How to Use a Wood Pellet Pizza Oven | Logs Direct
Pizza ovens are a great way for food enthusiasts to get nearly restaurant-quality pizza at home. New and prospective owners of these will love finding new ways to achieve the extreme temperatures required to cook the dough of the pizza without burning or overcooking the sauce, cheese, and toppings. At Logs Direct, we offer some of the highest quality pizza pellets and want to demystify why they’re such a great alternative to traditional kiln-dried firewood that you might go with.
Why use wood pellets for pizza?
When you’re using a pizza oven, pizza oven pellets burn at extremely high temperatures by pulling in oxygen and producing an efficient flame that maintains the cooking temperature throughout the baking process. This means you’ll be able to cook through pizza crusts extremely quickly without overcooking and ruining the toppings. The bonus is that it produces very small amounts of ash, making cleanup a breeze. What’s not to love about an enhanced flavour profile through the smoky, natural flavours and minimal residue, as well as burning more efficiently than other forms of fuel? Plus, pizza oven pellets can be used for more than just cooking pizza. They can also be used for grilling, smoking, and other cooking applications. This means whether you’re having a BBQ or just want to experiment with cooking outdoors, premium pellets can be a great alternative to firewood.
Best pellets for pizza ovens
While the best wood pellets for your pizza oven ultimately depend on your personal taste preferences, some popular options include: 1. Oak: Known for its strong, smoky flavour, oak pellets are ideal for those who enjoy a bold, robust taste in their pizza. 2. Maple: Maple pellets offer a slightly sweet and subtle flavour, perfect for complementing delicate toppings such as fresh herbs or vegetables. 3. Hickory: Hickory pellets impart a distinct, savoury flavour with a hint of sweetness. They pair well with various toppings, from classic pepperoni to barbecue chicken. 4. Cherry: Cherry pellets add a touch of sweetness and fruitiness to your pizza, enhancing the flavour of both savoury and sweet toppings alike.
Premium wood pellets
Premium wood pellets are made from high-quality hardwoods such as oak, hickory, maple, or cherry. When choosing premium wood pellets for your pizza oven, consider the following factors: • Quality – Look for pellets made from 100% hardwood with no fillers or additives. Premium pellets produce less ash and burn more efficiently, resulting in a cleaner, hotter fire. • Flavour profile – Different woods impart different flavours to your pizza. Experiment with various wood types to find the flavour profile that suits your taste preferences. • Consistency – Opt for pellets that are uniform in size and shape for consistent burning and temperature control.
How to light a pizza oven with pellets
Lighting pizza pellets couldn’t be easier. Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure you’re getting the most efficient and consistent flame for cooking your pizza: 1. Make sure the oven is clean – Remove any debris or ash from previous use to ensure proper airflow. 2. Arrange the pellets – Place a small amount of pellets evenly across the bottom of the oven. 3. Light the pellets – Using a long-reach lighter, ignite the pellets. Ensure they catch fire evenly. 4. Add more pellets once the flame is lit – Once the initial pellets have caught fire and are burning steadily, gradually add more pellets as needed to maintain the desired temperature. 5. Keep an eye on the temperature – Gauge and adjust the airflow or add more pellets as necessary to maintain the desired cooking temperature. 6. Spread the ash once burned—Once the pellets have burned down to ash, spread the ash evenly across the bottom of the oven using a brush or shovel. This helps distribute the heat more evenly during cooking.
Where can I buy wood pellets for pizza ovens?
For premium wood pellets in the UK, Logs Direct is the perfect choice. We offer a range of pizza oven pellets that are ideal for burgeoning pizza chefs and seasoned pros alike. The pellets we offer are of the highest quality and free from additives and chemicals, meaning whether you buy a 10KG Premium bag or a box of our briquettes, you can be sure that you’re buying the best quality for your oven.