How to Clean Fire Grates
Cleaning a fire grate is a necessary chore that should be done frequently if the fireplace is used often. If properly maintained, your fire grate will last a long time. According to Fireplace Essentials, "a grate in your fireplace lets air circulate underneath the firewood, helping it to burn better." Take your time when cleaning your fire grate and fireplace to avoid haphazardly spreading soot and ashes. With patience and routine care, you'll be able to clean your fire grate without incident. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Rubber gloves
- Face mask (optional)
- Newspapers or plastic drop cloth
- Fireplace tongs (optional)
- 2 boxes (large enough to hold fire grate)
- Garden hose
- Steel wool or wire brush
- Shovel or dust pan
- Trash bag
- Trash can
Instructions
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1
Put on the rubber gloves and, if desired, a protective face mask. Do not handle or clean a fire grate until the grate and fireplace are entirely cool.
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2
Place newspapers or a plastic drop cloth around the hearth and cover the floor around or beneath the fireplace.
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3
Pull the fire grate from the fireplace with fireplace tongs or your hands and slide the grate or lift it into one of the boxes. Take the box with the grate outside to your garden hose.
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4
Remove the grate from the box and place it on the grass or patio; remember when choosing your location that this is a messy procedure. Wet the fire grate with the hose and using a wire brush or steel wool, scrub the grime and soot from the grate. Rinse thoroughly with the hose and allow the grate to dry in the sun.
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5
Return to the fireplace and remove ashes and soot from the floor of the fireplace with the shovel or dustpan. Place the debris into the second box. Put the box of soot and debris into a trash bag when finished.
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6
Roll the newspapers or plastic drop cloth so that ashes do not fall on the floor and dispose of in the trash bag. Place the trash bag into your outside trash can. Replace the fire grate when it is completely dried.
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Tips & Warnings
By cleaning the fire grate when it is wet, you avoid spreading loose soot and dust through the air. It is always best to clean the grate outside where dust will be blown away. If you must clean the grate inside, make sure you use a bucket and a wet rag to keep the grate wet while you scrub to avoid spreading the dust through your house and into the heating/air conditioning system.
Always make sure the fire place and fire grate are completely cool before attempting any kind of cleaning.
