I remember my mum chucking salt on the coal fire if it got too high.

Yes it does work, doesn't it?

I remember my mum chucking sugar on the coal fire to get it going

No problem mate, it's been going the rounds for a long while. It sort of works, because any inert granular material will suffocate a fire. It is unlikely to give off any gasses, as when it gets REALLY hot, all it will do is melt, and since it's a pretty stable compound, it requires a lot more effort before the sodium and chlorine will dissociate.

If the fire gets too high, the trick is to get a shovel of ash from underneath the fire and put it on the top.

As regards to getting fires going, if the wood is dry, and the kindling is correctly dry and sized. it will light fast. If not, it's often because the firewood is too damp. We were in a pub the other day, and they were having trouble getting the fire to kick out heat. The pub last night had a fire that was like a furnace. Almost identical construction.

Hi bil,

Just a compliment and a question. The advice you give on this thread is spot on and superb. The coldest night of the winter here last night and down to 4* however acting on your advice I have built up a good bed of the finest ash you could think of and I only take out one ashpan full of ash each day. The fire has been in continuously lit for about three weeks now and it certainly keeps our big room aired overnight when closed down. What I now have to do is clean the window with the fire lit.

I recall about a year or so ago there was discussion on this and all sorts of recommendations made. Have tried a few such as damp newspaper and ash. Not all successful but someone recommended a propriety cleaner with a German name which I think you agreed with. Since the Germans have lots of expirience with ovens I thought it might be about right. Can't recall the name and can't find it can you remind us all please?

Thank you. I don't actually remember recommending any cleaner. I didn't used to clean mine much, but I do now.

To be honest, any commercial cleaner will do quite a good job. I spray it on and rub it in with a paper towel until it gets difficult, then wipe off the surplus and repeat. Finally I go over it with a clean damp floor cloth and then polish dry with a clean paper towel.

I bought mine in Mercadonna, I suspect it is pretty easily found anywhere.

I started doing it because a friend does it almost every day, and looking at her woodburner is like looking at a dvd, the flames and firewood are so clear!

As to doing it with the fire lit. If I did that I would do it first thing in the morning when it is at its coldest, as I don't like the idea of spraying a cold liquid onto hot glass. Also, the warmer it is, the more the liquid will evaporate and not be so efficient at cleaning.

Hope that helps.

Spot on our nearest supermarket is Mercadona so I'll pop in tomorrow and clean on Thursday morning.

That is a quote from the St Helens Reporter many years ago when the contract to supply new additional ovens at the crematoria was awarded to a German company!

I use a cleaner made by Fuegonet " Limpiador para cristales de estufa"
It works like magic.
Spray it on and leave for a couple of minutes, then wipe with a damp cloth/sponge.

Try local ferreterias. It's around €5 for a 750ml trigger spray that will last for months.

We have tried the special cleaners but have found them to be not as good as simply using liquid metal polish, it brings the glass up like new every time!

That sounds about right I will look out for it.

The best that I have found for cleaning the glass is simple vinegar!

Gets all the soot off and makes the glass sparkle.

Thats what we use on the windows and polish off with a Sunday Times works a treat. However not sure on a stove that has been in for 3 weeks continuosly.

Ref bils note that it looks like a flat screen telly when clean I agree and think more heat will pass through the clean glass then there is the physcological feeling of being warmer in front of a blazing fire. As they say "every little helps" especially when it got down to 3* here last night.

Well, I'm used to a smokey obscured glass on the stove, so when I saw our friend's stove which looked as tho the glass was missing, I was sold!