Woody Oven - Instructions
Let's assemble your Woody Oven together! Getting new cooking equipment is exciting (we understand) but it is essential that your read over each step thoroughly to ensure your oven is set up correctly. These instructions cover basic assembly and all the key points needed to make sure your pizza journey starts on the right track and to extend the lifespan of some of the key components in your oven.
Contents
Setting Up Your Woody Oven
Step 1 - Legs
Fold out your oven legs. Ensure you fully extend the legs.
Find a stable surface for your Woody Oven, the surface cannot be affected by heat i.e plastic, laminated wood.
Step 2 - Pizza Stone
Your pizza stone sits inside the oven in the square recess.
Before using your oven, it is essential to cure your stone, this is done by getting your oven up to maximum temperature and allowing your oven to fully cool. (We explain this process and how to do this later)
Step 3 - Attach Your Chimney
To attach your chimney, twist and screw it to the opening at the top of the oven. There are two grooves - ensure these align. Make a clockwise twist of around 2cm.
Step 4 - Attaching Your Hopper
Not required if using a gas attachment.
4.1 Attach the handle to your hopper (this is the small wooden handle) Thread it through the slot and secure on the inside of the hopper flap with the nut/ screw provided.
4.2 Attach your hopper with the 4 screws provided - these are in your Woody tool kit. Secure the bolts firmly with the provided allen key. Be mindful not to over-tighten.
Check your hopper flap mechanism after securing - this should open freely with minimal force.
Step 5 - Set Up Your Fuel Tray
Not required if using gas attachment.
To attach the wooden handle to your fuel tray, thread the handle through the slot and secure on the inside of the fuel tray with the spanner provided. Slide the pellet tray into the rear opening of the oven - You will need to remove the tray when adding your fuels.
Step 6 - Setting Up Your Door
6.1 Handle: Insert the metal L bracket through the slot in the door and attach the separate wooden handle. The screws for the wooden handle come pre-inserted into the handle and will need to be removed before re-attaching - use the allen key provided.
Secure the handle firmly with the bolt / screw provided (this is already in the door)
6.2 Thermometer: On the rear of the thermometer is a nut which is pre-threaded onto the rear of the thermometer probe - you will need to un-thread this, place the thermometer prong through the hole in the door, re-thread the bolt to secure the thermometer.
Place the door on the oven body - Slot the door underneath the top catch and place the bottom of the door on the bottom shelf.
Step 7 - Assemble Your Peel
Use the 3 bolts and the allen key provided to attach the handle to the peel - the nuts are pre-installed into the handle.
Before cooking on your Woody Oven it is essential to cure your stone.
Get your oven up-to its maximum temperature, The on door thermometer measures ambient temperature - this should indicate between 400-450°C. Run the oven for around 30 minutes. Allow the flames to die and the oven to cool naturally. After it's fully cooled you are ready to re-heat and cook pizza.
Curing is only required once during initial set up and is covered in a section below.
Adding a Gas Attachment
Step 1 - Blanking Plate
Remove your hopper and screw on the blanking plate - This is a rectangular piece of stainless steel with 4 holes in each corner. The blanking plate is the same dimensions as the hopper. Use the 4 x bolts from the hopper to attach the blanking plate.
Do not over tighten your blanking plate - excess heat combined with over tightening can cause your bolts to seize.
Step 2 - Installing Your Gas Attachment
Removing your fuel tray will leave a rectangular void in the rear of the oven, the gas attachment will slot into this space. Removing the fuel tray will also reveal two additional bolt-holes at the rear of the oven.
Firmly secure your gas attachment with the bolts provided, threading through the gas attachment via the rear of the oven. The gas attachment bolts come supplied with your Woody Oven.
Do not over tighten your gas attachment as excess heat combined with over tightening can cause your bolts to seize.
Step 3 - Adding Gas Hose
Attach the gas tube provided to your gas attachment inlet using the jubilee clips provided. Attach the opposing end of the tube to the gas regulator provided. - Attach your gas regulator to your gas bottle. - Woody Oven operates on Propane or Butane Gas.
