How to Convert a Non-Airtight Wood Stove to an Airtight One

Tightening Joints

• 1

  Place a flashlight inside the wood stove and close the door. Move around the stove to identify gaps where the light is visible from outside.

• 2

  Tighten all the wood stove's screws and nuts with a socket or screwdriver. Give special attention to the screws that hold the flue adapter to the top of the stove.

• 3

  Hammer out gaps in the wood stove's body by placing a cotton cloth against the end of a body panel and striking it gently with a hammer. The cotton cloth will protect the wood stove's finish.

Sealing

• 4

  Remove the gasket from the wood stove's door by inserting a small screwdriver bit into the channel that holds the gasket, and prying outward gently. Wipe out the gasket channel with a clean cotton cloth.

• 5

  Apply gasket cement to the gasket channel using the applicator or gasket-cement bottle tip. Press a length of gasket rope into the channel, and cut off the excess with a pair of scissors.

• 6

  Apply gasket cement to any remaining small gaps elsewhere on the wood stove. Wait for the gasket cement to dry according to the manufacturer's specifications before lighting a fire.