Three Most Common Causes of Fire Glass Turning Black
- Missing, Improperly Installed or Under Sized Air-Mixer (Propane Only) Unlike natural gas that is clean and light, LP gas is a denser, heavier fuel that requires the addition of ...
- Too Much Fire Glass Covering the Burner The fire glass covering your burner should be just enough so the burner is not visible. ...
- Wind Blowing the Flame
Why does my gas stove glass turn black?
Therefore try to use logs with a moisture content of 20% or less. Check how easy it is to wipe the dirt of the glass. If you find that it’s hard to clean off then the blackening or cloudiness is probably being caused by the logs. If you find that it’s quite easy to wipe away then you’re most likely looking at lack of ventilation within the stove.
What causes black soot on glass fireplace doors?
As propane and other gases burn, incomplete combustion causes pesky black soot to form a fine film on the surroundings, including the glass doors of your fireplace.
What to do if your fire glass is turning black?
Here’s What to Do. Why is my fire glass turning black? If your fire glass is turning black this is most likely soot being deposited on your fire glass due to the gas not burning completely. Typically this is seen with propane gas and is easily fixed. Once the problem is fixed, your fire glass can be easily cleaned to look like new.
Why does my gas fireplace burn so dirty?
Gas fireplace burner sets eventually wear out or rust out, causing them to emit gas in a different manner and volume than they did when new. This different flame pattern may cause “dirty” burning and soot buildup. The fire-logs themselves could have cracked or broken, impinging on the flame path and interfering with proper combustion.
How do I keep my fireplace glass from turning black?
Try burning harder woods like oak, cherry, or walnut, and avoid burning woods known for their higher sap content. If your wood stove has a heat setting, try turning the heat controls up a few notches. Hotter fires will keep your glass cleaner.
How do I stop my gas fireplace glass from sooting?
A technician can often reduce soot levels simply by cleaning out the air intake shutters and restoring the air-fuel ratio. Gas fireplaces that contain ceramic logs used to mimic the look of a wood-burning fireplace often fall prey to another problem having to do with flame impingement.
Why does my fireplace window go black?
So why does the glass on your fireplace turn black? Blackened or cloudy fireplace glass is caused a buildup of soot and other small particles on the glass as a result of the fuel in the fireplace not burning properly, or a lack of ventilation over the inside of the glass.
How do you clean blackened fireplace glass?
Use vinegar solution: Try a homemade soot-cleaning solution made of ammonia and vinegar (1 cup vinegar, 3 cups warm water and 1 tablespoon of ammonia). Spray solution onto the glass and let sit for 30 seconds. With a clean cotton cloth, scrub in a circular motion until soot is loosened.
Why do I have black soot in my house?
Black soot, sometimes mistaken for mold, is a black substance or residue that's left behind after fuel is burned. It can come from common household items like candles and is an air pollutant that can cause health problems if it isn't addressed.
What can I use to clean my gas fireplace glass?
2:323:35How to Clean Fireplace Glass (Get Rid of White Film on Gas ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd just take your glass lay it down I found that the white film that was built up here was veryMoreAnd just take your glass lay it down I found that the white film that was built up here was very easy to remove simply with a razor blade. And just ran that across the whole surface of the glass.
How do I keep my log burner glass clean?
How to keep wood burner glass cleanDo…• Use a damp crumpled paper towel or newspaper, dip it in fine wood ash and use this to rub the stove glass clean.• If there is substantial build up on the glass, burn a high temperature fire in the wood burning stove before you try to clean the glass. ... • ... • ... • ... Don't…•More items...•
How do you clean the glass door on a gas fireplace?
0:161:43How to Clean a Gas Fireplace Glass - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow this is not a job for windex we're going to use a conditioning glass cleaner and some good oldMoreNow this is not a job for windex we're going to use a conditioning glass cleaner and some good old paper towel then it's just a circular motion on the glass.
Can I use Windex on fireplace glass?
DO NOT USE WINDEX or other glass cleaners – gas fireplace glass is special and so it needs a special cleaner. Stop by and pick up some Gas Fireplace Glass Cleaner (try saying that one five times fast). It's a cream-based cleaner that will help lift that white film without scratching or doing damage to the glass.
Why is the glass on my gas fireplace cloudy?
The process of burning natural gas produces moisture that has a high level of sulfuric acid. That acid etches the glass, making the foggy appearance permanent.
Why is my fireplace glass black?
Basically, the overarching thing to remember is that it all comes down to how efficiently the fire is burning, regardless of the fuel contained within. Black smoke is emitted when a fire is not burning smoothly, usually because it gets too little air drawn into it. This can cause it to throw off soot and small particles. An irregular ratio between air and fuel within the fireplace can create this effect, so it’s important to read all manuals that go along with your fireplace and make sure you’re not creating a mix that leads to blackened glass.
