For generations, Spain has been a magnet for British holidaymakers, drawn to its diverse landscapes, warm Mediterranean climate, and a culture that celebrates life to the fullest. But what sets the scene apart is the substantial number of Brits who have decided to take their love affair with Spain to the next level. Whether it’s retiring to the sun-drenched coasts, seeking a change of scenery, or investing in holiday homes, Spain has become a true sanctuary for those in search of a slower, more fulfilling (and warmer!) way of life.

So, why are we talking about Spain all of a sudden? Well, we have big news to announce! The Pizza Oven Shop is proud to announce its expansion into Spain, serving both British expats, holidaymakers and of course the people of Spain as well! So, let’s dive into our latest blog to find out all about it!

Spain & Pizza… a marriage made in… Heaven?

Pizza, while of course not originally a Spanish creation, has found a cherished place within the hearts and palates of the people of Spain. In Spain, pizza is more than just a delicious Italian import; it’s a testament to the country’s love for international flavours, which is one of the key characteristics which makes Spain such an attractive place for Brits to holiday or set up home abroad. Spaniards have fused their culinary heritage with this Italian classic, resulting in dishes like Coca de Trampó which is a Mediterranean-style flatbread topped with regional ingredients like tomatoes, olives, and olive oil.

So, which Brands are Available?

To begin with we’re focusing on two of our best-selling brands, Clementi and Igneus Wood Fired Ovens. Here’s a little more information.

Clementi

Clementi offer ovens across a whole range of different sizes and specifications, including superior wood, gas, and professional ovens. Their ovens are a testament to the art of Italian craftsmanship and culinary tradition which are renowned for their exceptional quality, innovative design with a commitment to authenticity. Crafted in Italy, the birthplace of pizza, Clementi ovens can reach temperatures of over 500°c quickly, allowing for the perfect Neapolitan-style pizza in just 60 seconds. The Pizza Oven Shop España stock the following Clementi pizza ovens.

Clementino (Dual Fuel)

Clementi (Wood / Gas)

Clementi Gold (Wood / Gas)

Clementi Crosti (Electric)

Igneus

The Igneus Wood Fired Oven range comprises five wood-fired pizza ovens, encompassing three models for household use and two designed for professional use. These ovens consistently deliver exquisite stone-baked pizzas in just 60-80 seconds, as well as other foodie creations we will outline below! Offering exceptional value for money, a stylish design, superior craftsmanship and rapid heat up times, the Igneus range is a preferred choice among discerning pizza oven enthusiasts.

Handcrafted in Portugal, Igneus ovens cater to individuals with a passion for cooking, extending beyond pizza preparation. Their domed configuration ensures swift, efficient cooking of pizzas, as well as the roasting and pan-frying of a variety of foods, including meat, fish, vegetables, and more. The Pizza Oven Shop España will stock the following Igneus Pizza Ovens.

Family Range

Igneus Pro 600 (Wood Fired)

Igneus Pro 750 (Wood Fired)

What Spanish dishes can I cook in my pizza oven?

The versatile nature of pizza ovens enables a wide range of culinary creations, from crispy, wood-fired pizzas to succulent roasted meats and vegetables. Spanish cuisine features a range of classic dishes that are traditionally cooked over wood fires, imparting a unique and smoky flavour, meaning you can recreate these Spanish favourites in your very own pizza oven!

Paella

One of Spain’s most iconic dishes, paella is typically cooked in a wide, shallow pan over an open flame. The wood fire enhances the smokiness of this saffron-infused rice dish, often prepared with a variety of ingredients like chicken, rabbit, seafood, or vegetables.

Chorizo a la Sidra

This dish hails from the northern region of Asturias. It involves chorizo sausages simmered in cider and then grilled over a wood fire. The wood smoke and the cider’s tangy sweetness combine to create a unique flavour profile.

Sardines a la Plancha

Along the coasts of Spain, sardines are a popular choice for grilling over wood fires. They are often marinated in olive oil, garlic, and herbs, enhancing their rich, smoky taste.

Calçots

Common in Catalonia, calçots are green onions grilled directly over flames until they are charred and tender. They are typically served with a romesco sauce, making for a delightful and smoky treat.

