A gas fireplace can be a slick addition to the home that provides warmth as well as a beautiful decoration in a room. This tool will certainly get dirty over time, especially if it is used often. Taking a few minutes each month to wipe down the interior and exterior of your gas fireplace will prevent combustion residue build-up problems. With a little effort and hard work, you can keep your gas fireplace looking like new.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Cleaning Each Part Individually
Step 1. Turn off the gas
Before starting to clean the gas fireplace, you should make sure the gas supply valve is in the “off” position. If you let the gas flow, it can cause a dangerous gas leak in the house.
- The gas valve is usually on the wall near the fireplace.
- Give it a few minutes for the gas to escape from the fireplace.
- You also need to wait until all the components in the grate have cooled before starting the cleaning process.
Step 2. Clean the artificial wood on the gas fireplace
Remove the gas wood from the fireplace and take it outside for cleaning. Use a soft brush to brush dirt or dirt off the wood. Be careful not to damage the fragile wood.
- Inspect individual wood for signs of corrosion – such as cracks, shards, or burnt holes – before returning it to the fireplace for reuse.
- When replacing fireplace wood, place it in its original position. This artificial wood is designed and arranged in such a way to provide the best results.
Step 3. Clean the lava rock with a vacuum cleaner
Remove the lava rock from the gas fireplace and place it on an old towel. Use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to clean individual stones. This method can suck dust or dirt stuck to the surface of the stone.
- If some of the lava rock is too small to clean with a vacuum cleaner and is at risk of being sucked in, place a paper towel in the mouth of the vacuum cleaner and tie it with a rubber band.
- You can use the mouth of the vacuum cleaner to clean the vents on the heat-generating parts.
- Use a soft-bristled brush to remove the soot buildup.
Method 2 of 3: Cleaning the Fireplace
Step 1. Clean the interior
Use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to clean the inside of the fireplace. Attach the attachment to the interior and turn on the vacuum cleaner. Look for cobwebs and other piles of dust that can be removed with a vacuum cleaner.
- This method can help you get rid of dust or dirt from the inside.
- Wrap the vacuum cleaner with an old cloth and apply duct tape so it doesn't turn black and dirty.
Step 2. Clean the glass cover
Use a special fireplace glass cleaner to clean the glass cover on your gas fireplace. Spray the cleaning fluid onto a dry cloth and rub it in circular motions over the glass. If the glass is filled with dust and dirt, spray the cleaning liquid directly on the glass and rub it with newspaper. Once you get the desired result, allow the glass to dry completely before starting the fire again.
- You can buy fireplace glass cleaner at a home supply store.
- You should never use a regular glass cleaner like Windex for this purpose as the ingredients in it can react badly to the carbon build-up in the fireplace glass.
Step 3. Wipe the inside of the fireplace with a damp cloth
Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe off any excess soot or dirt that has accumulated. After wiping it, make sure to rinse the cloth with warm water to keep it clean.
Use water to wipe the inside of the gas fireplace. You should never use cleaners that contain harsh chemicals as they can react badly to the heat from the fireplace
Step 4. Clean the exterior
Take a soft cloth and wet it with warm water. Use this cloth to wipe the exterior frame on your gas fireplace. Make sure you rinse the cloth periodically to remove any soot or dirt so it doesn't stick back in the grate.
Regardless of the material used – marble, copper, gold, stone, etc. – there should be enough water to clean the exterior of the fireplace if it is cleaned regularly
Step 5. Use a mild dish soap for stubborn stains
If you need something tougher to get rid of the buildup of dust or soot, try using a mild liquid dish soap. Pour a small amount of soap into a bowl of warm water and stir until it foams.
Use a soft cloth dipped in soapy water to gently wipe the dirt off the exterior
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Damage
Step 1. Check for damage regularly
To ensure that your gas fireplace will continue to function properly for many years, you should check all its parts regularly. Check the gasket to make sure there are no cracks or damage.
You should also check the outside of the vent on the gas fireplace to remove any debris that is causing the problem. Foliage and animal nests often cause problems with outdoor fireplace ventilation
Step 2. Follow all maintenance instructions listed in the user manual
The user manual provides detailed instructions on how to clean and maintain a gas fireplace. It's important to follow these guidelines, even as you practice self-care and cleaning.
If you do not follow the instructions in the user manual, you may void the warranty
Step 3. Have the fireplace inspected annually
Gas fireplaces should be checked by a trained professional once every year. This can help ensure that the gas fireplace is still functioning properly and that there is no potential for damage or accidents. An inspector will inspect the entire fireplace – including the wood and lava rock – to make sure everything is in tip-top condition. It can also find out leaks in gas pipes and make sure the pressure level in the fireplace remains accurate.
