If you’re a pizza lover and enjoy the art of cooking, there’s nothing quite like the taste and aroma of a freshly baked pizza straight from a brick oven. The crackling heat, the charred crust, and the melted cheese combine to create a culinary experience that is hard to match. While brick pizza ovens are commonly found in pizzerias, how to build brick pizza oven outdoors in your own backyard.
By constructing a brick pizza oven, you can elevate your outdoor cooking game and impress your family and friends with delicious, homemade pizzas. In this guide, we will explore the steps involved in building a brick pizza oven outdoors, from selecting the right location to laying the bricks and mastering the art of firing up the oven.
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How to build brick pizza oven outdoors?
When it comes to cooking pizza, there is nothing quite like a brick pizza oven. Not only do they add a rustic charm to your outdoor space, but they also evenly cook your pizzas to perfection. If you are thinking about adding a brick pizza oven to your backyard, here is what you need to know.
right location
Select a location sheltered from the elements but still has easy access to a sunny spot. At least 6 feet should separate the oven from trees or other plants.
Collect your supplies
Most materials you’ll need are common construction supplies, like bricks, mortar, and concrete blocks.
Prepare the surface
The area where the oven will be erected must be cleared of existing soil, rocks, and roots. Before laying your bricks, level the ground with a shovel or tiller.
Build the foundation
Line the bottom of your oven with bricks, then fill between them with compacted earth. The foundation should be level and firmly anchored to prevent movement during cooking.
Install the oven doors
Cover one end of each door with bricks and mortar, then install door hinges and locks. Give the doors adequate room on either side to allow light and ventilation.
Build the walls
Position bricks around the perimeter of your oven, then use mortar to attach them. Ensure all the joints are sealed with mortar so that moisture doesn’t seep into your oven from the outside world.
Install windows and vents
Create openings in your walls for windows and vents, then seal them shut with brick and mortar or cinder blocks. Openings should be positioned so that they direct sunlight onto your pizza dough while excluding wind and rain from entering your oven.
Preheat your oven
Fire it up and let it heat up for an hour before you start cooking. Preheating will ensure that your pizza dough cooks evenly and doesn’t become soggy.
Start cooking
Place your pizza dough on the preheated surface of the oven, then top it with your favorite toppings. Bake for about 15 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the toppings are melted into the dough.
Building a brick pizza oven is a fun and easy project that anyone with some basic carpentry skills can complete. Following these easy steps, you can quickly master the art of producing excellent pizzas.
How to use and care for your brick pizza oven?
Building a brick pizza oven can be gratifying and enjoyable. Still, it must be properly maintained to ensure longevity and performance. Here are a few tips for building and using your pizza oven:
- Use a good mortar mix when installing the bricks. This will help keep the bricks in place and ensure that the oven cooks evenly.
- Preheat the oven before you bake any pizzas in it. This will help improve the crust and make them more crispy.
- Keep an eye on the temperature of your brick pizza oven throughout baking, as it can get hot quickly. If you encounter any problems, such as smoke or flames from the oven, immediately turn it off and call emergency services.
- Clean your brick pizza oven regularly with a brush or damp cloth to remove food or grease build-up. To prevent moisture problems later in its lifespan, carefully dry it before using it again completely.
- Store your brick pizza oven away from direct sunlight and heat sources so that it doesn’t become too hot or damaged over time.
- Be careful when moving or installing your oven, as it may be heavy and require two people to move it safely.
Enjoy your new brick pizza oven!
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks do you need to build an outdoor pizza oven?
Assuming you want to build a pizza oven out of brick, you’ll need at least eight bricks to make the base and at least 24 bricks to make the dome. You can use more or fewer bricks depending on the size and shape of your oven.
Can you build a pizza oven with normal bricks?
Building a pizza oven with normal bricks is possible, but it would not be easy. The oven would have to be very big to fit a pizza, and the bricks would have to be arranged in a precise pattern to resemble an oven. Additionally, the bricks would need to be covered in insulation to keep the heat inside.
What is the best wood to use for an outdoor pizza oven?
The wood used in an outdoor pizza oven can affect the heat retention and distribution within the oven. Hardwoods are generally better for this application than softwoods, as they burn more slowly and produce more heat. Some good choices for hardwoods include oak, ash, and hickory.
What is the best base for a pizza oven?
The best base for a pizza oven is an insulated concrete form. A lightweight concrete mixture or insulation might be used to fill the shape. The insulation will help keep the heat in, while the lightweight concrete will help the oven to heat up more quickly.
What kind of concrete do you use for a pizza oven?
The concrete used for a pizza oven should be able to withstand high temperatures. You need to use a concrete mix designed for high-temperature applications. A rebar made of steel should be added to the concrete as additional reinforcement to assist it in surviving the heat.
Conclusion
In conclusion, building a brick pizza oven outdoors is a fun and rewarding project. It is easy to do with a little bit of planning and preparation. You can build a brick pizza oven that will survive for years with a little effort.
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