Key Takeaways -

• Curing your outdoor brick oven or wood-burning oven gradually is crucial to prevent structural damage and enhance performance.
• Use only natural, untreated wood for fire-starting to avoid contaminating your food and damaging the oven.
• Regular inspections and maintenance are essential to prolong the life and efficiency of your oven.
• Avoid using accelerants during curing to ensure even heating and maintain the oven's structural integrity.

Do you enjoy cooking with an outdoor oven? It's great because it can make food taste amazing and lasts a long time. But first, you need to prepare it properly through curing.

We will explain why curing is important and show how it helps the oven work better and last longer. Get ready to learn how curing affects the oven’s structure and performance. Whether you're a seasoned chef or just starting out, properly curing your outdoor oven is key.

So, keep reading to discover how to get your oven ready for great cooking experiences.

Why Cure Your Outdoor Oven?

Structural Integrity and Longevity

Curing your outdoor oven or wood fired pizza oven is essential for lessening thermal shock, which occurs when materials experience a rapid temperature change and can cause stress.

The curing process effectively prevents the materials within the oven from cracking or sustaining structural damage by gradually and meticulously increasing the heat over several days. This method guarantees your oven withstands high temperatures.

Enhanced Cooking Performance

A thoroughly cured oven can achieve higher and more consistent oven temperatures, which are crucial for achieving flawless cooking results.

This stability in heat distribution allows for uniform cooking, ensuring that all your foods are cooked evenly and infused with the distinctive, delicious, smoky flavour that only a wood-fired oven can offer.

Additionally, an oven that has been properly cured heats up more quickly and maintains its temperature more effectively, streamlining your cooking process, enhancing energy efficiency, and significantly cutting down the time you need to wait for the oven to be ready for cooking (1).

Preparing to Cure Your Oven

Materials and Tools Needed

You'll need several essential supplies to cure your outdoor oven, including kindling, hardwood logs, a standard thermometer, and a Digital Infrared Thermometer. Choosing the right type of wood is crucial; opt for hardwood, which burns longer and more steadily than softwood.

Avoid using charcoal, pressure-treated lumber, sappy woods, or any liquid fuels, as they can release harmful chemicals and affect the oven’s performance and safety.

Safety Considerations

When curing your oven, handling fire and heat with care is important. Ensure the oven is well-positioned to allow for proper ventilation and avoid smoke buildup.

Keep the oven door and flue open throughout the curing process to allow for adequate airflow and prevent heat build-up, which can damage the oven’s structure. These precautions help maintain a safe environment and ensure effective curing.

Step-by-Step Curing Process

Day 1: Setting the Foundation

1. Heat the Oven: Begin by slowly heating your oven to 140°F (60°C).
2. Duration: Maintain this temperature for 4-5 hours.
3. Start a Controlled Fire: Use small pieces of hardwood to start a small, controlled fire. This allows for a steady and gradual increase in temperature. This initial fire is crucial to prevent thermal shock and ensures even heating throughout the oven, setting a solid foundation for the curing process. Let the oven sit for a day before proceeding to the next step.

Day 2: Increasing the Heat

1. Increase Temperature: Raise the oven temperature to 215°F (100°C).
2. Monitor and Adjust: Keep a close watch on the fire, adjusting the amount and size of the wood to maintain the new temperature range. This step helps the oven’s materials adapt to higher heat, enhancing its structural integrity and preparing it for higher temperatures.

Day 3 to Day 5: Gradual Increase and Maintenance

1. Daily Temperature Increases:
   • Day 3: Increase the temperature to 300°F (150°C).
   • Day 4: Increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C).
   • Day 5: Increase the temperature to 480°F (250°C).
2. Maintain Each Temperature: Hold each specified temperature for 4-5 hours daily.
3. Monitoring: Continuously monitor the fire and oven’s response. Adjust the wood and airflow as needed.
4. Watch for Signs: Look for consistent heat distribution, absence of smoke, or strange odours as indicators of proper curing. These steps ensure the oven adjusts well to the higher temperatures, setting the stage for optimal cooking performance.

Post-Curing: What Next?

Inspecting Your Oven

After the curing process, thoroughly inspect your oven for any signs of cracks or damage. Check both the interior and exterior surfaces and the structural integrity of the oven’s dome and base.

It's normal to find small hairline cracks, which are often superficial and don't impact the oven’s performance. If you discover larger cracks, these might require filling with refractory cement to ensure long-term durability.

Address these minor repairs promptly to prevent them from becoming major issues.

