If you're looking to bring a taste of Italy to your home and make your neighbours jealous of your garden, investing in a pizza oven is a fantastic option. A pizza oven not only makes delicious, authentic pizzas but can also serve as a versatile outdoor cooking solution.
In this guide, we’ll explore the various aspects of owning a pizza oven, particularly wood-fired ovens and provide you with top tips on how to make the most of your pizza oven.
Wood Fired Ovens in the UK
Wood-fired ovens have become increasingly popular in the UK, offering an authentic and efficient way to cook outdoors. These ovens use wood which adds a unique smoky flavour that can't be replicated by conventional ovens. They are perfect for outdoor cooking enthusiasts and BBQ lovers who enjoy hosting garden parties.
How Does a Wood Fired Pizza Oven Work?
A wood-fired pizza oven works by creating a high-temperature cooking environment using burning wood as the heat source. The wood is burned in a fire chamber inside the oven, and as it burns, it heats the oven's dome and floor. The heat from the fire, along with the retained heat in the oven's thick walls, cooks the pizza quickly and evenly. The result is a crispy crust with a slightly smoky flavour, a traditional Neapolitan-style pizza!
What Can You Cook in a Wood Fired Oven?
While wood-fired ovens are renowned for pizza making, they are incredibly versatile and can be used for a wide variety of dishes. Here are some examples:
- Bread and Baked Goods: The high heat and stone surface make wood-fired ovens ideal for baking artisan bread, focaccia and even pastries.
- Roasted Vegetables: The intense heat of the oven allows for quick roasting of vegetables, giving them a beautiful char and flavour.
- Grilled Meats and Fish: From steaks to salmon, wood-fired ovens can grill meats and fish with a distinct smoky flavour.
Wood Fired Oven Meat Recipes
For those who enjoy meat dishes, a wood-fired oven can transform your dishes. Here are a few delicious recipes to try:
- Wood-Fired Roast Chicken: Marinate a whole chicken with herbs and spices and roast it in the oven for a juicy, flavorful result.
- Lamb Chops with Garlic and Rosemary: The high heat sears the lamb chops, locking in the juices.
- Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder: Use your wood-fired oven for slow-cooking a pork shoulder, resulting in tender, pull-apart meat perfect for sandwiches or tacos.
Pizza Oven Wood
Choosing the right type of wood for your pizza oven is crucial. Make sure to use kiln-dried wood, as it burns cleaner and produces less smoke, ensuring a better cooking experience.
Why Use a Pizza Oven?
Using a pizza oven offers several advantages:
- Enhanced Flavour: The smoky flavour from the wood and high temperatures create a unique taste.
- Faster Cooking: Pizzas can be cooked in just a few minutes, delicious!
- Versatility: As mentioned, you can cook a wide range of dishes beyond just pizza.
- Outdoor Entertainment: A pizza oven is a great showstopper for garden parties and BBQ parties!
What Pizza Oven Should I Buy?
We offer two pizza ovens online & in-store:
- Blue Mosaic Outdoor Wood Fired Oven: The Mediterrani Royal Wood Fired Outdoor Pizza Oven is perfect for pizza lovers, heating up quickly to cook pizzas in under a minute. With a mosaic-tiled exterior, clay interior, brick arch, and cast iron doors, this oven is both stylish and practical.
- Mediterrani Royal Outdoor Wood Fired Pizza Oven: The Mediterrani Royal Outdoor Pizza Oven is a versatile and affordable option for outdoor cooking. Handmade from refractory clay with a dome shape, it offers excellent heat retention and reaches high temperatures quickly, while the insulated design keeps the exterior safe. Perfect for wood-fired pizzas and more.
How to Use Your Pizza Oven, A Step By Step Guide
How to Use a Pizza Oven
To get the most out of your pizza oven, follow these steps:
- Prepare Your Fuel: Use kiln-dried hardwoods or approved pellets for your oven.
- Build the Fire: Start a small fire in the centre of the oven using kindling and gradually add larger logs.
- Heat the Oven: Allow the oven to reach the desired temperature, which can take 30-60 minutes.
- Cook Your Food: Once the oven is hot, push the fire to the side and start cooking!
How Long to Light a Pizza Oven?
Lighting a pizza oven can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size and type of oven. To speed up the process, use dry, seasoned wood and build a proper fire with kindling and smaller logs before adding larger pieces.
How Hot Should a Pizza Oven Be?
The optimal temperature for cooking pizza in a wood-fired oven is between 450°C and 500°C (850°F to 900°F).
What Tools Do I Need for a Pizza Oven?
To operate a pizza oven efficiently, you will need the following tools:
- Pizza Peel: For transferring pizzas in and out of the oven.
- Oven Brush: To clean ash and debris from the oven floor.
- Infrared Thermometer: To monitor the temperature of the oven.
- Log Tongs: For safely adding wood to the fire.
- Oven Door: To control the airflow and heat retention in the oven.
What Pellets for a Pizza Oven?
If you have a pellet pizza oven, choosing the right pellets is crucial for flavour and efficiency. Look for hardwood pellets made from oak or applewood, as these provide a great flavour profile and consistent burn. Avoid softwood pellets, as they can produce more smoke and less heat.
Pizza Oven for Sale
Looking to buy a pizza oven? UK Firewood Logs has a wide range of pizza ovens for sale. Check out our range to find a model that suits your needs.
Explore the range of pizza ovens and accessories available at UK Firewood Logs and start creating delicious meals in your garden today!