LIGHTING THE PIZZARO PIZZA OVEN
·
Use a soft brush and dust pan to remove any cold ashes from inside the Pizza
Oven, then sweep the inside base so it is free of dust and debris.
·
Using a little newspaper and thin dry kindling build a fire in the centre of the
mouth of the Pizza Oven as shown left. Slowly add the remaining wood fuel to the
fire, then after about 15 minutes use the raking tool to push the glowing embers
and burning fuel to the back of the pizza oven. USE A FIRE GLOVE TO PROTECT
YOUR HAND
·
Carefully insert a pizza stone (which we recommend), so it sits in the mouth of
the Pizza Oven about 8 cm from the front lip. Use the peel to turn the pizza stone after five minutes to ensure
it heats evenly. USE A FIRE GLOVE TO PROTECT YOUR HAND
·
Allow the remainder of the wood to burn and after about 30-35 minutes from ignition the pizza oven will
have attained at least 300 degrees c. Check the temperature on the thermostat.
·
Using the raking tool push the glowing embers to the back and sides of the pizza oven - allow all the
flames to burn off - now you are ready to cook.
WOOD FUEL
·
A pizza will taste better when cooked at high temperature. Many Italian
pizza ovens operate at 400 degrees Centigrade. The Pizzaro Pizza Oven has an
operating temperature of 300 degrees plus.
·
You will need to burn about 2.5 kgs of wood pieces or chips (exclusive of
kindling) to reach the operating temperature in about 35 minutes. This is 35
minutes heating and about 35 minutes cooking time. It is easy to make your own
wood fuel by splitting logs into thinner pieces. Use extreme care if using a small
hand axe to split the logs.
Traditional Italian pizza ovens use dry oak chips as the fuel, these wood chips burn fast,
leave little ash residue and produce a distinctive smoky oak aroma which gives flavour to
the pizzas.
You can use other wood types as fuel, but make sure they are well seasoned and as dry as
possible to minimise smoke. If wood chips are not available use small strips or blocks about
sized 3 x 3 x 8 or 12 cms. Be aware scrap pallet wood is often treated with preservative
which is toxic and should not be used as fuel.
PLACING A PIZZA IN THE OVEN
·
Prepare all your pizzas in advance so they are ready to cook, when the first is
cooked you can immediately insert the next one into the hot oven.
·
N
ow using the peel place the pizza on the hot pizza stone - it will take about
four minutes to cook - we recommend after two minutes you lift the pizza out of
the oven using the peel and turn it 180 degrees and then replace into the oven for
the last two/three minutes. Do not burn your fingers.
3.5 Kgs wood pieces
·
The pizza oven is large enough to cook a pizza up to 12 inches in diameter, but with this size care must be
taken to ensure the back edge does not burn or come into contact with the burning embers, therefore we rec-
ommend you cook maximum 10 inch diameter pizzas.
·
The pizza is ready when the topping is bubbling, which at 300 degrees C is about four minutes after placing
on the pizza stone. To remove the pizza, slide the peel under the cooked pizza and lift out onto a flat wooden
cutting board, and serve immediately. Insert the next pizza and repeat the process. Do not put your hand into
the oven, it will be burnt! DO NOT TOUCH THE OUTSIDE OF THE OVEN DOME IT IS VERY HOT.
