Maintaining your stove or fire

If you own a stove or fire, it is important to maintain it - no matter the fuel type! Here's a short quick-fire guide to give you a little more information on how to maintain a stove or fire.

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If you own a solid fuel stove or fire, it should undergo an annual service which will include stripping and cleaning the appliance. One of the first things to do is clean the inside of the firebox thoroughly when the stove is completely cool. All of the excess ash needs to be removed, with finer particles vacuumed up. Using a soft brush, clean and check the firebricks – any broken or damaged bricks should be replaced, but smaller cracks or chips can be repaired. Check the door glass for any signs of damage by removing it from the door and cleaning thoroughly – consider the type of cleaner you need carefully, as printed glass will need to be cleaned with a different product use for plain door glass. If the glass has cracked, it will need replacing, but if in good condition it can be put back into the door. Ensure that you check your door rope seal which can become worn or loose over time, and replace if needed.
If you own a wood burning or multi-fuel stove, your chimney will have been assessed when your heating appliance was first installed, but it is important to continue to make appropriate checks before you use it again. Chimneys need to have a clear passageway for the combustion gases to exit your home. As your solid fuel stove may have not been used for a few months, it is important to make sure that your chimney is swept to ensure it is free from any obstructions, such as birds’ nests. Along with obstructions, soot, deposits and tar can build up in your chimney over time, reducing the draw, making the stove run less efficiently and putting your property at risk of a chimney fire. If you are burning wood, ensure your chimney is swept at least twice a year; this can be reduced to once if you are using a multi-fuel stove to burn fuels other than wood. It is also important to have your stove serviced by a HETAS installer to ensure you see the best performance from your appliance.
If you own a gas stove or fire, it is recommended that gas appliances are safety checked and serviced at least once a year by a registered gas service engineer. You can find a qualified engineer on the Gas Safe website.
Electric fire maintenance is easy and simple, and normally just involves glass cleaning, dusting and cleaning any accessible air inlets and outlets in order to maintain the optimum heat output and efficiency from the fire. Your instruction manual for your appliance should include further information that explains more.