How to Clean a Gas Fireplace

Important almanac gas fireplace maintenance.

Time

An hour or less

Complexity

Beginner

Price

Gratuitous

Introduction

Every year you lot light upward the gas fireplace and wonder, what'south that atrocious smell? Information technology'southward dirt, dust and bugs burning off the logs. To avert that this year, follow these easy steps to proceed your fireplace burning cleanly and efficiently.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Tin can of compressed air
  • Glass cleaner

Project step-by-pace (12)

Footstep i

Inspecting the Gas Fireplace

  • Check that the logs are intact and free of dust and debris.
  • Cheque that the glass is not cracked or loose.
  • Inspect the chimney and frazzle vent for loose bricks or blockages within the vent.
  • Start it up and check that the ignitor and burner are working properly.

Step 2

Admission Fireplace Controls

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

Pace 3

Turn Off the Gas

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

Step 4

Remove Glass

  • Release the bottom 2 leap clips, then release the top ii clips of the glass frame.
    • Note: Some frames are held on with screws.
  • Tip the drinking glass out and lay the glass on a clean soft surface.
  • Inspect the status of the perimeter gasket. It's unremarkably a woven rope.

Step 5

Clean the Glass

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

Stride 6

Take a Photo

  • Take a picture of the logs so you can remember how they get dorsum together.

Step seven

Remove and Make clean the Rocks

  • Remove the lava rocks and place them in a container to launder.
  • Remove ember cobweb and place it in a dissever container.
  • Place the rocks in an old strainer and rinse them with cold water.
  • Spread the rocks on an old towel and let them dry out.
    • Pro tip: Throw the dirty water outside — not down the drain or in your toilet.

Footstep 8

Remove the logs

  • Remove the logs one by one and place them on an old towel or slice of cardboard.
    • Annotation: Sometimes the logs are attached to a mounting plate that is then attached to the floor of the firebox.
      • Remove the screws that concur the mounting plate to the firebox floor not the screws holding logs to the mounting plate!
  • Vacuum the logs or blow them make clean with compressed air.

Step 9

Make clean Firebox

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

Footstep ten

Clean the Burner

  • Remove any shields or cover to admission the burner and ignitor, taking note of how information technology comes apart.
  • Vacuum the burner, removing any 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 eleven

Put it All Back Together

  • Reassemble your fireplace in the reverse gild yous disassembled it.
  • Install the burner encompass.
  • Install the logs one by ane, being conscientious not to chip or suspension them — they're fragile.
  • Sprinkle in the rocks effectually the logs.
  • Place the ember fiber just behind (non on) the flame ports (if applicable).
  • Install the glass and secure the clips.
  • Install the front screen or grate.

Footstep 12

Light the Fire

  • Refer to the fireplace owner's manual and follow the lighting instructions.
  • Check the pilot flame — it should completely engulf the thermocouple.
  • The main burner flames should accept strong yellow tips with a base of blue/white.
  • Flames should non be directly hitting the logs — they should curve effectually them.

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