Time of Year
Eat Al Fresco Italian Style During 2020 when we were all forced to stay home during that glorious first spring and summer of the pandemic, outdoor pizza oven sales soared as we all mourned our lost foreign holidays and long lazy sun-soaked lunches. The trend for al fresco Italian cooking shows no sign of letting up in 2021 so what should you look for in a pizza oven? Both wood fired pizza ovens and traditional BBQs use wood or coal to create fire for cooking on. They also cook similar foods, albeit in different ways. Wood fired ovens are designed to reach much hotter temperatures than BBQs and retain that heat for longer periods of time – a good wood fired oven reaches up to 400°C or higher, and some will stay hot throughout the day. From quick 3-minute pizzas to slow-cooked meats roasting for a few hours, outdoor ovens can do it all! It’s tempting to jump on the bandwagon but first consider what you will be cooking and how often. One of the biggest benefits of a pizza oven is that it can also barbecue grill and smoke food. But if all you want to do is grill a few burgers, you probably won’t want to have to wait for a big pizza oven to heat up! If your heart still says ‘pizza’ there are a number of options to choose from. Wood Fired Pizza Ovens - A heavy wood fired pizza oven is the classic and most authentic pizza oven. They generally feature an insulated brick dome that is ideal for reaching high temperatures over long periods.
Because they are heavy, they can’t be moved easily, and they require a strong base for support. They take time to heat up, and you need plenty of practice to get used to the various temperatures you need to cook different foods. These are for the serious al fresco chef. Portable Pizza Ovens - If you don’t want to fully commit your garden to a huge wood-fired pizza oven, a portable style is a great alternative. You can wheel them to a sunny spot and position them where the smoke won’t billow over your guests. They are obviously smaller than traditional brick ovens, and don’t retain heat for as long, but they heat up more quickly which is a plus. Tabletop Pizza Ovens - There are tabletop insulated wood fired pizza ovens available that are lightweight enough to be placed on any non-flammable surface. These compact pizza ovens are perfect for tiny gardens and even balconies and are ready to start cooking in just 25 minutes! Gas Fired Pizza Oven - If you aren’t a fan of building a wood fire, don’t want to annoy your neighbours with the smoke or just want to have better control over the heat, a gas pizza oven could be the perfect choice. They still feature high performing insulation, but don’t reach such high temperatures and can’t be used to smoke food smoker. A gas oven might also be the choice for you if you prefer a non-smoky, cleaner taste. Whatever your choice, buona pizza!
By Tom Hancock
10
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