Fireplace and Wood Stove Cleaning

On this page

1. Fireplace vs. stove: where the deposits go
2. Cleaning an open fireplace
3. Cleaning a wood stove
4. Signs it is time
5. How we assess it
6. What cleaning does not do
7. Before the visit
8. Keeping it cleaner between visits
9. Next step
10. Questions homeowners ask

Fireplace vs. stove: where the deposits go

The flue connected to either one should be cleaned too. That is covered on our chimney cleaning page. This page focuses on the appliance end.

Cleaning an open fireplace

We clear ash, clean the firebox walls and grate area, remove deposits from the damper and smoke shelf, and brush the smoke chamber. The smoke chamber is often missed and holds a lot of creosote because gases slow down and cool there. We protect the room and work to contain dust during the cleaning.

Ash and grates are part of it too. A thick ash bed can be helpful for some fires, but ash that piles up against the damper or blocks air under the grate makes fires harder to start. We clear what needs to be cleared and leave the firebox ready for use.

Cleaning a wood stove

Stoves hide most of their deposits. Cleaning usually includes:

• Removing ash and cleaning the firebox
• Taking down or reaching the baffle so deposits above it can be removed
• Cleaning the connector pipe between the stove and the chimney
• Checking door and glass gaskets and looking at air tubes and firebricks

Catalytic stoves

Catalytic stoves send smoke through a ceramic honeycomb that helps burn it. The U.S. EPA notes that these stoves need more maintenance, and that over-firing or burning treated wood can shorten the catalyst's life. We check the combustor for plugging and physical damage and tell you if it looks worn. Replacement parts should match the stove's manual.

Inserts are a special case. Their liner connects to the top of the unit, and in many installations the insert has to be pulled forward to clean the connection and the area behind it. We check the insert's manual and the installation before deciding how to clean it.

Signs it is time

• Glass that blackens quickly on a stove
• A stove that is hard to start or will not burn hot
• A strong smell from the fireplace in humid weather
• Visible buildup on the damper or smoke shelf
• You have burned a lot of wood since the last cleaning, or used wood that was not dry

How often depends on use and wood. See how often a chimney should be swept.

How we assess it

Every visit starts with an assessment. We identify the appliance, look at the firebox, baffle, gaskets and connector, and check the flue with a chimney camera when it allows. If we see damage while cleaning, such as cracked firebrick, a warped baffle or a deteriorated liner, we photograph it. You get our findings with photos before any repair is scheduled.

If the camera shows heavy, glazed or tar-like creosote in the flue, that is a different job from routine cleaning. Those deposits are harder to remove and can be a fire risk. We will show you what we see and explain the options before going further.

What cleaning does not do

Cleaning removes deposits. It does not repair cracks, replace worn gaskets or fix a flue that is the wrong size. It also does not change how the next fire burns. Burning dry, seasoned wood with enough air does more to limit creosote than anything else. Our firewood guide and creosote guide explain why.

Before the visit

• Stop burning at least a day ahead so the appliance and ash are cold.
• Clear a path and the area in front of the fireplace or stove.
• If you have the stove's manual or model number, keep it handy.

Keeping it cleaner between visits

• Burn wood that has been split and dried. The EPA's Burn Wise program recommends using a moisture meter, and wood with a moisture content below 20 percent.
• Burn small, hot fires. Long, smoldering fires with the air turned down produce more smoke and deposits.
• Do not burn trash, cardboard, wrapping paper or treated wood. They produce more deposits and can damage catalytic combustors.
• Remove ash regularly, leaving a thin bed if your manual allows. Put ashes in a metal container with a lid, outside and away from the house.
• Watch the glass on a stove. Fast blackening is an early sign that something about the fire or the wood has changed.

Next step

Request a cleaning and tell us whether it is an open fireplace, a stove or an insert. A team member will contact you to confirm a time.

Questions homeowners ask

Sources

1. U.S. EPA Burn Wise: Choosing the Right Wood-Burning Stove
2. U.S. EPA Burn Wise: Best Wood-Burning Practices