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I'm working on a private project (no commercial motivations here) to build an outdoor (wood fired) pizza oven for my garden.

It's basically made of steel, so my question is which steel grade would be recommended for my application.

The steel plates should be able to withstand temperatures up to ~1000F/500C, without bending or visible deformations.

It should also be able to withstand occasional rains and snow in the winter. Climate in general is not too wet or too dry.

I made some research and based on it got some quotes for AISI 304 (3mm), but I'm still considering alternatives.

Thanks, Juan

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  • $\begingroup$ Why do wood stoves use cast iron plates inside or refractory material? $\endgroup$
    – Solar Mike
    Commented Sep 21, 2021 at 9:21
  • $\begingroup$ While stainless steel can tolerate higher temperatures, its relatively high thermal expansion coefficient concerns me if directly exposed to fire. Are you using any liner for your application? $\endgroup$
    – r13
    Commented Sep 21, 2021 at 12:32
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    $\begingroup$ Option # 2; carbon steel with refractory lining. With the low stress, any cast iron or steel will be satisfactory at 1000 F. Stainless would look better. Magnetic stainless like 409 would be cheaper than 304 ,if you can get it . $\endgroup$
    – blacksmith37
    Commented Sep 21, 2021 at 14:28
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    $\begingroup$ Don't use anything zinc plated or galvanized. Heated zinc makes toxic fumes and residues. $\endgroup$
    – DKNguyen
    Commented Sep 21, 2021 at 14:44
  • $\begingroup$ I haven't considered any liner, but the plan is to use fire bricks inside the oven. This should increase the thermal mass and also avoid much (not all) direct exposure of the steel to the fire. I will check if I can get carbon steel with refractory lining or 409 steel. Thanks for the suggestions. $\endgroup$
    – Juan Cortines
    Commented Sep 21, 2021 at 18:20

2 Answers 2

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Ferritic stainless ( 13 % Cr, 405, 409, etc) will be fine and cheaper than 304. Ferritic sheet metal was unusual decades ago, but uses in home appliances, auto exhaust, etc. has made sheet much more available. Actually if you could find an appliance junk yard, you could probable get a good deal on ferritic sheet. Some Korean appliances are 304 but most all American appliances are cheap ferritic SS. Apologies for political incorrectness.

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food-grade steel. 304 grade stainless 18/8 or 18/10 stainless.

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  • $\begingroup$ There is no such thing as "food grade" SS. There are SS traditionally used in food applications like 316 and 304. $\endgroup$
    – blacksmith37
    Commented Sep 22, 2021 at 15:19
  • $\begingroup$ I went with 304. It's generally fine, but one of the panels more exposed to heat is significantly bent and I'm going to have it replaced with some other alloy which resists these temperatures without any significant deformation. $\endgroup$
    – Juan Cortines
    Commented Oct 10, 2021 at 14:30
  • $\begingroup$ I expect is is a thermal/geometry distortion Nothing to do with the alloy composition. $\endgroup$
    – blacksmith37
    Commented Oct 22, 2021 at 19:50

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