Question 1

Can I cook meats and fish directly on the oven floor?

Accepted Answer

We recommend that meat and fish or any dish that will produce fat or liquid from cooking should be placed in a container to avoid tainting the oven floor.

Question 2

How long will it take the oven to heat up before I can cook a pizza?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the oven size, it should take about 50-60 minutes to heat up to pizza-making temperature. The size and length of the fire will determine the temperature of the oven. The oven is at its optimum when all of the black carbon has burned off.

Question 3

Can I use normal firelighters?

Accepted Answer

No. All firelighters should be free from kerosene or other additives that may soak into the floor of the oven and, in turn, taint the taste of your food.

Question 4

Why am I getting lots of black smoke?

Accepted Answer

When firing up your oven, to prevent black smoke from discoloring the front of the oven, it is recommended that you put your oven door in place, to the front of the flue  so as to direct the smoke upon the flue rather than across the facade of your oven. If you do get black smoke residue on the front of your oven, this can be cleaned off with a brush and hot soapy water. It is also important to make sure you are using properly seasoned hardwood with a moisture content of less than 25% such as, redgum, box or Tassie Oak, ironbark or eucalypt.  Most seasoned  fruit woods are also suitable.  Manufactured woods such as Il Faggetto are ideal due to its low moisture content and high BTU output and it burns hotter for longer periods and produces very little smoke and ash.

Question 5

Why is my pizza base sticking to the oven floor?

Accepted Answer

First of all, remember to sprinkle the pizza base with flour or semolina and make sure your preparation area is floured well. Don’t wait too long to cook after adding your topping to the dough as it could start to soak it up and become sticky. Make sure you don’t have any holes or thin spots in your pizza base as these can allow moisture to penetrate and cause sticking

Question 6

My fire keeps going out, what am I doing wrong?

Accepted Answer

Make sure the oven door is removed to allow a free flow of air. Closing the door restricts the oxygen supply and will extinguish a fire within a few minutes.

Question 7

I haven't used my pizza oven in a while, is it still ok to use?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, although it’s a good idea to light a small fire to slowly warm the oven before you want to start cooking to “ part cure “ your oven again.

Question 8

How can I tell what temperature the oven is operating at?

Accepted Answer

You can buy infrared thermometers and other types of thermometers to give you exact readings. However, once you have used the oven and experimented with it, you will get a “feel” for the temperature.

Question 9

How do I put the fire out?

Accepted Answer

Simply close the oven door. This will block the oxygen supply to the fire, extinguishing it in just a few minutes.

Question 10

Is this oven only good for cooking pizzas?

Accepted Answer

No. The oven can be used for pizza, bread, meats, fish and vegetables. A wood fired oven can cook anything a conventional oven can. The main difference is that this oven can reach temperatures higher than 842°F.

