Wood Stove Maintenance and Rust Prevention (Bangor, Biddeford: moving, oil, automobile)

[ekh32]

So we were checking out our wood stove and noticed some surface rust formed on the inside of the stove over spring and summer. So we have been scrubbing and steel wool and are trying to get as much off as we can. But I was wondering, are there any tricks to prevent this from happening next spring and summer? I have read that using oil works, but I was wondering if anyone had any other tips.

Also, we are looking for someone to come and inspect our stove and chimney here in the next month or so before we have to use the stove. Does anyone have any recommendations for someone in the greater Bangor area? (We are in Levant)

Thanks and I hope everyone is enjoying the warm sunny weather while it is here!

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by ekh32

So we were checking out our wood stove and noticed some surface rust formed on the inside of the stove over spring and summer. So we have been scrubbing and steel wool and are trying to get as much off as we can. But I was wondering, are there any tricks to prevent this from happening next spring and summer? I have read that using oil works, but I was wondering if anyone had any other tips.

Also, we are looking for someone to come and inspect our stove and chimney here in the next month or so before we have to use the stove. Does anyone have any recommendations for someone in the greater Bangor area? (We are in Levant)

Thanks and I hope everyone is enjoying the warm sunny weather while it is here!

A thin layer of iron oxidizes into rust. If you remove that layer of rust you are removing a layer of the woodstove. So I would not be too vigorous in scrubbing the rust away.

Oil may help to make a stove look nice. But the first time it gets hot the oil will burn off and smoke-up your house. May cause you a bit of coughing in the process.

We used to use 'stove black'. Which is a mixture of soot and wax. It makes a stove look really nice. Until after the first time the stove heats up. The wax will burn off, which may make some bit of smoke. Usually not so bad as to make you cough much.

You could use high-temp paint and see if that will prevent future rust. I have done that too. But usually find that by mid-wintah the paint will have burned off.

I generally take each section of stove-pipe apart, and bang them around a bit outside to knock any soot loose. Then re-connect them together again.

Otherwise you can run a stove-pipe brush up and down a few times to knock loose any soot or creosote. It is always a good idea to clean off excess soot/creosote and look for any holes that may have burned through the pipe.

[birdinmigration]

I've used St. Nick's Chimney Service --

Chimney Cleaners in Biddeford, ME | Chimney Sweepers & Chimney Liners

They are not cheap, but Stan ("St. Nick", and yes he does have a long white beard ) is very thorough. Matter of fact, I need to call him also.

It doesn't look like they serve Bangor area, but you might call Stan and ask, or maybe he knows someone in your area. Tell him he came very highly recommended!

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Don't waste your energy sanding the inside of a wood stove. Just paint it with mineral oil, (not used automobile oil).Rusty iron holds more oil and it doesn't run off.