How to Cook Pizza on a Wood Burning Stove: A Step-by-Step Guide

Cooking pizza on a wood burning stove is a culinary delight that combines the simplicity of traditional methods with the rich, smoky flavors only wood-fired cooking can provide. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner, this guide will walk you through the technical details of achieving a perfect wood-fired pizza.

What You’ll Need

  1. Wood Burning Stove: Ensure your stove is in good working condition with a well-maintained firebox. The temperature control is essential for cooking pizza evenly.

  2. Wood: Dry hardwood, such as oak or maple, is ideal for generating the high temperatures needed for pizza. Avoid softwoods like pine, as they can impart a resinous taste.

  3. Pizza Stone: A pizza stone helps distribute heat evenly and ensures a crisp crust. Place it on the stove’s grate, leaving enough room for airflow.

  4. Wood Splitter and Kindling: To maintain a steady fire, have split wood and kindling ready for easy temperature control.

  5. Pizza Peel: A wooden or metal pizza peel is essential for safely placing and removing your pizza from the stove.

Step 1: Prepare Your Stove

  • Clean the firebox and remove any ash or debris. Ensure the stove’s door is tightly sealed to maintain a consistent temperature.

  • Use a thermometer or the stove’s built-in temperature gauge to monitor the internal temperature. For pizza, you’ll want the stove to reach and maintain a temperature between 500°F (260°C) and 800°F (427°C).

Step 2: Start the Fire

  • Place small pieces of kindling and fire starters in the firebox. Light them to get the fire going.

  • Gradually add split wood as the fire builds. Maintain good airflow by partially opening the stove’s damper or air controls.

  • As the fire burns down to coals, use a poker to spread them evenly to create an even cooking surface.

Step 3: Preheat the Pizza Stone

  • Position your pizza stone on the stove’s grate, directly above the hot coals. Preheat it for at least 30 minutes to ensure it’s thoroughly heated.

  • As the stone heats, turn the pizza occasionally to ensure even heating.

Step 4: Prepare the Pizza

  • While the stone is preheating, prepare your pizza on a peel dusted with cornmeal or flour. This prevents the pizza from sticking to the peel.

  • Keep your pizza relatively small (around 10-12 inches) for even cooking in a wood stove.

Step 5: Cook the Pizza

  • With the pizza stone thoroughly heated, gently slide your pizza onto it using the peel.

  • Close the stove’s door to trap heat and smoke, which imparts flavor to the pizza.

  • Keep a close eye on the pizza; it will cook quickly, typically in 2-5 minutes. Rotate the pizza as needed for even cooking.

Step 6: Monitor and Remove

  • Use the peel to check the bottom of the pizza for doneness. It should be crisp and slightly charred.

  • Once the crust is ready, use the peel to remove the pizza from the stove.

Conclusion

Cooking pizza on a wood burning stove is a delightful culinary experience that, with a bit of technical know-how, can be mastered by anyone. By following these steps, you can create wood-fired pizzas with perfectly crisp crusts and smoky flavors that will impress your guests and satisfy your own palate. Experiment with different toppings and enjoy the unique taste of wood-fired pizza right from your own stove.

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