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Make sure the glass is cool to the touch. Take a paper towel and fold two times. Wet it so it is not dripping. Dab the top in very fine ashes. ( No coarse chunks They will scratch the glass and not too many ashes.) Lightly rub the glass in small circles all the way around the glass. When you are done fold the paper towel so that the ash residue is inside and you have a clean wet towel showing, Go over the glass and clean the residue off. You can do this with one towel once you get the hang of it. Remember not to rub too hard.
Keep some fine ashes handy in a small can with a plastic lid. Remember ashes that look like powder are better.
we use janitor strength ammonia, just spray some on the glass, let it cut through the black, and wipe it off.
sometimes, if the stuff is really sticky, I spray the window, hang a piece of newspaper over it to keep it moist,
do another fireplace/stove chore and then wipe it all off. thats the best way, it also keeps the smell of the
ammonia under the piece of newspaper. we are cautious about scratching the glass, which is terrible
expensive and don't want to do it. scratches also hold onto more creosote.
glad to hear about the wiping with the ashes though. I will try it,as even though I am as old as dirt, I am ]
still young enough to try new things.
Regards,
sheri
Hi Sheri. After years of cleaning the glass with ashes I noticed that that method seemed to become less and less effective (it often took many applications and a lot of elbow grease especially on thick soot). So I went looking for a better (and quicker and easier) solution and came up with EZ-Off (odorless) oven cleaner. Now that's all I use. Just spray it on like you would your oven, let it sit for a minute and wipe it off. It takes all the soot off with a single application and without any elbow grease.
Yes, the oven cleaner is a strong base, like an acid in reverse. the janitor strength is a strong one too.
I think I will ask DH about the oven cleaner on our stove window, the fumes have got to be less than the
ammonia. oy ugh.
sher
