Heard about my buddy's similar gear issue. Cleaned his and it worked perfectly.

Glad to hear the paintbrush method worked for you... the gentle dabbing part seems key. What kind of brush do you recommend for this? I tried with a stiff one from my shed and it didn't go well at all. Do you have to repeat it every day or just when there's no wind? My plants always seem to need more help than I think they do.

Check the manual for your specific model, mine says 12 inches from anything combustible. I stick to that rule and sometimes add an extra few inches for peace of mind. Good airflow is everything for getting that heat away from surfaces.

Man, I used to wait for Ebert's review every Friday.

Totally! I prefer quick verbal confirmations instead.