Olympic B-18 Cook stove from Washington Stove Works

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Webster

New Member
Nov 8, 2022
5
WI
Hi all,
I just started the refurbishment of an Olympic B-18 cook stove. When done it will be installed in an 1877 Cream City Brick Farmhouse.
We will use it for supplemental heat and occasional cooking.
I have the stove disassembled and cleaned up for painting. In the process of disassembly and cleaning I ran across a few items I have questions about.
Looks like the manufacturer used a sealer on the front of the stove by the ash box and on the box where the exhaust attaches. I assume this is for ash and ember control. I plan to use a 600 degree f Silicone in its place when assembling.
I also plan to paint the sheet metal and some of the cast iron parts with a 1200 degree f "Grill Paint". I will use Stove Black on the cook top and possibly vegetable oil in the oven interior.
Please feel free to make suggestions or comments.

I am missing one part for this stove. The handle used to shift the exhaust between Open and Bake.
I would like to purchase this part if available. I can make a replacement in needed. If someone can provide a photo or sketch of this part it would be much appreciated.

Thanks
 
Last edited:
By the description, it sounds like the area needing sealing may see temperatures regularly in excess of 600º. If so, a stove and furnace cement would be more appropriate.
Stove black on the cooktop does not sound like a good idea.
 
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By the description, it sounds like the area needing sealing may see temperatures regularly in excess of 600º. If so, a stove and furnace cement would be more appropriate.
Stove black on the cooktop does not sound like a good idea.
Thanks for the input.
I found a Stove and Gasket cement rated at 2000 degrees. I'll use that.
Any suggestions on cook top treatment. This top is in pretty good shape, I think it just needs a good cleaning.
 
Thanks for the input.
I found a Stove and Gasket cement rated at 2000 degrees. I'll use that.
Any suggestions on cook top treatment. This top is in pretty good shape, I think it just needs a good cleaning.
Stove & gasket cement is different and might be too runny for this application. Get some Rutland Furnace cement.
I would oil down the cooktop with vegetable or mineral oil.
@coaly may have additional thoughts.
 
Great, thanks again.
Years ago the top would have been coated with lard. The feeding of pigs has changed with less omega 3 fatty acids. Crisco is suitable.

Grapeseed oil is a higher smoke point oil than vegetable. Also linseed can be used. The object is the higher the smoke point, the better. The oven side will form a good hard coating, which is polymerized oil. The polymerized oil has a higher smoke point than the original oil, but still burns off the firebox side easily, so that side requires recoating.
 
Years ago the top would have been coated with lard. The feeding of pigs has changed with less omega 3 fatty acids. Crisco is suitable.

Grapeseed oil is a higher smoke point oil than vegetable. Also linseed can be used. The object is the higher the smoke point, the better. The oven side will form a good hard coating, which is polymerized oil. The polymerized oil has a higher smoke point than the original oil, but still burns off the firebox side easily, so that side requires recoating.
Thanks 😊
 
Just writing to thank all who replied to my questions about my Olympic B-18 stove.
I am attaching a photo of the restored stove in our 1877 Cream City Brick farmhouse.

[Hearth.com] Olympic B-18 Cook stove from Washington Stove Works
 
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That's a beauty.