Using Your Commercial Wood Fired Pizza Oven

Here are some tips on how to best use your commercial wood fired ovens.

Curing Process

Vesuvio Wood Fired ovens require curing before you use them. Once the building of the oven has been built, we recommend you let it sit for 5-7 days. If the oven has been rendered, it is important to ensure the render is completely dry before curing. Over the course of 5 days, start with a temperature of approximately 100 degrees celcius and increase by 100 degrees each day up to 500 degrees celcius. You will need to build a fire and sustain it at that temperature for the day. You do not want to have a high temperature fire straight away so you will need to try and maintain the temperature as best as you can. The best way to check the temperature is with an infrared thermometer. You can commence cooking on the 6th day.

Cooking Methods

The ovens from that Valoriani Vesuvio wood fired oven range are extremely versatile and provide you with a vast array of cooking options for your menu. The only thing limiting you is your own imagination! Some of the things you can do are:

 - Pizza

 - Baking

 - Roasting

 - Grilling

 - Browning

 - Sauteing

Cleaning

Very little maintenance is required with the Vesuvio Wood Fired Oven. You will need to clean the ashes occasionally when the oven is cold. Simply use a brass wire brush to sweep out the ashes. There is no need to use water on your pizza oven. The flue must be cleaned regularly. For the best results, we recommend cleaning it every 3 months.

Contact us for more information.

Using Your Residential Wood Fired Pizza Oven

Did you know you can cook a variety of different foods in your wood fired oven. They're not just simply made for pizza. Once you have installed and cured your oven, you can create a vast array of decisious meals. 

Starting Your Fire

It's vital that the fire in your wood fired oven is built correctly to ensure it reaches cooking temperature as quickly as possible and so that you will receive optimum and enjoyable cooking results. Choose a wood that is well seasoned and has low moisture content. Box wood or iron bark are great choices. Armoatic wood may also be used, such as hickory, mesquite or apple wood. Do not use wood that has been treated. Arrange five to seven large pieces of wood to the rear of the oven on the right or left hand side, approximately 3/4 of the way along the side of the dome. A wood stand may be used for best results. Place a small amount of kindling in the centre of the dome and use a firelighter to start the flame. Once started you can push this kindling under the larger pieces of wood. You will need to allow the flame to burn for about 90 minutes nbefore cooking. If you have an infrared thermometer you can test the temperature. If you do not own a thermometer, the best way to know if you are ready to start cooking is by looking at the roof of the dome. If it is white, the oven is ready!

Cooking

Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens are extemely versatile and proved you a vast array of cooking methos. You are only limited by your own imagination. 

Pizza

The ideal temperature for cooking pizza is 350℃.the flame should roll accross the top of the oven and the dome will turn white. This ensures the topping has cooked sufficiently and the base and edges are golden brown. Pizzas shouldn't take more than 2-3 minutes to cook.

Baking Bread

The best temperature for baking bread is at 180℃.degrees celcium. To do this you will need to heat your oven to 350℃+ and then removed the hot coals and let the oven cool down. The bread will bake gently and consistently by the head retained within the wood fired oven. 

 

Roasting

The temperature required for roasting ranges between  230℃– 315℃. Any hotter than this and the meat will cook too quickly on the outside. To achieve the perfect roasting temperature head the oven the same as you would for pizza but then let the temperature fall. Once this occurs, you can push the hot embers to one side and bagin cooking. 

Grilling

Many people don't realise that it is also possible to grill in the wood fired oven. To create crisp, yet succulent meals, you just need to rake the hot coals over the floor of the oven. you can then place food on a free standing iron grill over the hot coals. The meat, fish, vegetables or whatever you may be cooking will be cooked perfectly due to the heat from the coals and the retained heat in the wood fired oven.

Browning

Browning is perfect for meats and vegetables before adding them to another dish. Simply place your food in a cast iron pan and the reflective heat from the oven will do the rest!

Sauteing

Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens are perfect for sauteing your pizza toppings, such as meat or seafood. It can saute vegetables such as onions for other dishes. Place a cast iron fry pan in your hot wood fired oven for a few minutes, add some oil in the heated pan and return the pan. After a few minutes remove the pan from the oven, check and stir your ingredients and return to the oven if required. Your oven really can be the alternative to your conventional oven and barbeque. 

