Making pizza with friends and family is a blast, but cleaning the pizza oven? Not so much. We get it – this is the least enjoyable part of the cooking experience for pizza lovers. However, it’s essential to keep your oven in top shape. Neglecting to clean it thoroughly after each use can lead to a buildup of food remnants and grease, which can affect the flavour of your pizzas, reduce your oven’s efficiency, and, worst of all, pose a fire hazard.
Here’s the good news: cleaning your pizza oven doesn’t have to be the dreaded chore it once was. With modern gas pizza ovens, maintenance is now easier than ever!
How to Clean Your Pizza Oven
Remove all Components & Clean Inside
Remove all of the components, including the stone and plate, so you can access the entire interior. Be sure to sweep away ash and burnt debris for a clean cooking surface.
Pro Tip: Avoid using hard brushes, as they could scratch or damage your oven.
Clean off the Grease
Grease can accumulate on the roof of your oven’s lid. To remove these stains, use steel wool and a food-grade concession equipment cleaner. This simple step leaves your oven’s lid clean and shiny, ready for the next pizza night.
Clean the Pizza Stone
Cleaning the pizza stone is easy, but it’s crucial to avoid using soap or detergent, as they can affect the flavour of your pizza. Instead, allow the stone to cool, scrape away crumbs or chunks with a nylon pan scraper, and rinse it under warm water. For stubborn debris, soak the stone in hot water, then dry it completely before the next use.
Clean the Ovens Interior
To keep the exterior in top condition, always cover your pizza oven, especially during winter months. Pizza ovens often come with covers that are weather-proof and designed for a custom fit, protecting your oven from outdoor elements and keeping it spotless for your next use.
Additional Tips for Extending the Lifespan of Your Pizza Oven:
- Store your pizza oven in a dry, cool place.
- Keep the area around the oven free of flammable substances, like gasoline or combustible vapours.
- Cover the burners with aluminum foil to prevent insects and debris from clogging the burner holes.
- Regularly check and clean the burner/venturi tubes to avoid potential fire hazards.
- Avoid using a dishwasher to clean your stoneware.
Shop Pizza Ovens with Harding The Fireplace
Looking to upgrade your outdoor cooking setup? Explore a full range of pizza ovens and cleaning accessories at Harding The Fireplace to take your pizza-making experience to the next level.
Ready to upgrade your pizza-making game? – Visit our showroom at 200 Nipissing Court, Kanata.
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