Bacalao a la Llauna

Bacalao, or salted cod, is often prepared by grilling over wood fires in Catalonia. The dish is known for its crispy skin and tender, flaky flesh, typically served with a garlicky tomato sauce.

Pulpo a la Gallega

In Galicia, octopus is often cooked over a wood fire, then drizzled with olive oil and paprika. This method enhances the octopus’s tenderness and infuses it with a smoky aroma.

And there you have it, a selection of Spanish classics you can try in your very own pizza oven, in your Spanish bolthole! What could be better? Although these Spanish dishes are traditionally cooked over wood fire, you can easily impart the same smoky, rich flavour using a pizza oven.

If you own a holiday home in Spain and we’ve tempted you to find out how a Clementi or Igneus Pizza Oven could transform your next visit to Spain, visit the website www.pizzaovenshop.es or give our Spanish colleagues a call directly on +34633249983.

Thanks for reading,

The Pizza Oven Shop

The post Introducing The Pizza Oven Shop España appeared first on The Pizza Oven Shop.

Cleaning the Interior

This might sound counterproductive, but after you’ve finished cooking your last pizza, turn up the heat to full. Or put a bit of extra wood on the fire if using a wood fired oven, and let it burn for 30 minutes. This will allow the maximum temperature to be reached which will burn any debris such as spilled toppings and allow the debris to be scraped out much easier once the oven has cooled.

Cleaning the inside of a pizza oven is essential for maintaining its performance. However, it’s crucial to avoid using liquid inside the oven. This is because it can cause damage to the pizza stone which is a porous material and therefore highly absorbent. If a significant amount of water gets on the stone, it can take a lot of time for it to fully dry out. This can cause the base of the pizza to not cook at the same rate and therefore become soggy. To clean your pizza oven, start by allowing it to cool completely.

Once cool, use a soft-bristle brush or a pizza oven brush to remove any loose food debris or ash from the cooking surface and the oven floor. Be gentle to avoid scratching the oven’s interior. For stubborn residues, you can use a metal scraper, but exercise caution. Regularly maintaining your pizza oven in this manner will ensure its longevity and keep your pizzas tasting delicious.

Cleaning the Exterior and Preventing Rust

Stainless steel is the most common material used in both wood fired and gas fired pizza ovens. If you have located your pizza oven outside all year round, it can become subject to rust over time so you may wish to purchase a pizza oven cover to prevent this, as well as other damage associated with the outside elements. How often you clean the exterior will depend on whether you use your pizza oven for personal or commercial use. For personal use, a wipe down once every so often to clean the soot from the steel is sufficient. Commercially, the exterior will need to be cleaned daily to maintain food hygiene standards. A wet cloth is usually enough to buff out smudges and soot on the surface of the oven.

Look for blockages in the chimney and clean this out

A properly functioning chimney and flue system is crucial for maintaining a consistent cooking temperature and preventing smoke build up inside your oven. It also allows the air to circulate efficiently which ultimately influences the temperatures the oven can reach. Regularly check for blockages or soot debris in the chimney and ensure that the flue is clear. Any restrictions can lead to inefficient burning and uneven cooking.

How often should you clean the oven

Really this depends on how often you use it, but it’s good practice to scrape out the debris and ash after every use. The stone, unless it’s been subject to a heavy spill, should in theory almost ‘self-clean’ if you use the method above of turning the heat up to full for a few minutes. You can also try turning the stone over before you fire it up each time.

If you are missing any of the tools or equipment needed to maintain your pizza oven for as long as possible, we’re here to help. You can head over to our shop or if you’d like to speak to one of our dedicated customer service representatives, call us on 01423 608648 or visit us in store.

The post Pizza Oven Maintenance: Caring for your Investment appeared first on The Pizza Oven Shop.

The heat they can reach

Compared to a standard household convection oven which can only reach around 250°C as an absolute maximum, pizza ovens can range from this all the way up to over 500°C depending on the type and fuel involved. For example gas and hardwood fired pizza ovens can reach higher temperatures than wood pellet fired ovens. If you’re concerned about having a pizza oven around children, you can also choose options that are mounted or with a stand to take it out of reach for smaller kids.

