Does Rust Burn Off Inside a Wood Stove?

Identification

• Wood-burning stoves use wood to generate the heat necessary to cook or heat your home. These stoves have a pipe that runs from the stove and carries the smoke to a chimney. There are many different types of wood-burning stoves. Pellet stoves are often used for heating and are smaller than wood-burning stoves used for cooking. Inspect your wood-burning stove for signs of rust on a routine basis. Once rust forms, it cannot be burned off with heat from the stove but must be removed.

Effects

• Small patches of rust inside your wood-burning stove are easy to remove and not problematic. If rust becomes heavy inside your stove, however, it can allow dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide to seep inside your home. According to Colorado State University, carbon monoxide is produced any time wood, oil, gas or kerosene is burned. Small pin holes in your stove caused by rust can allow these gases to escape and make you sick. Large quantities of carbon monoxide from an improperly working wood-burning stove can kill people after exposure.

Removal

• You can remove rust from inside your wood-burning stove with steel wood pads. Using a small piece of extra-fine steel wool, scrub all the rust away from inside the stove. Then you can apply treatments to prevent future rusting. There are many treatments available, so choose a product recommended for the type of metal your stove is made of.

Prevention

• Colorado State University recommends all homeowners have their wood-burning stoves inspected each year by a professional. This inspection should include other fueled appliances such as gas water heaters, wood-burning heaters, gas stoves and kerosene heaters. Always be sure to have adequate ventilation inside your home when using a wood-burning stove or other wood-burning or gas appliance. Cracking a window will allow some gases to escape and allow fresh air inside.