The Wonderful World of the Wood Fired Oven

It seems like once upon a time homes were built solely of wood and by hand.  These cabin homes were lit by candles and in the corner was a big cast iron stove that warmed every inch of the house.  The world came a long way from the days of the struggles of harsh winters and cutting wood to fire up their stoves.  Wood fired ovens are replaced with the conventional ovens and electric or gas powered stoves.  Many times you would see wood fired ovens in pizzerias or in backyards of some homes.  With convenience comes with lost benefits the wood fired oven had in the kitchen.

When many of us think of wood fired ovens, we think of the prairies of the American west where wood cabin homes had a cast iron stove with freshly cut wood stacked against the wall.  Wood fired ovens have a long history and many different versions of them. From the prairies of America to the countryside of Italy, the wood fired ovens were around during the ancient times.  The ovens were created from cast iron or bricks of stone, each different but all for the same purpose, to cook food.  People can still find these wonderful ovens in homes on the countryside of Europe still using the ancient Roman designs. 

Many people do not realize the benefits of wood fired ovens.  These wood fired ovens can create high heat, heat that can reach anywhere from 500 to 700 degrees.  The high heat allows foods such as vegetables to cook quickly, retaining the nutrients and antioxidants.  As for the modern conventional ovens foods take longer to cook resulting in lost nutrients and antioxidants.  Another benefit the wood fired ovens have is how it enhances the flavor of the food cooked.  From the wood burning, the smoke brings the extra flavor that enhances the food.  Many BBQ restaurants and pizzerias still use the wood fired ovens for the benefits to enhance the flavors of their meats and food.  

With the many benefits from cook stove cooking, people can use different types of wood to enhance different types of meat. From hickory to cherry wood, each wood goes perfectly to enhance the flavor of fish, beef, pork, and chicken.  Wrapping the meat and vegetables in aluminum you can cook the food while the smoke seeps into the aluminum letting the flavors to ramp up.  Comparing the modern stoves with the wood fired ovens, you can tell the difference in the flavors. 

Wood fired ovens are expensive to install and create, but people are recognizing the benefits.  Unlike the times of the prairies or the ancient Rome, the wood fired ovens are not found inside of homes but rather outside, creating an outdoor kitchen.  As expensive it can become to install a wood fired oven outside it would also become cost effiecent on utlity bills and a great area to have fun gatherings with family and friends.  You will now find modern homes with the modern version of the wood stove ovens. To have a wood fired oven is highly recommended as families look to cook and eat at home.