It’s not hard to see why ethanol fireplaces are rising in popularity. They’re an innovative and environment-friendly alternative to traditional fireplaces; they complement different home designs, and are useful for providing warmth during winter. After being featured on popular television shows, these carbon-neutral fireplaces have taken countries by storm.
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| Fireplace Cleaning Tips |
Maybe you’ve recently made the switch to ethanol fireplaces after using traditional fireplaces for years, or you’re contemplating on getting one and are worried about the maintenance of this type of fireplace.
Whether you already own one or are planning to purchase one soon, this article will help you determine the easiest ways to keep ethanol fireplaces clean, so make sure to take note of the important do’s and don’ts when you have an ethanol fireplace at home.
Because regular cleaning and proper maintenance lead to a prolonged fireplace lifespan, following these tips will also allow homeowners to save money on costly repairs and replacement.
General cleaning
It’s important to note that while your ethanol fireplace doesn’t require much cleaning, you can still avoid the build-up of soot at the back of the fireplace by using a wet cloth. Depending on how often you use the unit, you may need to clean the surfaces of the unit once a month to keep it looking brand new. But before you clean the fireplace, it is important to make sure that it is turned off and that all of the surfaces have cooled down to avoid risk of burns.
Many models of ethanol fireplaces are made with stainless steel and can get dirty after a while. You can easily clean this by using stainless steel cleaners and using a soft cloth to wipe it clean. You can also find several types of cleaners that will work for a variety of materials used in other models of ethanol fireplaces.
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| General Cleaning |
Understanding ethanol fireplace care and maintenance and identifying the type of material used in the manufacturing of your unit is crucial when doing a cleanup to avoid damaging surfaces that are easily scratched. You may find that some surfaces can be cleaned using just a damp cloth, while other surfaces will require a more powerful cleaning solution to get rid of the dirt.
While we’re at it, let’s talk about the don’ts in cleaning ethanol fireplaces. Try to avoid using cleaners and detergents as they can damage the steel of the unit. Instead, use only mild soap, steel polish, and water. You can also a sponge or a special cloth that is designed to gently clean different surfaces of your fireplace. You may be tempted to use a heavy solution for soot that is hard to remove, but remember that this is not advisable as some commercial cleansers are not safe for use in fireplaces. So be careful and choose a cleaning solution that will restore the appearance of your unit rather than add damage to it.
Cleaning the burner
The burner is the part of an ethanol fireplace that is most prone to being damaged because of constant exposure to heat. As a result, the burner requires more care than other parts of the unit, and needs to be maintained regularly.
As a maintenance precaution, make sure to thoroughly clean any fuel spills as soon as possible to prevent the burner steel from discolouring. Discoloration on the burner usually appears around 12 to 24 months. If you notice that it already has some discolorations around this time, you can repolish it with the use of a sponge that is soaked with some bio ethanol. Be careful in doing this though, and make sure to use materials and cleaners that are non-abrasive to avoid scratching the surface.
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| Cleaning the Burner |
In order to maintain the good condition of your unit, regularly clean the inside of the burner by removing dust and other residue buildup. You have two options in doing this: by running distilled water through the burner until you no longer see any dirt, or by using a damp cloth to gently clean the stainless steel.
If there are parts that have more stubborn dirt, you can always rely on the power of a little soap and water to clean them.
Once you are done cleaning the surfaces and stainless steel, just let them air dry before putting the pieces back together. You can then carefully refill the burner with new bio ethanol fuel. Make sure though that the flames have been completely extinguished and that the burner has cooled down completely before refilling it with bio ethanol fuel. Another important thing to remember when refilling is to use approved ethanol fuels and avoid cheaper versions as they will not provide a clean burn.
Ethanol fireplaces bring the aesthetic benefits of real flames to your home and easily complement any contemporary and exquisite home designs. Make sure to give them some love by cleaning dirt build up and polishing them every now and then to keep them in top shape for the years to come!
November 20, 2017
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