Help centre

Frequently asked questions

Helpful answers about shipping, installation, curing, cooking and caring for your Authentic Pizza Oven.

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Shipping / Delivery

What is the charge for delivery?
We have discounted freight rates that we pass on to you. They will be calculated by your location. You can obtain the freight rate at check out. Please visit our Shipping Page for detailed shipping & delivery information.

You can pick up for FREE from our Sydney depot. Call us for details 0411-331-911

Can I pick up the oven myself?
You are welcome to come and pick up from one of our fulfillment facilities but we need to arrange it so just give us a call. The traditional ovens weigh approx 550kg and our modern between 55-140kg so make sure your truck has a lift gate. We are happy to load with our forklift, but you need to make arrangements for your end.

What about GST?

All prices displayed on our Australian website include GST. Freight charges are calculated separately based on the product, order size and delivery location.

Do I have to wait for the oven to be shipped from Portugal?
No, we are consistently ordering these wood fire ovens so that we have many of them in stock in Sydney. If we are out of stock, there are always containers in transit.

What is the expected delivery time?
We ship daily Monday - Friday! Depending upon where you live, you should receive it within 2-10 days but we can’t for see any freight company delays. We will give you shipping information and instructions once the freight company has confirmed pick up. We usually arrange pick up within 1-2 business days of purchase!

Do you ship outside of Australia?
We work with distributors all over the world so just send us an email and we'll see if we can help get you one of these beauties!

Returns

What if my oven or product arrives damaged?
All ovens are inspected and shipped without any damages so it is important that you inspect upon arrival PRIOR to the delivery truck leaving or Depot pick up. Without immediate notification at this time we will not be able to replace or repair any damages. Please note: Crumbling around the base is NOT considered damage. The base is essentially protection for our ovens. This can be easily touched up with the Ultrafire that is included with the oven or in some cases a small supply of pre-made mortar.

Do you offer a warranty?
Yes, please visit our Returns Page for detailed information.

Do you offer returns/exchanges?
Yes, we have a 14 day return policy. Please visit our Returns/Warranty Page for more information.

Oven Installation

How will my oven arrive?
Our ovens are shipped in a secure custom wooden crate which sit on a pallet. Our traditional oven crates measure 109cm x 109cm x 99cm. If able, we will provide recommendations for installation but we only ship to curbside or driveway. We use various freight trucking companies with a lift gate and will provide you with these details after purchase. Someone will need to be home to receive shipment.

Do you install the oven or place it where it’s going to be?
We will recommend installation companies if we have contacts in your area but the freight drivers cannot do this. Installation is not difficult but you definitely need to have extra hands to assist. If you want to have your oven built-in, we urge you to consult with an outdoor kitchen contractor or landscaper. We also suggest contacting safe or piano movers- they know a thing or two about lifting heavy things. We do provide an easy diagram which will help assisting with the install. We welcome phone calls- so feel free to call us for any questions and/or advice. Call 0411-331-911or email info@authenticpizzaovens.com.au. We respond to emails quickly!

How far should a pizza oven be from a house?
We recommend that you place your oven at least 3 feet away from your house or any building structure/wall to allow for proper ventilation. However, you need to check with your local city/county ordinance and ensure you follow their requirements. Adding a chimney pipe and cap is an important safety feature.

Oven Features

Is a wood-fired pizza oven worth it?
Yes! One of the best things about owning a wood-fired pizza oven is the experience of getting back to the basics and cooking your food in a truly authentic way. You don't have to limit yourself to just cooking pizzas either! The recipes are endless from bread, meats, vegetables, seafood, and even desserts! Not only will you get in touch with your inner-chef but you'll also find enjoyment in entertaining family and friends with this unique and authentic experience!

What do I need to know before buying a pizza oven?
That you will be the most popular neighbor on the block. So be prepared for more guests. Another important thing to think about is where you're going to put it. You want to have it in a space which is convenient but visible because it adds so much ambiance to your backyard or home.

What is different about our ovens?
We work directly with the oven works factory where they are made. We actually spend a lot of time with the manufacturer going over quality control and learning about their methods. Our ovens are triple insulated which keeps the heat in, not out. Our ovens are made from a generational company. These incredibly talented folks have been making ovens by hand for decades. They are true oven makers through and through! It is a CRAFT!

What if my oven has slightly different accessories than described? We do our best to be as accurate as possible. However, the pandemic of Covid 19 has made it more difficult to source qualities fo the same model. However, whatever the substitution maybe the quality will match.

