Corten steel

Jackie’s ECO outdoor stove and optional oven module are entirely made of corten steel. This type of steel lasts 10 times longer in an outdoor environment.

• The rust-coloured oxide layer that naturally occurs, protects the underlying material from rust perforation. Moreover, corten steel is more heat-resistant than regular steel.

• Jackie loves the material because it’s 100% recyclable. No coating also means you don’t need chemicals to coat or ‘decoat’.

• The rust colour is bright orange in the first few weeks. Over time and as a result of heat, the rust colour will turn dark brown.

Jackie’s outdoor stove is delivered without rust. Manufacturers who offer rusted corten steel, often use chemicals to speed up the rusting process.

Flaking of the protective layer

It's common for the protective layer on Corten steel to flake off over time, especially after winter or periods of cold, wet weather. It's the top layer known as mill scale that loosens. The Corten steel will then naturally form a new protective layer. The rust layer that forms is actually seven times thicker than the original steel: 2 mm of steel can become 14 mm of rust. This means that even though only a thin layer of rust (0.1 mm) flakes off, the flakes themselves can be quite large (almost 1 mm thick). These flakes can be easily removed with a putty knife. 

This rust flaking can be annoying, especially since it happens inside the oven and stove. During wet periods, moisture gets trapped inside the walls of the stove. To (partially) prevent this, store your stove in a garage or shed, or under a cover with the oven door and wood supply open. This will also help your stove and pizza stone dry out faster and reach temperature quicker the next time you use it.