The speed in which they cook and results compared against a convection oven

Even a homemade pizza cooked in a convection oven will typically take at the very least 10 minutes after warming it up. Once done, you may find that the crust is too hard, the toppings, dough or cheese is not to your taste or if you’ve forgotten to check on it; burnt. Depending on your toppings, it may also take longer for this to cook to your taste. Pizza ovens can typically produce a mouth-watering, authentic pizza with a charred crust in as little as 60 seconds. The difference in taste is sensational, with wood fired pizza ovens creating a flavoursome charred taste as well as a smoky aroma before, after and during cooking!

Most portable wood and gas fired pizza ovens typically take 15 minutes to warm up, but this is literally a case of connecting the gas to the pizza oven and lighting it.

Other foods you can cook in them

A larger pizza oven such as the Gozney Dome and Igneus Classico is capable of simultaneously cooking other types of foods to perfection. You can sear or roast meats, vegetables and fish dishes. Make lasagne for the whole family and watch as the cheese melts into the pasta. Bake bread. Sizzle steaks. This can allow you to wow your guests with the smell of fresh ingredients roasting away as you entertain them. You can even cook completely vegetarian dishes with a smoky taste and aroma.

Portability

Pizza ovens, depending on the manufacturer, fuel type and size have many portable options. Lightweight, these can range between 15-20 kg which is the equivalent of a high chair or bag of pet food from the supermarket. As a result, your pizza oven can follow you to the beach, camping, caravanning or any other excursion out.

Cost

In terms of cost, portable pizza ovens typically around the £300 mark. Larger, built in pizza ovens can be upwards of £2,000, so it all depends on your budget and how often you’d make use of your pizza oven. Typically, many of our customers start with a smaller oven and then come back a few years later for a size upgrade!

Key things to look for when buying

Aside from the other considerations we’ve delved into above, you’ll also want to consider the following:

Accessories – What accessories are included? We offer bundle packages where you can get all the essential accessories you’ll need. You’ll need a rake and brush for wood fired pizza ovens to ensure any ashes and debris can be cleaned. We would also recommend a pizza peel to ensure that you can retrieve your pizza easily without risking being burnt.

Fuel type – For gas fired pizza ovens, you will need to read each manufacturer’s product description carefully to ensure that you get the correct canister. Wood fired pizza ovens are somewhat simpler in purchasing the wood and pellets if you’d like to create specific aromas.

Storage requirements – do you have a shed or garage you can easily store this away to prevent rust?

Brand compatibility – We offer a range of different pizza ovens from a variety of manufacturers, so be careful to read product recommendations to ensure you don’t buy mismatched accessories that would not fit or reach a different sized pizza oven.

The post Is a Pizza Oven Worth Investing in? appeared first on The Pizza Oven Shop.

Those uneven bubbles of air rise up closer to the domed roof of the pizza oven and the reflected heat from the ceiling of the oven causes the crust to blister, and therefore create the beautiful leopard spotting we know and love.

Not only do those charred spots look amazing, but they also add complexity to the overall flavour of the pizza. The caramelisation of the natural sugars in the dough creates a slightly bitter taste, distinctive with carbonised food which we’re sure everyone has tasted at some stage! It is important to note that there is a huge difference between burning and charring.

Charring is a chemical process caused by the ingredients in the dough reacting to the heat of the oven, known as combustion. Where charring differs from burning is ensuring the combustion is incomplete. Go too far, you’ll be left with a crust that is almost completely carbonised. And no one wants that!

So, how do You Make a Charred Pizza?

Heat, Heat, Heat

The main influencing factor is heat. And lots of it! We talk a lot here at The Pizza Oven Shop about ensuring your pizza oven’s internal temperature has reached the perfect temperature window, which is between 400-450°C. Not only this, you’ll want to make sure the stone has also come up to temperature. Often it takes a little longer to achieve this than the internal temperature of the oven. We always recommend investing in an Infrared Digital Thermometer so you can make sure the stone is up to temperature before you launch your pizza.