What happens if you burn soot on a wood burning stove?
When it comes to a wood-burning fireplace, your choice of fuel again becomes a factor. Dry and well-seasoned logs with low moisture content are what you want, because logs with more moisture content will result in more smoke being produced. As a rule of thumb, if the soot is easy to wipe off the glass, then you’re looking at a lack of ventilation within the stove, whereas if it’s difficult to wipe off, chances are it’s being caused by the logs having a higher moisture content.
Why is my fire glass black?
Why is my fire glass turning black? If your fire glass is turning black this is most likely soot being deposited on your fire glass due to the gas not burning completely. Typically this is seen with propane gas and is easily fixed. Once the problem is fixed, your fire glass can be easily cleaned to look like new.
What happens if you put too much fire glass on a gas burner?
If you have too much fire glass over your burner the gas is dispersed over a greater area resulting in incomplete combustion of the gas. To fix this problem simply remove some of the fire glass until the burner is hidden just under the surface.
What happens when you move a flame around a gas burner?
When the flame is moved around the burner pan by the wind it leaves some areas where the gas doesn’t burn or burns incompletely leaving a soot deposit behind. For a clean burn you want the flame to be consistently over the gas source.
Why is my fire pit sooting?
Even the slightest breeze can have a detrimental effect on the flame in your fire pit leading to sooting on your fire pit and on the edges of the burner pan. If you’re seeing soot around the perimeter of your burner pan then wind is the most likely cause.
What is a flame guard?
A flame guard is a small tempered glass wall which sits around your burner pan and acts as a wind buffer. Not only will the flame guard help reduce the sooting on your fire glass, it’ll also improve the look and appeal of your fire table.
How to check if you have an air mixer?
To check if you have an air mixer installed, take a look at your fire pit’s piping. An air mixer will be found connected directly below the fire pit burner. Get step-by-step instructions for cleaning your burnt ...
Is fire glass combustible?
The fact is that fire glass is non-combustible, and it hasn’t been treated with any chemicals or additives that can produce a residue on the glass. What you’re looking at, actually, is a fine coating of black soot on the surface, which happens when the gas in your fire pit or fireplace isn’t burning properly.
Why is my glass fireplace turning black?
If your glass fireplace doors have turned black, it’s because excess soot is being produced when you burn a fire. In the majority of cases, this over-production of soot is due to a problem with either the oxygen or the fuel part ...
Why is my propane fireplace glass black?
Black glass on a propane fireplace is also caused by the wrong air-to-fuel ratio. Improperly placed logs can be the reason for this as well as an obstruction or malfunction of the tank regulator.
Why is my wood burning fireplace black?
When there is a hinderance of air in the firebox, logs burn weakly and produce excess smoke and soot.
What are the three things that are needed to make a black glass fire?
What You Need to Know About Black Glass. For there to be fire, three things are required: oxygen, fuel and heat. Remove any of them from what’s known as the “fire triangle,” and you can’t start a fire. This is the simple part of fire, but it gets more complicated, particularly where the quality of the fire is concerned.
Why is there black soot on my gas fireplace?
Vented gas fireplace logs will usually have a bit of soot on them because it is a factor of the combustion process , but it is not be the norm for a non-vented fireplace.
Why is my fireplace burning orange?
Excessive sooting can be the result, or combination of, any of three different problems: The ratio of gas and oxygen may need to be adjusted. A rich gas mixture makes the flame more orange and flickering, which is appealing to most fireplace owners, but too much gas will cause the black powdery build up on the logs, and even on the fireplace insert.
Does propane cause soot?
Propane fireplaces usually create more soot than natural gas burning units. If the ceramic logs are positioned incorrectly they disrupt the flow of the flames and deposit soot where the flame crosses the log.
Why does my fireplace fog?
When a fireplace is first lit, the glass panels or doors may fog over. If you wait a little period of time the fog disappears. Usually this is merely water vapor that comes from the burning of natural gas. When the warm air with water vapor hits the cool glass, a thin film of condensation occurs; the glass looks foggy. As the glass heats up, the moisture on the glass re-evaporates and becomes clear. Each time there can be a little residue left over, so cleaning from time to time will help keep the glass clearer.
What causes a gray film on glass?
A gray or white film on the glass is usually from the chemical residues in the gas that gather on the glass. This is not un-natural. When burning fossil fuels, such as wood or natural gas, there is a by-product in the combustion process that results from burning these fuels. It is sulfur. When sulfur is combined with moisture in the air, it become sulfuric acid. This will stain (give a gray or whitish look) or etch the panels overtime. Cleaning the glass doors or panels on a regular bases makes for a good home maintenance item.
