sheet metal heat shield/mantle

[bostock]

Mantle (shelf) is about 24" above stove top...I am planning on using SS for a heat shield, is there a particular guage i should get (or avoid) - is heavier going to offer more protection? Also - using ceramic spacers makes lots of sense - but i see no references to the actual (metal) screws - seems to me they will conduct heat too. Is it too nominal to worry about?

 

[Dakotas Dad]

bostock>
Mantle (shelf) is about 24" above stove top...I am planning on using SS for a heat shield, is there a particular guage i should get (or avoid) - is heavier going to offer more protection? Heavier will be easier to clean, and won't dent as easy. 20 or 18 gauge is where I would go. Also - using ceramic spacers makes lots of sense - but i see no references to the actual (metal) screws - seems to me they will conduct heat too. Yes they will. Is it too nominal to worry about? Yes it is.

 

[bostock]

i have access to heavier SS too - wondering if there is a benefit to going heavier (22, 24, 26 gauge). Intuitively, it seems like it should offer additional protection or deflection etc..although if it's nominal and only gives me a couple extra degrees (in favor of safety) maybe its not worth it? Thanks for bearing with me as i split hairs

 

[Dakotas Dad]

Well, just so you know.. when talking "gauge" in sheet goods, the smaller the "number" the thicker the stock.

ie: in SS 18 gauge is .050 thick, while 26 gauge is .0187. ;-)

 

[bostock]

oops - thanks!