How To Use Outdoor Pizza Oven – Pro Guide For Beginners
How to use an outdoor pizza oven involves these steps. Do preparations. Preheat the oven. Warm the dough to room temperature, well flour the dough, and bake it.
But, is it really so simple? No, you need to practice until you master how to use the outdoor oven.
How To Use Outdoor Pizza Oven
An outdoor pizza oven is a great investment to transform your backyard into a culinary haven. This not only allows you to enjoy delicious, smokey, homemade pizzas but also enhances your outdoor aesthetics.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced chef, this guide will help you through the steps of using an outdoor pizza oven. So, let’s create mouthwatering pizzas that will impress your family and friends.
Preparing the Oven
The very first thing before you go onto using the pizza oven is the oven’s preparation.
1. Choose a suitable location:
Choose a stable, level area away from dangerous objects like trees or structures. This will stop smoke from building up to make sure there is sufficient ventilation.
Gather the necessary equipment and supplies
Firewood:
Select dry hardwoods like oak or maple because they have an even heat source and a pleasant aroma.
Kindling:
Use tiny, dry twigs or newspaper to start the fire.
Pizza peel:
A long-handled wooden or metal paddle is used to slide pizzas into and out of the oven.
Ingredients:
The following are the ingredients for a pizza: pizza dough, sauce, cheese, and preferred toppings.
Starting the Fire:
Place the firewood inside the oven in the shape of a teepee, leaving a slight gap for airflow. Now, place kindling in the center and light it with matches or a lighter. Lastly, allow the fire to spread gradually while adding fuel.
Heating the Oven
1. Wait for the fire to burn out:
Let the fire burn for about an hour or two. If not, then until the wood is reduced to burning embers. The oven will be heated to the desired level through this procedure.
2. Rearrange the firewood:
Move the embers to one side of the oven with a long-handled tool, such as tongs or a rake. This will make a hot zone and a cooler zone within the oven. While the cooler zone helps in keeping the pizza warm, the hot zone will provide direct heat for cooking.
3. Keep an eye on the temperature:
Use an infrared thermometer or a built-in oven thermometer to check the oven’s temperature. For instance; for a true Neapolitan-style pizza, you should aim for a temperature of roughly 700°F (370°C).
Preparing and Baking the Pizza
1. Prepare the pizza dough:
Roll out the pizza dough into a thin, rounded form and make sure it fits the pizza peel size.
2. Time for the toppings:
Cover the dough with a thin layer of sauce, then top with cheese and any additional toppings you choose. Try to think outside the box and try different flavors!
3. Slide the pizza into the oven:
To keep the pizza peel from sticking, dust it with cornmeal or flour. Slide the prepared pizza onto the peel gently, then place it on the hot stone in the oven.
4. Monitor the pizza and rotate it:
Pay close attention to the pizza while it bakes. To guarantee even cooking, rotate the pizza from time to time. Use a pizza peel or a long-handled spatula to rotate your pizza. This procedure keeps the pizza safe from burning or cooking unevenly.
5. Take the pizza out and serve:
Depending on the oven temperature, the pizza should be perfectly baked in around 2 to 5 minutes. Make sure the cheese is perfectly melted, and the crust is evenly cooked and crispy. Use a pizza peel to take the pizza out of the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Slice and serve the pizza when it has cooled after a while. This enhances the overall smokey flavor of your freshly baked pizza.
Cleaning and maintenance of the outdoor pizza oven
The best method for achieving the flavor of wood-fired pizza in your backyard is to purchase an outdoor pizza oven. But frequent cleaning and maintenance are very crucial if you want your oven to keep running well and last for years to come.
1. Safety Precautions:
Prioritizing safety should come first when cleaning your outdoor pizza oven. Before you begin cleaning the oven, make sure it has totally cooled down. This will reduce the danger of burns.
To protect yourself while cleaning, wear the proper safety kit, such as heat-resistant gloves and safety glasses.
2. Cleaning the Interior:
With a brush or scraper, start by clearing the oven floor for any remaining ashes or dirt. If the floor is made of hard material, take care not to scratch it. You can use a wet cloth with warm water and gently scrub the sticky residue or burnt food particles with it.
Make sure not to use excessive water or products that can cause damage to your oven. Harsh cleaning products and too much water might harm the interior of the oven.
3. Cleaning the Exterior:
You can use a soft sponge or towel soaked in warm soapy water to clean the exterior of your outdoor pizza. Wipe any grease or dirt from the oven’s external surfaces gently. Avoid using harsh cleansers or rough items that could leave a scratch on a painted or stainless steel oven. To get rid of any dirt or grime from brick or stone ovens, use a brush with firm bristles.
4. Removing Grease Buildup:
Grease can build up over time on the cooking surface and inside the walls of your pizza oven. To get rid of the oil and tar build, make a paste by combining baking soda and warm water. To break down the grease, apply the paste to the greasy areas and let it sit for a while.
After that, use a soft brush or sponge to gently scrub the surface. Rinse with fresh water, then pat the areas dry.
5. Maintaining the Chimney and Ventilation:
Check the chimney and ventilation system frequently to make sure they are working correctly. Remove any obstructions, such as bird nests or other debris, that might block airflow and result in smoke filling up into the cooking chamber.
To clear tar buildup from the flue, use a chimney brush. This will ensure effective airflow and help in preventing chimney fires.
6. Seasoning the Oven:
By seasoning your oven, you may prevent rust and improve heat retention. After cleaning, apply a little coating of vegetable oil or edible mineral oil to the inner surfaces. To make sure the oil is distributed evenly, use a brush or towel. Instead of wiping out any extra oil, let it sit in for a few hours or overnight.
7. Covering and Storage:
It’s important to protect your outdoor pizza oven from the weather when it’s not in use. Purchase a premium, good quality, waterproof cover made just for your oven’s model. By doing this, you can avoid moisture building up, rusting, and weather-related damage. When not in use for an extended amount of time, keep the oven in a dry, protected area.
FAQs
What is the best way to light up the pizza oven?
The best possible way out there to light up your pizza oven is to use hardwood. Use a sufficient amount of hardwood, kindle, and twigs, and set them in the right order. Now, use a light or match, or whichever method you prefer to light up the woods in your oven.
How fast can a pizza cook in the pizza oven?
Pizza ovens typically cook faster than average pizza ovens due to their tendency to reach higher temperatures quickly. So, it normally takes 5-8 minutes for the pizza to be perfectly cooked in a pizza oven.
How to ensure the longevity of your pizza oven?
Frequent maintenance and cleaning of your pizza oven determines the longevity of your pizza oven. Keep your pizza oven in a dry place and have it covered if the oven is not in use. If you have recently used the oven, make sure to clean it from the inside and outside as well as build up and debris. Also, inspect the chimney of your oven for any sign of obstruction.
Conclusion
How to use an outdoor pizza oven is an easy and essential thing to learn. An outdoor pizza oven is a promising investment for all pizza lovers. Not only does the aesthetically pleasing layout of the oven enhance the overall ambiance of your backyard, but it also enhances the flavors of your pizzas.
Using the pizza oven is rather simple and straightforward which is discussed in this article. Regular cleaning and maintenance are also vital for the longevity and optimal performance of your outdoor pizza oven. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure your oven remains in excellent condition. Allowing you to use the oven perfectly and enjoy delicious wood-fired pizzas for years.
