Quick answer
- Mild steel (MS): lowest upfront cost, corrodes fastest. Fine for dry, indoor or short-life use.
- SS 202: the common stainless grade in India. Good life in normal conditions, and better still in a double-body build.
- SS 304: more nickel, so better corrosion resistance. Mostly an export grade in India. Ask for it when your market or climate demands it.
- Whatever you choose: get the grade and the sheet thickness written on the quotation, and verify it.
By Anshul Sethi, Founder, Forno Sethi, Delhi. Last updated: 28 October 2026. Reading time: about 8 minutes.
Every tandoor maker says “best quality.” That claim costs nothing, so this guide does something more useful: it explains what the steel body does, how the three materials behave in different climates, and how you can check the grade yourself before you pay, with us or with anyone else.
Step 1: What the steel body actually does
A tandoor cooks because of its clay chamber, which stores heat and radiates it evenly. The steel body is the structure around it. It holds the clay and insulation in shape, protects them from knocks and moisture, carries the legs, handles or wheels, and is what your customers see.
The outer body does not normally touch food, so the grade changes the life and looks of the tandoor, not the taste. A SS 304 body with a badly made clay pot will cook worse than a SS 202 body with a well-made one.
Step 2: The three materials side by side
| Point | Mild steel | SS 202 | SS 304 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium / Nickel (typical %) | None | 17–19 / 4–6 | 18–20 / 8–10.5 |
| Rust behaviour | Corrodes quickly once paint or coating wears | Resists rust in normal conditions | Best of the three |
| Where it can still struggle | Moisture, steam, salty air | Salty, humid coastal air over time | Coastal and salty air can still mark it; no stainless is rust-proof |
| Typical use in India | Dhabas, caterers, budget builds | Homes, restaurants, banquets | Mostly export orders and premium builds |
| Upfront cost | Lowest | Medium | Highest |
Nickel is the main reason SS 304 costs more. SS 202 replaces part of the nickel with manganese. For an outer body that does not touch food, this is a cost-and-climate decision, not a safety one.
Step 3: Match the grade to where the tandoor will live
| Where it will be used | What we suggest |
|---|---|
| Dry inland city, indoors or covered kitchen | SS 202 is enough. MS works if budget is the limit and you keep it dry. |
| Open terrace, rain exposure | Stainless (SS 202 minimum) in a double-body build. |
| Coastal or very humid location | SS 304 in a double-body build, and regular wiping of salt and moisture. Even then, expect surface marks over time. |
| Sea shipment to another country | Stainless body and wooden crating. Choose 202 or 304 by what your market expects. |
| Caterer moving tandoors often | MS or SS 202 drum or round tandoor. Choose by budget and how long you want it to last. |
Step 4: Why the build matters as much as the grade
A tandoor is not a single sheet of steel. Our commercial stainless tandoors use a double body: an outer skin and an inner skin with insulation between them. The sheet we use is typically 18 to 20 gauge (roughly 1.2 mm to 0.9 mm; gauge charts differ slightly, so always ask for the thickness in mm).
Here is why that helps in practice. Moisture and salt attack the outer skin first. In a double-body build, the inner skin that supports the clay chamber stays protected behind the insulation for much longer, so the tandoor keeps its structure even when the outside shows wear. That is how a SS 202 tandoor can serve well in harsh weather, and how a SS 304 tandoor holds up in coastal air where even 304 can show marks. This is our experience from the tandoors we supply and the feedback we get; it is not a lifetime guarantee, and care still matters.
Single-skin, thin-sheet builds do not have this protection. That is where low-cost tandoors usually fail first.
Step 5: How to verify the grade before you pay
Because every maker claims good quality, the only fair answer is to check. Ask any supplier, including us:
- Grade in writing. The quotation or proforma invoice should say SS 202, SS 304 or MS. “Stainless steel” alone is not a grade.
- Thickness in mm for the outer and inner skin, not just “heavy gauge.”
- Sheet source. We buy Jindal sheet, not local unbranded sheet. Ask every supplier which mill they buy from.
- Mill test certificate (MTC) for the sheet, if you need documentary proof, especially for export.
- Independent test. A lab or a positive material identification (PMI) analyser can confirm the grade. Do not rely on a magnet test; it cannot reliably tell 202 from 304.
- Look at the welds and finish. Clean, even welds and a consistent surface say more than a sticker.
- Insulation and body type. Single or double body, and what insulation sits between.
Step 6: Buying for export?
Buyers in some markets specify SS 304 by grade, and some importers will ask for documents. Before you place an order, get these on the proforma invoice:
- Steel grade (SS 202 or SS 304) and sheet thickness in mm
- Single or double body, and the insulation used
- Fuel setup (gas, charcoal, hybrid or electric) for your country
- Packing: wooden crating for sea freight
- Spare parts you want sent with the order, such as skewers and accessories
Tell us the country and the climate where the tandoor will stand, and we will suggest the grade honestly, even if that means recommending the lower-cost one.
Mistakes to avoid
- Paying extra for 304 you cannot verify. If the paper does not say 304, you cannot tell what you got.
- Judging only by price. A very low quote often means thinner sheet or no inner skin.
- Ignoring thickness. Two tandoors in the same grade can last very differently if the gauge differs.
- Skipping care. Wipe off moisture, salt and food residue. This extends the life of every grade.
- Thinking the steel cooks. The clay chamber does the cooking. Ask about the clay and the insulation first.
What we do, and what we do not claim
We do not claim a secret material. SS 202 and SS 304 come from the same mills available to every maker. What we commit to is how we work: Jindal sheet, 18 to 20 gauge, double-body construction, no cutting corners with lighter material to hit a lower price, delivery on the date we promise, and honest advice before you buy. We talk through your kitchen, climate and budget first, and we stay available after delivery.
Our current standard is SS 202, with SS 304 on request. See the SS home tandoor and the SS square tandoor for specifications. For caterers and budget builds, see our MS drum tandoors.
Frequently asked questions
Is SS 202 or SS 304 better for a tandoor?
SS 304 resists corrosion better, but SS 202 is enough for most inland kitchens, especially in a double-body build. Choose 304 for coastal locations or when your export market asks for it.
Is SS 304 rust-proof?
No. No stainless steel is fully rust-proof. In salty, humid air even SS 304 can show surface marks. Regular wiping and a double-body build reduce the effect.
Does the steel grade change how the tandoor cooks?
No. Cooking comes from the clay chamber, the insulation and the burner or heater. The grade affects the life and appearance of the body.
How do I know the grade I received is real?
Get the grade and the thickness in writing, ask for the mill test certificate, and if needed have the sheet checked by a lab or a PMI analyser. Do not rely on a magnet test.
What gauge sheet is used for a tandoor body?
Our stainless tandoors use roughly 18 to 20 gauge sheet (about 1.2 mm to 0.9 mm). Confirm the thickness in mm with any supplier.
Why does a mild steel tandoor rust faster?
Mild steel has no chromium, so it forms no protective layer. Once the paint or coating wears, moisture reaches the metal and corrosion starts.
Can you export tandoors with SS 304?
Yes, SS 304 is available on request. Share your country, quantity and climate, and we will quote with the grade and thickness written clearly.
Which grade is best for a caterer who moves tandoors often?
MS or SS 202 drum and round tandoors are common. Choose by budget and how long you want the tandoor to last.
Want a quote with the grade written clearly?
Message Anshul on WhatsApp with your country or city, tandoor size and use. We will quote with the grade and thickness named.