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