Outdoor Entertaining Essentials: Must-Have Accessories for Your Wood-Fired Oven

Australia is renowned for its outdoor lifestyle, and there’s nothing quite like gathering around a wood-fired oven to share a meal with family and friends. The combination of open-air, sizzling food, and the warm glow of a fire makes for an unforgettable experience.

But to truly make the most of your wood-fired oven, it’s essential to have the right accessories and a well-maintained setup. Whether you’re new to the world of wood-fired cooking or a seasoned pro, this comprehensive guide will help you elevate your outdoor entertaining game.

In this blog, we’ll explore the must-have accessories for your wood-fired oven, offer tips on how to care for and maintain your oven, and provide suggestions for creating a comfortable and stylish outdoor dining space.

Related: Oven Tips for Wood-Fired Pizza Oven Owners

Essential Accessories for Your Wood-Fired Oven

MAXIMUS ARENA MOBILE PIZZA OVEN STAND WITH WHEELS

Owning a wood-fired oven opens up a world of culinary possibilities, but to truly unlock its potential, you’ll need the right tools. The following accessories are essential for anyone serious about wood-fired cooking, ensuring that you can create delicious meals with ease and precision.

1. Pizza Peels

Pizza peels are indispensable when it comes to managing your pizzas in the oven. These tools allow you to effortlessly transfer pizzas in and out of the oven without disturbing the toppings or burning your hands.

• Wooden Peels: Perfect for preparing your pizza and sliding it into the oven, wooden peels are less likely to stick to the dough. Their natural surface absorbs moisture, helping to maintain the ideal texture of your pizza base. Wooden peels are also lightweight, making them easy to handle, especially when working with larger pizzas.

• Metal Peels: Metal peels come into play once your pizza is cooking. Their thin, sturdy surface makes it easy to slide under the pizza without disturbing the toppings. They’re also great for rotating the pizza to ensure even cooking and for removing it from the oven when it’s done.

Tip: Keep both a wooden and a metal peel on hand for the best results. Use the wooden peel for transferring raw pizza into the oven and the metal peel for handling it once it’s in.

2. Oven Brush

Maintaining a clean cooking surface is essential for both the quality of your food and the longevity of your oven. An oven brush, typically featuring brass or steel bristles, is designed to sweep away ash and food residue from the oven floor.

• Long-Handled Oven Brushes: These brushes are essential for reaching the back of the oven and for cleaning the cooking surface while it’s still hot. A good oven brush will have a sturdy handle that can withstand high temperatures and regular use.

Tip: Regularly brush the oven floor between pizzas to prevent burnt bits from tainting the flavour of your next creation.

3. Infrared Thermometer

Cooking with a wood-fired oven requires precise temperature control, as the high heat can be both your best friend and your worst enemy. An infrared thermometer is a must-have tool that allows you to accurately measure the temperature of the oven floor and the air inside, helping you determine the perfect time to cook.

• Instant Read: Infrared thermometers provide an instant reading, which is particularly useful when you’re managing a live fire and need to make quick adjustments.

• Laser Pointer: Some models come with a laser pointer, making it easier to target specific areas of the oven for a precise temperature reading.

Tip: Aim for a floor temperature of around 400-450°C for cooking pizzas. For baking bread or roasting vegetables, a lower temperature of around 200-250°C is ideal.

4. Dough Scraper

A dough scraper is a versatile tool that’s handy for more than just handling dough. It’s great for cutting and portioning your pizza dough, as well as for scraping flour and dough residue from your work surface.

• Metal Scrapers: These are durable and can be used to divide dough, clean surfaces, and even lift sticky dough off your bench. Metal scrapers are particularly useful for working with tougher doughs or for cleaning up after a long pizza-making session.

• Plastic Scrapers: Softer and more flexible, plastic scrapers are gentle on your work surface and perfect for handling delicate dough. They’re also less likely to scratch your benchtop, making them a great option for more delicate tasks.

Tip: Use your dough scraper to gently remove any burnt flour or dough from the oven floor, preventing it from affecting the taste of your next pizza.

5. Pizza Cutter

A high-quality pizza cutter is a must-have for serving up your wood-fired creations. Look for one that’s sharp, sturdy, and easy to handle, ensuring clean cuts that don’t drag toppings along with the blade.

