How do you clean the outside of a cast iron wood stove?

[The empressof all]

I'm thinking of just using a damp rag. It hasn't been really touched for a few years. I'm not expecting it to look shiney and new...Just less dusty and yuckie. I normally just dust but it's looking pretty pathetic.

[troubleinwinter]

1. What ever

a sponge or rag or brush. JUST enough to get the dust off, really.

You can make it look BRAND NEW (it would not be shiny), easily.

I have a magnificent fancy looking victorian (what do ya call that log-rack that goes into a fireplace?) thing. It was loaded with years of fire ash and a tad of rust. Looked ugly, except for its beautiful shape and design.

I took it into the yard, hosed & soft brushed & dried (you would use a bucket and brush or plastic kitchen scrubbie).

The product you then want to apply is just old fashioned "stove black". It is nothing but 'carbon black' in a solution. Wipe it on and yer done. Your stove will look brand new and last for years. "Stove black" is what has been used to refresh cast iron stoves forever. I used it on an old woodburning stove, too.

The carbon will not be effected by heat, and won't rub off after a day . You should be able to buy it at most well-stocked hardware stores. I got it at Ace Hardware (though the employee had NO clue what I was talking about, I just went past him to the fireplace/barbeque/grill area, looked around and found it). It comes in two forms: liquid and paste in a tube. I have found liquid easier to handle, but have used both. If you don't find it at the hardware, look up a fireplace/stove type store in your area. It's not expensive, maybe around five bucks or so.

My antique fireplace thingie is so pretty now, that I use it next to the couch as a book & magazine rack!

[troubleinwinter]

2. Here's some:

http://www.lehmans.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=3676

(Note: You DON'T want stove paint!! Only "stove black", which is wipe-on carbon)

[troubleinwinter]

3. This is the stuff I got at Ace Hardware

[Po_d Mainiac]

4. Do u build fires in the stove?

Cuzz if you do, you want to bake the "stove black" on while the stove is outside. That is unless u enjoy dense smoke clouds inside your living space.......If you do enjoy smoking the inside of your abode, pull the battery/s out of the smoke detector/s prior to touching off the kindling....unless the ear piercing whine of the alarm would add just the right touch of ambiance to the moment.

[troubleinwinter]

5. ??

I have applied stove black to a wood stove inside the house, a stove that we used for wood burning heat. There was no smoke.

[Po_d Mainiac]

6. gag .......choke

http://hearth.com/econtent/index.php/wiki/What_
is_STOVE_BLACKSTOVE_POLISH_&_how_to_use._cook_off_smoke./

OK... don't take my word for it, go to the link above. Or go to the MSDS sheet issued by Rutland linked below

http://www.rutland.com/back/msds/document_50.pdf

Note the following quote "Black, paste wax, pungent odor when heated" This is the stuff pictured in the 3rd link..

The upside: Cooked Rutland polish is like good weed. After the coughing stops, u do get a nice mellow buzz from the fumes. :smoke:

[troubleinwinter]

7. Cool!

You lead me to the liquid polish I'd been looking for!!!!! Easier to apply, and what I'd used many times on my wood burning stove. I hadn't been able to find it last time and used the paste tube.

Liquid Stove & Grill Polish 'A non-flammable, non-toxic liquid polish'



http://www.rutland.com/productinfo.php?product_id=51

MSDS are entertaining, aren't they? Part of my job was reading these things. Here's one:

Section 4: First Aid Measures

Eye Contact: Check for and remove any contact lenses. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Get medical attention if irritation occurs.

Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water. Cover the irritated skin with an emollient. Get medical attention if irritation develops.

Inhalation: If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical attention.

Ingestion: Do NOT induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. If large quantities of this material are swallowed, call a physician immediately. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband.

Section 6: Accidental Release Measures

Small Spill: Absorb with an inert material and put the spilled material in an appropriate waste disposal.

Large Spill: Absorb with an inert material and put the spilled material in an appropriate waste disposal. Finish cleaning by spreading water on the contaminated surface and allow to evacuate through the sanitary system. Be careful that the product is not present at a concentration level above TLV. Check TLV on the MSDS and with local authorities.