Cleaning

It's very important to clean out your oven once you have finished cooking. The great thing is Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens are very low maintenance and require little cleaning. To clean the oven after you have finished cooking, allow the ash to completely cool as warm ashes still have the ability to cause a fire. Rake the ash to the centre of the oven and use a shovel to scoop the ashes out. Once this has been removed you can use a soft bristle brush to sweep any remaining ash out. There is no need to use water on the oven. If there are food stains on the floor of the oven, they will disappear when you cook as the high temperature of the oven burns the stains away. 

Contact us for more information

Selecting Your Residential Wood Fired Pizza Oven

There are 5 considerations you need to make when choosing the right Vesuvio Wood Fired Oven for you. 

1. Your Cooking Requirements

What sort of cooking do you intend to do in your oven? If it's just pizza and small dishes you wish to cook, the FVR 80 may be all that you require, especially if you are limited by space. However, if you intend to use your oven for not just pizza, but also roasts, breads, large family feasts, then you should consider the FVR & TOP 100 or 120. The larger ovens have wider openings and also a larger cooking capacity. The TOP Series is great if it's temperature control you are after. With a ceramic door and built in temperature gauge, this could be ideal for you.

2. The Space You Have Available

How much space do you have for your pizza oven? If you have limited space, the FVR 80 would be the perfect choice needing on ly 1.2 x 1.2m. It's small enough to fit into a court yard or on a balcony. If space is not an issue, then any of our wood fired ovens would be fine.

 

3. Where and with what the oven is made

Are you looking for an Italian made 'cotto' clay oven? All Vesuvio Wood Fire Oven cooking floors are 100% made in Italy from ‘cotto’ clay from the hills of Tuscan. They have been made this way for more than 65 years. Vesuvio ovens cooking floors are made from 'cotto' clay and not concrete. Concrete ovens do not retain heat as well as a clay oven, which means you will use more fuel to keep temperature and produce good cooking results and they tend to crack.  Vesuvio Wood Fire Ovens come with a 3 year warrenty and are build to last!

4. The Type of Fuel You Will Use

Do you want to use wood or gas? People naturally think wood fired ovens are for wood only.  However, as people become more conscious about the environment and emissions, gas is being used more to fuel wood fired ovens. Gas or wood can be used in all Vesuvio Wood Fire Ovens. If you wish to, you can use a combination of both.  Gas is a cost effective and convenient way of to use your oven, with very low emissions.  Rest assured however, when using the right wood and the oven to manufacturers guidelines, our ovens are in fact carbon neutral.

5. After Sales Service

What type of service do you require? Ensure the company you buy your oven from can provide expert after sales service. Can you call and ask advice on how to assemble and use your oven?  Are the people selling you the oven passionate about their product and can they answer your questions?  At Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens, there is a a team of professional and passionate people able to assist you with all aspects of your oven. They can help you with everything – from design, installation, and of course oven use.  Having been in business for over 10 years and sold over 1,500 wood fired ovens, you can be sure you are dealing with professionals. They also offer cooking classes so you can learn from experts how to use your oven.

Contact us if you would like more information on Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens.

Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens - Services for Commercial Kitchens

Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens offers a range of different services when you are looking to purchase your own Wood Fired Oven for your commercial business. They understand the importance of having not only the right equipment for your restaurant, but you also need a dedicated and expeirience team behind you to ensure your success. Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens supply premium Italian made wood fired ovens for professional use, and also place emphasis on provideing the best customer service in the industry!

Consultation

The Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens team guide you in selecting the right oven for your needs and budget. The showroom, located in Sydney, has a number of wood fired ovens on display and if required, they are available to visit your premises and discuss your needs in further detail. For interstate clients, there are a number of dealers who can assist you.  



Supplying

Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens supply the largest range of commercial wood fired ovens in Australia. They have four models available, each with various sizes. In total there are 23 professional ovens for you to choose from and they have ovens arriving regularly so stock levels are high. 

Installing

Installation of the modular wood fired ovens (GR Series) is easy and the perfect choice when access is limited. A builder can generally assemble the oven within a day however, if installation is required, Vesuvio can organise an experienced installer.  The Igloo, Verace and OT models come pre-assembled and can be wheeled into place.

Gas Option

There is the option of purchasing a gas kit with your oven. If you do so, it is essential you have a licensed gas fitter connect the gas and AGA approval must be obtained. These costs are not included in the cost of the oven. 

Accessories
 

The company also specialises in pizza making tools and accessories. They stock an extensive range of Italian made G.I. Metal tools and accessories, offering high quality and reliability at reasonable process.

Consulting Services
 

Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens have more than 20 years experience in the pizza industry, so they are able to help you meet the challenges of running a successful restaurant. 

Consulting services include:

Equipment Purchase Guide and assist with purchasing the right equipment for your kitchen, matching the best products for your needs and budget.

