Stove rust preventative?

[GibsonJ45]

I know we're in the middle of burning season (yay!) but I'm already thinking about Spring chores...

My stove's interior started rusting as it sat unused over the summer. (I've got the awesome Jotul 3 with enameled blue/black exterior... that doesn't rust.) I tried to knock some of it off, but not much good there.... Is there something that will reduce moisture inside the stove as it sits unused over a long period of time?

It's not really feasible for me to get to the top of the chimney to cap it off (way too high up for a non-professional). Perhaps stuffing the stove with wood and newspaper over the summer? Any ideas?

 

[Warm_in_NH]

I put a small bucket of damp rid in mine for the summer. Keeps the smokey smell away and definitely collected some water.

 

[bobdog2o02]

WD-40

 

[GibsonJ45]

Damp rid! Didn't know about that. Will def check that out. Thanks!

 

[GibsonJ45]

So... WD40? Makes me a bit nervous, but y'all have had good service with that in wood stoves?

 

[bobdog2o02]

I wasn't serious , really. I've used it on dirt bikes and off road trucks to keep rust down but have been thinking of using it on the stove. My only concern would be how it reacts with the catalysts and the baffle plates, etc.

 

[CenterTree]

Just an idea, I haven't tried it in the stove myself yet.

I use a can of silicone spray on all my outside tools. Such as shovels, axes, hammers, etc.
I even spray a liberal amount of silicone all over my log splitter and motorcycle B4 storage too.

I would think a silicone coating will be fine on the steel inside a stove. IMO.
I just wouldn't spray the fire brick though. Steel only.

 

[mepellet]

On my pellet stove I cap the vent and put a small bucket of damp rid in the hopper and another in the ash pan.

I have heard of many using wd40 or Pam in their pellet stove firebox with great success.

 

[firefighterjake]

I've used a box of baking soda in the firebox after cleaning it out thoroughly in the Spring.

Although last year I was lazy and did nothing . . . and surprisingly the stove didn't rust out like a cheap import car from the 1970s and have parts falling off it when I fired it up this fall.

 

[Grisu]

WD-40

Would certainly make it easy to light the stove for the first fire of the cold season.

 

[begreen]

I'd be concerned that it would make the house stink like a metal shop. Instead I would use something like spray canola cooking oil, but the damp-rid would probably suffice.

 

[bobdog2o02]

I'd be concerned that it would make the house stink like a metal shop. Instead I would use something like spray canola cooking oil, but the damp-rid would probably suffice.

Wouldn't bother me if the house smelled like WD. I love when I clean a gun and it smells like Hoppes 9 for the evening.

 

[GibsonJ45]

Good ideas everyone. Hmmm.. I use canola oil on my cast iron pans... so... might use that with some damp rid.

 

[BobUrban]

Clean it out and light a candle in there - get a little fireside ambiance without heat and keeps the stove dry as well as a positive air flow going out so no smell. I light one often and especially during heavy wet weather the creates summer down draft.

 

[ailanthus]

I put a small bucket of damp rid in mine for the summer. Keeps the smokey smell away and definitely collected some water.

I do the same & it works well, even in a humid house w/o air conditioning.

 

[Woody Stover]

It's caused by warm, humid air coming down the chimney and condensing inside the cooler, air-conditioned stove. Stuff something in the top of the stack or cover it, problem solved....without solvents.

 

[mepellet]

It's caused by warm, humid air coming down the chimney and condensing inside the cooler, air-conditioned stove. Stuff something in the top of the stack or cover it, problem solved....without solvents.

Op said they can't get to the top of the stack....

How about stuffing some rags from inside the stove into the flue connection (assuming that is accessible on your model)

 

[Woody Stover]

Op said they can't get to the top of the stack....How about stuffing some rags from inside the stove into the flue connection (assuming that is accessible on your model)

Oops, I missed that. Stuffing from the bottom you might still get a little condensation but if there's a block-off plate, probably not much. I guess rags or newspaper would catch that before it ran down into the stove...

 

[Fsappo]

I like the candle idea. Or if you wanna go fancy, get a set of gelled alcohol logs that use those sterno cans! Im sure it violates a code and BG is about to ban me, but those things are harmless in my opinion.

 

[GibsonJ45]

A block off plate! yes! Good idea! On my set up, I can work with the stove pipe to the chimney (unless calling in a pro). Looks like my spring chore will be replacing my straight open pipe with one that has a damper/regulator/block plate. Along with some other ideas here! Thanks! Man, this is a great forum!

 

[Oldman47]

I am really needing to think about this issue. It is something I had simply never considered. Is there a reason not to just go on the roof and install a cap to block the end of the chimney? That way nothing gets into the chimney or the stove pipe so it can't affect the stove. What am I missing? I am completely new to this wood burning stuff, except for camp fires, so there is plenty I still need to learn.

 

[GibsonJ45]

Capping the chimney would definitely help but my chimney is too high for me. If you can do it, you should. On one level, if it's a cheap stove, a bit of rust doesn't matter, but for a pricey stove sitting in your main room, well, I want to keep it serviceable for as long as possible