How to Use a Natural Gas Outdoor Pizza Oven
Step by Step guide
The wood-fired brick oven is universally regarded as the gold standard of pizza ovens. But, does the flavor of the pie really come from the wood or the brick? Thanks to computer technology, you can find many natural gas outdoor pizza oven on the market today.
That are designed to simulate the heating profile of a wood-fired brick oven.
Mainly, the results are restaurant-grade pies with the additional conveniences of easy heat control and much faster preheating.
Artisan pizzas are made in a little over 2 minutes in a commercial wood-fired brick oven, so there really isn’t that much time for the wood or brick to work flavor into the pie.
The truth is that most of the flavor comes from the flames and the heating characteristics of a wood-fired brick oven.
Something we have discussed quite often in some of our blog posts.
If you are the proud owner of a natural gas outdoor pizza oven, congratulations! All you have to do is read your owner’s manual.
The purpose of this write-up is to show you the ins and outs of using a natural gas outdoor pizza oven.
And, the goal is to make you get into your car or go online to buy one because it is one of the most awesome appliances to have at home.
We will talk about how to use a fairly upscale natural gas outdoor pizza oven, because top models are more user-friendly.
chapter1
Safety Precaution When Using a Natural Gas Outdoor Baking Product
A natural gas outdoor pizza oven comes with a hose featuring quick-connect fittings.
That will not connect to propane cylinders or your home gas supply.
Mainly, it is for use with a natural gas cylinder only.
Additionally, place spare natural gas cylinders in a safe place and not under the model.
The cylinder you use should be placed next or under the model, with the hose neatly routed to eliminate the risk of tripping.
More importantly, you shouldn’t smell natural gas when using the model.
If you do, you can perform a leak test by applying soapy water on the hose and all fittings. Turn on the gas valve but not the burner.
And, the appearance of bubbles would indicate a leak. If you are worried about gas leaking, do not smoke or light any source of fire.
Also, read the manufacturer’s safety precautions thoroughly and follow all instructions.
chapter2
Lighting the Oven
Firstly, leave the model’s door open when cooking and lighting (close it only when the product is not in use to keep dirt out).
Secondly, turn on the gas valve and light the lower burner first by turning the control knob to the “light” position.
The lower burner should be in view, so see if it lights up.
Finally, light the upper burner. You might have to bend your knees to see the upper burner through the model’s opening.
Also, do not attempt to look when you’re lighting it – check afterwards to see if it’s lit.
chapter3
Preheating
The product must be preheated before cooking.
A natural gas outdoor pizza oven technically only needs 20 minutes of preheating.
Which, is much less than wood-fired brick ovens. However, for best results, you should preheat for at least 40 minutes.
Keep both burners on high during preheating. Mainly, you will see the temperature rise to over 800 F.
Furthermore, you can use this preheating period to prepare your dough and toppings.
chapter4
Cooking
You can cook all sorts of different pies with a natural gas outdoor pizza oven, as well as roasted meats and vegetables.
Basically, for pies you don’t have to wait for the high preheating temperature to go down before cooking.
On the other hand, for a thin crust pie, keep the upper burner on high and turn the lower burner to low.
The cooking time is about 3 minutes. And, you should rotate the pie a few times during cooking. Keep your eyes on the pie, and you should know when it’s done.
For a New York-style pizza, keep the upper burner on high and turn off the lower burner. Cook for about 4 minutes and rotate every 30 seconds.
Moreover, while most people consider New York-style pizzas thin crust, they are not supposed to be crispy.
Although, for a deep dish pie, you should use a metal pizza pan.
Set both upper and lower burners to medium and place the pan on the middle rack instead of the bottom cooking deck.
The cooking time is about 40 minutes and you should rotate the pie every 5 minutes for the first 20 minutes and once at the 30-minute mark.
chapter5
Cooking Other Things
On the other hand, when cooking a calzone, you should preheat the model on low for 40 minutes.
Then, set the upper burner to medium and turn off the lower burner.
The cooking time is about 7 minutes for an average-sized calzone. Adjust the cooking time as necessary for thicker calzones. You can also make roasted meats and vegetables in the product.
Use a cast iron skillet, which should be preheated inside the oven while you preheat the model on high for 20 minutes. Keep the upper burner on high and turn the lower burner down to low.
For meats, use a meat temperature gauge to assist with the cooking time.
Summary
This is all there is to it. How to use a natural gas outdoor pizza oven looks simple because it really is awfully simple!
All you need is a wooden pizza peel on which you prepare the dough and toppings.
Remember to powder the peel with cornmeal first, and the dough will slide right off onto the cooking deck.
If you recall, it is the flame that gives the pie its most desirable flavor. You’ll be able to make artisan pizzas at home with a natural gas outdoor pizza oven.
Finally, don’t forget to take a look at our reviews section on baking ovens and stones!