How to Cook Pizza in Gas Oven: Perfect Crust Every Time
In terms of cooking pizza in a gas oven, achieving the perfect bake is all about understanding the interplay of heat, time, and technique. In this article, we'll provide you with specifics to help you master the art of pizza-making in your gas oven.
1. Preheat Pizzello Gas Oven First
- Make sure the oven is on a flat, level surface. Uneven surfaces can disrupt the oxygen flow and cause the flame to die out.
- Remove the regulator from the gas tank and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then reconnect it and carefully open the propane tank valve.
- Push in and slowly turn the oven's gas control dial counter-clockwise from 12 o'clock to 9 o'clock position over 5 seconds. This allows the gas to flow through the pipe to the burner.
- Hold the control knob in for at least 5 seconds after the oven has ignited to ensure the burner is fully lit and the gas is flowing properly.
- Preheat the oven for at least 20-30 minutes before cooking to ensure the stone reaches the optimal temperature of 700°F to 900°F (370°C to 480°C) for baking pizzas.
- During preheating, you can leave the oven's peephole or door slightly open to allow extra airflow and help the oven heat up faster. You can turn to the oven’s built-in thermometer to monitor the stone temperature.
2. Utilize Pizza Stone from the Pizzello Series
Using a pizza stone or baking steel provides an even cooking surface and retains high heat, leading to an evenly cooked pizza with a golden brown crust. Place it into the oven during the preheating phase to get it hot enough to cook the dough properly.
The key points regarding using the pizza stone with Pizzello ovens are:
- Cordierite is a type of refractory stone that can withstand the high temperatures (700°F+) needed for cooking authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas.
- Proper preheating of the pizza stone for 20-30 minutes is crucial to ensure it reaches the maximum baking temperature of 752°F before launching pizzas.
- The pizza stone helps create a crispy crust by absorbing moisture from the dough and providing an evenly heated baking surface.
- Care must be taken when using the pizza stone to avoid thermal shocking, moisture exposure, and excessive handling which can cause cracking.
3. Observe and Adjust the Gas Flame Conditions
The flame in your gas pizza oven requires attention. Adjust the flame as necessary to maintain consistent high temperatures without hot spots. Remember, temperature control is key to safety and achieving an evenly baked pizza.
- Check that you are using the proper gas tank/propane tank size. An undersized tank may prevent the oven from reaching adequate temperatures.
- Consider the weather conditions: In cold weather, you may need to allow more time for the oven and stone to heat up fully. Windy conditions can reduce the flame's power. Avoid operating in extremely windy conditions or position the oven so the opening faces downwind.
- Ensure all gas connections are properly secured from the tank to the regulator and burner.
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Observe the flame condition once lit:
The flame should have a bright, roaring appearance that heats the oven dome evenly. Avoid a sooty, smoking flame, which indicates incomplete combustion, likely due to insufficient airflow. -
Adjust the flame as needed:
Leave the oven door/peephole slightly open during preheating to promote extra airflow if the flame appears sooty.
Use the oven's vents to control oxygen intake and regulate the fire/temperature as required.
4. Pre-Cook Your Dough on the Gas Oven Surface for a While
A useful tip is to give your pizza dough a brief pre-cook on the gas oven surface to establish a firm base. This helps prevent your dough from getting soggy, especially if using a liquid-heavy sauce or a generous amount of cheese and toppings.
5. Rotate for Even Crust Browning
Rotate the pizza frequently during baking. We recommend rotating the pizza 180 degrees halfway through the baking time to promote even browning on the crust.
You may also consider par-baking the crust. Bake the plain crust for 8-14 minutes (depending on thickness) until just set, then add toppings and finish baking. This ensures the crust gets adequate browning.
Brush the crust edge with water or oil after par-baking. This can help promote better browning on the outer ring of the crust during the second bake with toppings.
By utilizing a preheated baking steel/cast iron, high oven temperatures, frequent rotation, and techniques like par-baking and brushing the crust edges, you can achieve an evenly crisp, well-browned pizza crust when baking at home.
6. Notice Your Cooking Time
Your cooking time can vary based on the dough recipe and the amount of toppings. Typically, it ranges between 10 to 15 minutes for a pizza to reach perfection. Keep an eye on the crust; it should be golden brown and the cheese fully melted.
7. End with Your Exclusive Style
Once the pizza is cooked, drizzle it with some olive oil or garnish with fresh herbs for an added flavor punch. Allow it to cool slightly on the baking steel or stone before cutting to savor that just-right combination of crunch and chew in every slice.
Pizza Recipes Cooked in Pizzello's Gas Oven
Crafting the perfect pizza in Pizzello's Gas Oven, you can achieve pizzeria-quality results right in the comfort of your home. The key is a high and stable temperature bake, which Pizzello ovens are adept at providing. You can make your own delicious pizzas with the following recipes:
Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 2 cups shredded Manchego cheese
- 1 cup sliced chorizo sausage
- 1/4 cup sliced roasted red peppers
- 1/4 cup sliced green olives
- 1/4 cup sliced Spanish cured ham
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup crushed Fritos corn chips
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup sliced pickled jalapenos
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 small Romanesco cauliflower, cut into small florets
- 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 8 ounces burrata cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Ingredients
- 1 (10-ounce) can refrigerated pizza crust dough
- 1 cup hummus spread
- 1 ½ cups sliced bell peppers, of any color
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Get the Best Pizzello Pizza Gas Ovens
If you're ready to elevate your outdoor cooking, a Pizzello pizza gas oven is an essential piece of equipment for any pizza enthusiast. Here's how to choose and use one effectively:
- Look for models with a temperature range between 600°F and 752°F (optimal temperatures for pizza cooking).
- Ensure even heating as it will contribute to the perfect crust.
- Consider the preheat time; some models heat up in as little as 25 minutes.
For the gas pizza oven, we strongly recommend Pizzello Forte Gas Cook With Smoky Flavors Of Wood And The Convenience Of Gas:
Comes with everything you need
Pizzello Forte Gas Comes with 2 burners (wood box and propane gas), a pizza peel, a cordierite pizza stone, and a waterproof carry bag. No need to pay extra money for all key accessories.
High Temperature
The oven temperature can reach 752℉(400℃) in 20-25 minutes. This ensures that you can cook the pizza in 60 seconds to get that delicious crust without burning the pizza. In addition to cooking pizzas, you can also try roasted vegetables, broiled fish, seared steaks, and more.
Premium Quality
For excellent insulation, we put cotton between the double walls in the oven to ensure more even heat dissipation. Premium steel has a special coating to resist marks from fingerprints and is easy to clean by wiping with a clean cloth.