Resealing a Cast Iron Stove

Place the cast iron stove into a large tub or plastic drum. Fill the drum with a mixture of one part molasses and seven parts water, which creates acetic acid over time. Let the stove sit in the mixture for a week to remove any rust on the metal. Wipe the stove down to remove the rust. If your stove is not movable or too large for anything to submerge, soak towels in the solution and set it on the rusted areas, securing it in place with plastic wrap to keep it from drying out. If there is no rust on the stove, skip this step.

Wipe the stove clean from all molasses and water. Use a mild detergent to scrub away any residual dirt, molasses and grime.

Chisel away all cement from the seams and corners. Gentle taps with the hammer on the chisel back is more than enough to loosen the cement.

Brush off any remaining cement with a wire brush.

Wipe the stove with a damp cloth to remove any dust and debris from the surface. Once clean, liberally wet the edges of the stove where the cement will be applied.

Smother the seams and corners with furnace cement, using a thin putty knife. Examine carefully to make sure there are no unsealed areas. Wipe any away excess with a damp towel.

Allow to dry for one to two hours. Read the label to determine the curing process; some cements require standard room temperature curing before a heat-curing process. If heat-curing is required, follow the directions for a small fire and increase the heat in the stove to cure the seams.