If you have ever been to an Italian restaurant, you would have noticed that wood or brick oven cooked dishes are a staple. In fact, these types of ovens have been deeply rooted in European history: dozens of these were uncovered in the ruins of ancient Pompeii, which dates back as early as 79 AD.
However, the reason behind Italian chefs choosing these old-style ovens is more than just because of tradition. Wood fired ovens make tastier meals and add flavour that is impossible to replicate in other modes of cooking.
Taste buds aside, these ovens actually have many benefits. So, if you are planning on getting a wood fired oven, here are some of the benefits that you will get:
They make flavourful meals
Authentic Italian dishes are inexplicably delicious because they are cooked in a wood fired pizza oven. The heat inside a traditional oven can rise up to 500° Celsius, and the smoke from the wood gives extra flavour to your dishes. You can even try using other types of firewood and produce completely different flavours, which encourages creativity in the kitchen.
Even distribution of heat
Because of the structure of a wood fired oven, it cooks food fast. This is due to the even distribution of heat in the oven. For instance, the average size of pizza can be cooked well within five minutes, which makes food preparation easier during parties or gatherings. In addition to this, dough cooked in this type of oven is guaranteed to have a crispy crust.
Ingredients retain nutrients
Food that is cooked longer usually tends to lose moisture, nutrients, and antioxidants. Since dishes in a wood fired oven cook faster, vegetables and other toppings on dishes retain many more nutrients compared to when they are cooked using other methods, therefore giving you not just tastier, but also healthier meals.
They are multipurpose
Wood fired ovens are much more versatile than they appear. Besides dough or pizza, you can also bake bread, roast vegetables, and cook meat. You can even put a casserole in the oven and it will cook just like it would on a stove or burner.
Environment-friendly
Since you only really need wood to make this oven work, you are cutting off the need for gas or electricity, which give off harmful emissions into the environment. Wood fired ovens are an environment-friendly option, and they even help reduce your electricity or gas bills.
Final Thoughts
Having a wood fired oven gives a lot of benefits that you can’t turn your back on. And because it is easy to have your own oven, it is easy to jump on the bandwagon.
Before you do, make sure to consult your local authority regarding if they allow wood fired ovens to be installed in backyards. Once that is all cleared, you have to set aside the space to install your oven.
Then, you can enjoy cooking healthily and quickly with your own wood fired oven.