How to Remove Rust from Cast Iron Wood Stove

As I drove through central Vermont this fall, I was hit with déjà vu - the sight of old-style wood-burning stoves that seemed frozen in time. In fact, these rustic stoves were so well-designed that they still function beautifully today, despite being absent of modern smoke burners and draft channels. One particular storefront caught my attention, with a sign reading 'CANNING JAR RUBBERS' flanked by two wood-burning stoves - a long, low log burner and a 'Fatso' laundry stove.

These sturdy stoves, made of dusty gray cast iron, had the charm of old-time low-tech designs. They reminded me of my own experiences with wood stoves, which date back to the oil-crisis days of the 1970s. As I braked and pulled into the storefront parking lot, nearly getting rear-ended by a logging truck, I was transported back to that era.

The Federal Clean Air Act and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may have outlawed new wood heaters without catalytic smoke combusters or high-tech fireboxes, but these classic stoves had already been designed in the mid-1800s. Despite their age, they still operate beautifully, thanks to their simple yet effective design.

If you're like me and have been heating with a wood stove for years, your faithful Blaze King or Upland Elk may be due for some TLC. Removing rust from cast iron wood stoves requires some elbow grease, but the end result is well worth the effort. Here's how to restore your old wood stove to its former glory.

By giving these classic stoves a little polish and care, you'll be able to continue enjoying their warmth and charm for years to come. So why consign them to the rubbish heap in the backyard when they can still provide reliable heat? With a little bit of know-how and some basic tools, you can restore your old wood stove and keep it running smoothly for generations to come.

Remove rust from cast iron wood stove