Rusted up the stove

[Jenn]

So this can also go in campers confessional. I rolled out the stove this morning and found all this rust. whew! Any one have some advice on how to clean this up? Thank you!

 

[AlCat]

In January, I bought a new stove for $40 from Amazon and only used the top - it fit right on our stove. I figured it was worth not having to clean it. Then I gave the rest of the new stove and the old top to someone to someone on Facebook Marketplace, making them happy as well. Amazon (see link in first sentence) is no longer available but maybe you can find it elsewhere. A friend saw it at Walmart.

 

[SethB]

Or, do what I did. It doesn’t look new now, but certainly fits the rustic kitchen look!

Empty the supply line of propane by turning off the tank valve while the stove is burning.

Hit the wingnuts & screws with your favorite penetrating oil.

Come back the next day, apply more penetrant, and take it apart.

Use a powered wire brush to clean up the rust. A cup-style brush on an angle grinder is excellent, but a wheel brush in an electric drill would work too. Do this away from the galley!

Spray a little high temp cooking oil (avocado!) on a paper towel and rub in the lightest possible coat. Some of this will later evaporate/burn off.

Put it back together.

 

[Jenn]

Or, do what I did. It doesn’t look new now, but certainly fits the rustic kitchen look!

Empty the supply line of propane by turning off the tank valve while the stove is burning.

Hit the wingnuts & screws with your favorite penetrating oil.

Come back the next day, apply more penetrant, and take it apart.

Use a powered wire brush to clean up the rust. A cup-style brush on an angle grinder is excellent, but a wheel brush in an electric drill would work too. Do this away from the galley!

Spray a little high temp cooking oil (avocado!) on a paper towel and rub in the lightest possible coat. Some of this will later evaporate/burn off.

Put it back together.

Ok. I understand. That top section releases from the base. Thanks!

 

[TheSongDogHouse]

Its like cleaning rust off an old cast iron fry pan and re-seasoning it, amiright?

 

[SethB]

Well, yeah!

People do put lots more into creating and maintaining the seasoning of cast iron (people like me!) But the little bit of oil you want on a stove is just going to slow down the inevitable. The only way to keep it perfect is to never use it!

Which reminds me, the devoted (obsessed collectors?) skillet restorers will use an electrolysis process to strip old seasoning and rust. I never tried that because I care more about cooking than about a vintage collection, most of my cast iron is modern. Most recently I tracked down a couple anodized aluminum Dutch Ovens.

But that electrolysis process might do the best job on the stove…

 

[TheSongDogHouse]

PS love that Jetboil. Its like cheating how fast you can make some coffee or cocoa, amiright?

Perfect for the day you dint want to disassemble the cast iron stove and wire brush and reseason.

 

[Jenn]

PS love that Jetboil. Its like cheating how fast you can make some coffee or cocoa, amiright?

Perfect for the day you dint want to disassemble the cast iron stove and wire

Well, yeah!

People do put lots more into creating and maintaining the seasoning of cast iron (people like me!) But the little bit of oil you want on a stove is just going to slow down the inevitable. The only way to keep it perfect is to never use it!

Which reminds me, the devoted (obsessed collectors?) skillet restorers will use an electrolysis process to strip old seasoning and rust. I never tried that because I care more about cooking than about a vintage collection, most of my cast iron is modern. Most recently I tracked down a couple anodized aluminum Dutch Ovens.

But that electrolysis process might do the best job on the stove…

When I'm getting to it with the elec wire brush tool I expect it will be taking off the paint around the edges?

 

[Jenn]

In January, I bought a new stove for $40 from Amazon and only used the top - it fit right on our stove. I figured it was worth not having to clean it. Then I gave the rest of the new stove and the old top to someone to someone on Facebook Marketplace, making them happy as well. Amazon (see link in first sentence) is no longer available but maybe you can find it elsewhere. A friend saw it at Walmart.

Al, this is a pretty good idea!

 

[SethB]

When I'm getting to it with the elec wire brush tool I expect it will be taking off the paint around the edges?

Any paint that the rust has lifted will come right off. The rest is up to you, you can be selective with your brush.

I gotta’ be honest… I just took a look and 3 seasons later it’s looking pretty much like it did before I cleaned it up

 

[Tour 931]

I usually just heat the cast iron stove to the max for ten minutes after use and use a wire brush. Keeping it clean is easier than cleaning it.

 

[TheSongDogHouse]

Al, this is a pretty good idea!

Btw I tried finding this on Amazon, Walmart, and at the company website: no joy.

I'm ok with a little elbow grease to keep the rust at bay. The well used look is the point: get out there and enjoy!

 

[Jenn]

Btw I tried finding this on Amazon, Walmart, and at the company website: no joy.

I'm ok with a little elbow grease to keep the rust at bay. The well used look is the point: get out there and enjoy

Any paint that the rust has lifted will come right off. The rest is up to you, you can be selective with your brush.

I gotta’ be honest… I just took a look and 3 seasons later it’s looking pretty much like it did before I cleaned it up

My battery system is Ryobi. They have a drill that you recommended. I'll do a field trip to HD and then get to the project! Your help is much appreciated!

 

[Jenn]

PS love that Jetboil. Its like cheating how fast you can make some coffee or cocoa, amiright?

Perfect for the day you dint want to disassemble the cast iron stove and wire brush and reseason.

You are right! Hot water any where, anytime in a blink!