Authentic Oven FAQ
Q: How long does it take to heat up my Authentic Oven?
A: The length of time it takes to heat up your oven will depend on its size and quality of the firewood used and most importantly is the oven and wood dry.
Here are approximate heating times for our various sizes of ovens:
Authentic 750- 1 – 1.5 hours to around 350-400 Deg C
Authentic 900- 2 hours to around 350-400 Deg C
The times are approximate, but an oven that has been heated for longer will retain heat longer when the fire is out. Most importantly the oven MUST be dry. Always purchase a rain cover to achieve peak performance if your oven is out in the aliments.
Q: Where exactly do I build the fire?
A: The fire should be built in the middle of the oven. This will ensure it heats the oven evenly.
Q: Where should I push the ash/fire to when it is heated?
A: When you are ready to cook the ash can be pushed to the back and/or sides of the oven.
Q: How do I clean away the ash from my cooking surface?
A: A wet rag (wrapped around your handle of the oven peel tool or a stick of wood) could be used to wipe excess ash off the surface cooking area, however this is not necessary. Some chef’s use the ash rake then use a tube to blow the hearth.
Q: What type of wood is best to use for heating?
A: Any type of wood will work in your Authentic Oven. However, if you are after that classic smoky wood fired taste Manuka (tea tree) works well. Another option and money saver is to heat the oven up using whatever wood you have access to and then adding a little Manuka when you are nearly ready to cook.
Q: Do I put the pizzas and bread straight onto the brick hearth?
A: Yes, this is your cooking surface. If you are cooking a roast you should use your standard metal cooking tray or aluminium tray.
Q: How long will it take to cook a pizza?
A: If the hearth of the oven is at its optimum cooking temp of 375-425 Deg C it takes between 40 seconds to 1.5 minutes to cook a pizza depending on the thickness of the Pizza base.
Q: When making my own platform how high should it be??
A: We can provide platforms or you can make your own. The platform should be at least 1000mm high so the cooking surface is nice and high at 1100mm. This is so you don’t have to crouch down when trying to see deep inside the oven. Ovens on trolleys with wheels are slightly lower as the centre of gravity can get too high for manoeuvring.
Q: How do I use my oven to cook a roast?
A: We recommend the use of a cooking tray as in your traditional electric oven. A good starting point is to half your usual cooking times as the Authentic Oven will cook much quicker than an electric oven. Remember you are cooking in reverse, so the browning happens at the start of the cooking process. Tin foil can be used to cover meat before placing in the oven or after the initial browning.
Q: Will my Authentic Oven get hot on the outside? Are they safe for children to be around?
A: Authentic Ovens are designed to keep the heat in, using a number layers for insulation. They will be warm on the outside but not hot and are perfectly safe for children to be around. However since you are using fire as your heat source children should always be supervised.
Q: What tools should I use inside my oven?
A: Authentic Oven also manufactures a range of quality tools specifically designed to use in your oven. Please refer to the online shop page on our website under Products and Prices for more details.
Q: Is my oven ok in the rain? Do you have covers available to keep it protected?
A: Your Authentic Oven will be fine in any weather conditions but may take longer to heat if it gets too wet on the inside. We do have fitted covers available that can help protect and keep your oven dry and clean. Please enquire if you are interested.
Q: How does the oven get delivered?
A: Your oven is safely packaged up on a pallet in our factory and then sent either to your local freight depot or to your door direct. You may require a Hiab truck to lift it into place at your house or premises; this can be organised by yourself or by our staff. Installation is simple with a Hiab truck.
Feel free to ask us any other questions you may have about our wood fired ovens, we would be happy to help.