Section 7: Handling and Storage

Precautions: Keep away from heat. Keep away from sources of ignition. Empty containers pose a fire risk, evaporate the residue under a fume hood. Ground all equipment containing material. Do not breathe gas/fumes/ vapor/spray. Keep away from incompatibles such as oxidizing agents, acids.

Storage: Keep container tightly closed. Keep container in a cool, well-ventilated area. Do not store above 23°C (73.4°F).

Section 8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Provide exhaust ventilation or other engineering controls to keep the airborne concentrations of vapors below their respective threshold limit value. Ensure that eyewash stations and safety showers are proximal to the work-station location.

Personal Protection: Safety glasses. Lab coat.

Personal Protection in Case of a Large Spill: Splash goggles. Full suit. Boots. Gloves. Suggested protective clothing might not be sufficient; consult a specialist BEFORE handling this product.

Exposure Limits: TWA: 10 (mg/m3) Total. Consult local authorities for acceptable exposure limits.

Incompatibility with various substances: Reactive with oxidizing agents, acids.

It is for OLIVE OIL.

Another:

Arabinoxylan

HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION

HEALTH EFFECTS

FIRST AID

Acute - Swallowed Ingestion of dust may irritate the gastro-intestinal tract.

Acute - Eye may irritate eye.

Chronic Long term exposure to dusts can cause respiratory irritation.

Swallowed Drink plenty of water. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.

Eye Flush eyes with copious amount of water. If irritation occurs, seek medical advice.

Skin Flush with water. If irritation occurs, obtain medical attention.

Inhaled Remove to fresh air. If discomfort occurs, seek medical attention.

SAFE HANDLING INFORMATION

Respirator Type Respirator approved for solid and liquid particulates, including dusts and mists, (AS 1716) e.g. 3M 8810 mask or respirator with P3 filter or equivalents.

Eye Protection Splash goggles or safety glasses.

Glove Type Rubber or vinyl gloves.

Clothing Lab Coat or Overalls

Other Information Avoid unnecessary breathing of dust. Handle in accordance with good occupational hygiene and safety practices.

Spills and Disposal

Spills and Disposal Remove large spillages by vacuum with a high efficiency filter. Flush remainder with plenty of water.

Disposal Sanitation landfill or inceration in accordance with local, state and federalregulations.

OTHER INFORMATION

Fire/Explosion Hazard

Spills and Disposal Remove large spillages by vacuum with a high efficiency filter. Flush remainder with plenty of water.

Disposal Sanitation landfill or inceration in accordance with local, state and federal regulations.

Risk Statement May cause sensitization by inhalation.

Safety Statement Do not breathe dust.

Arabinoxylan is WHEAT FLOUR.

OMG!!!! You don't want to read about Dawn dish detergent or corn oil or Charmin!!! OMG!

The two principal ingredients in stove black are carbon (like produced in a wood fire) and potassium carbonate, a mineral salt used as a leavening agent in "quick breads", an ingredient in Asian cuisine, and in the production of mead and wines.

MSDS sheets are largely intended for factory workers and firefighters where they are exposed to huge amounts day in and day out or in fires and explosions.

Get real. If you get MSDS sheets on your soap, shampoo, carpet, paint, toothpaste and dogfood, you will never be able to do anything without a full hazard suit, goggles, resperator and rubber gloves. You won't be able to cook or ingest olive oil or bread or most anything else. OMG!

ANYTHING you put on a stove will smoke a bit for several minutes. Spilled your coffee on the stove? After the water evaporates, it will SMOKE! Take the stove outside!!?

A mildly intelligent person would have a small fire to bake the blacking on at first.

Welcome to DU. You seem familiar?

[Po_d Mainiac]

8. Never been accused of being even

close to mildly intelligent. All I heat with is wood, and when u live on the 45th parallel (halfway between the equator and the North Pole) small fires equal shrinkage. There isn't a finish on the market I can't turn to a white chalk within a week after the first frost.

I seem familiar? I've only posted under the one name. I think I was a dog in an earlier life. Maybe that's where our paths crossed. What do u smell like?

:evilgrin:

ps......you name it, it's been spilled on one of the stoves......I understand the principle. The only thing that comes close to the cloud from paste type stove finishes, is maple syrup. It takes weeks to burn it off. I mention that because I just had a pot of the stuff I'm finishing off, volcano on me while responding to some e-mails. :nuke: