Factors to Consider Before Buying a Pizza Maker
Size and weight
The size of your pizza oven ultimately decides how large your pizza turns out to be. So if you have a large family to feed or enjoy a decent portion, then size should definitely be a priority when shopping for an oven. Generally, large-sized ovens possess space to comfortably accommodate 12 to 16-inch pizzas. That being said, if you live alone, then there’s no point in wasting money on extra-large ovens. Meanwhile, the portability of your pizza maker should also be taken into account. Unless the countertop or patio is its final home, you should aim for a lightweight oven that can easily be taken out for picnics and gatherings while ensuring efficient storage.
Location
You’ll usually come across two types of models when oven hunting -indoor and outdoor. Depending on where you plan to house your appliance, you can choose a version that’s best suited to the environment. While indoor models have the perk of effortless, four-season access to the baking device, they are also perfect for people who don’t have the backyard real estate to house an entire outdoor pizza oven. On the other hand, an outdoor design is more befitting if you have a location outside planned. Keep in mind that contrary to indoor ovens which run on electricity, outdoor versions do require gas or wood as fuel sources to operate.
Countertop space
If you’re planning to keep your pizza maker in the kitchen then you should definitely consider the amount of countertop space you possess and are willing to lend the oven. Based on your availability, you can either opt for a compact or a more substantial design for larger pizzas.
Controls and extensions
The traditional process of making pizzas involved passing the pizzas through extremely high temperatures which would result in that robust flavor and aroma. Whilst these pizzas were made in classical brick ovens, it is still possible to attain those high temperatures and rich flavor in your modern pizza maker at home, if you pick wisely. To ensure this, look for an oven that has both top and bottom heating segments to establish high temperatures. As for accessories, it’s convenient to have prearranged cooking settings to avoid rough calculations, as well as trays and stones to make the experience more user-friendly.
What are the Different Types of Pizza Makers?
coal-fuelled
These outdoor pizza ovens perfectly encapsulate that char-grilled flavor while maintaining an old-fashioned approach for traditional folks. Furthermore, a coal-powered oven may be your best bet if you want authentic smoky tones in your pizza and baked goods, without ordering out.
Electric
Electricity-powered pizza makers are specifically designed for indoor use (the kitchen countertop to be exact). The two heating modules at the top and bottom ensure an even distribution of heat and can be adjusted to fit your desired level of crispiness on the crust and toppings, individually. People prefer electric models more due to their extremely portable nature, which limits the fuss of connecting separate gas sources (more on that later).
Natural gas or propane
The most popular and widely used pizza makers are the gas-fired ones. Specially curated for outdoor use, these ovens are quick to install and eliminate the possibility of any mess created by ashes or wood debris. The only drawback is the separate investment required in either propane or natural gas tanks which require professional maintenance and regular refilling to keep the oven functioning optimally.
How to Use an Electric Pizza Maker?
1. Begin by plugging your machine into a nearby socket and let the oven pre-heat for around three minutes at an average temperature setting.
2. Next, use a wooden or bamboo peel to carefully stow the pizza inside the oven.
3. Monitor the cooking time by setting a timer on your phone or the pizza maker of around 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your dough.
4. Once the color has turned lightly golden-brown and the cheese has visibly melted, it’s time to take the pizza out. Switch off the oven and dish out your pizza on a plate or board. (Remember to let the pizza maker cool down thoroughly before attempting to wash it).
Maintenance and Up
keepTo maximize longevity, outdoor pizza maker ovens should be properly sheltered from all inclement weather. Storing the oven in a garage or woodshed is ideal, however, covering the appliance with a tarp also gets the job done. The extreme internal temperatures of the ovens prove to be extremely beneficial when it comes to cleaning and scouring out the pizza maker. Once the oven has cooled, the surface can simply be wiped down to remove any leftover debris and remnants. Also, take note to examine the chimney of your outdoor pizza oven every once in a while for soot build-up which can be removed by running your oven on high for 15 minutes to burn up all the extra material.
Pizza Maker FAQ
Q: What can be cooked using a pizza maker?
Not only do pizza ovens make excellent pizzas, but they are also perfect for cooking various other side dishes like roasted vegetables and meats like ribs and sausages. Aside from this, high-temperature friendly pastries such as sourdoughs may also be baked in these ovens.
Q: Are instant pizza makers better?
What makes instant pizza ovens stand out from regular ones is that they do not require any pre-heating whatsoever. Not only does this make the pizza-making process much more speedy, but it’s also a nifty feature to have if you like throwing parties and need impressive pizzas to be ready within 30 minutes.
Q: How do grill-insert pizza ovens work?
These ovens are non-powered and utilize the heat of the grill to bake pizzas. Grill-insert ovens are slightly on the pricier side but extremely efficient at saving space.
Q: What are pizza stones made of?
ceramic pizza stones are probably the most widely used and cost-effective ones in the market. Apart from this, you’ll come across materials like baking steel and cordierite-made stones which are slightly more expensive, however, due to their ability to withstand extreme temperatures they go a long way without chipping or snapping.