how to clean metal fireplace insert

If you have found a gas leak, close the shutoff valve again and call the gas company to help you with your repair. Start by shutting off the gas to your home at the main valve so there's no chance of a leak. And Brasso was entirely the wrong thing to use for polished brass. Although this is a job best done by professionals, especially if you have a gas insert, it is possible to remove your fireplace insert yourself. Repeat until you have covered all … Step 3 Use the included brush to cover the surround with a new layer of black grate polish. Teflon tape is usually yellow, as opposed to basic plumber’s tape, which is white. I applied 3 coats over the course of three days. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Spray it on and allow it to work for several minutes before using a soft cloth to remove the debris and film. Rub the red scuff pad over the rusted area, this will remove most of the loose rust off of the fireplace insert. Step 3 Clean the fireplace insert using the lint-free towels and the cleaner/degreaser. 2 soft cloths. You can purchase a brass safety cap and Teflon tape from any home improvement store. dishwashing detergent with 1/2 gallon warm water in a bucket. Wipe the fireplace surround with a dry cloth to make sure nothing is left on the surface. Then wash it all off. In 2000 Wood started a career as a writer, and since then he has dedicated his business to writing and photographing cars and trucks, as well as helping people learn more about how vehicles work. Most fire screens are black painted metal, but if your screen is brass-plate, clean it as you would other brass objects. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. This is going to clean up the area and remove the damaged metal. Use a store-bought cleaner for an easy solution. Cleaning it, however, is easy and quick. You may have to use a crowbar to loosen the insert enough to be able to move it by hand. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. i have used a normal BBQ cleaner spray before. Nylon has to work hard to clean hard creosote, thats why its tough to get into that liner. Dip half a lemon into ordinary table salt and rub directly onto the area that needs cleaning. A fireplace insert is made to sit inside of a traditional masonry fireplace in order to help it heat more efficiently. You could burn yourself or crack the glass if you're not careful. References. For the best protection, it should be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. How to clean a polished brass fireplace … wikiHow's. The “Backstory” In the late 70’s and early 80’s, we were going through yet another “energy crisis”, where oil and gas prices were sky high. Clean the fireplace insert using the lint-free towels and the cleaner/degreaser. Whether you want to update the look of your fireplace or you need to get it up to code before you sell your house, chances are you’ll need to remove your fireplace insert. Stopping the rust quickly is the best thing to do, and it can be done with a little bit of prep in just an afternoon. This is going to clean up the area and remove the damaged metal. Gas fireplaces are safe to burn wood in like a standard fireplace, so a Duraflame log is perfectly fine to burn in your gas fireplace. [1] How do you remove a gas fireplace insert? Combine 1 tsp. This will protect the paint from rusting further, but will still function when exposed to open flame. Scrub the entire insert, inside and out, paying close attention to grates and vents. Scrub the surface with the wire brush which will remove most of the stubborn, stuck on rust. Then, carefully wiggle the insert out of the fireplace and remove it. Spray the cleaner on a dry cloth and rub it in a circular motion on the glass. Since the gas should already be turned off, there's no need to cap the gas line until after you have removed the insert. Some homes, especially older ones, do not have a house-side valve. Then spray the BBQ cleaner and leave on it for 1-2 hours. Cleaning the front glass panel on a heatilator gas fireplace. Apply the high-temp spray paint to the surface. Hi guys! First, sweep the fireplace, then apply your cleaner, and scrub the fireplace down. However, you may only need to have a partial removal in order to have the fireplace insert taken out. After leaving it for a bit, get a clean cloth and buff away the polish to leave an impressive shine. Allow the insert to dry for at least 24 hours before placing the insert back in the fireplace. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. When you begin, only use a bit of the polish as it’ll go a long way, but really use some elbow grease to get into the nooks and crannies. Pry the insert free with a crowbar, then slide it onto a piece of carpet so you can easily move it across your floor. Try calling around a few removal services in your area to get a quote so you can compare the costs. Have another bucket with clean water on the side. Wear a face mask to avoid breathing in a cloud of ash and soot when you remove the insert. 