Cleaning MES Window Without Any Chemicals At All

[fishshtick]

I just use a green Scotch Brite pad and some paper towels right after a smoke, while the glass is still warm. I wet the scotch brite pad in warm water and it takes very little effort to losen the residue on the window with a little scrubbing.  A couple wipes with some paper towels and the job's done.  The key is doing this while the residue is still fresh on every smoke.  If you let the thing cool it gets much tougher. The green scotch brite pads don't scratch the glass if that is what anyone is wondering.

 

[phillip p smith]

. I tried that today and it worked. My wife looked at me like???? What!!  Next time I will put a piece of newspaper on the flooring before scrubbing. Get the paper towel wet, dip it in the ashes, rub some all over the glass, then go back and rub all over. Rinse with clean water. Viola!! Job done with no hassle or chemicals! It works!!

Thanks for the thread!

 

[Bearcarver]

 
. I tried that today and it worked. My wife looked at me like???? What!!  Next time I will put a piece of newspaper on the flooring before scrubbing. Get the paper towel wet, dip it in the ashes, rub some all over the glass, then go back and rub all over. Rinse with clean water. Viola!! Job done with no hassle or chemicals! It works!!

Thanks for the thread!

Glad it worked good for you!!

LOL---I've been know to drip on my front porch floor while cleaning my glass.

Bear

 

[idahopz]

I cannot thank you enough for this post Bear! For the first time in about 30 years it is easy to see the fire through the glass in our wood burning fireplace insert. Sure, I could have cleaned it with other methods, but was just too lazy because it is so difficult. Your ash method makes the grime come off the window almost like a simple wipe of the cloth.

 

[cmayna]

I use hot water with one of those green scouring pads on my MES40 door window. Simple!

 

[Lurch96]

I use rubbing alcohol at the suggestion of another post on this forum. Works great! The window wipes clean as if that was it's only job in this world.

 

[Bearcarver]

I cannot thank you enough for this post Bear! For the first time in about 30 years it is easy to see the fire through the glass in our wood burning fireplace insert. Sure, I could have cleaned it with other methods, but was just too lazy because it is so difficult. Your ash method makes the grime come off the window almost like a simple wipe of the cloth.

Thank You Pete!!
Glad it makes it easy for you!!
Anybody who never tried this has no idea how easy it can be.
I used Windex---Not Bad.
Awesome----Pretty Good.
Alcohol------Useless.
Wood stove Ashes---Unbelievable!
And Thanks for the Like.

Bear

 

[Carvendive]

Thanks John!!!
I hope that works for you, but I'm thinking the AMNPS ashes may be too fine.

It kinda gets like talcum powder.

Bear

1. Very fine ash will also work.
2. If you have tough areas let the ash/water solution sit in the spot for 5 min. It helps dissolve the stain.
3. Be careful not to use ash from the bottom of the hearth as you might also pick up sand (from the bark) that will scratch.
4. If you do get a scratch and the window is glass (wood stove and fireplaces are usually not glass but rather, clear ceramic) DON'T PANIC. You can use rottenstone followed with ash to buff it out if it's not too deep.

 

[AP514]

I use rubbing alcohol at the suggestion of another post on this forum. Works great! The window wipes clean as if that was it's only job in this world.

I use DeNatured Alcohol.(no water in it) got at least 15 smokes under my belt now and Mes looks almost new.

 

[Bearcarver]

1. Very fine ash will also work.
2. If you have tough areas let the ash/water solution sit in the spot for 5 min. It helps dissolve the stain.
3. Be careful not to use ash from the bottom of the hearth as you might also pick up sand (from the bark) that will scratch.
4. If you do get a scratch and the window is glass (wood stove and fireplaces are usually not glass but rather, clear ceramic) DON'T PANIC. You can use rottenstone followed with ash to buff it out if it's not too deep.

Hmmm, I used to use Rottenstone to remove stains from Lacquered Kitchen Cabinets. Good stuff!

Bear

 

[Carvendive]

Yeah, among other things I use both pumice and rotten stone to spot fix hardwood floors. Feathers in the edges so we'll you can't spot the fix.

 

[normanaj]

Yeah, among other things I use both pumice and rotten stone to spot fix hardwood floors. Feathers in the edges so we'll you can't spot the fix.

Yup!

 

[old sarge]

Razor blade scraper works well.

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

Honestly, the novelty of having a window wore off after the 5th smoke and I haven't cleaned it since.

 

[maplenut]

I use DeNatured Alcohol.(no water in it) got at least 15 smokes under my belt now and Mes looks almost new.
View attachment 382945

Looks mighty nice in that there smoker.
Me personally prefer to keep my smoker cured and untouched, except that dang window!
Why did I get the one with the window? Once I fire up the smoker it is not long till that dang window becomes useless. Then I feel that I must get it clean once I am done each time.

Why did I get the one with a window?

 

[maplenut]

Honestly, the novelty of having a window wore off after the 5th smoke and I haven't cleaned it since.

I agree completely.
But my OCD kicks in when there is a window and it must be kept clean!

 

[Bearcarver]

Looks mighty nice in that there smoker.
Me personally prefer to keep my smoker cured and untouched, except that dang window!
Why did I get the one with the window? Once I fire up the smoker it is not long till that dang window becomes useless. Then I feel that I must get it clean once I am done each time.

Why did I get the one with a window?

So you can look through it, instead of opening the door to make sure everything is going good, like your AMNPS.
It's also the best way to see if the density of smoke is not too heavy.
And visitors always want to see what's going on in there, and I don't open the door for anybody.
And it's not hard to keep clean---Even a lazy old guy, like Me can do it.

Bear

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

I agree completely.
But my OCD kicks in when there is a window and it must be kept clean!

Well my OCD kicked in this afternoon.
Yep, I finally cleaned that window.
I ended up spraying the window a couple times with Weber Grate Cleaner.
Let the cleaner set for a few minutes then used a nylon scrub pad and a little bit of elbow grease.
Followed that with two heavy rinses with water and then a two hour dry run at 275 degrees.

It sure looks pretty.
I am thinking about keeping my window clean from now on.

 

[Bearcarver]

Well my OCD kicked in this afternoon.
Yep, I finally cleaned that window.
I ended up spraying the window a couple times with Weber Grate Cleaner.
Let the cleaner set for a few minutes then used a nylon scrub pad and a little bit of elbow grease.
Followed that with two heavy rinses with water and then a two hour dry run at 275 degrees.

It sure looks pretty.
I am thinking about keeping my window clean from now on.

I think you'll be glad you did, if you do.
However if you let it go a long time, whether you use ashes, which was the original reason for this thread, or any other cleaner, it would be a good idea to remove much of it with a razor blade first.

Bear