How To Clean Gas Logs From Soot

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A gas log fireplace offers a safe and energy-effective way to replicate a traditional wood fireplace. These fireplaces exercise not burn anything simply gas, even though they contain logs. These logs are ceramic and painted to look similar burning wood logs. The combustion of the gas around them still does leave behind a little soot, which typically only needs cleaning on an annual footing. To clean out the gas logs, plough off the fireplace's pilot lite, place the logs onto newspaper outside the fireplace, then vacuum upward the soot.

1

Plow off the pilot lite. Locate the control valve on your gas log system. It is the dial you use to ignite the fireplace. Turn the dial to the "off" setting. The burner valve in the system volition shut, restricting gas flow and shutting off the flames.^[one]
2

Permit the logs to absurd. The logs must but be handled when cool. Come back in an hour and move your hand over the front end of the fireplace. Continue moving information technology into the unit equally long as it does not feel hot.^[ii]

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3
Place the logs on newspaper. When removing the logs from the fireplace, set them out on newspaper, scrap newspaper, an old bedsheet, or other protective surface attack the floor near you. Cull something that you won't mind getting sooty.
- If you do not have the owner'southward transmission, take a picture of the log placement. Wrong placement when y'all return the logs to the fireplace can void your warranty and lead to more soot.
- Inspect your logs for corrosion or damage when you remove them. If you observe any harm or blockage in the logs or fireplace, contact a professional person to repair or replace them before using your fireplace again.
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one
Scrub the logs. Once the logs are moved out of the fireplace, apply a brush to remove the soot. A small paintbrush or nylon scrub brush will reach soot in the cracks of the logs. You lot do not need to dip the brushes in water.
- Another option for cleaning includes using a vacuum cleaner to elevator the soot. Some vacuums also take soft brush attachments that you tin utilise to dislodge soot stuck in the cracks.
- Avoid stiff scrubbers, lots of water, or harsh cleaners. These will chip or discolor the logs.^[3]
ii
Wipe the logs with a rag. To remove soot still clinging to the logs, utilise a dry, soft rag. Wipe it over the whole log. The soot should brush off without exposing the logs to water or cleaner that could damage the logs or create more soot.^[4]
- Cleaners should only be used if they are canonical in the owner'due south manual.
iii
Make clean the logs with a damp rag. If necessary, some logs can be treated with a small amount of water. Dip a soft cloth into lukewarm water, wringing out backlog moisture. Wipe it over the logs to remove leftover soot. Check with your owner's transmission to make sure this treatment is okay.
- If yous are unsure, test the rag in an camouflaged place, such every bit the back side of i log, first.
- Use a soft-bristled paintbrush or cotton swab if soot is congenital upwardly in small crevices.
4

Vacuum up the soot. Run your vacuum cleaner effectually the logs to pick upwards any of the soot you brushed off. This will ensure that the soot doesn't spread throughout your home. Once done, dispose of the paper when you are ready to render the logs to the fireplace.

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1
Vacuum the soot out of the fireplace. Use a vacuum with a hose to reach into the fireplace and remove the soot that has nerveless on the floor. This tin can be done anytime, fifty-fifty without removing the logs, to reduce the amount of soot collecting in the fireplace.^[v]
- Encompass the terminate of your vacuum hose with cheesecloth if you have pocket-sized lava rocks within your fireplace. This prevents them from getting sucked up.
2

Clear the pilot lite line of soot. Use a compressor or a tin can of air no greater than thirty PSI for this. Locate the airplane pilot lite, which is where the flame lights the burners. On information technology, correct next to its tip, is an oxygen depletion sensor that has two small holes in it. Smash air through the holes to articulate them out.^[six]
3

Blow the grit out of the main burner. Follow the gas tube on the ground every bit it goes into the burner where the logs sit. There will be a hole or gap in the tube virtually where it meets the burner. This is where air mixes with gas. Clear it out using the compressor or air.

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Question

What causes an exhaust odor from the gas log?

Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids based in northern Colorado. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016.

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Good Answer

Back up wikiHow by unlocking this skilful respond.

The logs tin can let out an exhaust odor if they are not in the correct location. Check the owners manual and make sure the logs are sitting in the fireplace as instructed. In addition, information technology is recommended to run the fireplace for one-half a twenty-four hours to burn off any oils or remnants that may be in there (be certain to open the windows and ventilate the house when doing this). Ofttimes times this will take intendance of anything y'all may scent. If you are even so having problems, contact a professional to take a look at information technology.
Question

Exercise I want to clean the holes where the flames come out, and if and then, what practice I use for that?

Are they plugged up, or muddied looking you tin. If not, and your fire burns correctly, and you go a clean flame from each hole, they do not need cleaning. In example they are plugged, try using a pipe cleaner on them.
Question

Do gas logs in fireplaces e'er need replacement?

Yes, but non frequently. Gas logs fabricated of ceramic volition usually concluding longer than ones made of cement. Though the material itself rarely degrades, its appearance may after many years. The more you lot use your fireplace, the more apace it volition fade. Simply, most logs should easily last 10 or more years.
Question

What is the best way to get bird droppings off the within of the fireplace and logs?

Effort a tooth brush and some toilet cleaner, then wipe dry with clean soft rag. Side by side put a screen, with nigh one/2 inch holes, over the top of your chimney to continue the birds and other creatures out.
Question

What causes soot to spread above the fireplace and onto the ceiling?

Improper ventilation allowing soot and fumes to escape the chimney. Yous need a good "describe" upwards the chimney to remove all of the undesirable elements from your room. If you lot take an unvented gas log type fireplace it will be difficult to clear upwards the odor and soot.
Question

My manual is missing. How exercise I know how to stack logs correctly? The carbon does not come off with either a brush or a rag.

I had the same issues. I stacked the logs and then that it looked about the same as before. The most important thing is to accept space between the logs for the flames to go through. Also, I cleaned my logs outside using a hose with a sprayer attachment. It's fast and there's no need to scrub or rub the logs. I wouldn't use my vacuum because I didn't want fine soot particles bravado out of the exhaust and into my living room. I likewise didn't desire to ruin my vacuum. Tip: Habiliment latex gloves when doing this chore. Soot is a mess and is hard to get off your hands and nails.
Question

I have glass doors on my fireplace, but when I close them the flame goes out. The last time I closed them, the airplane pilot went out too. Why would this happen?

This ways you have no fresh air damper or the damper is airtight or clogged. Check along the inside of the glass doors for the damper lever. It may be hidden behind the screen; it looks like a small-scale rod/lever, smaller than the diameter of a pencil. It moves upwards/down. Moving the lever upward usually opens the damper.

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Article Summary 10

Earlier cleaning your gas logs, make sure they're cool to the touch to avert burns. And then, identify them on some paper earlier removing them from the fireplace to preclude soot contagion. Once you've removed the logs, scrub the soot off them with a pocket-sized paintbrush or a vacuum cleaner. If soot is still sticking to the logs, use a dry out rag to wipe them. Then, vacuum up whatsoever soot from the paper around your logs. Finish by vacuuming soot out of the fireplace and cleaning the dust out of the master burner with a tin of air. For communication on when yous tin can clean your gas logs with water and a damp cloth, read on!

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