Essential summer maintenance tips for your stove to ensure peak performance in winter | Leicestershire Live

Summer is the ideal time to give your multi-fuel stove or wood burner a thorough maintenance check. Making sure it’s in top condition now means you’ll be ready to use it as soon as the first chilly winter night arrives.

Summer is the best time to check your stove’s maintenance to make sure it’s winter-ready.

A well-maintained solid fuel stove is more efficient, safer to use and can save you money.

A summer cleaning keeps your stove looking its best, especially if it’s the centerpiece of your living room.

Combine a stove maintenance check with a professional chimney sweep from a registered sweeper, who is likely to be more available during the summer.

Neglecting to maintain the stove could void its warranty. Here are some key tips to keep your stove running at its best all year round:

Remove ash, soot and debris.

The first task is to clean any remaining ash, soot or debris from inside the closed appliance, focusing especially on the glass door and fire grate. The glass on the stove door can discolor over time, but it can be cleaned using a stove glass cleaner, a non-scratch cleaning pad, and a clean cloth.

Due to the high temperatures to which the fire grill is exposed, it can wear out over time. A grill stove and polish can rejuvenate your grill, but if you need to replace it, make sure it fits properly.

Inspect the baffle plate:.

Like grates, baffle plates also withstand high temperatures because they are located inside the stove’s hearth and exposed to the flames. It is essential to clean any excess soot from the baffle plate as this can affect the performance of your stove.

If the baffle plate is damaged, be sure to replace it following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Check the gaskets.

To maintain the efficiency of your stove, it is vital to check all seals, including the door cable, glass gasket and any watertight joints. Gaskets must be tight to prevent unwanted air from entering the firebox and reducing optimal performance.

A handy tip for checking door seals is to fold a piece of newspaper and close the door on it. If you can’t pull the paper, your door is sealed.

A fresh coat of paint.

Revitalize your device’s paint to hide minor scratches and blemishes. However, avoid using regular paint.

Use special heat-resistant stove paint on multi-fuel and wood stoves. Make sure that the surface of the stove is free of rust, dirt and grease, as these can spoil the final result.

If you are simply refinishing your stove’s existing finish, one coat will be sufficient. If painting bare metal, build up the finish in several coats, allowing drying time between coats*.

When using the stove for the first time after painting, it is advisable to open a window, as the paint may emit an odor during initial use.

Rust is unlikely to be a problem with modern stoves, but it’s still worth checking. If rust is present, it’s best to address it sooner rather than later.

Remove rust with wire wool and reapply stove paint to restore your stove to its former glory.

If you do not intend to use the stove during the summer or for more than a few days for any other reason, leave the door slightly open. This encourages air flow and ventilation, helping to prevent corrosion.

Chimney and appliance maintenance can help protect against chimney damage and fires. It also helps ensure the longevity of your appliance and keeps the fuel burning as efficiently as possible.

How often should you clean your chimney?

For smokeless charcoal, at least once a year is recommended. For wood, up to four times a year. For bituminous coal, twice a year.

A registered chimney sweep will ensure that the chimney is properly cleaned and carry out all necessary safety checks on the fireplace and chimney. If problems are identified, your expert will be able to advise you on the best course of action for repair.