Soapstone Oven Floor

[nsascher]

Re: Soapstone Oven Floor

My soapstone that I just purchased scratches very easily. Is anyone else having this issue ?
nathalie

[GianniFocaccia]

Re: Soapstone Oven Floor

I have seen soapstone that I could break with my hands and soapstone that was almost as hard as granite and been in use as a counter for a 100 years

Your soapstone may be on the softer side.

I was fortunate to find soapstone that is virtually clear (no veins) and seems to be hard as steel. I cannot dent it, but I managed to put scratches in it from the circular wet saw I used to initially cut it. After several dozen pizzas no scratches from my metal peel so far (knock on wood).

[Greenman]

Re: Soapstone Oven Floor

I know nothing about the properties of Soap Stone but it looks good and if it delivers then it has to be a good thing.

I am sure that someone will come up with the facts that there will be a good reason that this attractive material is not widely used.

[stonecutter]

Re: Soapstone Oven Floor

The cost is one reason soapstone isn't used more. Additionally, it is much more conductive of heat than firebrick, which will make it more difficult to manage the bottom of the pizza or bread so it doesn't burn.

Harder soapstone will contain more serpentine...and John was wise to select slabs that did not contain a lot of veining, which is the weak point of any kind of stone.

[windage]

Re: Soapstone Oven Floor

http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/37/8...t-11354-2.html

link to the second page of my "81 inch first build" thread on FB, 10 slabs; 1000mm long x 300mm wide x 60mm thick from M. Teixeira were $59 each plus trucking from NJ...I have been baking pizza on soapstone for 4 years now commercially, we show no mercy to that hearth and it is awesome. You can listen to the negative people who have not used soapstone in their busy WFOs...but if you can swing the money....GET SOME, it is nice to bake on, makes beautiful crust predictably and the large slabs with a layer of firebrick below gives no cold spots. love it !