Wood burning stoves are notorious for decreasing humidity rates in the rooms they operate in. They can cause all kinds of health issues for people with allergies, dry skin, or other breathing and respiratory problems. One simple solution to combat dry air is to add humidity back into your air by using cast iron dehumidifiers.
They’re simple to use and extremely effective at eliminating too much dry air caused by burning wood in your home. They also come in an array of sizes and designs that can complement any space and decor. Below you will find our top picks for cast iron humidifiers that work great on wood-burning stoves.
1. Old Dutch Cast Iron Kettle For Wood Stove
This old Dutch cast iron wood stove humidifier is made from durable cast iron and can be used as both a humidifier for your wood stove or a teapot for brewing your favorite tea leaves. The robust construction makes this tea kettle the ideal cast iron humidifier and can be easily used in any room where there is a wood stove.
You can choose from four different sizes, ranging from 11 ounces up to 101 ounces. It also comes in four different styles, which makes finding the perfect one to compliment your home that much easier.
Capacity: 3 Liters
Size: 9.5 x 8.5 x 10 Inches
2. Fire Beauty Humidifying Woodstove Kettle
This Fire Beauty humidifying cast iron kettle is perfect for using as a humidifier in your home. It is manufactured with safety in mind and comes with a clever, cool touch chrome spring handle. The design is a classic take on the wonderful world of cast iron characteristics and would look fabulous on any wood-burning stove.
You can easily add some different scents to the water to fill your space with a nice aroma. Once your wood stove gets to the desired temperature, the water in this kettle should last around three hours before needing to be refilled.
Capacity: 2.5 Quarts
Size: 9.5 x 7.28 x 5.5 Inches
3. John Wright Wood Stove Steamer
This John Wright lattice steamer is an excellent way to dehumidify your space when placing it on top of a wood-burning stove. It is uniquely designed and adds a cool vibe to the room it is used in. You can easily fill this steamer from the top, or you can remove the lid. This makes this cast iron humidifier versatile in many ways.
You will find the weight of this cast iron humidifier confirms the durability. The porcelain coating simplifies the cleaning process, and you should be able to fill this up with water one time per day when in use.
Capacity: 3 Quarts
Size: 13 x 8 x 6 Inches
4. John Wright Hearth Black Matte Bear Steamer
If you want to add some character to your home, then this John Wright Hearth black matte bear steamer is the perfect addition! It reflects the great outdoors while being used as a humidifier in your home. This is made from high-quality cast iron and is extremely durable. It includes a porcelain finish both inside and out to resist chipping and rusting.
This is the most popular steamer made by John Wright, and when you see the design, you’ll understand why so many people love it.
Capacity: 3 Quarts
Size: 13 x 8 x 7 Inches
5. Moiety Insert Woodstove Steamer Humidifier
This cast iron humidifier has a contemporary feel and is adorned with a black enameled exterior and interior. It comes with a removable top and is made from durable, high-quality cast iron. It was specially designed to work with the narrow ledges or mantle shelves of most wood stove inserts.
This cast iron humidifier can be used as both a functional steamer or a decorative piece since the design and structure add character to any room.
Capacity: 2 Quarts
Size: 7.25 x 9.5 x 5 Inches
Alternative Ways to Humidify a Room With a Wood Stove
Wood stoves are known for making the air in the room very dry; in fact, burning any wood regularly makes air extremely dry. With this can also come some annoying side effects to human beings, such as causing a sore throat, leading to drier skin, or agitating people with allergies or asthma. Even your pets can be bothered by the dry air that burning wood creates.
Here are some of the best tips for humidifying your space with a wood stove:
- The number one way to add moisture into your room while using a wood-burning stove is to put an iron cast humidifier or kettle on top of it while burning a fire.
- Placing your green firewood close to your wood stoves not only helps dry that green wood faster, but it also can put more moisture back in your air as it begins to dry out.
- Checking for the cold air that might be coming into your home is another way to prevent more dry air. People will often find drafts under doors or near windows, and those need to be blocked to keep the cold air out.
Do You Always Need a Humidifier With a Wood Stove?
If you want to prevent the air in your home from becoming too dry while burning wood, then you’ll need to use a cast iron humidifier or some other type of steamer on top of your wood stove while it’s in use. By not using a humidifier with a wood stove, you are opening yourself and your loved ones to many potential health risks.
Since we already know that a wood-burning stove can be very useful at warming up your house, you might not know what can happen when you don’t use a humidifier when using your wood stove. In fact, they’ve been known to not only dry out the air in your home but also can cause cracked lips, dry sinuses, bloody noses, and many other issues.
People with respiratory issues like asthma have difficulty breathing when the air is too dry. Anyone suffering from allergies or has a common cold will not weather well in a room filled with dry air and zero humidity.
Do You Need to Season a Cast Iron Humidifier?
If you want your cast iron humidifier to look nice and last many years, you’ll want to season it. By not seasoning a cast iron humidifier, you’ll be opening yourself up to dealing with rust and other issues that can not only affect the way your cast iron humidifier looks but also how well it works.
When the air is especially cold and dry during the winter months, a cast iron humidifier is an essential addition to your house. Its strong and durable design is obviously timeless, but cast iron humidifiers are more than meets the eye. They are equipped to withstand the test of time when cared for properly.
How to Keep Cast Iron Humidifier From Rusting?
If you purchased a cast iron humidifier that has enamel on both the inside and outside, then you don’t need to worry about it forming any rust. However, many cast iron humidifiers and steamers are not protected by any coating and need to be treated in order to prevent them from rusting. The best way to prevent rust from forming in the first place is to make sure you season your cast iron humidifier or steamer before initial use.
It’s important to note that you are only using warm water and mild soap anytime you wash your cast iron humidifier. It should never be put in the dishwasher, and you should avoid using abrasive materials or chemicals while cleaning it. Some people suggest rinsing and drying your cast iron humidifier after each use; however, if you are using this daily during the winter months, you can easily do this less often.
It’s imperative to make sure your cast iron humidifier or steamer is completely dry after it has been washed or rinsed. You can achieve this by drying it with a towel and then laying it upside down on top of some paper towels until you are sure it is completely dry. If you plan on storing it after the wood-burning season, we suggest cleaning it as mentioned above and making sure it is completely dry.
Then you can place a few paper towels inside of it to collect any additional moisture when it is not being used. You can safely store it now and not have to worry about any rust forming unless the storage room has high humidity. In that case, you’ll want to pick a cool, dry location to store your cast iron humidifier or steamer.
You should also consider re-seasoning your cast iron humidifier or steamer after it has been stored for several months and is ready to be used again in the winter months. Seasoning your cast iron humidifier will help keep it in the best shape, not just for the way it looks but also for the condition it will maintain.
