Care for a Cast Iorn Chiminea

buckrogers

I recently bought a cast iron chiminea . Mine is new and covered up at all times but noticed that after the rain we have had the last few days there seems to be a brown marks not rust but look like rust stains so I searched internet for ideas to help the metal surface to keep it from rusting? and found this don’t know if anyone has tried it or will find it usefull for them.



For rust protection, you can do what cooks have done for years to protect their valued cast iron cookware. Coat the entire outside surface with cooking oil... any one will do... and then heat the stove to "burn it on". The oil will provide a somewhat clear protective coating that will have a more natural appearance than paint. Reapply the oil every dozen burns (or if your poor chiminea gets an unexpected bath!) to build up an adequate protective coat.
You shouldn't have to worry about the inside… the build-up of soot and creosote will offer plenty of protection under most circumstances. But don't allow the chiminea to remain wet for any length of time! If an unexpected storm gets it soaked, dry it as best you can and burn off the remaining moisture.
Don't assume these techniques will give you a perfect seal... even treated cast iron cookware will rust if left soaking in water for a length of time. Use a cover when possible.

Chriswil

Our Chiminea got a bit of a kicking as it lay out over the winter and got repeatedly soaked and frozen etc...

A couple of coats of Hammerite, and it looks as good as new - probably better!:cool:

buckrogers

yes thats what i plan on doing once a year,

but coating the entire outside surface with cooking oil just to give it that more protection from rain while not in use
have coated mine with oil and used chiminea 3 times since, and have notice with all the rain :-( we have had lately the oil coating seems to have worked