Falling under the category of bonfire stoves, Solo Stoves’ designs allow for all flame elements to stay protected and captivated in a full rotomolded enclosure making it a favourite among outdoor lovers.

Yet constant usage results in soot and ash build-up from inside, which stains the stove’s outer surface, therefore affecting its visual appeal and more importantly its durability.

Knowing how to clean Solo Stove exterior effectively ensures it stays in top condition, maintaining its aesthetic appeal and functionality. 

This guide will provide you with step-by-step instructions to restore the original lustre of your Solo Stove’s exterior while providing some basic maintenance and cleaning solutions that are safe for stainless steel.

Why It’s Important to Know How to Clean Solo Stove Exterior

With the innovative shaping of the Solo stove and effective incineration, this equipment gets its usage both for the yards and the dwellers. However, with time, some factors like smoke, ashes, steak knives and rain will tend to dirty the outer covering of that stove.

Knowing how to clean Solo Stove exterior not only maintains its sleek, stainless-steel look but also prevents long-term discolouration and corrosion. Regular cleaning can keep your Solo Stove looking as good as new and ready for your next outdoor gathering.

How to Clean Solo Stove Exterior: Step-by-Step Guide

For best results, do the following steps to clean the surface of a solo stove safely and properly.

How to Clean Solo Stove Exterior

1. Let the Stove Cool Completely

Before any other thing on how to clean Solo Stove exterior, ensure that the Solo Stove is at room temperature. This is important as washing the exterior while it is still hot may result in sustained burns and streaks forming on the stainless steel. 

Give it some time for that process to be completed and for the cleaning to be done efficiently and safely. Besides, do not forget that there should be no embers or ash remnants in the stove as they also present a fire hazard.

2. Use a Soft Cloth or Sponge

When learning how to clean Solo Stove exterior, one important tip is to avoid abrasive materials that might scratch the surface. Instead:

• Use a dry or moist microfiber cloth or a sponge.
• Gently stroke the surface to get rid of dust and light stains.
• When dealing with difficult spots, wet the cloth in warm water like we do with the cleaning of damascus knives.

3. Apply a Mild Cleaning Solution

Do not use steel wool or any other rough scraping sponges, as they will spoil the polished surface of the stove. 

• Apply a Mild Cleaning Solution for deeper cleaning, a mild soap solution is beneficial in softening and dissolving dirt, soot, and any other adhesive.
• In a small plastic bowl, mix a few tablespoons of warm water and pour in a few drops of mild dishwashing soap. 
• Turn the sponge over and dip it in the soapy liquid, squeeze it out if necessary, and wipe the stove's surface carefully. It is advisable to do this in small areas and to change the clothes when too soiled.

Mild soap cleans effectively without leaving harsh chemicals on the surface, which is essential in learning how to clean Solo Stove exterior properly.

How to Clean Solo Stove Exterior Stains and Discoloration

After some time, one may observe some changes in colour or stains on the outer side of the Solo Stove, especially if it is often in contact with high temperatures. Chameleon, also known as colour changing, the effect can be observed in stainless steel causing yellowish or bluish colouration. Here’s how to go about it: 

How to Clean Solo Stove Exterior Stains and Discoloration

1. Use White Vinegar Solution for Stains

Use a White Vinegar Solution for Stains. White vinegar is a great natural cleaner that offers no harm to stainless steel surfaces.

• In a clean spray bottle mix 50 50 white vinegar and plain water. 
• Spray the prepared solution on the stained portions of the surface. 
• Allow it to stay for several minutes, then clean it with a damp clean cloth. 

Vinegar helps to get rid of those hard stains and also aids in bringing back the original look of the Solo Stove.

2. Polish with Baking Soda Paste for Burnt Residue

The burnt part may be treated with a paste that is doughy and consists of baking soda that is safe to use and abrasive enough to remove burnt stains without leaving scratches. 

For this application, make a paste of dried powdered baking soda with a little water.

• Dab this paste on the soiled areas using a soft cloth.
• Then massage in small circles gently but deep in the dry gouges or cracks.
• Wipe off all traces of baking albeit with water and pat dry with a clean towel.

Equally, polishing using baking soda is a healthy but challenging way of cleaning off dirt without damaging the surface of the Solo Stove.

Final Steps for a Spotless Finish

After the cleaning has been performed to your satisfaction, you can complete the procedure with the following points:

1. Rinse and Dry Thoroughly

After removing all dirt, rinse the Solo Stove cleaned surface with water to get rid of soap, vinegar, or baking soda residues used previously and carry out a drying process using a soft dry towel. Leave the surface of the stainless steel stove wet, and it tends to be clouded surface-wise by water spots, hence why all the surfaces need to be dried properly. 

2. Apply a Stainless Steel Cleaner (Optional)

In case you want your Solo Stove to glow even more than it does already, you can use a stainless steel spray: 

• Do not use any stainless steel cleaners for the indoors; rather than the ones meant for cleaning and polishing outdoor furniture and fixtures. 
• Pour a bit onto the inside of the soft cloth, and polish the stove in circles. 

There is a thin layer of protection provided by a stainless steel cleaner applied to the surface of the stove, which makes the cleaner removal of any stains very easy. Also, the next cleaning can be done without too much effort. However, the applicable cleaner must be heat resistant as some expensive stainless steel cleaning solutions are cheap and not fit for hot products.

Tips for Maintaining a Clean Solo Stove Exterior

Understanding how to clean Solo Stove exterior is essential, but maintaining it is just as important to keep it looking new. Here are some maintenance tips:

1. Cover the Stove When Not in Use: A tarpaulin cover on the stove or its storage in the shed or garage may render it less prone to dirt stains and weather damage.
2. Regular Dusting:  After each firing of the stove or even before it, dusting the Solo Stove from outside prevents dust from accumulating. Just a simple dry cloth cleaning post the usage of the stove helps prevent ash and soot from adhering to the surface.
3. Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Supplements like washing liquids or dishwashing soaps and even vinegar and baking powder are okay but aggressive cleaning products can be detrimental, especially in their long-term usage which leads to the corrosion of the stainless steel walls.
4. Minimize Water Exposure: Stainless steel may be rust-proof, however, over-exposure at a single instance may still give way to water streaks or spots more so if the cleaning is not done correctly. Make it a point to always wipe the external surface after cleaning.

Maintaining a clean exterior not only enhances the stove’s appearance but also contributes to its longevity, allowing you to enjoy outdoor gatherings around your Solo Stove for years to come.

Conclusion

In summary, learning how to clean Solo Stove exterior involves a few straightforward steps and some essential precautions. We can follow these tips for cleaning the Solo Stove without compromising its brand-new look inside out. Regular care with treatment that’s not abrasive allows the stainless steel to retain its original lustre and integrity. As all of the details on cleaning have been discussed, you’re ready to get your Solo Stove prepared for the next outdoor excursion.