Kitchen Design  

Plan and design the best kitchen for your space and required functionality, ensuring maximum efficiency and productivity.

Menu Design Design and develop the right pizza menu for your chef, restaurant, location and clientele.

Menu Costing Once the menu is in place, we will advice on setting the right price for your pizzas’ and show you how to avoid wastage, thereby increasing profits.

Staff Training One on one or small groups, pizza chef courses are available at beginner, intermediate, advanced and master levels ensuring consistent staff development.

Observations and Reviews Onsite observation of your pizza restaurant and regular reviews to ensure you stay on the right track. Flexibility is built into our plans so that changes can be made as required.

Shipping
We are able to ship our ovens Australia wide and New Zealand direct from our Sydney warehouse or via your local distributor. Ovens are shipped in crates to ensure they are well protected.

What Does Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens Offer?

Buying something like a wood fired ovens is not a 5 second decision, it is something that requires thought and experience in order to make sure you get the right oven for your needs. What is it that Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens offer you when you are planning on buying a pizza oven for your residential needs.

Consultation

 

Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens welcome you into their showroom. There they can share their expertise and passion for wood fired ovens. Their experienced staff are ready to show you the brilliant range of pizza ovens and will be happy to discuss your project starting with design, to installation and operational use. They are qualified to help you decide which oven best suits your needs. 

If you are unable to visit our showroom we can arrange an on-site appointment.  If you are interstate, we will arrange for one of our distributors to discuss your needs with you.

Supplying

Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens supply the largest range of residential and commercial wood fired ovens in Australia. There are a number of models, each with various sizes to choose from in each range. Ovens arrive every 3-8 weeks from Italy, so their stock levels are high.

 
Installing

These ovens come in modular, kit form so are easy to self assemble, and come with complete, easy to follow instructions. However, if you prefer, our team of skilled tradespeople can assist with design and installation of your oven.

Accessories

Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens don't just specialise in ovens, they also sell a range of pizza making tools and accessories. They have an extensive range of Italian made G.I. Metal tools and accessories, offering high quality and reliability at reasonable prices.


Cooking Classes

Once you've got your oven and your tools, they don't just leave you to it, they also offer you a wide range of cooking classes to ensure you get the best from your Vesuvio Wood Fired Oven. You will learn how to create the perfect fire, the importance of ingredient combinations and how to cook everything from the perfect Italian style pizza to succulent roasts

Shipping

The company is able to ship our ovens Australia wide and New Zealand direct from the Sydney warehouse or via your local distributor.  Ovens are shipped in crates to ensure they are well protected.

Planning and Installing Your Commercial Wood Fired Oven

What should you consider when looking at putting a wood fired oven in your restaurant kitchen? Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens has a few tips for you...

1. How much space do you have allocated for your oven in the kitchen plan?
When designing your kitchen, consider how much space you have for your wood fired pizza oven and the work space you require.  For example, how close is the preparation area to the pizza oven?  Does the chef have enough space to manoeuvre?

2. What is your expected capacity per night at the busiest time?
Estimating the amount of pizza’s to be sold each night is the best way to determine which sized oven is best for your needs.  Our wood fired ovens have a capacity from 4 to 18 pizza’s.

3. What fuel source would you like to be using?
All Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens can be used with wood only, gas only or a wood/gas combination.

4. How would you like the Flue positioned?
Unless the oven is outdoors, a ventilation specialist should be consulted to determine the best position and ventilation for the flue.

 5. What access to the site is available?

Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens are available in modular or pre-assembled form.  If site access is restricted, our GR Series ovens are the perfect choice.

6. What are your local goverment regulations?
Ensure you consult your local government regarding any special regulations in your area.  We can provide assistance if required.

Having sold over 150 professional wood fired ovens Australia and New Zealand wide, we have the expertise and knowledge to assist you in selecting the right oven for your needs and budget.

Planning & Installing Your Residential Wood Fire Oven

Have you ever wondered what you need to consider when planning to buy and install a wood fire oven in your home. Vesuvio Wood Fire Ovens has some advice to help you. 

Planning

1. Consider the area available for the oven. 

Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens are available in three sizes, offering an oven perfect for almost any space.

FVR 80 –  1200mm x 1200mm minimum base size.
FVR & TOP 100 – 1400mm x 1400mm minimum base size.
FVR & TOP 120 – 1600mm x 1600mm minimum base size.

2. Consider any additional work space you need. 

You may wish to consider having some space around or near the oven where you can prepare and rest the food. 