Fermentation

Another important aspect to consider is the fermentation of the dough. Ultimately what causes the charring of the crust is the irregularities in the texture of the dough. The best way to achieve these irregularities is cold fermentation. We won’t go into the details here, but essentially cold fermentation means allowing the yeast to take its time and therefore slowing down the time it takes the yeast to consume the natural sugars in the dough.

This is achieved by letting the dough ferment at a cooler temperature rather than at room temperature. Ideally around 15-18°C if possible. A cellar or garage is often the ideal spot. If you don’t have such a room in your house, you can ferment the dough in the fridge. However it is a little too cold because the super cold temperatures almost stop the dough from rising at all. This doesn’t mean it can’t be done, it just takes a little longer!

70% hydration

In order to achieve the light, aerated, puffy dough which will then allow the leopard spotting to appear, you need a high hydration. The more water content in the dough means that more steam is created during the cooking process, which allows the crust to puff up and raise higher within the oven.

How Long Should I Cold Ferment Pizza Dough?

In order to achieve the full depth of flavour for your dough we recommend leaving the dough to cold ferment for 24-48 hours if you’re fermenting at the optimum temperature of 15-18°C. If, however you’re fermenting your dough in the fridge, it will take up to 5 days to achieve the desired the result

So, why’s cold fermentation so important for Leopard Spotting?

As we mentioned earlier, the main thing that allows the crust to char with leopard spotting is the inconsistent, textured dough. By fermenting your dough in a cold environment and allowing the yeast to turn to sugars and the flour to gas ensures that when the intense heat of your pizza oven hits the dough, the air bubbles will be super pronounced and inflated, causing the leopard like spots. If the dough hasn’t been cold fermented, the crust will char consistently which we don’t want if we’re wanting to see those leopard spots! An example of this consistent charring is on the pizza below.

Can I Cheat…?

What’s all this we hear about cheating? We’d never advocate that here…! Only joking! The short answer is yes, you can achieve leopard spotting on your dough without the long cold fermentation process. Disclosure: the results won’t be as good as doing it the proper way though!

If you have a regular pizza dough, or a shop bought dough, you can stretch your pizza as your normally would, then simply pinch and pull up little molehills within your dough. You can also try snipping small holes in the dough and if you’re really keen, you could even inject air into the crust using a syringe! Then just launch your pizza and watch the results.

Final thoughts

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the science behind leopard spotting! We’d love it if you gave it ago next time you’re cooking pizza, and of course tag us in on social media so we can see the results!

Thanks for reading,

The Pizza Oven Shop

The post The Secret to Achieving Perfect Leopard Spotting Every Time appeared first on The Pizza Oven Shop.

The dark green is inspired by his local Connecticut forests, and, etched into the oven’s faceplate, the botanical illustration of Wild Ramp root represents Brad’s journey from test-kitchen chef to forager.

Just like Brad, the Roccbox is ready to cook anywhere – in a campsite or on the tailgate of Brad’s truck.

Beyond its captivating design, the Brad Leone Roccbox emerges as a culinary powerhouse. Swiftly producing a perfect 12-inch pizza in just 60 seconds. It serves as a testament to its efficiency and convenience. Moreover, the versatility of this special edition extends to cooking various dishes. These include meats, vegetables, and fish, especially when utilising cast iron cookware.

Ensuring longevity and reliability, the Roccbox comes with an impressive 5-year warranty from the date of purchase. Boasting a spacious cooking area of 34x32cm and featuring a high-quality 19mm cordierite pizza stone. This limited edition oven guarantees consistent and exceptional results. Additionally, with a rapid heat-up time of 15-20 minutes, the Brad Leone Roccbox exemplifies the perfect fusion of design, functionality, and culinary excellence.

Enthusiasts are not only invited but encouraged to embrace their inner chef and explore the world of outdoor cooking with unparalleled style and performance.

The post Introducing the new Brad Leone Roccbox by Gozney (Limited Edition) appeared first on The Pizza Oven Shop.

Although pizza itself dates back to the 18th Century, the stuffed crust by contrast is a relatively new innovation. It became popular by a very well-known international pizza chain! Yes, that’s right, Pizza Hut, one of the world’s largest pizza chains, is often credited with popularising stuffed crust pizza. In 1995, Pizza Hut introduced the phenomenon which featured a ring of mozzarella cheese baked into the outer edge of the pizza crust. This has since been developed by chefs around the world. Other ingredients are now added in place of the mozzarella.

