I started researching the “pizza oven” category earlier this year, and of course, being a fire thing, and me/us being lovers of Italian food in general…pizza specifically…it was definitely appropriate to “up the game” :-).
The outright winner according to the Internet (and since then, according to me !) was this little green gem called the ROCCBOX all the way from the UK – yes, BRITISH INVENTED AND MADE by a fellow called Tom Gozney, who, it seems has been in the pizza oven business for some time. I don’t make money from this, but here’s the link to the website if you’re curious.
It’s an unlikely looking device. On first glance, it looks a little too flimsy or “cool” to be a robust 900F flame maker, but make no mistake…this is incredibly well built and is truly “professional”. Others better than I have gambled on this unit and are running successful pizza businesses (think “pop-ups in pub car parks” – genius !). Crucially, with the right dough (see here for my dough recipe !), the right technique and 60-90 seconds in this intense heat, the result is a perfect pizza that any Pizzaiola from Naples would be proud of ! And with that sort of speed and consistency, the world of back garden pizza parties becomes very real and very fun.
Pizza, of course, is not confined to the “cheese and tomato” variants – although what’s not to like about a proper Margherita ? One’s imagination can run riot, and I am very much looking forward to opening this area up – even as far as the Asian Fusion varieties and the dessert possibilities – vanilla custard in place of San Marzano tomatoes; marshmallow instead of mozzarella; strawberries instead of basil ! But more on that once I’ve mastered it some more.
My new Little Green Fire Breather – complementing my otherwise Red KJ’s to balance out my Welsh Colours – will be featuring in future posts.
In the meantime, for Tom Gozney, here’s fellow Welshman Tom Jones with a brief intro tribute…
Oh, and for anyone interested, the table it’s resting on is my first attempt at Shou Sugi Ban, the Japanese art of “wood burning”, using my “Tân y Ddraig Goch” grill as a template. Very easy, very impressive, and very practical (weatherproofs the table too !).
Hello again Sion & Ginny,
Have never seen anything like this!!!
Thought all Pizza Ovens were purpose built with bricks!!!
Does this really work in 60-90 Seconds??
I Love Pizza – am thinking of buying one!
Love your Bespoke Table – especially the Welsh Dragon Fire Logo. Where did you get this idea ?
Will comment on your previous posting recipes at a later date when we have tried them.
Thanks again.
Hello Dave. We’ve had a few goes on this so far and results have been good – the pizza pictures are real ! There’s a solid pizza stone on the base (so it’s Stone Baked) and it gets to 500C – just like a traditional pizza oven. Thanks for the comment on the table… it was very simple, really. Cheap blowtorch on pine wood, then a wire brush and some linseed oil to seal it. My Welsh Dragon grill grate was perfect as a template 🙂 !