One of the main perks of gas fires is that it is incredibly easy to maintain, largely due to there not being any logs or coals burnt, so no debris is created. On the odd occasion however, you should certainly give it a once over to ensure that everything remains in good, clean condition, expanding the life of the appliance. This shouldn't take too long, and is very easy to complete; so if you’re sat wondering, “how do I clean my gas fireplace”, here is our guide to help you out:
1. Turn the appliance off
Firstly, it is important to ensure that the gas flow is switched off. If the appliance is still warm, then leave it to cool completely before cleaning for your health and safety. If at any point you can smell gas, this may raise alarm bells as it could indicate that there is either a leak, or the gas has not been correctly turned off. This will need to be resolved as quickly as possible to avoid any potential danger.
2. Dismantle the appliance
Carefully remove the fuel logs from the gas fireplace; these should be dusted with a soft paintbrush or cloth – dampened if necessary. Check each piece over to see if there is any corrosion or damage; if so, these may need to be replaced. Then place these aside so that you can inspect the remaining internal parts.
3. Clear any dust
You can use a vacuum cleaner to clean out the main section of the inside of the fireplace, if there are loose lava rocks inside, place a sock secured with an elastic band over the nozzle to ensure that only dust and dirt is picked up. You can use a cloth dampened with soap and water to remove any tough stains.
4. Clean the glass
Be sure to use some glass cleaner to remove any cloudiness from both inside and outside of the glass of your gas fire. This should be done as soon as you notice the cloudiness to avoid any permanent damage. Also, give the frame a gentle clean to remove dust and dirt. Be careful not to use any chemicals which are too powerful as this may tarnish the finish.
5. Reassemble the appliance
When putting each component back, ensure that they are put back exactly where they were. If you notice any damage to any part of the fire components, then do not use the fire until a specialist has carefully inspected the fire. If you are unsure of any particular parts, refer back to the users manual which should offer step-by-step guides (which will often have pictures) on reassembling your gas fire.
6. Service the appliance
Once a year you should have your gas fire serviced by a trained professional to ensure that there are no issues with the fire and that it is safe for use. Gas safety checks are of the utmost importance for the health and safety of you and your home. You should also be sure to have a carbon monoxide alarm installed in the same room as your gas fire for precautionary measures.
Tips:
- If there are any other parts which need to be removed for cleaning, it is best to refer to the manual to decipher whether it is safe to do so yourself or whether you will need to call a specialist.
- Clean the external parts of the fireplace once a month, even when not in use, to keep them in good condition.
- If you spot any signs of wear and tear, blockage, condensation or damage, call in a specialist to check it out.