Despite sounding as though it might be quite a complex process to make your very own stuffed crust pizza at home, it’s much easier than you might think. Let’s dive in…

The Technical Stuff

Okay, so we’re known here at The Pizza Oven Shop for promoting how quickly wood fired and gas fired pizza ovens can cook pizza. And it’s very much true, a classic Neapolitan pizza can be cooked in as little as 60 seconds. However, for a stuffed crust pizza, you’ll want to reduce the temperature down to a modest 350°C-380°C. Then bake the pizza for up to 4 minutes to allow the thicker crust edge to cook through and the cheese or other ingredients to come up to temperature. This allows for that unmistakable cheese pull that’s so synonymous with the wonderful stuffed crust pizza.

In terms of the type of dough, it’s possible to use any recipe that takes your fancy. Whether that be a traditional Neapolitan dough, New York style dough or sourdough. The most important factor really is allowing the stuffed edge enough time to cook.

I want cheese, but which one?

The most traditional, and most obvious choice for what to stuff your dough with, is of course cheese. Usually, mozzarella as it’s easy to work with and achieves that cheese pull we spoke about above. You can use mozzarella cheese strings to stuff your crust if you want a little shortcut. However, if you want to be hardcore, slice your mozzarella into workable pieces.

How do I stuff the crust?

The first step is to stretch out your dough. Make sure you stretch it slightly larger than you actually want your pizza to be. This is to allow for folding over the edge over the filling. Lay your cheese around the outer edge of the dough, leaving around 2cm which will then be folded over the cheese. At this point, it’s worth noting that if you’ve decided not to use cheese, and instead opted for another ingredient the process is exactly the same. Be careful not to add too much though as the filling can have a tendency to burst open if it’s too tightly packed.

Sauce Stuffiing

If you’re stuffing your crust with a sauce or garlic butter, ensure its thicker than normal to make it easier to work with. A good little hack if you’re stuffing with garlic butter is to refrigerate the butter and then slice it into pieces prior to stuffing. If you’re using a tomato pizza sauce as your stuffing, reduce it down to a slightly thicker consistency.. Then allow to cool and then add to a piping back and pipe the cooled sauce around the perimeter of your stretched dough, again leaving the 2cm.

Once you’ve added your cheese or other ingredients, it’s time to fold over your dough. This step is crucial for the success of your stuffed crust pizza. Ensure that you tuck it tightly into the crust. Fold the crust’s edges over and firmly press down to securely seal it. While any gaps won’t necessarily pose an issue, they could cause the cheese to melt out onto the pizza rather than staying within the crust. Simply continue the process to ensure that the edges are neatly folded over and securely sealed.

Top Tip

Take a cocktail stick or skewer and pierce a few holes around the crust. This allows for steam to escape while the dough is cooking and the cheese is melting.

At this point, all that’s left to do is add your sauce and pizza toppings and bake your pizza. Remember to turn regularly to ensure the stuffed crust cooks evenly across the whole pizza.

We hope this article has given you a good idea how to make a stuffed crust pizza.

Thanks for reading,

The Pizza Oven Shop

The post How to Make a Stuffed Crust Pizza appeared first on The Pizza Oven Shop.

What is International Beer Day?

Originally started to show appreciation for beer makers everywhere, the founders started in the United States. More specifically, Santa Cruz, California. The celebration which takes place on the 4th of August each year, was founded with only 3 principles in mind:

• To gather with friends and enjoy the taste of beer.
• To celebrate those responsible for brewing and serving beer.
• To unite the world under the banner of beer, by celebrating the beers of all nations together on a single day.

To say that it’s been wildly successful is an understatement, with the day coming to show appreciation for bar staff and beer technicians too! Considering it started in 2007, it is now on the last count celebrated in 207 cities, 50 countries across 6 continents. We’re pretty sure it would be celebrated in Antarctica too if the penguins develop a taste for beer! So how can you celebrate on International Beer Day? Well, if you have a pizza oven, you’re already halfway there, so why not try these beer and pizza pairings to make the most out of International Beer Day.

