In season, when we're using the fireplace everyday: "stoke season", we clean up once a week, usually on Saturday morning.
Keep in mind that the heat is retained by the fireplace, so take caution; the grates, ashes, outside of the fireplace and window are still warm (or even hot), even if you haven't lit the fire in the last 12 hours.
Open up the chimey; when you're sweeping the inside of the fireplace, it can throw up a lot of dust. By having the chimey open you get a bit of draft and this can reduce the amount of dust that is thrown up.
Open the door, brush the bottom sil of the door; let it fall onto the paper.
The ashtray is placed as far back as possible, centered.
Keep in mind that the heat is retained by the fireplace, so take caution; the grates, ashes, outside of the fireplace and window are still warm (or even hot), even if you haven't lit the fire in the last 12 hours.
Tools and Tips
Tools needed:- Newspapers
- paper towels
- fireplace brush
- fireplace window cleaner
- ashes (when soote stains are difficult to remove)
Firebox
On the floor place a couple of sheets of (news)paper, at least the width of the outer dimensions of the Tulikivi and at least as much as the window protrudes (when opened).
Use a brush to sweep all ashes to the ashtray, also sweep the chute (the upper parts where the fumes go). When you work your way down (top to bottom), you only have to sweep once.
Remove the grates (careful: hot!) and brush them off into the ashtray.
Open the main vent to let all the ashes fall into the ashtray, give it a final sweep.
Close the chimney, place the grates back and close the main vent.
Window
Open the door, brush the bottom sil of the door; let it fall onto the paper.
Spray the window with the fireplace window cleaner generously and wipe with the some paper towel. If the cleaner drips on the floor, it's all right (that's why the newspaper is on the floor; try not to spil though). Drippings on the floor are hard to remove, I've learned from experience.
Update: currently I'm not using "fireplace window cleaner" anymore. A wet crumpled up newspaper cleans it a lot better, followed by a dry crumpled up newspaper does the trick a lot better
Repeat this a few times (usually two or three). My experience is that there always will be stripes on the window, don't fuss about it too much.
The wet paper towels I throw onto the (now clean) grates in the firebox. When filling up the fireplace I use these to light the fire on Saturday evening.
When there are stains that can't be removed with the window cleaner; spray some window cleaner on a paper towel, dip it into the ashtray and use that to scrub the window. Good ol' fashioned elbow grease will get rid of these stains. You might need to repeat this a few times.
Update: currently I'm not using "fireplace window cleaner" anymore. A wet crumpled up newspaper cleans it a lot better, followed by a dry crumpled up newspaper does the trick a lot better
Repeat this a few times (usually two or three). My experience is that there always will be stripes on the window, don't fuss about it too much.
The wet paper towels I throw onto the (now clean) grates in the firebox. When filling up the fireplace I use these to light the fire on Saturday evening.
When there are stains that can't be removed with the window cleaner; spray some window cleaner on a paper towel, dip it into the ashtray and use that to scrub the window. Good ol' fashioned elbow grease will get rid of these stains. You might need to repeat this a few times.
What to do with the ashes?
Remove the ashtray. Try to scoop the ashes from the ashtray area with the lid of the ashtray.
Because of the efficiency of the fire only a small amount of ashes is collected in the ashtray, so dumping it once a week is enough (for us).
In the backyard we've got a composter and that's where I dump the ashes. If it's not too cold or rainy I use a shovel to mix the compost otherwise I'll just run back inside as quickly as I can.
In the backyard we've got a composter and that's where I dump the ashes. If it's not too cold or rainy I use a shovel to mix the compost otherwise I'll just run back inside as quickly as I can.
Positioning the ashtray
The lid of the ashtray is placed sticking out to the front, aligned with the airvent. Why? Well, sometimes some ashes fall through the airvents located near the window and they end up very close to the airvent in the ashtray area. Now at least they fall onto the lid and can be easily removed.The ashtray is placed as far back as possible, centered.
Prepare for lighting
Remove the paper towels from the grate (most likely they are dry) and fill up the fireplace with wood and use the paper towels and the (carefully) crumbled up newspaper from the floor. Place some small, thin wood as firestarter on top of the paper.
Now everything is ready (until next week, when you have to do it all over again).
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