Wood pellet ovens are ideal for replicating the authentic taste of wood-fired pizzas. These ovens can reach high temperatures quickly and provide even cooking, allowing you to cook pizzas in less time than with a gas oven. If you are new to wood pellet ovens, knowing how to use them can help prevent cooking issues. Here are four tips for cooking with a wood pellet pizza oven:
1. Choose the Right Wood Pellets
The type of wood pellets you use impacts your pizza’s flavor, so it helps to consult your sellers when buying a wood pellet pizza oven. Use food-grade wood pellets like oak, cherry, hickory, and apple wood, as they each provide unique results. When shopping for wood pellets, look for products with no additives or binders, as these may interfere with flavor when cooking. Experienced sellers can advise you on the flavor profile of different wood pellet types to help you determine which recipes they work with the best.
2. Preheat the Oven Properly
Preheating your oven makes baking pizza with a crispy crust and uniformly cooked toppings easy. Add pellets to the indicated level to light your oven and fire them up using a firelighter. Close the oven door after the pellets catch fire, as this allows enough heating of the pizza stone. Give the oven a few minutes to preheat, and keep checking the temperature to prevent overheating. Wood pellet ovens can reach about 540°C, but the best temperature for making pizza will vary depending on the size and thickness of your crust.
3. Monitor the Heat
If your oven temperature drops too low, it can lead to longer cooking times and a less crispy crust. Your pizza may burn if the oven temperature gets too hot. To avoid pizza mishaps, maintain consistent oven temperatures when cooking with a wood pellet oven. Monitor the pellet hopper and refill it as needed to prevent temperature fluctuations. Adjust the airflow vent on your oven to control the flame’s intensity from the burning wood pellets. Also, keep the hopper lid open for maximum airflow. As your pizza bakes, check the oven temperature regularly using a temperature gun, and adjust the heat as necessary.
4. Learn Proper Recipe Temperatures
When it comes to pizzas, the thickness of the crust and sauce, as well as the amount and type of toppings, determine the ideal cooking temperature. Cook pizzas with a thicker base, more toppings, and lighter sauces at slightly low temperatures to allow them to cook for longer. The long cooking time allows the base and toppings to cook properly and the moisture to dry without charring the pizza. You need a higher temperature and shorter cooking time for Neapolitan-style pizzas to get a crispy crust. Non-pizza dishes like roast meats or baked treats require lower temperatures to cook. Experiment with different temperatures to discover what works best for your recipes.
Make the Most of Your Wood Pellet Pizza Oven
A wood pellet pizza oven allows you to make pizzas and other baked dishes quickly. To maximize your oven’s functionality, know the correct type of wood pellets to use for different recipes and learn how to control its temperature. Consult your oven seller for further guidance on tips and accessories to upgrade your cooking using a wood pellet oven.
