Okay, let’s talk about this brick oven pizza cooker I tried out. I’ve always wanted to make pizza like those fancy Italian restaurants, you know, with the crispy crust and all that.
First, I gathered all the stuff I needed. Of course, the main thing was the brick oven itself. I didn’t build one from scratch, though, I just bought a ready-made one, it saved lots of time. Then I got some firewood, because you need that for the real smoky flavor. Also needed pizza dough, sauce, cheese, and all my favorite toppings.
The first step was to get the fire going. This took some time, let me tell you. I arranged the wood in the oven, lit it up, and waited for it to really catch fire. You have to keep adding wood until you have a good, strong fire going. I left the oven door open the whole time.
While the fire was getting hot, I prepared the pizza. I rolled out the dough, spread the sauce, and sprinkled a bunch of cheese. I used mozzarella, like usual, but also tried some parmesan too. Then I added my toppings. Kept it simple this time, just pepperoni and some mushrooms. I heard that sardines are also a good topping, and they’re tasty when grilled, so maybe next time I’ll try them.
Once the oven was hot enough (and I mean really hot!), I used a pizza peel to slide the pizza onto the oven floor. I put it right next to the fire, but not too close, or it will get burnt. The key, they say, is to keep rotating the pizza so it cooks evenly. I followed the instruction and made sure it doesn’t stay in one position for too long.
It cooked super fast! I kept my eye on it the whole time, and in just about 2 minutes, it was done. The crust was all crispy and golden, and the cheese was melted and bubbly. And oh boy, the smell! It was amazing, that smoky, wood-fired aroma. It was like something out of a real Italian pizzeria. Also, I think I need to add more cheese next time, maybe some provolone, like someone online recommended.
Here are some details of the process:
- Building the Fire:
- Arrange firewood inside the oven.
- Light the wood and ensure it catches fire properly.
- Add more wood gradually to build a strong fire.
- Maintain the fire until the oven reaches the desired temperature.
- Preparing the Pizza:
- Roll out the pizza dough to the desired thickness.
- Spread a layer of pizza sauce evenly over the dough.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella cheese.
- Add desired toppings, such as pepperoni, mushrooms, or other favorites.
- Cooking the Pizza:
- Use a pizza peel to transfer the prepared pizza into the hot oven.
- Place the pizza on the oven floor near the fire.
- Rotate the pizza regularly to ensure even cooking.
- Cook for approximately 2 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Honestly, it was way better than any pizza I’ve made in a regular oven. It was a bit of work, especially getting the fire right, but totally worth it. I’m definitely going to be making more pizzas in this brick oven. Maybe next time I’ll try making my own dough, or experimenting with different toppings.
