2 Element Oven

[TiE_Shepherd]

Hi guys. I just started powdercoating this summer and started a 4x4x8 oven that I plan on finishing this winter. In the mean time I'd like to build something a little smaller to hold me over till I have the cash/time to finish the big oven. I have a beat up stove that I can pull the guts for to use on the smaller oven.

My plan is to use the two elements from the stove and build the frame out of metal studs with sheet and insulation. My question is. With using just the two stove elements what's the largest size I would want to make the oven and not have problems with time to heat up and keeping the temp?

Thanks.

[pickleboy]

well bro that has no easy answer. the elements from the old oven could range between 1500-2500 watts each. if they are the 2500 size and calculating for good tight constructions and minimal or no leaks then the largest i would go is 3x3x6high. this requires 4750 watts to raise the oven 400 degrees.

[TiE_Shepherd]

Thanks for the help. I know the elements from an old stove kinda make for a shot in the dark with the wattage of the elements. I just figured I could try and see and if the elements aren't cutting it replace them with higher wattage ones. Since I'm planning a larger oven eventually I was only thinking about making this one maybe 2x2x4 so it sounds like I should be okay with two elements.

[pickleboy]

in a near perfect oven it would take only 2100 watts that would work fine with the 2 you have. in a good oven with average insulation and leaks it takes about 4200 watts. you should still be ok. this is assuming you mean 2 square and 4 high. with a 2x4x2high it takes less. when building an oven if you can design it to be long instead of tall it takes less to heat it. just a fyi.

[TiE_Shepherd]

That's for the info. I was originally thinking making it 4 long and only 2 high, but then was thinking of making it taller to use less space, but in all actuality it wouldn't weight much so i could always just stand it up when not in use.

That's actually good to know about horizontal using less heat because I was planning on the making the larger overn 4x4x8 with 8 foot being the length. Originally the reason behind that was because it'll mostly be used for motorcycle frames and I though it'd be easier to load them if the oven sat horizontally, now I'm killing two birds with one stove so to speak.