Our Maximus and Prime ovens will either come with 1 or 2 extra tiles depending upon the tiles included. During the pandemic the size of tiles was changed and therefore the extra tile number may change as well.

Cooking Instructions

What else can I cook in this oven?
The list is long. Of course our ovens make the most delicious home made pizzas and you’ll be the Belle of the Block! That said, you can try your hand with breads, chicken, turkey, fish, steak, burgers, lamb, desserts and the list goes on. We include many recipes with your oven and email them to you with all your care instructions.

Do I need to season the ceramic dish that comes with the oven?
We have included a step by step instruction here to properly care for your dish. These are beautiful oven to table dishes and you will want to take care of them!

How long does an oven take to heat up?
When prepared correctly, the oven will take approximately 45 minutes to an hour and a half to get to the right temperature to bake your delicious pizzas. To get it closer to the 45 min mark, use a butane torch which you can get at a Bunnings Warehouse type store- around $15-$25. Set up your ‘camp fire’ in a stacked fashion and use the torch on it for about 2-3 min. Saves heaps of time. Do not use paper- that just creates ash and ash has no heat value.

What tools do I need for my wood fire pizza oven?

You will definitely need a peel. In Pizza language, that’s what you use to turn the pizza in the oven and put in and pull it out when it’s done. They look like a paddle with a long stick attached and come in wood or metal. We like the using the basic wood peel to put the pizza in the oven and take it out with the metal one- then we rest it back onto the wooden peel to serve/cut. (But that’s just us!)

A perfect starter kit includes:

A pizza peel or two
Oven brush
Bubble popper which we use to turn the pizza…we love the bubbles.
Oven shovel

Oven Care and Maintenance

Do I need to keep my oven covered?
If your oven is undercover, it isn't necessary, however if your oven is out in the open the answer is YES. It is important to protect it from wet weather. It's ok if it gets wet or a rained on occasionally- but it is very important that it doesn't sit in the wet, snow etc for extended periods of time. We do covers offer pizza ovens covers for purchase.

What kind of wood should I use?
Only use hardwoods such as walnut, oak, mesquite, apple, maple, etc. Please stay away from softer woods like pine our spruce that are resinous.

How do I clean the oven?
You don’t. Once the fire is out and cools you just sweep it out and it’s perfectly ready for next time! I usually close the door after a session and simply shovel it out before the next burn.

Are pizza ovens a fire hazard?
Yes, if not used properly. As with anything that requires fire to heat and/or cook, you want to follow your local city/county ordinance requirements and use proper precautions. We also highly recommend getting a chimney cap for your traditional ovens. Our modern/portable ones come with them. The caps are important because they have a built in spark arrestor for safety purposes.

Can you use a pizza oven in the winter?
Yes Absolutely! You can cook in your authentic pizza oven during any season! The biggest thing to remember is to keep your oven protected when you aren't using it, especially during extended periods of time and in inclement weather. Be prepared to take a little more time heating up the traditional ovens when its very cold outside!

What is curing and do I need to do this?
TRADITIONAL OVENS:

YES you need to do this! Curing simply means removing the moisture in the mortar. Curing will significantly help to protect the cooking ability and the life of your oven. So, yes you need to cure your traditional oven (1 day cure only). You will be starting small fires and repeating daily for 5 days.

Start a small fire and let it burn throughout the day (4-5 hours) maintaining temperature:

Day1. 60C

Day 2. Repeat 100C
Day 3. Repeat 150C
Day 4. Repeat 200C
Day 5. Repeat 250C

Make sure that you close the oven door each night, which will keep in the heat and protect moisture from getting in until the curing process is complete.

Even though you cure your ovens it will still crack YES! (realistically all wood fired brick or clay ovens will crack at varying degrees) they are usually very thin. We do include a ‘patch’ kit with each brick oven but this is not necessary, as it does not affect the oven function in a noticeable way. It is best to apply Ultrafire when the oven is hot! Here is a video on how to use the Ultrafire crack repair kit.

YOUR OVEN IS NOT AN INCINERATOR - DO NOT GET IT TO TEMPERATURES ABOVE 450C

MODERN OVEN CURING: If you purchased the Maximus or the Prime please see this video for a one time cure.

Maximus and Prime Curing Video 1 HERE

Maximus and Prime Curing Video 2 HERE

Visit ABOUT YOUR OVEN for more detailed information on cooking, woods, curing, installation, oven care, etc.