How to Make Perfect Pizza in the Arteflame Pizza Oven

2. Getting Your Arteflame Pizza Oven Ready

Preparation is key to pizza success. Here’s how to set up your Arteflame Pizza Oven:

1. Start the Fire: Pour vegetable oil on three paper napkins and place them in the oven. Stack firewood over the napkins and light the paper.
2. Preheat the Oven: Allow the oven to heat up for 20–30 minutes. The surface should reach 600–800°F for optimal pizza cooking.
3. Check the Heat: Use an infrared thermometer to ensure the surface is evenly heated.

3. Choosing the Best Pizza Dough

Homemade or store-bought pizza dough works well, but for the best results:

• Use high-hydration dough (60–70% water) for a crispy yet chewy crust.
• Let the dough rest at room temperature for an hour before shaping.
• Dust the work surface with flour or semolina to prevent sticking.

4. Preparing the Toppings

Keep toppings simple to avoid overloading the pizza. Some classic combinations include:

• Margherita: Tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil.
• Pepperoni: Tomato sauce, mozzarella, and spicy pepperoni slices.
• Vegetarian: Olive oil, mozzarella, mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers.

Tip: Pre-cook heavier ingredients like sausage or onions on the Arteflame’s flat griddle before adding them to the pizza.

5. Shaping the Dough

1. Flatten the dough with your hands or a rolling pin to form a 10–12-inch circle.
2. Keep the edges slightly thicker for a classic crust.
3. Transfer the dough to a pizza peel dusted with flour or cornmeal.

6. Building Your Pizza

1. Spread a thin layer of sauce over the dough. Avoid over-saucing to prevent sogginess.
2. Add cheese, such as fresh mozzarella or shredded mozzarella.
3. Layer your toppings sparingly to ensure even cooking.

7. Cooking the Pizza

1. Transfer to the Oven: Slide the pizza onto the heated steel surface using a pizza peel.
2. Monitor Cooking: Rotate the pizza every 1–2 minutes for even cooking.
3. Cook Time: Pizzas typically cook in 5–7 minutes at 600–800°F.

Watch for a golden crust, bubbling cheese, and evenly cooked toppings.

Even Baking

To ensure the toppings bake at the same speed as the crust, remove all firewood from directly under the area you will be baking the pizza. This will result in much more even heat between the flat cooktop and the heat flowing over the pizza. Rotate the pizza as needed.

8. Finishing Touches

Once cooked, transfer the pizza to a wooden cutting board. Enhance flavors with:

• Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle with basil or oregano.
• Olive Oil Drizzle: Add richness and shine with a drizzle of olive oil.
• Parmesan: Grate fresh Parmesan over the hot pizza.

Bonus Tips for Arteflame Pizza Success

• Move the Oven Cover for even Heat: You can move the oven cover around as needed to increase or decrease the heated airflow over the pizza to ensure even baking.
• Avoid Sticking: Use a well-floured peel and shake it gently to ensure the pizza slides off easily.
• Experiment with Heat Zones: The Arteflame’s different temperature zones allow you to cook multiple pizzas simultaneously.
• Try Dessert Pizzas: Use the residual heat to make sweet pizzas with Nutella, bananas, and marshmallows.