Summer Moisture

[johnhimm]

Any tips on keeping the MT Vernon EA Insert dry over the summer? Last year I had mild rusting inside the unit. Do you use moisture absorbing containers they sell for boats? This year I just ran it unti it was empty also, has small amount of debris last year that swelled.

Thanks

 

[heat seeker]

I just block off the vent and OAK, and leave the stove door open about an inch. No rust problems in 8 years.

 

[Tonyray]

also, go to home depot and get a box of damprid..very cheap.
I usually buy 2 boxes. 1 for burning area and the other for lower area.
by fall both boxes have at least an inch or so of water in them.

btw: I also block off the vent and oak from outside but somehow moisture STILL finds it's way
into my stove.. this way I am double secured....

 

[Tonyray]

Any tips on keeping the MT Vernon EA Insert dry over the summer? Last year I had mild rusting inside the unit. Do you use moisture absorbing containers they sell for boats? This year I just ran it unti it was empty also, has small amount of debris last year that swelled.

Thanks

note:
leaving the stove door open all summer works for some here but doesn't always quarantee you won't get some rusting.
One size doesn't always fit all...
lot depends on where you live, humidity levels, how much or little you use air conditioner in the summer etc.....I never felt that secure to just leaving the door open.too many variables.
go with the damprid and no surprises in the fall..also block off the outside air entrances...
.

 

[Harmanizer]

What Tonyray said.I block off the oak and exhaust and use damp rid.Works great.

 

[bogieb]

note:
leaving the stove door open all summer works for some here but doesn't always quarantee you won't get some rusting.
One size doesn't always fit all...
lot depends on where you live, humidity levels, how much or little you use air conditioner in the summer etc.....I never felt that secure to just leaving the door open.too many variables.
go with the damprid and no surprises in the fall..also block off the outside air entrances...
.

Yeah - I can block off the OAK and exhaust for the P43 (main floor- unconditioned house) and it will be okay. The P61a in the basement (unfinished, unconditioned and on the moist side) needs extra protection so I use some Fogging Oil in it. Others use spray on cooking oil.

 

[Tonyray]

Yeah - I can block off the OAK and exhaust for the P43 (main floor- unconditioned house) and it will be okay. The P61a in the basement (unfinished, unconditioned and on the moist side) needs extra protection so I use some Fogging Oil in it. Others use spray on cooking oil.

oops....
forgot to mention that i also spray the burnpot and side walls each year with cooking spray.

 

[johnhimm]

I don't have an OAK, so I guess I will just block the exhaust area, which i assum is in the back, vents up the chimney. I will also use damp rid in the hopper and in the burn area.

Thanks

 

[Tonyray]

I don't have an OAK, so I guess I will just block the exhaust area, which i assum is in the back, vents up the chimney. I will also use damp rid in the hopper and in the burn area.

Thanks

good idea...

 

[Fish On]

I really don't worry about it to much. I don't empty it or clean it when I'm done. Just unplug and enjoy the warm summer months.

I love my stove don't get me wrong. Just some people go crazy over this stuff!

 

[Tonyray]

I really don't worry about it to much. I don't empty it or clean it when I'm done. Just unplug and enjoy the warm summer months.

I love my stove don't get me wrong. Just some people go crazy over this stuff!

HA...
like it takes all summer to clean the stove.....[just joking].
hour/half and done till fall..though I confess I am one of those that refuses to hand wash my cars..
i take them to the car wash. gives me more time to enjoy the summer months..

 

[Pete Zahria]

also, go to home depot and get a box of damprid..very cheap.
I usually buy 2 boxes.

What size do you get... the big ones are like 10 bucks...
Two of those isn't "that" cheap...

Dan

 

[johnhimm]

What size do you get... the big ones are like 10 bucks...
Two of those isn't "that" cheap...

Dan

I got 2- 18oz containers from Amazon for $15 total

 

[Tonyray]

What size do you get... the big ones are like 10 bucks...
Two of those isn't "that" cheap...

Dan

don't remember.. i get 2 round canisters...smallest ones...also you can save the canisters and following year just get 2 re-fill bags to fill them which cost less.
don't need the big ones... they are for rooms. like bathrooms and mildew areas...

 

[Deezl Smoke]

I really don't worry about it to much. I don't empty it or clean it when I'm done. Just unplug and enjoy the warm summer months.

I love my stove don't get me wrong. Just some people go crazy over this stuff!

I dont do anything either, but I respect other's points of view on their belongings. A little rust inside dont bother me. But swelled pellets would not be good. My location affords me dry, low moisture summers, so humidity is not an issue. But I have friends in areas that have very high humidity in the summer, like in Texas near the water. I can only imagine the mess a hopper half full of pellets would be in that humidity.

 

[webfish]

Amazon has a bunch of sizes.

https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=damprid&tag=hearthamazon-20

 

[Tonyray]

Amazon has a bunch of sizes.

https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=damprid&tag=hearthamazon-20

YEP...
cheap prices..
i get mine at home depot....
for less than 10 bucks[ for a 2200.00 stove] I don't have to worry about rust...
quite humid at times here in Mid Atlantic region.

 

[DBCOOPER]

Damp rid is just calcium chloride packaged to be really expensive. Just get some used for melting snow. You can get a whole 5 lb bag for less than $10.

 

[Tonyray]

good tip but 10 bucks or less for a couple boxes isn't gonna break the bank..

 

[Ashful]

Warmed air is always low in RH%. So, I put a DriRod under each of my stoves, before closing the fireplace doors for the summer. Before using these, I used to also have rust problems.

https://drirod.com

Edit: I actually have GoldenRod heaters under my stoves. The DriRod is in my gun safe.