How to Clean an Old Vigilante Wood Stove

A Vigilante wood stove is a cast iron stove that is used to provide heat to a room in a home. Most of these stoves burn coal and some of them burn wood. Cleaning a Vigilante wood stove is something that should be done regularly. Cleaning the interior of your wood stove weekly throughout the cool months of the year and after each use of the stove during the warmer months is necessary. Seasonal maintenance should be done at the beginning and end of winter, when people use their stoves the most. By following this schedule, you will minimize the risk of a fire or other disaster occurring as a result of using your wood stove.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Stiff wire brush
• Plastic sheets
• Masking tape or duct tape
• Chimney cleaning wand

1. Check for creosote deposits in the stove and the flue. Creosote is a substance that is created from unburned gases that condensate in your stove. It can have a tarry or glazed appearance. According to the Centers for Disease Control, you should clean the stove whenever you notice ¼ inch of creosote buildup.

2. Remove the creosote deposits using a stiff wire brush, such as those sold to clean barbecue pits. Rub the brush up and down on the interior of the stove and as far up as possible into the chimney.

3. To prepare your stove for seasonal cleaning, first place a sheet of plastic over the stove opening. Tape it using masking tape or duct tape to prevent ash from getting into your house. Climb carefully onto the roof and up to the chimney. Remove the chimney cap by unfastening the bolts that hold it onto the chimney.

4. Insert a chimney cleaning wand into the chimney about an inch. Clean the chimney by turning the wand while pulling it up then pushing it down. The circular motion loosens the creosote deposits while the up-and-down motion removes them. Remove the wand from the chimney, replace the cap and remove the protective plastic.

5. Sweep up the ash and other debris that landed in the fireplace while you swept the chimney.

References

• Information from the CDC National Ag Safety Department