If you have a traditional cast iron wood stove, keeping it clean on the inside and outside is vital.
Below we’ll talk about how to clean your cast iron stove, how to maintain it and, more importantly, why you should.
Cast iron stoves can last a lifetime, but it’s vital to keep the outside free of rust and the inside free of soot so let’s dig in to the details.
Table of Contents
Why does Rust Matter?
Before we talk about cleaning the rust off your stove, we first need to talk about why it really matters. We see rust almost every day on various items inside and outside the home. Most of the time it won’t bother us.
One of the major reasons that rust is an issue for your stove is that it’s a clear sign that it’s degrading over time. Rust is corrosion created when iron, oxygen and water (or moisture) combine to slowly degrade and eat away at the original iron structure. This rust will result in your stove firebox becoming brittle and weakened over time.
Unfortunately, rust is something that only gets worse and if you ignore it, you’ll be consigning your cast iron stove to the scrapyard sometime in the near future.
This rust, if left untended, will create holes that eventually allow harmful gasses to escape when you’re building and burning fires. One of the main reasons people prefer a wood stove over an open fire is that a stove is enclosed. Harmful gasses are contained within the contraption and escape via the flue. However, if the stove has a hole, carbon monoxide and other toxic chemicals can enter the room.
It’s also less efficient. The exposure to the air will cool the fire down and you will naturally need to use more wood to keep it going.
Another reason rust matters, although admittedly less important, is that it will ruin the look of your stove. This will be an issue in your home, but also if you want to sell it in future.
How to Clean a Cast Iron Wood Stove
How to remove rust from a cast iron stove:
When you first notice rust, the first thing to do is clean it off and tackle it as quickly as possible.
- You will need to get some steel wool and scrub. The time spent doing this will largely depend on the size of your stove and the extent of the damage to date.
- Once the rust is removed, use sandpaper to remove any spots that the rust may have left over. These spots, however small, can grow and result in a return of more rust in the future.
- When your stove is both clean and smooth, use stove polish. Simply apply this polish to a rag and ensure the whole outer stove firebox is covered. You can buy stove polish from most hardware stores.
Don’t clean cast iron with water:
When noticing rust, some people might be tempted to clean it off with water. This is a terrible idea!
Yes, it will initially seem as though the water is helping but have you ever noticed how metal rusts quicker when it’s outside? This is because, as already hinted, rust is the result of water or increased air moisture coming into contact with iron (and oxygen).
Using stove paint to stop the rust returning:
If you notice that rust isn’t just an occasional irritant but a constant menace, you could paint your stove with special stove paint.
The stove paint will create a barrier between the air and the iron. Normally, water from the air will attach to the iron and cause it to rust. But, water will not be able to penetrate the stove paint. It will simply sit on top and evaporate again.
It’s also worth noting that stove paint is designed to withstand the sorts of temperatures that stoves can reach. Ordinary paints aren’t built for that sort of heat exposure and will simply melt or run off.
Why clean the inside of the stove?
It’s just as important to clean the inside of your cast iron stove, as it is the outside.
When you build a fire and burn wood, kindling and paper materials, it will leave behind ash and soot. Too much of this can impact how well your stove works.
If you forget or refuse to remove the leftover ash and soot, your fire won’t just heat up the next set of logs. It will also have to heat up the soot that’s built up, making your fire less efficient.
It’s also important to know that the gasses created from the soot combustion can become so heavy that they can’t escape via the flue. Consequently, they can end up blowing back out into the room.
How to clean the inside of the stove:
Now that we know why it’s important to clean the inside of the stove, let’s look at how we actually do it.
- Before cleaning your stove, lay down some newspaper, so you don’t ruin your hearth or the immediate surrounding area in the room.
- The first step in cleaning the inside of your wood stove is to get rid of the ash. The best way to do this is with a dustpan and brush, but remember to be careful when dealing with this type of fire waste.
- With the ash gone, you can now take care of the soot. You can do this with a simple damp rag and some elbow grease. Simply use the damp rag to clean the inside, rinse it in a bucket of clear water and then repeat until finish.
- Once the soot has been collected, make sure to dry the stove.
Just a quick note to say that if a damp rag isn’t doing it, try using vinegar. Vinegar is an acid which will help weaken the base level of the soot and help it come off. Whatever chemical you use, just be sure it isn’t flammable.
Why and how to clean the stove glass:
Many people don’t think about how to clean their stove glass or consider it a major issue.
For more details on cleaning stove glass click here.
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Cast iron stoves can add so much character and warmth to a home, but the bulky nature of the firebox and the iron material can cause issues in the long run.
We hope this helps, and for everything else home heating stick with CosyWarmer.com