Fire cement: A handy tub for wood-burning stove installations and running repairs

Discover why fire cement is a must-have item for stove owners

Fire cement is something all wood-burning stove owners should have stored in the shed or under the sink. It’s so versatile, handy and effective that it makes sense to have it on hand to use whenever it might be needed.

What is fire cement?

Fire cement is a heat-resistant putty that sets hard to create airtight seals in high-temperature environments. It offers heat resistance up to 1250°C. Fire cement is only suitable for indoor use on dry surfaces where it will not have prolonged contact with water.

Top uses of fire cement on wood-burning stoves

Fire cement has a lot of uses that make it a tremendously helpful item for a wood-burning stove owner to have at their disposal. Let's look at some of the key reasons why it's worth investing in this relatively inexpensive tub.

Some of the top uses for fire cement on wood-burning stoves include:

• Seal the gap at the stove collar and at the stove adaptor – During log burner installations, the joints between the stove and the stove flue pipe need to be sealed. Fire cement is a great option for this. If the cement wears away over time, you can redo the job.
• Fix cracked firebacks – Firebacks, fire bricks and fire liners will start to wear over time after being exposed to the intense heat of your stove. Fire cement can be used to repair these cracks to extend the lifespan of internal stove parts.
• Fill holes and cracks – Fire cement can also be used to fill any other voids or cracks you find in high-temperature environments. This includes any holes in the body of your wood-burning stove.

So, if you spot any holes appearing in your stove body – either caused by rust that has been allowed to spread, impact damage or by the cast iron panels moving apart slightly due to the high temperature – you can fill the gaps with fire cement, which can withstand the heat the stove generates.

That allows for a quick and effective fix to keep your stove working efficiently and prevent any smoke or harmful gases from seeping out into your home. Your appliance will be sealed once again, and you can rest assured that you’ve sealed it with a material designed for that very purpose.

How to use fire cement

Fire cement is incredibly simple to use. The basic steps when using fire cement are:

Prepare the surface - Remove all dirt, dust and rust, and clean the area, to maximise adhesion when the fire cement is setting.

Apply the fire cement - Apply the fire cement putty directly from its tub using a trowel, a knife or your hand, depending on the area you need to cover

Work the cement in – Work the fire cement into the surface well, creating any joints that are needed.

Gently heat dry – Gradually heat dry the repaired surface, allowing it to heat to its full operating temperature over 3-4 hours.

Reapply as needed – If any fine cracks appear in the fire cement once it has dried, apply more cement to the affected areas.

While these are generally the steps required when applying fire cement, please check the product instructions for confirmation of how to use the fire cement you've chosen.

What are the benefits of fire cement?

Keep your household safe – Fire cement helps to seal your stove, keeping flue gases out of your home. This helps to protect you and your loved one from carbon monoxide and other gases that could otherwise seep into the room.

Quick and easy to use – The fire cement featured in this article is available ready-mixed in the tub, which means you can just concentrate on quickly and easily applying it to the surface in question.

Affordable fix – With fire cement tubs starting at less than £5, it's great value for extending the life of your stove and its parts.

What to think about when buying fire cement?

The main considerations when buying fire cement are:

Is fire cement suitable for the job?

Fire cement can be used in most high-temperature environments. But it's worth checking that the product you're buying is recommended for the job you have in mind.

What colour do I need?

Fire cement comes in different colour options. In most cases, black fire cement is the best option for a wood-burning stove. If you have a coloured stove, you might prefer a different type of fire cement. The alternative is usually a grey cement.

Ready to buy fire cement?

If you want to make the small investment in an incredibly useful tub of fire cement, you'll find a range of different options in our store.

Take a look