Rust inside your stove?

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GS7

Member
Dec 14, 2012
180
Connecticut
My insert has surface rust inside the firebox, any suggestions on how to prevent this? The stove is just 2 years young.
 
Great question. I have rust inside my stove for the first time this year.
 
looks like it will be necessary during the entire off season

I dump some in a plastic cup and put it in the stove. about once a month I change it, and its got about a 4 oz or so of water in the cup.
 
I use a small peanut can of cat litter and it works very nicely...
 
Crystal kitty litter is silica gel. I cap our chimney and place a small coffee can of the litter in the firebox. Keeps things dry and rust free. The litter isn't that expensive.
 
I put the damp rid in the stove. In the next few days I'll lightly sand the rust from the top of the firebox then I'll paint it with rust-Oluem high heat black paint. Hopefully it works since this area is above the baffles and does not get exposed to direct flame. Paint says it withstands heat up to 1200 degrees. We'll see how it goes.
 
Thanks for the thread. I haven't noticed rust yet but I'm going to try something next off-season like the kitty litter idea, just as a precaution. Since I have an OAK (outside air), I could see that it could bring in moisture.
 
Block your pipe with insulation (at the top or bottom) as soon as you're done burning for the season to prevent humid air from getting to the stove. This year, I put a plastic bag over the top of the pipe instead. Make a note so you don't forget to remove the blockage before you light your first fire in the fall. ==c
 
A little surface rust is nothing to worry about. IMO
 
A little surface rust is nothing to worry about. IMO

I been told that rust is a cancer. We try to remove cancer before it spreads, why wouldn't there be a worry about this rust?


. I haven't noticed rust yet but I'm going to try something next off-season like the kitty litter idea, just as a precaution. Since I have an OAK (outside air), I could see that it could bring in moisture.

Good point. Thanks for your suggestion.
 
I don't think I'd do anything at all about it. I'd just fire up the stove. Rick
 
What if I lose the note?
Leave the note inside the stove, but don't crumple it up and use it to start a fire until after you read it. ==c
 
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I think the rust inside my stove is covered with a very fine layer of somewhat fluffy creo/stuff.
The stove is 28-ish years old, and so far, the rust hasn't caused any major problems.
Overfiring by the previous owner did, but not the rust.
 
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