Professional pizza oven: The secrets of a perfect pizza every time

Professional pizza oven: the secrets to perfect pizzas every time
Whether you’re a passionate pizza enthusiast, a professional chef or simply a lover of good food, this article is for you! Get ready to put your taste buds on high alert, because your culinary life will never be the same again once you’ve discovered these must-have tips for cooking THE best pizza possible using a professional oven.

Ideal temperature for perfect cooking.

Preheat your professional pizza oven for at least half an hour before you start baking your pizza to reach the maximum temperature and maintain this temperature throughout the baking process.
The ideal temperature also depends on the type of pizza you are making. Thinner pizzas require a higher temperature. Thicker pizzas require a slightly lower temperature.

Choice of materials for a professional pizza oven.

A quality stone for the oven hearth is essential for better heat retention and optimal pizza baking.
High-performance thermal insulation is important to prevent heat loss and optimise the effect of the oven.
Refractory brick for the oven dome is a classic and effective choice for good circulation of hot air and even heat, but refractory steel is also an option.
The exterior of the oven should be heat-resistant and easy to clean, such as brick, refractory concrete or stainless steel.

Even heat distribution.

The way heat is distributed in the oven can significantly affect the quality of your pizza baking. Here are a few tips for optimising heat distribution:
The burners should be strategically placed so that the heat is distributed evenly over the entire surface of the oven.
The materials used to build the oven should be chosen carefully to maintain a constant, even temperature throughout the oven.
The use of ceramic pizza stones, steel baking trays or perforated sheets can help to distribute the heat evenly throughout the pizza.

Techniques for using and controlling fire

The techniques for using and controlling the fire in a professional pizza oven are essential for obtaining a perfectly cooked pizza.

Here are the techniques:

• The choice of wood for the fire has a direct impact on the temperature and flavour of the pizza, with a preference for hardwoods such as oak, maple and beech.
• control the oven temperature by adjusting the amount of wood added for optimal pizza baking.
• Place the pizza on the oven stone, usually at the front to avoid the hottest areas, and keep a close eye on it as it cooks, turning regularly.

Choosing the right add-on equipment for the perfect pizza
To optimise your culinary experience with your professional pizza oven, it’s important to choose the right complementary equipment.
Invest in quality pizza peels so you can easily work with your pizza and remove it from the oven without the risk of burning yourself.
Choose heat-resistant baking stones, such as refractory stone. These can withstand high temperatures without cracking.
Use non-stick moulds to remove your pizza easily. You can also find perforated baking tins that cook more evenly and more quickly.
Get an infrared thermometer to measure the temperature of the oven and the baking stone so that your pizza cooks to perfection!

The benefits of a professional pizza oven

There are many advantages to a professional pizza oven. Firstly, it cooks pizzas quickly and evenly, thanks to its ability to reach high temperatures in a short space of time.
What’s more, it offers flexibility in terms of the types of pizza you can prepare. From classic pizzas to more creative and original ones, the professional pizza oven can do it all.
What’s more, it’s usually fitted with a quality refractory stone that ensures even cooking and a crispy crust. The professional pizza oven can also be used to bake other dishes, such as flatbreads, meat or fish dishes, roasted vegetables, etc.
In conclusion, the professional pizza oven is the essential tool for all pizza lovers and catering professionals who want to prepare perfectly cooked, tasty pizzas. By keeping to the right temperatures, choosing the right materials, distributing the heat evenly and using the right complementary equipment, you can be sure of baking an excellent pizza every time. So why not take the plunge and invest in a professional pizza oven for your kitchen or restaurant?