Churning out delectable piping-hot pizzas with perfectly charred crusts and tantalizing flavors, a pizza oven is a culinary heaven. But if not properly cleaned and maintained, this culinary heaven can turn into a breeding ground for harmful pathogens and contaminants, jeopardizing the heavenly taste of your pizzas and food safety. Regular pizza oven cleaning is imperative not only for hygiene purposes but also to ensure that the artisan pizza taste remains intact and for pizza ovens’ longevity and optimal functionality.
So, how to clean a pizza oven properly?
It’s easy but might seem like a daunting task at first. No need to worry, though. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step pizza oven cleaning process. Besides that, we will also discuss the frequency of cleaning, essential tools, and practical tips for maintaining a pizza oven, introduce you to the VEVOR pizza oven collection, and address common FAQs about pizza oven cleaning.
So, let’s get started!
Table of contents
How Often Should You Clean Your Pizza Oven?
The frequency of pizza oven cleaning depends on various factors, including the frequency of usage, the pizza oven, and the food being cooked. As a general rule of thumb, you should clean the interior daily—scrape out any loose debris from the interior walls and floor and wipe the pizza stone with a wet cloth—and wipe the exterior clean after each use, depending on the appearance. Similarly, the chimney needs to be cleaned after regular intervals to prevent creosote buildup.
If you briefly clean your pizza oven after each use, deep cleaning won’t be needed very often—only once a month would be enough.
What Do You Need to Clean a Pizza Oven?
For effective pizza oven cleaning, you’ll need the following essential tools and cleaning agents:
Essential Tools
- Stiff-bristled brush: A stiff-bristled brush is ideal for scraping off loose debris from the interior walls and oven floor.
- Non-metallic scraper: A non-metallic scraper is gentle on the pizza stone and can effectively remove food residue without damaging the surface.
- Sponge or cloth: A sponge or cloth is used to wipe down the interior and exterior of the oven with a cleaning solution.
- Spray bottle: A spray bottle is convenient for applying cleaning solutions evenly to the oven’s surfaces.
- Ash shovel: If you are cleaning a wood-fired pizza oven, you will need a shovel to remove ash residue from the oven.
Cleaning Agents
- Warm water: Warm water is a versatile cleaning agent that can effectively remove most dirt, grease, and food residue.
- Mild dish soap: Mild dish soap is a gentle yet effective cleaning agent that can break down grease and food residue without harming the oven’s surfaces.
- Baking soda: Baking soda is a natural abrasive that can help remove stubborn stains and buildup from the pizza stone.
- White vinegar: White vinegar is a natural deodorizer and can help remove tough stains and odors from the oven.
- Commercial pizza oven cleaner: A commercial oven cleaner can be used for heavily soiled ovens. However, following the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and using caution when handling harsh chemicals is important. Always wear protective gear such as gloves and eyewear when handling harsh chemicals.
Step-by-Step Guide to Clean a Pizza Oven
When divided into simple steps, pizza oven cleaning becomes simpler. Here is how to clean a pizza oven step by step:
Step 1: Let it Cool Down
Before cleaning the pizza oven, you need to ensure it is completely cool. Allow any residual heat to dissipate to prevent burns. Also, consider wearing protective gloves to ensure maximum safety.
Step 2: Remove Loose Debris
Once the pizza oven has cooled down, sweep away loose debris, ash, and food particles from the interior walls and floor of the oven by using a stiff-bristled brush. This will help prevent the spreading of debris during subsequent cleaning.
Step 3: Clean the Interior Walls and Floor
Prepare a warm solution of mild dish soap and water in a spray bottle. Spray the interior walls and floor of the oven. Using a sponge or cloth dipped in the soapy solution, thoroughly scrub the surfaces to remove grease, food residue, and any remaining debris.
Step 4: Tackle Stubborn Stains
For stubborn stains or burnt-on food residue, create a paste using baking soda and water. Apply the paste directly to the affected areas and let it sit for 15-30 minutes to loosen the grime. Then, scrub the areas with a non-metallic scraper to remove the softened residue.
Step 5: Clean the Pizza Stone
Cleaning pizza stone is the trickiest part of cleaning a pizza oven. While it does not really need cleaning, if cleaned without care, you could end up damaging the pizza stone.
- Preheat or burning after the baking session: To get rid of the bits and pieces stuck to the pizza stone, you can consider heating it for a few minutes after the baking session. It will burn off those bits into ashes—cleaning the stone. The preheating before the baking is often enough to rid the stone of the stuck bits.
- Light brushing: While preheating is ample, consider lightly brushing the pizza stone with an old but clean towel if you want to go the extra mile.
- Wiping with a damp cloth: Briefly wipe the surface of the pizza stone with a damp washcloth. Do not soak the cloth or sponge in water. Use only a little water. And let the stone completely air dry before putting it back to work.
Caution: Never soak the pizza stone in water or rinse it under running water. Also, never use any detergent or cleaning agent on the pizza stone.
Step 6: Cleaning the Chimney
Inspect the chimney for creosote buildup, a dark, sticky substance that can become a fire hazard. For light buildup, use a chimney brush to remove the creosote. If the buildup is excessive, consult a professional chimney sweep.
