Smokey/sooty deposit on glass.

[Khandro]

Does anyone know what the active ingredient is in proprietary cleaners for wood-burning-stove glass-doors? Ordinary window cleaner sprays are not enough to shift the film on the inside of the glass, but the patent one melts it away like magic, but they are quite expensive, particularly if used on a daily basis.

[sallybb]

Have the same problem, usually happens overnight. Put a log on it first thing in the morning, open up the flue get a good blaze going, thuis will clear the majority of black tar etc. Use a plastic frying spatula( not metal , which will scratch the glass). Most of the remaining residue will scrape off.
Agree with you about the cost of patent cleaner. But I have also used oven cleaner on mine, but not when its hot.

[cathfromsaron]

we just use crushed newspaper to wipe when the door is cold! works well! x

[AlBags]

Caused by deposits and smoke from damp/dirty lumber, also cold casing.
I used to just use wet cream cleaner and paper it off.

[Mosaic]

We had one of those coke-burning rayburns with a abck boiler when I was young. We cleaned the glass with vinegar, newspaper and effort - occasionally a brillo pad.

[elgreco]

We clean ours with a damp kitchen towel dipped in the wood ash(cold). This was the instructions that came with the burner. Works well.

[Khandro]

Thanks, what do you mean by wet cream cleaner please? There must though, be a chemical constituent in the proprietary cleaners which disolves the film, and I'm wondering what it is exactly.

[coccinelle]

Hydroxide de potassium is written on mine so could translate to Hydroxide of potassium or Potassium Hydroxide. Only studied chemistry to O'level....

[AlBags]

Jif (or Cif) cream!

[Khandro]

Thanks to both. @coccinelle, I think you have set me on the right path, I've been checking it out on the internet. Your product sounds like it is sold in France and has something of the formula on it, my German version has none. I shall try experimenting - it is cheap and available. Is there anything else of the formula?

[coccinelle]

No, nothing else just makes you aware it contains this. Being corrosive and a poison are two other alerts.

[AlBags]

^ Oh .. that's ok then.

[coccinelle]

LOL albags....

[divlong]

Potassium hydroxide is found in wood-ash so it looks as though elgreco has the right idea.

[annadomino]

It's on offer
http://mistralni.co.uk/catalogue/product/39

[Khandro]

Yes, I've tried the cold wood ash on a damp piece of kitchen towel and it works well, and as you say, it must be the potash in it which does the business. It does though leave a secondary grey film which has to be (easily) removed further.