Wood burner cleaning.

The problem is that the OP has a multi-fuel.

I think that is very different to a wood burner to be honest as she says she is burning something with the wood - anthracite eggs (??).

We can use wood or coal or both but don’t clean the burner out completely until the end of the season.

WD40 does a brilliant job cleaning the slate fireplace.

NotSpaghetti

The problem is that the OP has a multi-fuel.

I think that is very different to a wood burner to be honest as she says she is burning something with the wood - anthracite eggs (??).

Well, the thread title says 'wood burner' so perhaps we could be forgiven for responding as though it were just a wood burner.

Whether wood burner or multifuel it really shouldn't take an hour to clean after being used once. I'm wondering what standard of 'clean' *Georgesgran' is looking for. I get the impression that it is higher than most

Even with a multifuel burner it isn't necessary to remove every iota of ash after use, just keep the grate well riddled and empty the ashpan when it's full.

Any vacuum cleaner with good suction will clean the actual hearth because there really shouldn't be much ash on it to clog the cleaner.

Amazon have ash vacuums just bought my son one for Christmas

It is best not to use a mix of ovals/anthrocite plus logs. More acid is produced which goes up the flue and the flue will corrode faster

My henry does not clog, I get rid of most of the ash first by hand, henry is good for the final pristine clean at the front of the stove

Georgesgran, I bought my vac from Aldi. I don't use it very often.
You don't need to clear all the ash every time. I open the riddle and push some ash through to the pan. You need to leave layer of ash, your fire will start easier.
I made a rookie error , when I burnt ovals, I put the ash on the garden. I lost quite a few plants.
I have just timed myself. It took under 10 minutes and that included cleaning the glass.
Enjoy your fire.

Thanks Karmalady GN is so full of helpful information .
We thought it was ok to mix wood and coal in our burner. we used both together last night. Won’t repeat as don’t want to damage our multi burner.

Thanks for all the advice - I do like the inglenook to look pristine between the times I use the stove, so it’s quite a job as the hearth is 6ft wide and 3ft deep. I find it hurts my knees and back stretching into the stove.
It’s on now, but I’ve decided not to use it regularly.

I empty the bottom of my multi fuel stove into an aluminium bucket then into the bin when it’s all cold.
Tip from my chimney sweep - clean the glass with diluted white vinegar. I new keep a squirty bottle and some kitchen roll in the kindling basket and it honestly just wipes all the blackness off the door.

MaizieD - I wasn't picking on people so sorry if you thought that... I
thoight I was being helpful by flagging it up.
It wasn't clear unless you read the thread.

I also assumed it was only wood initially which doesn't involve any kind of "clinker" - but it's not.

*thought

I either sweep up the ash with a dustpan and brush or vacuum it up - no special vacuum cleaner required. Also leave a bed of ash as recommended by the woodburner manufacturers.
Does anyone know how to clean up the glass ? Previous owners burnt all sorts of rubbish on it and the glass is now opaque. Chimney sweep said the glass would need replaced and have tried the usual method of rubbing it with damp newspaper dipped in ashes but no joy.

If you want a wood burner to look immaculate get a gas look alike
Otherwise empty ash when necessary likewise clean glass when needed
Drag mop across hearth when passing with one in hand

Dust pan and brush. Of course there is dust, you are disturbing ash which is very fine. Try damping the bristles on the brush before sweeping up. I dread to think what you are breathing in given your account of ash dust going evetywhere.

Jaxjacky

Never vacuumed ours in France, dustpan and brush, same as everyone else, cleaned the glass the same too, it took about 20 minutes.

Same here. I've never even thought of vacuuming the wood burner. I just empty the ash tray when it's full, riddle down what's left on the grate and let it do its thing. The glass is always clear as our wood is very well-seasoned. Why do you want it to look so pristine?

Mr i always did the woodburner - I’ve got to know mine now and like it.

Don’t empty all the ash, leave a good layer, your fire will burn better. Never use paper, use natural firefighters if poss, ordinary ones if not. Build a small pyramid of kindle over the fire lighters. Wait till they’re burning well before adding a small log to start with. I combine hard and soft wood as they burn differently, I use what the fire needs next

Glass cleaning - easy, rolled up newspaper, damp and dipped in ash. I wipe with a damp cloth as well. If your fire burns well, the glass won’t blacken up much

Fabulous, toasty warm

Exactly what we do Iam64. It really works well.

I use the poker in the grate to clear most of the ash, then I empty the ash pan into a pedal bin liner & hoover the rest up with my Henry. I use the nozzle to collect any dust on the hearth & mantle. Quick wipe of the glass. Takes about 5mins. We only burn wood.