5 tbsp. You can also purchase a chimney cap to place on top of your chimney to make sure the seal is air-tight. There is usually a valve located just before the meter that must be opened and closed with a wrench. Rinse with a cloth dipped in clear, warm water. Never bend or twist while you're lifting heavy objects, and lift using your legs to prevent a serious back injury. Water. It is recommended you regularly dust over the fireplace or insert with either the soft brush of the vacuum cleaner or a soft lint free dry cloth and every four weeks or so polish the surface of the fireplace using a spray can oil lubricant such as WD 40, 3 in 1 or the manufactures recommended metal polish. Remember to use your legs to bear most of the weight when you're lifting something heavy. Because of the mineral components of brass, proper cleaning techniques are essential in maintaining the integrity of the screen. With this start to rub the polish into the metal using a firm hand covering a good sized area. If you're planning on discarding the insert, you can also remove pieces by breaking them off with your hammer or prying them apart with your crowbar. Use extreme caution when you're working with gas. To ensure it protects the floor, it should be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. For tips on disassembling a gas insert, read on! How much does it cost to remove a fireplace insert? To be safe, let the stove or fireplace cool for at least 6 to 8 hours before trying to clean it. salt. Last Updated: March 12, 2020 Research source Do you have a suggestion for cleaning the brass trim around a glass door on a fireplace insert? All of these features come together to make this one efficient insert. If you can, wait a couple of days. Regular Cleaning Maintenance It is recommended you lightly dust over the fireplace with a lint free cloth to remove all dust before any maintenance. Step 2: Spray Paint. You'll need the overlap so you'll have something to grab onto when you're moving the insert. Never use water to clean metal fireplaces as it will encourage rust. A Heatilator Fireplace insert is designed to be placed directly into the masonry which will not only transform the existing fireplace into an efficient heat source but add an updated look to the masonry fireplace. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. In the future, make an effort to make sure your fireplace stays clean. Method 1 of 4: Selecting Your Materials 1. Prevent Rust From Bleeding Through Paint→, Change the Flint in a Dunhill Rollagas Lighter→. Use fireplace glass cleaner to clean the glass covering of your gas fireplace. Most fireplace inserts are simply “pushed” (shoved is more like it) into the opening of a fireplace (we refer to these as “slammed in” or “slammers”) and they are very dangerous! Choose a piece of carpet that's at least 5 foot (1.5 m) longer and wider than the insert. This is known as a street-side valve, and should only be operated by someone from the gas company. Keep in mind that whatever you use may get dirty or torn. In this video, I'll show you the process of creating a Fireplace. Mix equal parts of water and baking soda in a bowl until it becomes a paste. Absolutely. This article has been viewed 68,798 times. The carpet should be at least 5 foot (1.5 m) longer and wider than the insert so you can easily grab the edges when you're moving the insert. You can also clean the glass insert if your fireplace has one. So NOT brass, then. Push or pull the insert so that it slides across the floor as you remove it from your house. Wash the surface of your brass fireplace door frame with the soapy solution to remove any greasy residue from the smoke and soot. http://www.woodheat.org/fireplace-inserts.html, https://www.younghouselove.com/2011/06/fire-not-in-the-hole/, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/multimedia/back-pain/sls-20076866, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SabN2LNkrHA, https://www.familyhandyman.com/plumbing/valves/how-to-locate-your-gas-shutoff-valve-and-water-shutoff-valve/view-all/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5dgg-kvOo8, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Clean the fireplace insert using the lint-free towels and the cleaner/degreaser. Maintain the natural curve of your back and try not to twist your torso to avoid injuring your back. Rust that's on the outer edges of the insert is easy to remove to help you restore the look of the insert. For tips on disassembling a gas insert, read on! I purchased disposable foam & bristle brushes and simply painted thin layers over the existing brown/brass fireplace surround. It's a niche job but it's worth knowing how to clean a fireplace. X Buy from Amazon . When you can access the gas line, remove it as well. It can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,500 for the project to be completed by a professional. This may take some time as there is most likely some ash on the fireplace insert. If your fireplace is on a second floor, you’ll probably need the help of professional movers to get the insert down the stairs. There's no denying that a crackling fire is a domestic delight, but they can be a messy business and neglecting a dirty fireplace can lead to inefficiency, smoke stains and a build-up of creosote (an oily wood-tar by-product found on chimney walls) which can become a safety hazard. Use screws to attach a piece of plywood or sheet metal cut to the size of your vent to seal it. I have used a cleaner made by Whisk, but it doesn't work well. It’ll be some kind of metal like steel, with a brass coating. Take a crowbar and remove the trim around the insert. You should check the temperature before trying to touch it. The process of cleaning a brass fireplace screen is specific but does not need to be difficult. There are 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Steps. Take your metal polish and apply a small amount to the your wire wool. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Embarrassed that you don't know much about credit? Use the solution and a rag to clean the fireplace insert. – The insert is fully cleaned, brushed and vacuumed on the inside. Removing a Wood-Burning or Electrical Insert, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/80\/Remove-a-Fireplace-Insert-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-a-Fireplace-Insert-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/80\/Remove-a-Fireplace-Insert-Step-1.jpg\/aid9841519-v4-728px-Remove-a-Fireplace-Insert-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"