A pellet fired pizza oven uses hardwood pellets to generate heat and smoke for cooking. You control the flame by adjusting the pellet feed, which helps maintain consistent temperatures. Hardwood pellets burn with a steady flame and produce minimal smoke, allowing the oven to reach high temperatures. Here is how to cook with a pellet pizza oven:
Choose the Right Pellets
The type of pellets used in the pizza oven influences the overall flavor. Hardwood varieties, such as hickory or maple, add a rich, smoky flavor. Fruitwood pellets, such as apple or cherry, introduce subtle, sweet notes that enhance the crust and toppings. Match your pellet selection to the type of pizza you want to make. Wood that imparts a strong flavor may be suitable for a meat-forward pizza, while a more subtle smoke can be ideal for a pizza with fruit toppings. You can also mix different wood pellets to create a flavor combination for your pizza.
Manage Pellet Feed
Filling your grill with the right amount of pellets is helpful for consistent heat and smoke production. Too few pellets can produce insufficient heat, while too many may result in uneven cooking. When filling the hopper, leave some space to allow air circulation and prevent jamming. Most hoppers have a recommended fill limit to avoid overflow and to maintain efficiency.
Check the pellets frequently and refill them as needed during long cooking sessions. With a pellet fired pizza oven, you regulate the temperature by controlling how quickly the pellets burn. To maintain 700℉, the oven will burn about 2.4 pounds of pellets each hour.
Monitor Stone Temperature
A pizza stone should be placed inside the oven before the pellets are lit. This allows the stone to gradually reach the desired temperature without cracking. Preheating your pizza stone also provides an evenly heated surface, preventing soggy spots from forming in the pizza due to inconsistent temperatures. Checking the temperature of your pizza stone can help you monitor the heat distribution in the pellet oven. Use an infrared thermometer to measure the temperature of the oven’s interior and the stone’s surface before adding your pizza.
Cook Your Pizza
Dust your peel with flour or semolina to prevent sticking, and build your pizza directly on it. Slide the pizza onto the hot oven floor or pizza stone, near but not directly over the flame, to avoid burning. The pizza should move easily if you give it a light shake from side to side.
Cook until the crust is golden and the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. At high heat and with a thin crust, many pizzas cook quickly. Remove the pizza from the oven using a peel. You can add some finishing touches to your pizza before serving, such as drizzling olive oil or adding fresh basil.
Invest in a Pellet Fired Pizza Oven
Taking care of your pellet fired oven can improve its lifespan. To clean the pizza stone or cooking surface, use the oven’s heat to burn off soot, cheese, or food remnants. Keeping pellets dry prevents them from clumping and verifies they burn evenly in the oven. Contact a pellet oven provider today to upgrade your outdoor kitchen.
