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How to Remove and Clean Your Gas Fireplace Glass

A messy fireplace can be an unsightly eye sore, ruining an otherwise beautiful room and obscuring the view of the fire with a cloudy haze of white build-up. Not only does this residue look bad, but it can prevent your fireplace from operating properly. To make sure your fireplace is working correctly and heating your home as efficiently as possible, you’ll want to clean the glass of your fireplace on a regular basis.

What You’ll Need to Clean Your Gas Fireplace or Stove Glass

You’ll want to get a few items together before you begin to clean your glass, including:

Paper Towels

Microfiber Cloth

Large Towel
Cleaning Solution

Garbage Bag (For Used Towels)

You may have heard a recommendation to use a newspaper to clean a window, but this information is outdated. Newspaper contains ink, and will likely streak the glass as you wipe it off. You’ll want to use a combination of microfiber cloths and paper towels to clean your fireplace glass.

Steps to Clean Gas Fireplace or Stove Glass

Step #1: Make Sure the Fireplace or Stove is Off and the Glass is Cool

Make sure your fireplace or stove is switched off, then open the bottom access panel and turn the gas knob off. You’ll want to make sure your fireplace is off for at least six hours before cleaning to make sure the glass is completely cool. After six hours, check the glass by placing your hand against it. If there is any warmth at all, do not remove it.

Step #2: Find the Clips and Remove the Fireplace Glass Underneath the glass of your fireplace, in the bottom panel area, should be two clips. These clips, positioned left-of-center and right-of-center, are what holds your fireplace glass in place. Loosen these clips by pulling them towards you while keeping one hand under the glass. Once the clips are opened, pull the glass up and forward to carefully remove it.

Step #3: Place the Glass on Your Towel and Clean it Gently place the glass panel onto your large towel and spray it down with your glass cleaner. The manufacturer of your fireplace or your owner’s manual will have a recommendation for what type of cleaner to use.

Do an initial wipe down with your microfiber towel, making sure to remove any larger pieces of debris or detritus. Then, spray the glass with cleaner again and wipe it off with paper towels. While your glass dries, you can check the fireplace for any other issues. One common issue is the positioning of your fake logs, which may be accidentally touching the flame during operation.

Step #4: Replace the Glass and Panels
Once the glass is clean, put it back into place. Resecure the clips, replace the top panel, and close your bottom panel. Even though the glass may seem dry, you’ll want to give time for any small droplets to evaporate. Let the glass sit for another six hours or so before reactivating your fireplace or stove.

Gas Fireplace Glass Frequently Asked Questions

What is the White Residue on my Gas Fireplace, and How Do I Remove it?

The white residue on your gas fireplace or stove is a combination of sulfuric acid and condensation created by fuel combustion. When your gas fireplace first activates, the glass of your fireplace will be cold or cool. As the natural gas or propane combusts, it initially creates condensation on the surface of your fireplace’s glass. This usually disappears as your fireplace warms up, but over time, this condensation pattern can become permanent, creating that “white foggy” appearance on the surface of the glass.

To remove it, switch your fireplace and gas off, and wait six hours for the glass to be cool. Then, remove the glass from your fireplace by disconnecting the clips under the bottom panel and pull the glass up and forward. Once the glass is removed, wipe it down with a manufacturer-approved glass cleaner. Replace the glass, and give any residual cleaner time to evaporate before restarting your fireplace.

How Often Should You Clean the Glass on a Gas Fireplace or Stove?

Any time you start to see build-up on the glass of your gas fireplace, it's appropriate to clean it. You should also clean the glass on a semi-regular basis, with many manufactures recommending a cleaning once or twice a year. How often you clean your fireplace depends on your level of usage; if you live in a colder region and run your fireplace often, you may need to clean it more frequently.

What Happens If I Leave the Glass Off of my Gas Fireplace or Stove?

You should not leave the glass panel removed from your gas fireplace when you are not cleaning it, and never when the gas is on or the fireplace is activated. If the gas is on, it can leak into your living space, potentially causing carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure that the glass on your fireplace is secure after cleaning, and that there are no leaks that could taint the air within your home. If you own a gas fireplace, it's important to have functioning carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Check these detectors frequently, and make sure one is placed close to your gas fireplace.

Can You Take Off the Glass of a Gas Fireplace or Stove?

As long as the fireplace and gas valve are turned off, and you’ve checked that the glass is cool, you can take the glass off of a gas fireplace. Some models of gas fireplace may have glass that is difficult to remove, or the manufacturer will recommend you do not clean the glass on your own. Consult your owner’s manual or call your fireplace manufacturer to confirm that you can take off the glass; if they say you shouldn’t, contact a fireplace professional and have it cleaned by one of their technicians.