At a Glance

Spicy Pizza

When it comes to spicy pizzas, there’s often a lot of debate about what’s spicy and what’s not. Some people can load up the fresh red chillies and not even break sweat, whereas for some the merest suggestion of heat throws them into a frenzy. So, for the purposes here, let’s use a common pizza ingredient, pepperoni as our example. Pepperoni is a variety of spicy salami made from cured pork and beef seasoned with paprika or other chilli peppers. It’s not usually insanely hot but does have a suggestion of spice to it which needs a light, refreshing beer to marry with. A light lager, European Pilsner or golden ale are the perfect cold thirst-quenching solutions you need after the background heat of the pepperoni or equivalently spicy topping.

 

Fish Pizzas

The type of fish you enjoy here will certainly determine the beer. Fish such as tuna will benefit with a classical wheat beer to add a hoppy flavour to an otherwise clean yet salty tasting pizza topping. Conversely you might like to try something a bit sweeter to balance up the flavours. Anchovies on pizza are always controversial, but when paired with a citrusy pale ale to refresh your palate after the intense flavour of the anchovies, they really are a winner. Another point to make here are the usual accompanying toppings on fish pizza. Usually, olives and/or capers aren’t too far away, which also add a salty note which needs to be balanced up.

Sweet Pizzas

Love it or hate it, Hawaiian Pizza is as popular as ever! Combining sweet and savoury, Hawaiian pizza is best paired with either a golden ale or light beer or lager to accentuate the sweetness and fruitiness of the pineapple.

Also, if fruity flavours really are your thing, you could pair with a fruit-based ale such as Blue Moon which further enhances the flavours of the pineapple and contrasts really well with the slightly salty flavours of the ham.

Meaty Pizzas

When it comes to meat, you can’t beat a refreshing hoppy IPA, or brown or dark ale. Try to opt for one that balances the type of meat you have on your pizza. Whichever meat you choose, whether it be ham, salami, pepperoni, beef, sausage or meatballs, the charred topping with a soft bite on top of the satisfying crunch of pizza will leave your taste buds tingling. As a rule of thumb, try a lighter ale, lager or IPA for the spicy meats we mentioned above, and darker ale for heavier meat such as beef/meatballs which will bring out the savoury flavours really well, much like how you might have a rich, full bodied red wine with a juicy steak.

Vegetarian Pizzas

You really can’t go wrong with beer when it comes to vegetarian pizza. Any cold or fresh lager will act as a refreshing counterpart to vegetables, although some beers will really enhance and draw out flavours. Some suggestions here include amber ales with a standalone vegetable pizza such as mushroom. The sweetness of the ale will fuse with the natural earthy taste of the mushrooms, leaving sweet afternotes.

A hoppy ale will also counteract well with the tartness of olives, where sweeter darker honey ales will balance well with a slightly richer, intense vegetarian pesto pizza. If you’re catering for family or friends, anything malty or fruity will be an excellent accompaniment to give choice for your guests.

There are many mouth-watering combinations when it comes to pairing beer with pizza, and we just don’t have the room to go into them all! If you need a pizza oven, accessories, fuel or anything else to help make the perfect International Beer Day, we are here to help.

The post International Beer Day: The Perfect Beers to Pair with Pizza appeared first on The Pizza Oven Shop.

Launching Peels

Launching peels usually have perforations in them. This is so any excess flour falls through the holes as you slide the uncooked pizza into the oven. The excess flour being allowed to fall away from the pizza ensures it doesn’t burn and therefore take on too much of a carbonised taste, which can often be quite bitter.

The holes also promote better airflow.  This means that the steam can release from the pizza when you retrieve it from the oven. Resulting in a perfectly crispy crust.

Turning Peels

Turning pizza peels are ideal for, turning a pizza around in a tight space. Ideal if you have a smaller portable pizza oven. Round and small in diameter, turning peels are ideal for reaching into the oven and quickly rotating the pizza ensuring you achieve consistent leopard spotting all around your dough. Whilst keeping the temperature of the oven as optimal as possible.

