A wood pellet pizza oven is easy to use, and pellets burn longer than most fuel alternatives, helping maintain the high temperatures required for pizzas. Wood pellets also produce less ash than charcoal, which can add a smoky flavor to your pizza. Here are four pizza styles to make with a pellet pizza oven:
1. Neapolitan Pizza
Neapolitan pizza features a thin base and chewy yet crispy crust. After mixing the ingredients, the dough should be sticky and elastic so it is easy to transfer from your work surface to the pizza oven. Stretch the base by hand, making it less than 1/8 inch thick and the edges about an inch high. This keeps the crust thin while preventing tomato sauce or cheese from running over the side. The secret to an authentic Neapolitan pizza is to cook it in a wood pellet pizza oven between 700 and 900 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Sicilian Pizza
The Sicilian-style pizza, made with a spongy dough, originates from the Sicily region of Italy. It is famous for its thick and airy crust and crisp base. It is usually baked in a deep, square pan. Toppings can include crushed tomatoes, garlic, onion, basil, and olive oil. Some enthusiasts also add bread crumbs, oregano, and caciocavallo to achieve bold flavors.
Adding olive oil to the dough helps give the dough a pillowy texture. Spread the dough with tomato sauce and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese before adding toppings. Preheat your pellet stove to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and bake your pizza for 20 minutes until the crust is crunchy. A wood pellet oven makes achieving and maintaining exact temperatures easy so that the crust bakes evenly.
3. Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza
A Chicago deep-dish pizza is baked in a deep-dish cake pan. It features a thin, buttery, and flaky crust. Grease a cast-iron skillet before spreading pre-made or homemade dough across its base and sides. Chicago-style pizzas are usually topped with alternating layers of cheese, meat, sauce, more cheese, and veggies.
Smoke the pizza in the pellet oven on low, direct heat, about 220 degrees Fahrenheit. Halfway through baking, increase the temperature to 350. When the crust begins to brown, raise the temperature again to 400 degrees. This helps the pizza cook evenly and better imparts the flavors imbued in the smoke from your selected pellets.
4. Detroit Pizza
Detroit pizza is known for its thick, extra-crispy crust. Spread grated cheese on the edges to give it a caramelized, crispy texture. Other recommended toppings for Detroit pizza include pepperoni, tomato sauce, mushrooms, and olives. Preheat your wood pellet oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and use a cast-iron or steel pan to bake. Bake the pizza for 20 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through for uniform heat distribution.
Get a Quality Wood Pellet Pizza Oven
A pellet pizza oven enables you to make restaurant-quality pizzas with crisp crusts and gooey cheese. Pellets are available in different flavors, such as oak, mesquite, and apple wood, which can add additional flavor complexity to your pizza. Find a reputable pellet stove supplier and get a high-quality pizza oven today.