• Wheel Cutters: The classic pizza wheel is great for quickly slicing through a pizza, ensuring clean cuts without disturbing the toppings. A well-designed wheel cutter will glide through even the crispiest crusts with ease.

• Rocking Blades: A rocking pizza cutter, with its curved blade, allows you to slice through pizzas with a gentle rocking motion. This type of cutter is ideal for thick-crust pizzas or flatbreads, providing a clean, even cut every time.

Tip: Regularly sharpen your pizza cutter to keep it performing at its best, ensuring you get clean, even slices every time.

6. Heat-Resistant Gloves

When you’re working with a wood-fired oven, you’re dealing with extremely high temperatures. Heat-resistant gloves are essential for protecting your hands while handling hot peels, cookware, or even adjusting logs in the fire.

• Silicone Gloves: These gloves are known for their flexibility and excellent heat resistance. They offer a non-slip grip, which is useful when handling hot tools or cookware. Silicone gloves are also easy to clean, making them a practical choice for regular use.

• Leather Gloves: Known for their durability and comfort, leather gloves are ideal for heavy-duty tasks like moving logs or handling cast iron cookware. Leather gloves provide excellent protection against heat and are a traditional choice for working with wood-fired ovens.

Tip: Always have a pair of heat-resistant gloves within reach when cooking with your wood-fired oven to ensure safety and comfort.

7. Cast Iron Cookware

Cast iron is a versatile and durable material that’s perfect for use in a wood-fired oven. Whether you’re searing meat, roasting vegetables, or baking bread, cast iron cookware retains heat beautifully and can withstand the high temperatures of a wood-fired oven.

• Cast Iron Skillet: A must-have for any wood-fired oven enthusiast, a cast iron skillet is perfect for everything from frying eggs to searing steaks. Its ability to retain heat ensures even cooking, making it a reliable choice for a wide range of dishes.

• Dutch Oven: Ideal for slow-cooking stews, baking bread, or roasting meats, a Dutch oven is another essential piece of cast iron cookware. Its thick walls and tight-fitting lid create the perfect environment for cooking hearty, flavourful meals.

Tip: Preheat your cast iron cookware in the oven before adding food to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking. Regularly season your cast iron to maintain its non-stick surface and protect it from rust.

8. Pizza Topping Station

To make your pizza-making process smoother and more enjoyable, consider setting up a pizza topping station. This can be as simple as a few bowls of pre-prepared ingredients or a more elaborate setup with a dedicated table or bench.

• Ingredient Bowls: Use small bowls or containers to organise your toppings, making it easy to assemble your pizzas quickly. Having your ingredients prepped and ready to go will streamline the cooking process and ensure your pizzas are cooked to perfection.

• Chopping Board: A large, sturdy chopping board is essential for preparing your ingredients and providing a workspace for assembling your pizzas. Look for a board with plenty of surface area and a groove around the edge to catch any stray juices.

Tip: Keep your topping station close to your wood-fired oven so you can quickly and easily add ingredients as you cook. Consider investing in a portable outdoor kitchen cart to keep everything within reach.

9. Oven Cover

COVER FOR MAXIMUS ARENA MOBILE PIZZA OVENS

An often overlooked but incredibly important accessory for your wood-fired oven is a high-quality oven cover. Given Australia’s diverse and sometimes harsh weather conditions, an oven cover is essential for protecting your investment and ensuring it stays in top condition for years to come.

• Weather-Resistant Material: Look for an oven cover made from weather-resistant material, such as heavy-duty polyester or vinyl, that can withstand rain, sun, wind, and even dust. The cover should be UV-resistant to protect your oven from sun damage, and it should be water-resistant to keep moisture from seeping in and causing rust or other damage.

• Custom Fit: A cover that fits snugly over your oven is crucial for maximum protection. Many wood-fired oven manufacturers offer custom covers designed to fit their specific models. If a custom cover isn’t available, opt for one that closely matches the dimensions of your oven and has adjustable straps or drawstrings to ensure a secure fit.

You can always call Authentic Pizza Ovens for tips and tricks or just good ole information!  0411-331-911

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