Removal of rust ring on cast iron woodburning stove

A. muriatic acid ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] would work, but it would probably rust again soon after. If you can get some phosphoric acid it should do the trick.

A 'rust converter ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] ' would likely contain the phosphoric acid that Ronald speaks of. However, such stoves are usually painted, and it will be necessary to repaint yours eventually [stove paint ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] ]. If the ring is still apparent after you've done the conversion treatment, it may be a good time to do the repainting as well.

Hi, Rita. Naval jelly and rust converter ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] are essentially the same thing, a phosphoric acid solution that converts red rust to the more stable black rust. I don't see why it wouldn't be safe to use on a stove, but I think you'll need to paint that stove to deter future rusting.

Regards,

A. Thank you for all of the helpful information on your site.

I am temporarily living off of the digital grid and have hopefully not ruined the old wood cookstove.

I used C-L-R and the stench was unbearable. I then rinsed with boiling water and soap. Then I tried Barkeepers Friend ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] which resembles baking soda but is not the same...
I used non soap brillo pads ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] and a wire brush from the discount store. This was effective but it seemed like I was spreading the rust around...
The rust at worst made the backing under the warming oven thin and at best was superficial and came right off. I wanted to do this for Father's day... Three days later I was still removing the drips from the brick hearth underneath... If only I was online before I started. A tarp underneath had crossed my mind but I was lazy and also wanted to use the detergents on the brick...
The Rutland stove polish ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] was the final step and really was what made the sore elbows and fingers proud.

I believe it was pretty old too. But I stepped on it to get the last of it out of the tube.

I will post a picture when I complete the top and front as I lost polish spreading it in the nooks and crannies atop.