Few things are as tantalisingly tasty as a freshly-baked pizza fresh out of a wood-fired oven. At least we don’t think so! But to get the taste and texture of a wood-fired pizza right, you need to make sure you invest in the right wood to fuel the fire. Getting it wrong doesn’t bear thinking about, particularly after going to all of that effort in the first place. So, read on to find out the best pizza oven wood to bake your chosen dish to perfection.
What you need to know about cooking over wood
First and foremost, you need to understand that not all products are suitable as wood for pizza ovens. Wood that has been painted, pressure-treated, or laminated should not be used to prepare food, as it can ruin the taste of your pizza and may even result in health complications due to the toxic compounds that are released.
You also need to avoid using wet wood, which is essentially wood that has recently been cut. Most trees have a moisture content of approximately 75% when they’re cut down, but the best wood for pizza ovens is that with a moisture content of no more than 20%.
Therefore, when you’re planning to use a pizza oven, you should look for natural firewood with a moisture content of no more than 20%.
The best wood for your pizza oven
The vast majority of authentic Italian pizzerias use kiln-dried oak firewood in their pizza ovens. This is because this fuel source has high heat output, which is essential for nailing the texture that wood-fired pizzas are so famous for. What’s more, kiln-dried oak is ultra-dry and produces a pleasant aroma, which feeds into the overall taste of the pizza when it’s served up.
While some people turn to fruit woods - apple, cherry, and mesquite, for instance - taste is subjective, and your choice really depends on what you’re hoping to achieve with the taste profile of your pizza.
Our kiln-dried firewood is the perfect pizza oven wood, as it is dried to a moisture content of 20% or less. It burns long, true, and hot and is perfect for achieving the delicious taste and texture that wood-fired pizza is renowned for.
If you have a big, traditional pizza oven, our kiln-dried firewood is available in various sizes, from an extra large crate to a handy dinky bag, depending on how often you plan on firing up the oven. For those of you with smaller ooni-sized pizza ovens, our kindling and twizlers are perfect for getting your fire started. You can find both in our Homefire starter multi-pack.
Ultimately, our ultra-dry kiln-dried firewood is easy to light and burns at high temperatures, making it the perfect wood for pizza ovens.
Key takeaways
So, if you’re looking for the best wood for pizza ovens, here are the key points that you need to remember:
- Never use treated or laminated wood for food preparation.
- Wet wood is not good for pizza ovens.
- The best option is kiln-dried firewood with a moisture content of 20% or less.
- Our kiln-dried firewood burns at high temperatures and is the perfect fuel source for wood-fired pizzas.
Be sure to check out our range of eco-friendly fuel sources that are perfect for all your home fire needs.
