Choosing the Right Wood for Your Backyard Pizza Oven
When it comes to backyard pizza ovens, using the right type of wood can make all the difference in creating a delicious, authentic tasting pizza. The type of wood you choose for your pizza oven can affect the flavor, texture, and appearance of your pizza. Therefore, it’s essential to choose the right type of wood for your pizza oven carefully. In this article, we’ll discuss the best hardwoods to use for pizza ovens and how they can enhance your culinary experience.The Importance of Wood Selection for Pizza Grilling
Using wood as a fuel source for outdoor pizza ovens allows for a unique, authentic flavor that cannot be achieved with other types of fuels. The smoky flavor that is imparted on pizza from burning hardwoods is unmatched, and it’s this flavor that many people seek out when cooking pizza in outdoor ovens. Furthermore, wood-burning pizza ovens burn slow, allowing for a constant temperature to be maintained throughout cooking. This makes them ideal for slow-cooked dishes like pizza.Oak, Hickory, and Cherry Wood: The Top Choices for Pizza Ovens
Of all the hardwoods available, oak, hickory, and cherry are the top choices for pizza ovens. These woods, in particular, impart unique flavors that cannot be achieved with other types of fuel. Oak is known for its bold, smoky flavor that can make your pizza taste like it’s coming straight from a wood-fired pizzeria. Hickory, on the other hand, produces a sweet, bacon-like flavor with a hint of nuttiness. Lastly, cherry wood produces a mild, sweet aroma with a fruity undertone. If you decide to use any of these hardwoods, it is essential to source them from reputable wood suppliers who sell seasoned hardwoods. The wood should have a moisture content of no more than 15% to burn cleanly and create the desired flavors.How Different Wood Fuels Affect the Flavor of Your Pizza
The type of wood you use in your pizza oven can significantly impact the flavor of your pizza. Using softwoods like pine and fir can produce a resinous flavor that can be unpleasant. Additionally, treated or painted woods can contain chemicals that can spoil the taste of your pizza. Therefore, it’s essential to avoid these woods and stick to hardwoods when choosing wood for your pizza oven.Slow-Burning Hardwoods: Maintaining Optimal Temperature for Pizza Grilling
Maintaining a constant temperature in your pizza oven is essential for cooking a perfect pizza. Slow-burning hardwoods like oak and hickory can help maintain a constant temperature throughout cooking. These woods also produce a more extended burn time that allows you to cook multiple pizzas without the need to add more wood. Tips:- Try mixing different types of hardwoods to achieve your desired flavor profile.
- Allow your wood to season for at least six months before using it to ensure it has a low moisture content and burns efficiently.
- Store your wood off the ground and cover it with a tarp to protect it from the elements.