If you have a wood-burning fireplace, you know it requires ongoing maintenance. However, did you know the same maintenance and care is necessary for gas units, too? 

Before getting started with gas fireplace maintenance, you need to ensure the pilot light and gas are turned off and that the fireplace has cooled to room temperature. Also, always review the cleaning and maintenance instructions from the manufacturer before getting started. Once you are prepared, you can use the tips here to care for and maintain your gas fireplace. 

Clean the Glass as Needed

Most of today’s gas fireplaces come with doors that can be easily removed for cleaning. Use the owner’s manual as a guide and take the glass doors off the unit. Put them on a large plastic bag or newspaper to protect the floor or table under them. 

Use household window cleaner to remove dirt and soot from the glass. If there are any stubborn areas, you can use a ceramic cook-top cleanser or a specialty fireplace cleanser. Be sure to dry the glass using newspaper or paper towels. Wait a minimum of 30 minutes to use the fireplace after cleaning the glass to ensure all the flammable window cleaner has evaporated. 

Clean the Interior of the Unit

With the wand attachment, vacuum debris and dust out of the inside of your fireplace. If you use lava rocks, which a vacuum can suck up, cover the opening of the wand with an old stocking or cheesecloth that is secured using a rubber. This will create a filter that allows dirt and dust to pass through, but not the lava rocks. 

Clean the Logs

Gas logs require very little maintenance or cleaning. If soot starts to build up and discolors the vented gas logs, use the instructions in the owner’s manual to remove the logs, take them outside, and brush away any soot from the surface with a soft-bristled brush. Do not damp-wipe or wash logs because this can cause them to fade or damage the finish. It would help if you never sprayed the logs with a cleaner. If you have vent-free gas logs, do not move them – instead, hire a professional service technician to handle the cleaning process. 

Replace the Batteries

It would help if you were replacing the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors twice per year. Take this time to replace the batteries in your fireplace remote, too. If you are ever in a situation where you need the fireplace to turn off quickly, you will be glad that you replaced the batteries and that the remote is working correctly. 

Hire the Professionals for an Inspection 

It is a good idea to hire the professionals for a full gas fireplace inspection at least one time per year. Doing this will let you know if there are any issues with your unit that need to be repaired. By keeping the maintenance tips here in mind, you can feel confident your gas fireplace will continue to operate properly and safely for the foreseeable future.

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