What Nobody Tells You About Owning a Pizza Oven

In a world of social media, owning a pizza oven is made to look effortless. Rolling flames, perfectly blistered crusts, sunny days and friends gathered round in the garden with a cool beer in hand. These scenes can make it look like you just light up, slide the pizza in and out comes pizza perfection every time.

Well, the reality is slightly different – but that’s all part of the fun!

In this article, we’re going to cover the bits that no one tells you about owning a pizza oven (and why we think they’re the best little things in the world!). We’ll give our honest assessment of what to expect, from that first fire to becoming obsessed with all things wood-fired. Let’s dive in.

It’s Not Just About Pizza

If you’ve followed us on social media for a while or ever read any of our other articles, you’ll know that pizza ovens are capable of cooking so much more than pizza. But it goes so much further than that. A pizza oven completely changes how you use your outdoor space.

Once you’ve decided where to position your Igneus Pizza Oven, it quickly becomes a focal point of your garden. People gather round the fire, and evenings stretch out long into the night. You’ll find yourself planning your weekends around firing up your pizza oven.

One of the things buyers often don’t consider when buying their first pizza oven is the practicality of positioning. Wind direction, shelter from the elements and proximity to your kitchen all make a difference. A well-placed pizza oven makes hosting a pizza party effortless.

Oven size and portability are also important factors to consider. Do you want a large tabletop pizza oven that stays in the same position all year round? If so, the Igneus Classico, Igneus Pro 600, or even the Igneus Ceramiko Range would be perfect. On the other hand, do you want the freedom of being able to pick up your pizza oven and take it on your next camping holiday or family trip to the beach? If that’s the case, the Igneus Minimo or Igneus Bambinocould be your perfect companion.

There’s a Learning Curve

As with anything new, there’s a natural learning curve with owning a pizza oven. Don’t expect to be a professional pizzaiolo from that first fire, especially if it’s your first time using a wood-fired oven.

One of the biggest things that people find surprising when cooking with a pizza oven is that you’re not just heating air, you’re building heat into the stone too. The floor of the oven needs time to properly saturate with heat to cook a perfect pizza. 

Managing the flame takes practice, too. For pizza, you want a live flame rolling across the dome to create that signature leopard spotting. For other dishes like steaks, fish and vegetables, you’ll rely more on the residual heat of the oven and embers. Understanding the difference transforms your results, but it takes time to properly learn how to efficiently switch between raw and residual heat.

Your first few pizzas won’t be perfect; we can tell you that from experience. But that is totally normal. Tools and accessories can make your life so much easier, though. Getting kitted out with a turning peel rather than just a launching peel is key. Also, using an Infrared Thermometer to accurately assess the temperature of the oven floor is a game-changer. 

The Ongoing Reality

Owning a pizza oven comes with some small responsibilities. Nothing major, but worth knowing.

Not all wood is the same, so when choosing your fuel type, make sure it’s seasoned, kiln-dried hardwood for a clean burn and consistent heat.

You’ve likely chosen a wood-fired pizza oven because of the superior flavour that the wood imparts onto whatever you’re cooking, as well as the fact that it’s a truly authentic and old-school way of cooking. After each cook, though, ash needs to be brushed out from the back of the oven. It’s a simple routine that takes minutes but keeps performance consistent. It’s also important to protect your pizza oven with a cover, especially in winter. Protection from moisture helps maintain insulation and the ultimate longevity of your Igneus pizza oven.

Final Thoughts

Owning a pizza oven is like nothing else. It’s fun, sociable, and they turn out incredible tasting food. 

Although there’s a learning curve and a few bits of maintenance to take care of, once you get used to your oven, it really is a dream to work with. It’s all about slowing down and enjoying the process. Once you nail those pizzas and get the plaudits from your guests, you’ll know it’s worth that extra bit of effort.

If you’d like to learn more about the range of Igneus Pizza Ovens or have any questions you need answering, our friendly team is here to help. Call us on 01423 575885 or explore our full range of ovens and pizza oven accessories here.