How To Clean Cast Iron Stove

Avoid using steel wool or any metallic scouring pads to clean.

How to clean cast iron stove. While cast iron may seem sturdy enough to scrub with steel wool you re going to want to use a non abrasive sponge to clean the grates thoroughly. You can add fat to remove dirt. As cast iron ages it often accumulates rust on the surface. Cleaning a cast iron wood stove takes a little elbow grease but it s a relatively easy process. How to clean cast iron stove grates heavy duty methods daily cleanings will keep your stove looking great most of the time but they won t take care of every type of mess.

Before you clean old cast iron you need to remove any remaining rust before washing it. However unless you clean your cast iron stove on a regular basis you will see a buildup of residue which can impact the efficiency as well as the amount of fuel required. Then dry the cast iron item carefully with a dishcloth and store it in a dry place. This process required hot water for better result. Prepare hot water to clean the stove.

When you re done cover the ash can and leave it to sit for 48 hours in case any coals are still burning before disposing of the ash outside. It may require some additional elbow grease but it won t leave your grates with a bunch of ugly scratches. To be extra sure the cast iron is dry place it on a hot burner and let it warm up so any water will evaporate. Cast iron is an incredibly durable alloy that has been traditionally used to construct skillets and ovens. Clean the outside and inside of the cast iron wood stove to remove dirt soot and rust marks.

To clean the inside of your cast iron stove start by laying down old newspaper to protect your kitchen floor then scoop the ash out of the fire box and into a bucket with a shovel. You can use this method and directly scrubbed them off with the steel grill brush. Regular cleaning keeps your stove looking great and helps it operate efficiently and safely. Cleaning the cast iron stove grates and round caps regularly should keep the underlying automatic igniters functioning safely and the fuel ports free from getting clogged with grease and grime. However if the burner doesn t roar to life when the automatic igniter is engaged or the fuel ports are so clogged that the flames flicker.

Your best bet is to pair a heavy duty brush non scratch nylon scrubber or sponge with a cleaning product that scours like powder cleanser or baking soda see below instructions for more detail. If you have a tough stain or are cleaning stove grates for the first time after letting them gather gunk you ll need to break out the big guns and apply a heavy duty. Your stove grates are likely cast iron so treat them with care to prevent damage. Every cast iron grate required a proper cleansing method.