nobody told me the creosote was etching my glass
The stove was new last year and I clean the glass sporadically.
I didn’t clean it at the end of the season , and now , that is at the top of the list .
I love to have it clean , but it requires a really hot fire to prevent the black yuck
And the stove is huge , and it makes a lot of heat
Guess this is what proper operation is all about …

View attachment 328530

Is this a Defiant Encore 2190? According to the manual, it has a side clearance of 24" and rear clearance of 19". A veneer layer of stone does not reduce that clearance. It does not constitute a protected surface.

 

[stoveliker]

I wish nobody told me the creosote was etching my glass
The stove was new last year and I clean the glass sporadically.
I didn’t clean it at the end of the season , and now , that is at the top of the list .
I love to have it clean , but it requires a really hot fire to prevent the black yuck
And the stove is huge , and it makes a lot of heat
Guess this is what proper operation is all about …

View attachment 328530

I'm not sure it is (etching)?
At least my creosote isn't - and I have a stove that is notorious for running in "black box" mode, meaning heavy creosote accumulation in the stove and on the window (but clean flue b/c of the catalyst).

My glass looks fine despite most of the burning season being covered in creosote - yes it gets somewhat clean some days right after my reload, but surely not in more than half the days. Moreover, after being burned clean it's covered again in 1 hr (out of a 20 hr burn).
My point is not about what my stove does, but just that the far majority of hours during burning season my windows are covered black. And the glass is fine.

So, I don't know how you clean your glass, but I would suggest you at least look at that as a possible culprit (assuming we have the same glass-type, which I don't know).

 

[hearthon]

Pretty much before everytime I use it with a paper towel some spit and ash.