Use These Tips To Keep Your Gas Fireplace Glass Looking Brand New

As a proud homeowner, you know there are specific tasks you must complete at least once a year to keep your home in top shape. For instance, a yearly maintenance list may include sealing your deck, laying down mulch, and enlisting expert HVAC services to keep your home comfortable.

Another essential item on this list is gas fireplace maintenance. Even though a gas fireplace burns cleaner than a wood stove, you must clean it at least twice a year to keep it in top form.

Cleaning the glass doors of a gas fireplace is an essential step because it gives you a peek into your unit’s performance and can help you catch issues that can lead to headaches for homeowners.

Let’s look at why you need to clear the glass of your fireplace each year, how to do it, and what you need to avoid to prevent creating a recipe for disaster.

What Is The Function Of Glass Doors On A Gas Fireplace?

Glass doors add a layer of class and modern elegance to your gas fireplace. Depending on your home’s unique style, there are glass doors to help take your deco to the next level.

But they do more than just look good. Here are some ways your gas fireplace’s glass doors help take it to the next level:

• They help your fire burn better.
• They prevent children and pets from touching the flame and logs.
• They make your unit more efficient by radiating heat into the room.

Many states, including California, require all gas and wood-burning fireplaces to have glass doors. Poorly maintained doors can cause a variety of problems with your unit, so you must clean them regularly.

Why Should You Clean The Glass On Your Fireplace Each Year

Fireplaces are known for being a low-maintenance way to add beauty and class to any living space. A glass-front gas fireplace adds value to your home and instantly adds warmth and comfort to any gathering.

Unlike wood-burning fireplaces, which quickly generate black soot and must be cleaned often, gas-burning fireplaces stay beautiful and clear after multiple fires. However, both old and new units will produce a grey/white build-up on the glass.

There are two reasons why you may be seeing this residue on your glass:

• Your new fireplace is currently in the “off-gassing” phase, which occurs for about 10 hours of usage. This process cures any residues left from the manufacturing process, causing particulates to mix with combustion products and become deposited on the glass.
• A well-loved fireplace can experience this build-up due to the natural venting process. If you find yourself having to clean a white film from the glass doors of your gas fireplace more than twice a year, you may have an underlying problem.

Sulfur and calcium from the fuel can be deposited on your gas fireplace’s glass doors during regular combustion or from naturally-occurring minerals in the outdoor air that keeps your fire going.

How often you clean your glass doors will depend on the frequency of usage and should be done whenever your view of the fire seems a bit hazy.

If you don’t regularly clean your fireplace gas, the white film will become more and more difficult to remove over time. Additionally, it can seep into your blower or valves, causing the unit to malfunction and requiring expensive repairs.

How To Clean Glass Doors On Your Gas Fireplace

While gas fireplaces and notoriously lower maintenance than wood-burning ones, it’s obvious when the glass doors on your gas fireplace need to be cleaned.

You’ll notice the flame appears hazy and less clear. Any film, smudges, or spots on your glass doors distract from the beauty and charm of your gas fireplace. So it’s important to clean them at the first sign of build-up.

When it’s time to clean the glass on your gas fireplace, you should first consult the owner’s manual for your specific model. This will ensure you choose the best cleaning materials for your unique gas fireplace.

As always, ensure your fireplace cools completely before performing any maintenance. You’ll need a cream cleanser designed for gas fireplace glass and a lint-free cloth, like cotton or microfiber.

If it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned your fireplace glass, you may need a razor to scrape baked-on grime gently.

Here are the steps you should follow to clean your gas fireplace glass and keep the focal point of your living space looking perfect.

1. Turn off the fireplace and the pilot light to ensure a safe working environment.
2. Open the front of the fireplace. For some models, you’ll need to tilt down the bottom grate first. You may also need a screwdriver or other tool to access the glass.
3. If on hinges, leave the glass front attached to the fireplace. If removable, place the fireplace glass on a soft surface, like an old towel, rag, or carpet.
4. Start with the inside of the glass. Apply two tablespoons of cream cleanser explicitly designed to clean gas fireplace glass directly to the dirty areas.
5. Spread the cleaner across the entire glass panel using a soft cloth, preferably made of cotton. Allow it to dry for at least 15 minutes or until completely dry.
6. In a circular motion, buff the cleanser off of the glass doors. A microfiber cloth works well for this.
7. Repeat these steps on the front side of the glass to ensure a streak-free finish.
8. Replace the glass, put your stove back together, and fire up your pilot light.

You can also use an alcohol-based fireplace glass cleaner, which comes in a spray bottle, and wipe off any film or grime with a microfiber towel to ensure no lint is left behind.

Your local fireplace experts can make the right recommendations for the right gas fireplace glass cleaner and may even have some products handy for you to test out.

What To Avoid When You Clean Fireplace Glass For Gas Models

Whenever you perform DIY maintenance on your gas fireplace, there are always hazards you need to look out for and products you must avoid.

There are some things you need to steer clear of when clearing your gas fireplace glass:

• Don’t Put Pressure On The Glass: Whether your gas fireplace glass is hinged or removable, don’t lean on it or put pressure on the hinges to avoid permanent damage like cracks or crooked hinges.
• Avoid Cleansers With Ammonia: Never use an ammonia-based solution, such as oven cleaner or Windex. Any ammonia left behind can cause permanent etches in your glass when your fireplace is turned on.
• Never Use Abrasive Cleaners: Abrasive cleaning products, like Comet and Brillo Pads, can permanently scratch and damage your fireplace glass, preventing a crystal clear finish.
• Ditch The Paper Towels: Not only do paper towels leave flammable lint particles behind, but they also make it challenging to achieve a streak-free shine.

Using the wrong products can impact your ability to safely light your gas fireplace, so it’s essential to only use approved cleaners.

Your gas fireplace is the focal point of your living space, so take care to avoid using products and methods that risk permanent damage to the glass doors.

Why Some Homeowners Call A Professional To Maintain Their Fireplace

While some homeowners feel comfortable with DIY, others prefer to enlist the help of a professional when dealing with their gas fireplace. They may feel overwhelmed by the idea of opening the fireplace or removing parts.

It’s not uncommon for homeowners to leave the maintenance of their gas fireplace to licensed professionals. There are several reasons for this, including:

• Critical Test Performance: Fireplace professionals will run a series of critical tests during routine fireplace maintenance to ensure all systems are working correctly.
• Increased Safety: An expert eye will quickly catch any issues and guide the homeowner towards the proper solution, keeping your family and property safe from harm.
• Ensures Efficiency: A professionally maintained gas fireplace will offer optimum heat and comfort when in use.
• Peace Of Mind: Not only does professional maintenance allow homeowners to sit back and relax, but it also offers peace of mind that their unit will continue to work well for the entire season.

Professional maintenance also includes an inspection of the gas log, valves, and other components, ensuring the unit is functioning well.

So, it’s worth contacting the fireplace pros to guarantee that your gas fireplace is ready for the upcoming heating season.

Trust R & T Services For All Your Gas Fireplace Needs

Your gas fireplace is the heart of your home. Cleaning your fireplace glass will ensure your friends, family, and guests can enjoy the beauty your fireplace has to offer.

R&T Services has your back when it comes to your fireplace needs. Whether you are considering a brand new gas fireplace or looking for a team of experts to help keep your existing one running, we can help.

Call us today to schedule professional maintenance for your gas fireplace so you can enjoy it all year long.