This Turning Peel by Roccbox fits perfectly below a partially cooked dough base so you can gently turn your pizza dough in your pizza oven. With a head of 170mm in diameter, you ensure your pizza will not slip off as its 320mm handle keeps your hand safe from the flames.

Perforated Pizza Peels

As mentioned above, launching peels often have perforations on the paddle. This allows excess flour and moisture to escape. This results in a golden pizza surface with a crunchy crust that you can just sink your teeth into. Falling into the perforated category, this Igneus 14” Peel is a professional grade, lightweight peel for the placement of dough into and out of your pizza oven.

Made from anodised aluminium 14″ chamfered blade. This peel is designed exactly the same as larger, commercial use pizza peels. Coming in at 120cm in length. It’s ideal for use not only in larger family pizza ovens, but also in the Igneus Pro and Igneus Ceramiko ovens for example.

Wooden Pizza Peels

Wooden pizza peels have long been a staple in traditional pizzerias, recreating the classic craftsmanship of traditional pizzerias. These peels are expertly made from high-quality hardwood. Such as beech or maple, ensuring exceptional durability and heat resistance. With their long handles and wide, flat paddles, they make sliding pizzas into and out of the oven a breeze.

One of the main benefits of wooden pizza peels is that the dough doesn’t stick to the peel as much as other materials. You need less flour/semolina to make the pizza easily slide off the peel.

One of the negatives of wooden peels is they require more maintenance. They can also have a tendency to warp or crack if exposed to too much moisture or heat. Although wooden peels are a good tool for launching the pizza into the oven. They tend to be thicker and less nimble than metal peels they’re not very effective in retrieving the pizza back out of the oven.

Stainless Steel Pizza Peels

If you’re seeking a balance of durability and low maintenance, look no further than stainless steel pizza peels. These peels are constructed using high-quality stainless steel. Renowned for its strength and resistance to corrosion. The sleek, polished surface ensures easy pizza transfer and quick clean-up. With their lightweight nature and excellent manoeuvrability, stainless steel peels are perfect for both home and commercial use. If you’re not sure which to choose or are looking for a good all round pizza peel, Igneus has two sizes of Stainless Steel Pizza Peels available. The short handled peel at 69 cm in length is perfect for a portable pizza oven such as the Bambino or Minimo, due to its smaller size. The medium peel handle at 85 cm long is recommended for larger ovens.

Aluminium Pizza Peels

For those who prefer lightweight and manoeuvrable peels, why not opt for a crafted durable aluminium pizza peel. Ensuring excellent heat conductivity and reliability. The smooth surface and thin design make it easy to slide under pizzas. Providing effortless handling. Whether you’re a home chef or a professional pizzaiolo, aluminium peels offer the versatility and performance you need to turn out the perfect pizza every time.

This Igneus Elite Accessory Bundle features two peels made from anodised aluminium in the form of a 14 inch perforated peel and a 120cm turning peel! These are ideal for larger pizza ovens or commercial use and are even accompanied by a 120cm brush and rake for easy cleaning.

So, which peel is right for you?

Here at The Pizza Oven Shop, we recommend having two peels, a placement/retrieving peel and a turning peel to make pizza movability as easy as stress free as possible!

We have a whole range of pizza peels with and without accessory bundles from the leading names of pizza ovens. Shop more here. If you are still stuck, our dedicated customer service team is here to help. Contact us today on 01423 608648 or use our contact form.

The post How to choose the right Pizza Peel for the Job appeared first on The Pizza Oven Shop.

How to host the ultimate garden party can differ from person to person and family to family! That being said, we have put together our top 10 tips for you to host the ultimate garden party, especially if you have a pizza oven. Here they are.

1. Choose a playlist that compliments your theme, and your guests!

One of the most common mistakes when putting together a playlist for any kind of party is to simply fill it with all your personal favourites, without any consideration for you guests’ musical tastes. It’s always best to keep it fairly mainstream and align it to the theme of your party. Let’s face it, Grandma doesn’t want to hear Jay-Z and Dr. Dre on repeat for 6 hours!

Think about the overall theme or vibe you want to create for your garden party. Are you aiming for a relaxed and casual gathering, a lively and energetic party, or perhaps a more sophisticated and elegant ambiance? The theme will help guide your music choices.

