Galvanized Sheet Metal - Safe or Not Safe for Fireplace?

I'm building for winter which is just around the corner. I lucked into some galvanized sheet metal heavy gage.

However, There seems to be conflicting info regarding the use of galvanized sheet metal on the web in building a fire place or in use with a heat source. (Fire - open flame)

Can someone please give me the definitive 110% factual positively no question correct once and for all answer to this question?

Can I use galvanized sheet metal in fireplace, wood stove building or not? Ie, with fire or open flame or a high heat source?

Thanks,
- chase -

When I learned welding, one of the things I was taught was that you never never weld galvanized material without special respiration equipment. This is because when heated to high temperatures, the coating gives off toxic fumes.

I don't know what level of heat is required for that to happen but a wood stove can get pretty hot, and I don't remember seeing one made out of galvanized metal. Ergo, I'd err on the side of caution and stick with traditional materials. For what it's worth, if you look around in the country, there are old wood stoves to be had pretty dang cheap -- or even free, if there's one just taking up space somewhere. You may well need to remove rust etc. but the result could be awesome.

Can you? Absolutely. Should you? I would not. The research below is specific to welding but I would not risk my family's or my own health.

http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/15563659109038622

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15287390490266909#.Vb0FhPNViko

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/15563650.2015.1013548#.Vb0GNfNViko

Thanks guys. I'll go with the know.
Answer is No.

And since it is no... then I really don't need this galvanized sheet metal. Can't think of a use for it at the moment that I really need, as I make everything from collected wood.

Then again, maybe I could trade it - barter for something else to someone that does have a use for it... we'll see.

Again, thanks for the info guys.

Happy trails to you and yours.
- chase -

Interesting thread over here on this subject, discusses the heat requirements for offgassing: http://donkey32.proboards.com/thread/373/afraid-galvanized-pipe-anyways

Regardless, a free/cheap older woodstove seems likely to be much less effort, safer, and likely to last longer... hopefully you can find such a thing in your area as an immediate solution, and move on to a rumford fireplace/RMH etc later on.

Interesting thread indeed Dillon.

I'm going to err on the side of caution concerning the galvanized metal. Though it might, "might" be useful under another stove as a cinder catch or something.

I was wanting to build the rocket stove but the 55 gal drum is just too much for the small area I have to heat. (12x14) It would just be in the way and take up too much room.

I'm looking at a couple other methods to the madness to heat a rock based mass, that way I don't have to burn so much wood.

I'm also looking at this little portable camp wood stove as a viable alternative. If all else fails, I'd at least have that.

I like the fact it has a water heater that attaches to the stove pipe. (See attached image). And they sell for $39 bucks on up. Averaging around $59 as a middle ground. I'm curious as to how well they would hold up over 4-5 months of continual use.