Question 11

How to Cure a Wood Fired Oven: A Step-by-Step Guide

Accepted Answer

If you have recently bought a wood fired oven, you might be wondering how to prepare it for cooking delicious pizzas, breads, and other dishes. Curing a wood fired oven is a process of gradually heating up the oven to remove any moisture and strengthen the structure. This will prevent cracks, damage, and poor performance of your oven. We will show you how to cure a wood fired oven in seven easy steps.
What is Curing and Why is it Important?
Curing is the process of drying out the oven gradually over several days by burning a series of small fires. This is important because:
It removes any moisture from the oven, which can cause steam pressure and cracks when heated up.
It strengthens the oven structure by allowing the mortar, bricks, and insulation to bond together and harden.
It improves the oven performance by creating a smooth and even cooking surface and enhancing the heat retention and distribution.
How Long Does it Take to Cure a Wood Fired Oven?
The curing process takes about five days, depending on the size and type of your oven. Each day, you will need to burn a small fire for a few hours, increasing the temperature gradually. You should not rush the curing process or use too much wood, as this can cause thermal shock and damage your oven.
What Do You Need to Cure a Wood Fired Oven?
To cure a wood fired oven, you will need the following items:
A thermometer to monitor the oven temperature
A firelighter or matches to start the fire
FireStarters
Kindling or small pieces of hardwood to use as fuel
A metal rake or shovel to move the fire around
A metal door to control the airflow and heat
How to Cure a Wood Fired Oven: Step-by-Step
Here are the steps to cure a wood fired oven:
Start with a low-temperature fire. On the first day, you should start with a low-temperature fire of about 100°C / 212°F. To do this, place a firestarter in the middle of the floor. Then, add some kindling or small pieces of hardwood on top and light the fire. You should keep the fire small and in the center of the oven, and use the door to regulate the airflow and smoke. You should burn the fire for about four hours, checking the temperature regularly with a thermometer.
Increase the temperature gradually. On the second day, you should increase the temperature to about 150°C / 302°F and burn the fire for another four hours. You can use the same method as the first day, but add more wood as needed. You should also move the fire around the oven floor to heat up different areas. On the third day, you should increase the temperature to about 200°C / 392°F and burn the fire for four hours. On the fourth day, you should increase the temperature to about 250°C / 482°F and burn the fire for four hours. On the fifth day, you should increase the temperature to about 300°C / 572°F and burn the fire for four hours. 
Let the oven cool down completely. After the last fire, you should let the oven cool down completely before using it for cooking. This can take up to 24 hours, depending on the size and type of your oven. You should not touch the oven or open the door while it is cooling down, as this can cause cracks or uneven cooling.
Enjoy your wood fired oven. Congratulations, you have successfully cured your wood fired oven! You can now enjoy cooking delicious dishes with your oven, such as pizzas, breads, roasts, and more. You should also maintain your oven regularly by cleaning it, checking it for cracks, and resealing it once a year.
Conclusion
Curing a wood fired oven is a simple but essential process that will ensure the longevity and performance of your oven. By following these four steps, you can cure your oven safely and effectively, and prepare it for cooking amazing meals. If you have any questions or need any help with curing your oven, feel free to contact us 308 326 4660 or email us at dean@woodfiredkitchens.com      Happy curing and happy cooking!

Question 12

Protecting your oven

Accepted Answer

If your oven is not under cover, it is advisable to place a tarp or Woodfired Kitchens Pizza Oven cover on it to prevent water from entering your oven and to protect it from the elements. This will prolong the life of your oven. Another tip is to waterproof your pizza oven - You may choose to waterproof your oven with a concrete sealer such as, Bondall Natural finish sealer or Crommelins Natural Diamond coat paving and concrete sealer or Dunlop premium natural look sealer. You would apply this sealer to the external render after the curing process is complete.  Keeping the door slightly ajar will also allow any buildup of moisture to evaporate.

Question 13

Overloading with wood

Accepted Answer

Remember it is a pizza oven and not a heater and overheating and overloading with wood can damage the interior of your oven and cause excessive cracking. It can also cause the powder coating on the oven door and/or flue to blister.

Question 14

Cleaning your oven

Accepted Answer

Once you have finished cooking clean your oven floor by raking the remainder of the fire across the floor to the front of the oven and leave the door off overnight. You can clean the oven floor with a damp tea towel or a string mop. The next morning, push back the coals and ensure the oven floor is clean of any food residue. It is recommended that you use a pizza oven rake, shovel and brush to complete the cleaning process. Keep the door on after cleaning and when not in.

Question 15

Thermal shock & cracked floor bricks

Accepted Answer

High temperatures can cause pressed bricks to fail. It is important to heat your pizza oven slowly by placing wood in gradually, rather than putting too much in at once. piling too much wood in at once. If you heat it up too quickly you may cause thermal shock which will result in cracked floor tiles. Overheating an uncured oven can cause thermal shock or cracks in the clay and should be avoided. It is important that you follow the "Curing your Oven Instructions" that we have provided you with.

Question 16

Hairline Cracks

Accepted Answer

The high temperatures that your wood fired pizza oven reaches (up to 842 degrees f) will create small natural cracks and dilatations on the interior and exterior of your refractory clay oven. This is a completely normal and natural process due thermal dilatation and will not affect the normal functioning of your Pizza oven. These generally occur during the settling in stage when some expansion occurs and are not structural defects.

Question 17

Can I fix these cracks that appear on my oven?

Accepted Answer

If you would like to repair the cracks that appear in your oven you can use Selleys 401 Industrial grade silicone, but you must only use this externally, around the base of the flue or on the cracks. This will be clear in color, but you can also paint the exterior with paint or  acrylic Rollon-Render. This acrylic render will expand and shrink with your oven due to the elasticity of this product and therefore will minimize the appearances of cracks if applied to your oven any time after the initial curing process. (Please follow the application instructions on the tin)

Use & Care of Your Pizza Oven