Before igniting your oven ensure you have completed the following check:
Open the valve on the regulator and spray water over the gas hose (especially the connection points) ensuring that you see no bubbles. If you see bubbles tighten your connection points until the bubbles disappear or replace the hose entirely.
Do not ignite if you have a gas leak
Before cooking on your Woody Oven it is essential to cure your stone.
Get your oven up-to its maximum temperature, The on door thermometer measures ambient temperature - this should indicate between 400-450°C. Run the oven for around 30 minutes. Allow the flames to die and the oven to cool naturally. After it's fully cooled you are ready to re-heat and cook pizza.
Curing is only required once during initial set up and is covered in the section below.
Igniting & Curing The Stone
Using Wood Pellets, Kindling & Charcoal
Fill the Woody Oven fuel tray with a layer of your chosen fuel filling the entire fuel tray but not exceeding the upper edge - You will need to be able to slide this into opening at the rear of the oven.
When using pellets you will need to use the pellet tray. When using bulkier fuels like kindling and charcoal this should be removed. Use firelighters to ignite your fuel.
It is essential to use clean, virgin wood. Treated wood or accelerants can cause oily black deposits on the inside of your oven - this will require significant cleaning and could potentially cause permanent damage to the oven.
Use the hopper to top up fuel little and often. You want to maintain a roaring flame which extends the ceiling of the oven.
Using A Gas Attachment
Ensure the oven door is off when igniting a gas attachment.
Connect the gas regulator to your gas bottle using the regulator and hose provided.
- In the UK we provide a push fit type connector with a lever valve most commonly used with patio gas.
- In the US and areas of Europe we provide a screw type gas regulator most commonly used with propane gas bottles.
To ignite the gas attachment press the knob in and rotate left until you hear the ignition. If the gas attachment fails to ignite repeat rotating the knob and clicking the ignition until you have flames.
The gas attachment offers consistent intense heat. Use the door in-between cooking a pizza to build up and maintain heat.
Curing Your Stone
Curing a pizza stone is an essential step on all pizza ovens. It only needs to be completed once and after that you're free to launch your first pizza and get cooking! Curing the stone reduces the likelihood of cracking. To do this:
- Get your oven up-to its maximum temperature, The on door thermometer measures ambient temperature - this should indicate between 375-450°C.
- Sustain this temperature for around 30 minutes.
- Allow the flames to die and the oven to cool naturally. After it's fully cooled you are ready to re-heat and cook pizza.
FAQ: After using my gas attachment there is black soot on the inside of the oven - is this normal?
Yes - To cook pizza the authentic way a large rolling flame is required. To achieve this with gas we utilise something called incomplete combustion, essentially a yellow flame from the gas attachment.
Cleaning Your Woody Oven
Do:
- Warm water and microfibre cloth.
- Dishwasher liquid and microfibre cloth - for tough dirt.
- Glass cleaner and microfibre cloth - for fingerprints.
- Stainless steel cleaner - to return the shine.
- Polish along the grain of the stainless steel - prevents streaks.
- Dry your surface with a clean towel - prevents spotting.
- Mineral oil - returns shine to stainless.
- Scrape left over food and ash from your stone.
- Wipe your stone with a lightly damp cloth.
Dont:
- Use an abrasive pad / cloth on stainless steel or top cover.
- Use bleach - strong solutions will damage the stainless steel.
- Use a dirty cloth - grains of dirt can scratch.
- Fully submerge or get your pizza stone fully wet.
Using the Carry Case
Step 1 - Chimney, Door & Rear
Remove your fuel tray or gas attachment. The fuel tray can be stored inside the oven. Remove the chimney and store it in its cover. Insert the chimney bag inside the oven.
Remove the door and turn it inside out, with the handle going inside the oven.
Step 2 - Secure The Cover
Place the cover over the body of the oven and secure the clips underneath the oven. Pull the straps tight to ensure the oven is secure. Ensure there is no slippage from the straps and that the clips are threaded to the straps correctly.
We're here to help!
The above guides should provide you with all the information you need to get your oven / gas attachment set up correctly, however; if you think we haven't covered a particular aspect, or you have a question please dont hesitate to reach out. You can use the Live - Chat function (bottom right) or alternatively you can email: [email protected]