How to Clean a Patio Heater

• Soft Cloths (we recommend micro-fiber)
• Mild, non-abrasive soap
• Car wax or stainless-steel cleaner
• For hard stains, citrus-based cleaners work best
• Compressed Air (air compressor or canned air)

1. Using a soft damp cloth, clean the exterior housing
   1. If you’re in a salt-water area, cleaning the exterior every two weeks will retard the corrosive process
   2. Once clean, rinse with clean warm water and allow to air dry
2. Using either car wax (for painted surfaces) or stainless-steel cleaner (for, um, stainless-steel surfaces) put a nice shine on your heater
3. Using compressed air blow out the heater head assembly – do not spray the heater head with water or use any cleaning solutions. You can remove the emitter grid to allow access to the pilot and main burner to give them a good blow out.

• Soft Cloths (we recommend micro-fiber)
• Mild, non-abrasive soap
• Car wax or stainless-steel cleaner
• For hard stains, citrus-based cleaners work best
• Compressed Air (air compressor or canned air)

1. Clean the exterior housing with a soft, damp cloth
   1. The exterior housing may need to be cleaned as often as every 2 weeks if you live near an ocean to slow the corrosion process.
   2. Finally, rinse with warm clean water and allow to air dry.
2. Once the surfaces are dry, use stainless-steel cleaner to shine the stainless-steel parts, and car wax to shine the painted parts
3. Open the service door, check the blower motor and use compressed air (or a vacuum cleaner) to remove any debris
4. Remove the burner head from the tube and use a combination of compressed air and/or a wire brush to remove any deposits or debris that may be on the actual burner
5. Thermocouple: The thermocouple senses whether the flame is going, determining when to cycle the gas supply to the unit. Excess carbon buildup on the thermocouple can prevent your heater from lighting since the carbon absorbs heat, not allowing the proper voltage to enter the thermocouple. To clean the thermocouple:
   1. Shut off the gas at the main gas control box
   2. Locate the thermocouple and remove it.
   3. Using emery cloth sandpaper, very lightly sand the thermocouple to remove the excess carbon.
   4. For heavy dirt and soot buildup, use compressed air to clear the debris
   5. Dirt and soot buildup can also be removed with fine steel wool or the scrubby side of a sponge
   6. While you’re there, also clean the threads of the screw that tightens the thermocouple (use a pencil eraser to push out dirt)
   7. Put the thermocouple back in place, and you’re back in business.

Whenever you have an appliance that moves heat (refrigerator, freezer, patio heater) you should pay special attention to the maintenance of that machine. Keeping dust and debris out of the system makes it work at its highest efficiency, saving you money and working better than if you just left it alone. In the case of a patio heater, keeping the elements clean will also decrease the possibility of fires and keep your family and guests as safe as they can be.

Firstly, and absolutely most importantly, review your instruction manual (or download it online) for instructions on the best way to clean your specific patio heater. Heaters are not alike, and your manual will key you into specifics you’ll need to do the job right.