Weathering Steel and How it Works

What is Weathering Steel?

Weathering Steel is often referred to by the genericized trademark of Corten Steel. It consists of a group of steel alloys developed to eliminate the need for painting, instead weathering to form a stable rust-like appearance after several years of exposure to the elements.

How the oven arrives

Out of the box, your Doppio Living outdoor wood-fired pizza oven arrives at your door as bare steel, just ready to get crafted by the elements of the outdoors.

The oven is designed to withstand any weather conditions and over time a hardy layer of rust is formed. This protects the oven from the elements.

Wood-fired Outdoor Oven for Cooking

The Weathering Process

There are essentially two approaches to this process. Some owners prefer to leave it entirely to the elements and enjoy watching the oven slowly change from the varied blues from your first fires through to the final orange brown rust-like appearance. However, this can take years, especially in inland areas.

A second option is to hasten the rusting process by applying a solution easily made from off-the-shelf products.

Preparation and Application of the Solution to Hasten the Weathering Process

SAFETY FIRST: WEAR GLOVES AND GOGGLES WHEN MIXING AND APPLYING THE SOLUTION!

You will need:
1 x clean spray bottle
16 Oz Hydrogen Peroxide (Household grade at 3-4% concentration)
½ Tablespoon Salt
2 Oz White Vinegar

  1. Mix all the ingredients into the spray bottle and shake until the salt is dissolved.
    Note: The runoff of excess solution from the oven may cause staining to stone, paving, concrete, or decking. Please take the necessary precautions.
  2. Remove the thermometer.
  3. Apply the solution to all surfaces that you want rusted. We suggest that you remove the doors and spray separately from the oven.
  4. Allow the oven surface to dry.
    Repeat the process until the desired color is achieved.

Four applications will usually get the oven to a completely ‘rusted’ look.

The step of speeding up the weathering process is not necessary, and you will get the same effect if you leave the oven in the elements to weather naturally over time. However, it could take months to years.

The Weathering Process

  • Raw Steel Pizza oven as it arrives

    How it Arrives:

    The oven arrives as bare steel ready for the weathering process to begin.

  • 2nd Application of the weathering solution

    1st & 2nd Application

    After the first coat, you soon begin to see the rusting process start.

  • 3rd Application of the weathering solution

    3rd Application

    The weathering is starting to set in.

  • 4th Application of the weathering solution

    4th Application

    Your oven is perfectly weathered! Put the thermometer back in and start cooking!