Should a person take this flame sensor off and use steel wool to clean it, or what does the flame sensor do? Mine is on a electronic Rheem furnace.

A flame sensor does exactly what it says. It is a safety device that senses the presents of flame and tells the computer circuit board if all is OK or not. Many times people remove the flame sensor to clean it but if you can get to it without removal that is OK as long as you can do a good cleaning job.

Should a person take this flame sensor off and use steel wool to clean it, or what does the flame sensor do? Mine is on a electronic Rheem furnace.

Thank you HVAC 1000 for your info.

I wouldn't use steel wool or you'll end up scratching the lens.

Dampen a Q-tip with Isopropyl alcohol, rub off the soot, dry with the other end.



Edit:
Just saw other post on flame sensor, My unit has an optical sensor, thus my advice.


K

I have never seen a lens on a residential gas high efficiency furnace. Some commercial units use a peeper which has a lens. Now oil furnaces use a cad cell and that should be cleaned with a damp cloth only.