Step 7: Wipe Down the Exterior
Clean the exterior of the pizza oven with a damp cloth dipped in a warm solution of mild dish soap and water. This will remove grease, dirt, and any other debris that has accumulated on the exterior surfaces.
Once you are done cleaning, let the pizza oven air dry completely before using it again or storing it.
Cleaning and maintaining your pizza oven is just like maintaining a regular commercial oven—do it regularly, and you won’t have to deep clean very often or face any performance issues.
Relevant Read: How To Clean A Commercial Oven In 6 Easy Steps?
Tips for Maintaining a Pizza Oven
Along with regular cleaning, follow these insightful pizza oven maintenance tips to extend the lifespan and optimize the functionality of your pizza oven:
1. Proper Storage: When not in use, store your pizza oven in a dry, covered location to protect it from the elements. A weatherproof cover or a dedicated storage shed are ideal options. After cleaning, ensure that the pizza oven is completely dry before storing it.
2. Regular Inspection: Regularly inspect your pizza oven for any signs of damage or wear and tear. Check for cracks, loose bolts, or any other issues that could compromise the oven’s integrity or performance. If you discover any issue, address it promptly to prevent any accident and ensure optimum performance.
3. Season your pizza stone: For wood-fired pizza ovens, regular seasoning of the cooking surface helps maintain its nonstick properties and prevents food from sticking. Consider using a high-smoke-point oil, such as canola oil, and apply a thin layer to the surface after each use. Allow the oil to burn off completely before cooking the next batch.
4. Chimney Maintenance: Keep the chimney clean and free of creosote buildup to ensure proper ventilation and prevent fire hazards. Regularly inspect the chimney and have it professionally cleaned if necessary.
5. Clean spills immediately: Don’t let spills harden on the interior or exterior of your pizza oven. Clean them up as soon as possible to make cleaning easier.
6. Use a pizza peel: A pizza peel will help you prevent burns and make it easier to remove pizzas from the oven.
7. Gentle Cleaning: When cleaning your pizza oven, avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbing pads, as these can damage the oven’s surface.
8. Prompt Repair: If you notice any signs of malfunction, such as uneven heating or difficulty maintaining temperature, address the issue promptly.
9. Proper Fuel Selection: For wood-fired pizza ovens, use only high-quality, seasoned firewood. Avoid using wet or moldy wood, as this can produce excessive smoke and hinder proper combustion.
VEVOR Outdoor Pizza Oven: Powerful and Easier to Clean
Elevate your outdoor cooking experience with the VEVOR 12” Wood-Fired Outdoor Pizza Oven without worrying about cleaning sessions. Manufactured with high-quality stainless steel, this outdoor pizza oven is not only rust and corrosion-proof but also easier to clean. While the exterior can be wiped with a warm, soapy water solution, to clean the baking net, simply submerge it in the solution for about 15 to 30 minutes and then gently scrub it with a soft cloth. After cleaning, consider applying a thin layer of vegetable oil once it’s dry.
Besides being easier to clean, it is also very effective and promises uniform heating and consistent baking results.
FAQs about Pizza Oven Cleaning
Q: Can I use oven cleaner on a pizza stone?
No, you should never use any detergent—dish soap, cleaning chemicals, and even pizza oven cleaner—on a pizza stone. It can damage the porous surface of the stone and affect its performance. When cleaning the oven stone, you can only use water, and that too in moderation.
Q: How often should I clean a commercial pizza oven?
The frequency of cleaning for a commercial pizza oven depends on its usage, the type of oven, and the type of food being cooked. If you clean your commercial pizza oven after each use, you won’t have to deep clean it very often. As a general rule of thumb, cleaning once a month would be enough, but if it is being used more often, consider cleaning twice a month.
Q: How do I remove tough stains and buildup from my pizza oven?
For tough stains and buildup, create a paste using baking soda and water, apply it to the affected areas, and let it sit for 15-30 minutes to loosen the grime. Once the stains are loosened, scrub them away using a non-metallic scraper.
VEVOR Outdoor Pizza Oven: Concluding Thoughts
Pizza ovens are magical, producing mouthwatering pizzas with perfect crust. But besides ingredients and cooking time, one thing that you have to ensure for perfect pizza production is regular pizza oven cleaning and proper maintenance.
Use the easy steps on how to clean a pizza oven discussed in the article to clean your pizza oven properly. And be mindful of the listed maintenance tips to ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your pizza oven.
For effective pizza oven cleaning, remember:
- Clean the interior and exterior of your pizza oven daily to remove grease, food residue, and debris.
- Use a stiff-bristled brush and a non-metallic scraper to scrape away debris.
- Clean the pizza stone very carefully. Do not use detergent on it or soak it in water.
- Inspect the chimney for creosote buildup and, if need be, have it cleaned professionally.
- Store the oven in a dry, covered location when not in use.
For powerful and easier-to-clean pizza ovens, consider checking out the VEVOR pizza oven collection. We use high-quality stainless steel material for easier cleaning. Also, we have got a pizza oven for every unique cooking style and preference.