3. Consider what type of finish you would like.

Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens can be finished in a number of ways for offering great versatility in how the oven is finished. They can be rendered, enclosed, bricked in, painted or tiled.  For inspiration, go to our photo gallery to see how other ovens have been completed.

4. Consider where the flue will be

If your oven is under roofing, you may need to extend the flue so that it goes through the roof, or divert the flue around the structure.  Remember, Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens are perfect for both outdoor and indoor use.

Installation

Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens are supplied in modular form, ready to be constructed on site.
Construction is straight forward, and complete, easy to follow instructions are provided.
You can choose to:

1. Assemble the oven yourself or employ your own builder.
2. Have one of our qualified installers build the oven on your already constructed base
3. Have our qualified installation team build your base and oven for you.
4. We can assemble the oven for you on a stand at our factory and deliver it to you complete.

For further information on which assembly method is best for you, please contact us. 

The History of Wood Fired Ovens

Wood fired ovens have been used in many civilizations around the world, particularly in Europe, throughout history. The best known use of the ovens would be in Pompeii, during ancient Roman civilisation. IN the preserved ancient ruins of Pompeii, more than 30 wood fired ovens have been discovered and show a remarkable level of engineering and many similarities to the way of life from ancient days to today.

Some of these wood fired ovens date back 3,000 years and are still in remarkable condition. They are a superlative example of the wonderful craftsmanship of the ancient Romans. The ovens that have been discovered are primarily constructed from an assortment of bricks and ceramic materials. Beautifully built, even these ancient wood fired ovens were well shaped, insulated and vented.

Throughout Europe it appears these ovens were used for different purposes. Large, oversized ovens have been found which were most likely built and owned by wealthy land owners who probably ‘rented’ out the oven to the local villagers. Wood fired ovens found in ancient Roman civilisations were however used for both commercial and residential purposes. These smaller ovens were most likely used to only feed one or two families at a time. The larger ovens were used for commercial purposes and have been discovered throughout ancient Italy in places people gathered to eat. These early restaurants, especially in Pompeii, have been wonderfully preserved due to the force and unexpectedness of the volcanic eruption, to reveal a surprisingly modern commercial centre with what looks like modern day pizzerias – with some even having granite bench tops.

Many Italians have continued to cook using wood fired ovens, even with the advent of electricity and gas. After World War II, the Italian Government commissioned Silvio Valoriani in the reconstruction efforts of Italy, by building wood fired ovens for Italian families.

Valoriani continues today to manufacture wood fired ovens, which are selling as Vesuvio wood fired ovens.Valoriani uses the superior craftsmanship handed down for centuries in building beautiful wood fired ovens, for the world to enjoy.

The History of Valoriani

Valoriani, is known all over the world as a great artisan.

Since 1890, the Valoriani family have been producing refractory products and are world leaders of woodfired ovens. They produce ovens for both professional and residential use. 

Many communal ovens were destroyed in Italian villages during World War II. Valoriani was on the front line to give strength to his country and his bricks were necessary during reconstruction, to building thousands of ovens, which were important for baking bread in the home. This was a turning point in oven history and the prefabricated wood burning oven was born. 

Silvio Valoriani, a specialist in refractory clay, by using all the century experience acquired from his family, the choice or raw materials and the structural design of the oven’s dome, perfect in all it’s proportions, to such a point that still nowdays the dome is unchanged. As a result we get family sized wood burning ovens from refractory clay quarried from the hills of Tuscany.

With commercial and economic growth, demand for these products increased. Commercial businesses needed ovens that would be able to bake a high number of quality pizzas with uniform baking, that were able to keep a constant temperature and had low wood consumption. This is when Valoriani created the "Vesuvio range."

Vesuvio has been recognised as the Original Wood burning Oven. They still remain the original, the first product in its class and one of the best products worldwide, chosen and used by some of the most important restaurants and caterings.

The company today, after more than 50 years on the market, in it’s 5th generation and with over 300,000 ovens delivered, Valoriani ovens are still made in Refrattari Reggello, high in the hills of Tuscany.

Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens

Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens, originated in Tuscany Italy, but now the finest quality wood fired pizza oven range has been brought to Australia. Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens are now market leaders in not only residential sales of wood fire ovens but also commercial sales in Australia. 

Vesuvio have a dedicated team of professionals, passionate about the simplistic and wonderful way of cooking, with many years experience using wood fired ovens and knowledge of wood fired cooking.

The company has sold a large number of commerical and residential wood fired ovens, and have over 15 years experience in the food industry so you know you are getting quality service.