How to Use and Maintain Your Wood Fired Oven
Once you have chosen and bought your wood fired oven, you need to learn how to use and maintain it properly. Here are some tips to help you:
- Cure your oven: Before using your oven for the first time, you need to cure it, which means to gradually heat it up and dry it out. This will prevent cracking, warping, and damage to the oven. To cure your oven, you need to light small fires and increase the temperature and duration gradually over several days, until you reach the maximum temperature of your oven. You can find a step by step guide here --> How To Cure Your Wood Fired Oven
- Light your oven: To light your oven, you need to place some kindling and small pieces of wood at the center or back of the oven chamber, and light them with a match or a lighter. You then need to add more wood as the fire grows, until you reach the desired temperature and size of the fire. You can use a thermometer to check the temperature of the oven, and a metal rake or shovel to move the fire and the coals around the oven. From experience it is better to place all the firewood needed to reach the desired temperature at the beginning when starting up your fire.
- Cook your food: To cook your food, you need to place it in the oven, either on a baking tray, clay casserole, metal grill or directly on the oven floor. You then need to monitor and adjust the temperature and the position of the food, depending on the type and doneness of the food. You can also use a timer, a thermometer, or a knife to check the cooking time and progress of the food.
- Clean your oven: To clean your oven, you need to wait until it cools down completely, and then remove any ashes, coals, or food residues from the oven chamber. You can use a metal brush, a scraper, and a damp cloth to do this. You then need to wipe the oven door and the oven exterior with a dry or damp cloth.
- Protect your oven: To protect your oven, you need to cover it with a waterproof and breathable cover, or store it in a dry and sheltered place, when not in use. This will prevent moisture, dust, insects, or animals from entering and damaging the oven. You should also inspect and repair your oven regularly, and replace any broken or worn out parts.