Select a mix of genres that align with the mood you want to set. It’s generally a good idea to include a variety of music styles to cater to different preferences. For example, you might include a blend of pop, rock, jazz, R&B, folk, or even some international or world music. This ensures there’s something for everyone.

Streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube Music offer pre-made playlists for various occasions and moods. You can browse through these playlists and find one that aligns with your garden party theme. Alternatively, you can use their algorithms to generate a personalised playlist based on your preferred artists or genres.

2. Provide shade from the sunshine

If your table does not have an umbrella, you might wish to consider the shadiest spots for your guests. Nobody likes to be sat sweltering whilst trying to socialise. Temperatures are only increasing each summer, with some forecasts from the Met Office predicting that in the future we could see an even hotter day than the 40° summer we had last year. It’s also important if there’s younger children who need to be in the shade to protect their skin!

3. Match your decor to garden plants

Whilst the colour theme of your party is entirely up to you, you may wish to consider a more natural approach for tablecloths and seat covers. Choosing a theme that reflects the nature of your garden can help create a harmonious effect and have your guests feeling peaceful, comfortable and in touch with nature.

4. Make it magical

Make your garden party the party to remember by adding some glittery touches. You could strategically place tea lights in lanterns around your garden, to give a soft glow to the evening ambience as the night progresses.

5. Bring comfort outside

Depending on how long you intend to host for, if your party continues deep into the evening you might also want to consider bringing out cushions, throws, blankets and soft lights.

6. Protect your guests from pests

Whilst you may not be able to summon divine intervention to ensure there are no annoying wasps or flies attending your party, you can prevent them from touching your guests’ food, sauces and drinks. Consider serving drinks in vintage jars with lids, ideally with a straw in them. Your guests might not think to thank you for preserving their dental hygiene, but they will certainly appreciate no insects entering their drinks. You might also wish to consider serving sauces for party food in Tupperware with lids.

7. Use a pizza making station

Additionally, in ensuring your guests’ food is not spoiled by pests, why not invest in a pizza making station? You could display a range of pizza toppings as well as pre-made dough balls so each of your guests can design their own pizza, as well as not having to worry about certain tastes and making food to certain dietary requirements! Your guests will also remember how they loved making their own pizza which will be the talk of your social group for years to come. Investing in Dough Proving Containers could be worthwhile as they neatly store the perfect amount of dough and can also be used as handy vessels for toppings as well.

The post Our Guide to Hosting the Ultimate Garden Party appeared first on The Pizza Oven Shop.

Introducing the New Portable Gas Pizza Oven

Check out the new stone-baked pizza oven by Gino! It has been designed to give you that Naples-style pizza experience right at home. No more waiting for delivery – you can have a crispy base with perfectly cooked toppings in no time.

Gino has designed this oven to be super easy to use. It cooks from the back, just like those fancy pizza ovens in Naples. This means you get to control how crispy your crust gets – it’s all up to you.

It has been designed with foldable legs in case you want to take it on the move. Take it with you on picnics, beach days, or camping trips. When you’re done, just store it in the carry bag provided. 

It’s not too heavy either – 18kg is just right. You can make a 12-inch pizza in 60-90 seconds, perfect for small gatherings or family hangouts. Heat-up time? Only about 15 minutes, so you can get to munching on your pizza ASAP.

Imagine the pizza smell wafting through your outdoor space. The cooking area is 33.5 x 33.5cm – plenty of room for your pizza creativity.

And guess what? It runs on LPG/Propane Gas, so it’s not only a breeze to use but also easy on the environment. Pick from three colours that match your style and take your pizza game to a whole new level. Get ready to enjoy homemade pizza like never before with our laid-back, portable pizza oven!

Download Manual

Cook more than pizza…

As with all pizza ovens, Gino’s can cook meats, vegetables and more using cast iron pans.

Fully Portable

Foldable legs make it convenient to take on days out and store easily when you need to.

Temperature Control Dial

Front positioned and easy to use temperature dial for ultimate heat control.

The post NEW! Gino D’Acampo Portable Gas Pizza Oven appeared first on The Pizza Oven Shop.