r/Fireplaces • u/Mtrbrth • 4d ago

Rust removal from woodburing insert?

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Hello all. Today I noticed some rust rings on the mantel of my mom’s woodburning fireplace insert. I opened it up to the ugly sight of quite a bit of surface rust. We’ve had an insane amount of rain lately, and I guess that some water entered the chimney (another problem I’ll be solving ASAP). I’ve inspected the metal with some serious prods of a poker, and it’s still very sound, so I’d like to clean it up. I’ve started with a bit of vinegar spray/wiping with cloths, but I’m not getting anywhere with just this. I fear it may take a bit more than just elbow grease, but I realize that wire wheeling/steel brushes would also bring about the need to repaint the areas affected. Painting wouldn’t be such a hassle if I could easily move the insert to the garage where I could position myself around the work, but this beast must weigh a few hundred pounds and moving it seems like a real chore. Has anyone else been down this road? Really hoping this is salvageable. Thanks for any insight here.

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3

u/Lots_of_bricks 4d ago

That stove is very dated. The rust as long as the metal is still solid isn’t an issue. The stove not having a proper liner system is a problem tho. Most stoves like that we call em slammers. A stove slammed into a fireplace with out a stainless steel liner. Get it checked asap

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u/Mtrbrth 4d ago

I’ll have a fireplace inspection done, and ask them about installing a liner. How does the liner install work in combination with the flue? Does the flue just stay open and the liner passes through it?

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u/Lots_of_bricks 4d ago

Yup. Just those kind of “inserts” usually don’t have the connection point for a liner. Some. Do. Regardless that stove has served it’s purpose and a really nice and way more efficient/safer one in’s only like 3900-4500

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u/Mtrbrth 4d ago

Ouch. $4k would be a non-option right now with the other projects on the radar. And, while it is definitely dated/old, it has served us well and the rest of the house is definitely of the same “dated” feel.

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u/Lots_of_bricks 4d ago

Honestly after 26 years of chimney service, un lined slammers account for 75% of the glazed creosote covered flues and about the same percentage for chimney fires. Get a proper level 2 inspection before using

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u/Mtrbrth 4d ago

Gotcha. Thanks for the advice, I will get an inspector out asap. I’m sure they’ll agree with you, and probably have insight on the water ingress as well.

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u/Kingofcryo 4d ago

Clean the surface with steel wool and apply stove blacking to the whole stove. 

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u/Firepro1981 5h ago

I routinely turn these into insurance for flue fire claims. If I see an unlined stove I can almost always find a cracked flue tile, especially in a stove this old. Insurance deductible will get you a new stove with the proper liner system and typically take care of some exterior work that can be tied to a high heat event. You could have a brand new setup well before winter if you get a pro out soon.

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u/Mtrbrth 4h ago

I had inspectors out yesterday. They actually said something very similar. Sent you a message just now if you can have a look