Why is my glass door sooty?
Generally referred to as “soot.” This soot may be from the gas not completely burning resulting from the position of the gas logs, gas pressure or the burner settings.
Where is the gas line coming through a firebox?
1. If there is a gas line (pipe) coming through pre-manufactured panels on the side of the interior firebox, then is it sealed around the gas line pipe where it goes through the panel. (read more about this safety concern)
Why does my propane fireplace burn soot?
Insufficient oxygen is a key cause of soot production, so ventilate the area by opening windows or turning on built-in vent fans before you fire up your propane appliance. On the same note, do not aim any external fans toward the fireplace as it burns. If your propane fireplace features artificial logs, keep them from impinging directly on ...
How to clean soot off glass on fireplace?
When soot does appear, start the cleaning process by removing the glass from your fireplace's doors. Apply about two tablespoons of gas appliance glass cleaner to one side of the glass, rubbing it on with a paper towel or soft cloth in circular motions, as you would car wax.
What does it mean when you see black marks on a fireplace?
If you see thick black marks on the cloth, you have a soot issue. Another sign of soot is a buildup of small clumps of a black, powdery, ash-like substance on the ceramic logs and glass fireplace doors.
What causes yellow flames in a gas fireplace?
Airflow. The correct fuel-air mixture in your fireplace produces pretty yellow flames with minimal soot buildup. Open-front gas fireplaces often have an air shutter on the gas line feeding the burner, for adjusting the fuel-air mixture.
Why is there soot on my gas stove?
The other main cause of soot is clogged ports on the gas burner, which causes an incomplete or unbalanced burn and formation of soot on the logs and doors. In either case, clean off the firelogs and doors, and make sure the logs are in the exact position specified by the gas burner’s manufacturer. If the burner has clogged ports, clean them ...
Why is there soot on my gas fireplace?
The most common causes of soot buildup in a gas fireplace are ceramic fire-logs that have been moved out of proper position and burner ports that are clogged. If the fire-logs shift out of position, they can interfere with the flame path that ensures clean burning of the gas, leading to soot formation on the logs and doors.
What to do if you can't find soot in your fireplace?
If you can’t find any problem with your gas fireplace but still experience excessive soot buildup, have your gas supplier check to see if the gas regulator feeding your home or fireplace is adjusted and functioning properly.
What is the purpose of vent shutters on a fireplace?
On fireplace models with glass doors, adjustable vent shutters beneath the doors regulate the amount of combustion air. The air shutter or air vents must be clean and unobstructed, and kept in proper position. If the flame becomes starved for air, it will produce excessive soot.
Can you stop soot buildup in a gas fireplace?
If you do experience a buildup of soot in your gas fireplace, there's a problem that requires attention -- but if you catch the soot problem early, you can stop the buildup before it becomes a major issue.
Why does my gas fireplace get soot?
Learn about three potential causes of this unwanted phenomenon. 1. Rich Air-Fuel Mix. Soot consists of bits of uncombusted carbon released from the natural gas.
What color are gas fireplaces?
Although rich fuel produces less heat, and more soot, its flames also have a yellow or orange color more evocative of a wood fire. By contrast, when the air-fuel ratio falls within acceptable limits, the resulting flame will have a blue color.
What can interrupt the flow of gas from a burner port?
The burner ports have relatively small diameters, which makes them susceptible to becoming clogged up with debris. Dirt, dust, insects, and even broken-down bits of ceramic logs can interrupt the flow of gas from a given burner port. In some cases, such restrictions prevent the burner port from generating flame at all.
How to reduce yellow flames in gas fireplace?
If you own a gas fireplace designed to produce yellow flame, a contractor may be able to reduce the amount of soot produced by altering your air-fuel ratio. If your fireplace only recently began exhibiting yellow flames or high soot levels, it may need to have its air intake shutters cleaned.
What happens when gas is too little air?
When too little air enters the combustion chamber, all of the gas present will not combust. This scenario goes by the name of rich fuel.
Can you reposition a log in a fireplace?
In most such fireplaces, homeowners can reposition the logs to suit their taste. Yet if somebody positions a log so that it disrupts a flame too greatly, it may have a detrimental impact on combustion. As a result, the excessively impinged flame produces a much greater amount of soot than it should. 3.
Does natural gas cause soot?
When natural gas combusts under perfect circumstances, it produces virtually no soot at all. Instead, soot only occurs when combustion does not occur completely. The key consideration when it comes to combustion efficiency lies in the air-fuel ratio.