Initial Uses and Limitations

For the first few cooking sessions, starting with less demanding cooking tasks is wise. This helps you understand how your oven retains and distributes heat. Ideal foods to test the oven’s readiness include dishes that require moderate temperatures, such as baking bread or roasting vegetables.

These cooking tasks can give you a good sense of the oven's functionality without the high heat required for pizzas. Gradually increase the temperature and complexity of the dishes as you become more familiar with the oven’s characteristics and performance.

Maintenance and Care of Your Cured Oven

Regular Maintenance Tips

Proper maintenance of your outdoor oven is crucial for its longevity and optimal functionality. Here are key tips to keep your oven in top shape:

• Regular Cleaning: After each use, remove ash and food debris with a soft brush and a scoop.
• Deep Cleaning: Using a damp cloth to clean the interior surfaces once the oven is completely cool.
• Protect the Exterior: Use a weather-resistant cover to shield the oven from the elements when not in use.
• Inspect Regularly: Check for any loose components or signs of insulation material degradation.
• Flue Maintenance: Ensure the flue is free from obstructions to maintain proper airflow.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Keeping your oven in optimal condition requires vigilance for certain wear signs. Here's a checklist for identifying and addressing common issues:

• Regular Inspections: Check for signs of wear, such as small cracks or erosion, especially after heavy use or severe weather.
• Repair Small Cracks: Fill cosmetic cracks with refractory mortar to prevent them from expanding.
• Monitor for Large Cracks: Be aware of large cracks or structural damage, which may require significant repairs or re-curing.
• Watch for Performance Issues: Note if the oven is having difficulty maintaining temperature, producing excessive smoke, or displaying visible damage to the floor or dome.
• Prompt Action: Address these issues promptly to maintain efficiency and safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Do I Use to Start a Fire in My Outdoor Oven?

To start a fire in your outdoor oven, use natural, untreated kindling such as small wood pieces, dried twigs, or specialised eco-friendly fire starters designed for cooking appliances.

Food-grade fire starters are a great option as they don't contain any harmful chemicals or additives that can affect the flavour of your food.

Is the Same Curing Process Applicable to All Types of Outdoor Ovens?

The basic principles of the curing process—gradually increasing the temperature over several days to avoid thermal shock—apply to most types of outdoor ovens, including brick, stone or clay ovens.

However, the specific temperatures and durations can vary depending on the oven's material and construction. For example, heat-resistant clay ovens may require slightly different temperature ranges than brick or stone ovens.

Can I Use My Oven Right After the Curing Process?

Yes, you can use your oven right after the curing process, but it is recommended that you start with less intense cooking tasks to gradually test its performance. Begin with dishes that require moderate temperatures, like baking bread or roasting vegetables.

This approach helps you understand how the oven retains and distributes heat before moving on to high-temperature cooking, like pizzas.

What Should I Do If I Notice Smoke Escaping from Unexpected Areas of the Oven?

If you notice smoke escaping from unexpected areas of your oven, it's important to immediately inspect for cracks or gaps in the oven’s structure. These openings can be signs of structural issues needing prompt repair to ensure safety and efficiency.

Sealing these areas can prevent heat loss, improve cooking performance, and reduce the risk of further damage.

Can I Use Fire Accelerants to Speed Up the Curing Process?

No, you should not use fire accelerants such as lighter fluid or gasoline to speed up the curing process. These substances can cause uneven heating and create high temperatures that may damage the oven's structure.

Instead, adhere to a gradual increase in temperature using natural, untreated wood to ensure the integrity of your oven and safety during the curing phase.

How Often Should I Re-Cure My Outdoor Oven?

Re-curing your outdoor oven is typically not required regularly unless it undergoes significant structural changes or repairs.

However, if you notice a decrease in performance, such as difficulty maintaining heat or increased fuel consumption, conducting a re-curing process might be a good idea. This can help restore its thermal efficiency and prolong its lifespan.

Generally, observing the oven’s function and condition after each intense cooking season is a good practice to determine if re-curing is necessary.

Conclusion

In conclusion, properly curing your outdoor oven is essential for ensuring its longevity and enhancing its cooking performance.

By carefully following the step-by-step curing process, using the right materials for fire-starting, and adhering to safety guidelines, you can maximise the efficiency and durability of your oven. Regular maintenance and timely troubleshooting are crucial to keeping your oven in optimal condition.

With these practices in place, your outdoor oven will be a reliable and enjoyable addition to your cooking arsenal for many years.

Sources -

1. https://www.patioandpizza.com/blogs/blog-posts/how-to-cure-brick-oven