Owning an Italina Pizza Oven brings immense joy. There’s nothing quite like making delicious pizzas or baked dishes with friends and family. However, ensuring that your oven remains in good condition requires proper care and maintenance. In this guide, we’ll walk you through some simple yet effective steps to care for your pizza oven, helping you maintain its performance and extend its lifespan.
Step 1: Allow the Oven to Cool Completely Before Cleaning
After a fun-filled day of pizza-making, it’s tempting to start cleaning your oven immediately. However, patience is key when it comes to pizza oven maintenance. Before you begin cleaning, make sure the oven has cooled down completely. Attempting to clean it while still hot could lead to burns or damage to the oven itself. Allowing the oven to cool naturally also prevents warping or cracking in the materials. Cooling down the oven ensures that you can clean safely and prevents any heat-related damage.
Step 2: Avoid Chemicals and Detergents
When cleaning the interior of your Italina Pizza Oven, it’s important to avoid using chemicals or harsh detergents. Pizza ovens are designed to cook food at very high temperatures, and chemical residues left behind from cleaning agents can affect the taste and safety of your food.
After each use, allow your Italina Pizza Oven to cool completely. Once cooled, use a stiff-bristled brush to sweep out any ash, food debris, or soot from the oven floor and interior surfaces. This dry cleaning method helps maintain the oven’s performance and longevity.
Important: Avoid using water or damp cloths on the oven’s interior surfaces, especially the tiles. The tiles are porous and can absorb moisture, leading to potential cracking when the oven is reheated.
Step 3: Removing Food Residue
After making pizzas or other baked dishes, you might notice some remnants of oil, cheese, or food splatters inside the oven. Fortunately, cleaning these residues is straightforward with the right approach. If there are oil or cheese splatters on the oven floor, start by using a pizza peel to gently scrape off any excess food. Then, take some leftover ash from the fire and rub it into the oil mark. The ash will help soak up the excess grease, making it easier to clean. Once the oil has been absorbed by the ash, you can brush it away, leaving the surface clean.
This method is highly effective and keeps your oven clean without relying on any cleaning chemicals. Regularly scraping off food residues after each use prevents buildup and ensures your oven remains in great condition. The natural cleaning technique of using ash is safe and ensures that the oven is ready for use again without contaminating the cooking surface.
To maintain the tile surface, ensure that any ash and food particles are regularly swept or wiped off. Keeping the tiles clear of debris helps with even heat distribution and prevents food from burning onto the surface.
By following these steps, you’ll ensure that your pizza oven operates efficiently, and the tile surface remains clean and ready for your next meal.
Step 4: Easy Ash Removal
One of the standout features of Italina Pizza Ovens is our elevated fire design, which makes cleaning even easier. Thanks to this innovation, you’ll never need to remove ash and embers off the tiled floor. You simply need to remove the two ashtrays which would have accumulated ash from the fire you made the day/night before. This design saves time and effort, all you need to do is throw away the ash, give the two trays a wipe and then slide them back into place in your oven. Make sure the ashtray is emptied frequently (before firing it up again), as this ensures proper airflow for your next Italina Pizza Night! It’s also essential to check that the wood trays are put in correctly before starting a new fire.
Step 5: Maintaining the Stainless Steel Exterior
Italina Pizza Ovens are constructed from grade 430 stainless steel, making them durable and resistant to outdoor conditions. However, like all stainless steel products, they require some maintenance, especially when exposed to outdoor elements for long periods. To keep the oven’s outer surface looking polished and free from rust, it’s advisable to apply a layer of protection.
To maintain the oven’s exterior, spray Q20 oil onto a dry cloth and gently wipe the stainless steel surface. This process creates a thin protective layer that helps prevent rust or corrosion, especially in humid or rainy conditions. The protective oil layer is easy to wipe off before the next use, ensuring that your oven is clean and ready for cooking.
If you live in an area where the weather is particularly harsh, consider using a canvas cover for extra protection. A canvas cover shields the oven from dust, moisture, and harsh weather conditions, which can cause wear over time. Using both a protective oil layer and a cover ensures that your oven stays in top condition no matter the weather.
Step 6: Protecting Your Oven When Not in Use
Proper storage is just as important as regular cleaning, especially if your pizza oven is kept outdoors. When your pizza oven isn’t in use for an extended period, taking the right steps to protect it can make a significant difference in its longevity. Covering your oven is a simple but effective way to shield it from the elements, such as rain or sun exposure, which can cause wear and tear over time.
If you know you won’t be using the oven for a while, cover it with a protective canvas cover to prevent dust, dirt, or moisture from settling on its surface. For added protection, apply Q20 oil to the stainless steel exterior before covering the oven. This extra precaution will help safeguard your oven from rust or corrosion, keeping it in excellent condition until you’re ready to use it again.
By following these storage tips, your pizza oven will remain in prime condition and be ready for action whenever the mood for pizza strikes.
Bonus Tip: Proper Use of Accessories
In addition to cleaning and maintenance, using the right accessories can enhance your overall pizza oven experience. Accessories like pizza peels, brushes, and heat-resistant gloves are essential for both the cooking process and maintaining the cleanliness of your oven.
Investing in a high-quality pizza peel makes it easier to handle pizzas, reducing the chances of spills or messes inside the oven. A soft-bristle brush is useful for gently cleaning the oven floor without damaging the tiles or stainless steel surface. Heat-resistant gloves protect your hands while working with the high temperatures that pizza ovens reach, ensuring your safety.
Using these accessories not only makes the cooking process smoother but also contributes to keeping your pizza oven in great condition. By taking care of the oven and using the appropriate tools, you can ensure it performs at its best for years to come.
Enjoy Your Pizza Oven for Years to Come
Caring for your pizza oven doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. With the right cleaning techniques, proper maintenance, and attention to detail, your Italina Pizza Oven will continue to deliver delicious pizzas and baked goods for many years. Regularly cleaning the oven after use, avoiding harsh chemicals, and protecting the stainless steel exterior with Q20 oil and a canvas cover will help maintain your oven’s performance.
If you have any questions or need further assistance with your pizza oven, don’t hesitate to contact our team. We’re always here to help you make the most of your Italina Pizza Oven and ensure you enjoy many memorable meals with it.