Daily 3 second general clean, once a week 5 minute clean and we love ours. LOVE IT. We have an Aroura and the noise is minimal unless you have it on high and then it just sounds like a fan...no biggie. Especially when compared to strictly woodstove heat, yeah...the pellet stove is WONDERFUL! No chopping wood, no mess, no inconsistent heat....I'm a pellet stove fan (and so are my neighbors, btw)
TRUBRIT, I'm glad you are loving yours too!!! I purchased an additional kitty bed to place in front of ours and it is always full of a few cats, they love the warm air too!