Glass Question

[1RadCJ]

Hi I have an early 80's VC Vigilant. When I damper her down the glass tends to get pretty dirty with creosote. I can usually wipe it off with a dry piece of newspaper but on some nights, tonight for instance, it is baked on there real good and I can get it off. I know you don't want to spray any cleaners on hot glass so I was wondering if anyone had any tricks to cleaning real dirty but hot windows.

Thanks.

 

[LLigetfa]

Take a paper towel and dab some ash on it and use it like a polishing compound. You need to turn the paper often and dab more ashes as it trns black.

 

[otrip]

I simply use an old kitchen sponge. Wet it down real good, dip it in some ash, then wipe away. Follow up with a dry paper towell and toss it in for the next fire. I figure it's better than random chemicals concidering ash hits the glass when burning and it works great. Plus you don't have to dig around under the sink or where ever for the cleaner. Some say Soft Scrub is good but why bother paying for something you don't have to. After all thats why most of us cut split and burn in the first place.

 

[Henz]

get the actual woodstove glass cleaner. use a newspaper. works by far the best than anything else that I have tried

 

[chutes]

Is your wood properly seasoned? I'm just a newbie here, so not sure what my advice is worth, but I've been burning 24/7 for the past couple of weeks and haven't had to clean my glass at all. It is as clear as the day it was installed. Sounds like every time you close the air intake your glass is getting "dirty with creosote." That isn't my experience, and I know I'm using some very seasoned wood. Don't think that should be happening every time you choke the air.

I could be wrong though. Only been at this for a couple of months now.

 

[LLigetfa]

I was wondering if anyone had any tricks to cleaning real dirty but hot windows.

I think some people missed the part about the HOT glass. I wouldn't use a wet kitchen sponge nor any type of liquid glass cleaner on hot glass.

Dry ashes on soft dry paper towels works. Just be careful not to go overboard and scratch the glass. I treat the inside of my glass with a thick cream that goes on like car wax.

www.imperialgroup.ca

 

[bbc557ci]

what chutes said in post #4..... I'm a newb as well, but it sounds like you are burning less than seasoned wood. If the glass is getting that dark/dirty, is creosote building up in the chimney? Some of the more learned people here will chime in..... I hope LOL

As far as cleaning the glass, I wait until things cool down a bit then spray some Windex on a paper towel and wipe it down. I do that maybe once a week or two if a little "haze" shows up on the glass. Only time I've gotten any black or dark stuff on the glass is after using wet/unseasoned wood.

 

[Custerstove]

I don't know if this affects you or not, but make sure the wood you load in your stove has no chance of falling against the glass when you're not looking. If hot coals or burning wood comes in contact with the glass you'll probably have some significant soot on the glass - at the point of contact. If you burn overnight, you might have logs collapsing against the glass. To prevent this problem, stack the wood so that it won't collapse towards the glass - easier said then done, but it works for me. Otherwise, make sure your wood is well seasoned and consider using more medium sized splits (about 3 inch diameter) instead of large splits that tend to smoke and burn slower.

 

[Corey]

It has been discussed a few times…

Glass cleaner
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/22806/

glass cleaner
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/16328/

Cleaning glass window on door of woodstove
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/16008/

Any tips on how to keep glass clean?
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/15583/

Breckwell BigE/Cleaning glass
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/10069/

Insert or stove glass cleaner
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/12865/

Stove Glass Cleaner
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/9287/

Cleaning hot door glass
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/6767/

Need Recipe for door glass cleaner
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/6231/

Door Glass Cleaning: Anyone Thought of…
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/3943/

Clean that Glass…
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/3816/

Glass cleaning Techniques
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/2933/

Glass Cleaning Periodicity
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/726/

Cleaning Glass – while it’s hot?
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/509/

Cleaning Hot Glass?
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/154/

and probably a few more that I haven’t added yet. Upper left corner of the screen is a ‘search forums’ box which holds a wealth of information. Also be sure to check out the hearth wiki!