Ambassador of the Month: Max from Grill Hunters

Max from Grill Hunters is one of our most exciting and creative influencers! With over 1.2 million Instagram followers, Max has built a dedicated community by sharing his passion for live-fire cooking in ways that resonate with outdoor cooking enthusiasts of all levels.

Known for his authenticity and knack for making grilling accessible and fun, Max has partnered with several well-known brands, and we are thrilled to be one of them.

His content not only showcases mouth-watering meals but also celebrates the tradition of cooking with fire—an approach perfectly aligned with the spirit of Authentic Pizza Ovens.

We're lucky to have Max on board, bringing his unique flair and love for wood-fired cooking to our ovens!

Make sure to follow Max on Instagram. 

Meet Max of Grill Hunters

"I’m Max, and my passion for cooking with live fire began during my childhood at our family cabin, where we lived close to the land, growing our own food and putting in the hard work needed to get meals on the table.

Those early experiences ignited a deep appreciation for the process of preparing food, from farm to flame. Today, as a father, I’m proud to pass down these traditions to my children, teaching them not only the techniques of live-fire cooking but also the values of patience, creativity, and resourcefulness that come with it.

It’s about more than just making a meal—it’s about connecting with nature, understanding the ingredients, and enjoying the satisfaction of sharing a meal you’ve worked hard to create.

Over the years, I’ve turned this lifelong passion into a thriving community, helping others discover the joy of live-fire cooking. I believe that anyone can grill anywhere, anytime.

Through social media, workshops, and collaborations, I’ve been able to inspire people from all walks of life to embrace outdoor cooking, showing that it’s not just a skill for professionals but something anyone can master with the right guidance and tools.

Whether you're in a backyard, at the beach, or deep in the woods, the ability to cook with fire is a universal experience that brings people together.

With a deep love for grilling and live-fire cooking, I’ve had the opportunity to work with numerous brands, providing them with creative, lasting, and tangible results.

It’s been a rewarding journey to partner with like-minded companies that share my vision for quality, tradition, and innovation in the outdoor cooking space.

Which oven did you choose and why did you choose an Authentic Pizza Oven?

I first got a Traditional Authentic Pizza Oven and really liked it, so I decided to get another one for my other place.

For gatherings and events I'm involved in, I wanted something more portable, which is why I chose the Maximus Prime Portable Pizza Oven. It’s the perfect mix of convenience and authentic wood-fired cooking.

The bold red color immediately caught my eye, adding a unique charm to my outdoor setup. At 300 pounds, it’s portable enough for events, though not exactly something I’d bring camping.

However, it's absolutely ideal for gatherings and special occasions and easy to bring it out. Once it’s set up, it delivers incredible results every time. The pizzas I’ve made come out perfect in just a few minutes, with that unbeatable wood-fired flavor.

What is your favorite thing to cook in your oven? And have you tried other foods besides pizza?

While I absolutely love the perfect wood-fired pizzas this oven produces—with that signature crispy crust and smoky flavor—I've cooked so many other incredible meals in it.

Some of my all-time favorites include a perfectly seared Tomahawk steak, slow-braised brisket, and tender lobster tails. The versatility of this oven continues to impress me; it's not just for pizza! I’ve roasted vegetables, baked bread, smoked ribs, and even tried desserts like wood-fired apple crumble.

As a content creator and someone who’s always experimenting with unique and creative food ideas, I love pushing the boundaries of what this oven can do.

Each time I use it, I discover new ways to elevate the flavors of the ingredients I’m working with. Whether I’m grilling, roasting, or smoking, this oven consistently delivers rich, unique flavors that only wood fire can bring out.

Recipes

Here’s a fiery and flavorful recipe for Spicy Drumsticks and Chicken Wings cooked in a wood-fired oven.

The intense heat creates crispy skin while keeping the meat juicy, and the wood smoke adds an irresistible flavor.

Ingredients:

•    8 chicken drumsticks

•    8 chicken wings

•    2 tablespoons olive oil

•    2 tablespoons hot sauce (such as Sriracha or your favorite spicy sauce)

•    1 tablespoon smoked paprika

•    1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

•    1 teaspoon garlic powder

•    1 teaspoon onion powder

•    1 teaspoon chili powder

•    1 tablespoon honey (optional for a sweet-spicy kick)

•    Salt and pepper to taste

•    Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Wood-Fired Oven:

•    Heat your wood-fired oven to about 450°F to 500°F (230°C to 260°C). You want a steady, high heat for crisping the chicken skin. Ensure the coals are evenly spread, and the flame isn’t too intense.

2. Prepare the Chicken:

•    In a large bowl, combine olive oil, hot sauce, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, honey (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir to create a spicy marinade.

•    Add the drumsticks and chicken wings to the bowl and toss to coat evenly with the marinade. Let the chicken sit for at least 15-20 minutes to absorb the flavors, or refrigerate for a few hours for deeper seasoning.

3. Cooking in the Pizza Oven:

•    Place the marinated chicken drumsticks and wings on a cast-iron skillet or grill-safe baking tray. For extra crispiness, you can put them on a wire rack over the tray to allow the heat to circulate around the chicken.

•    Place the tray in the wood-fired oven. The high heat will crisp the skin quickly, so watch them closely to avoid burning.

•    Cook the drumsticks and wings for about 25-30 minutes, turning them halfway through to ensure even cooking. The chicken should have a crispy, golden-brown exterior and an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).

4. Finishing Touches:

•    Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.

•    Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro or parsley for a fresh contrast to the spice.

5. Serving Suggestions:

•    Serve the spicy drumsticks and wings with cool dips like ranch or blue cheese dressing, and alongside grilled veggies or corn on the cob.

•    If you like more heat, drizzle some extra hot sauce on top or serve with a side of spicy dipping sauce.

Pro Tips:

•    Adjust the spice level: Increase or decrease the cayenne pepper and hot sauce based on your heat tolerance. Adding honey to the marinade balances out the heat and adds a nice caramelization.

•    Wood choice: For extra flavor, use hardwoods like oak, cherry, or hickory, which infuse the chicken with a subtle smoky aroma.

These Spicy Wood-Fired Chicken Drumsticks and Wings are perfect for game days, pizza parties, or any outdoor gathering! Enjoy!

Here’s a delicious recipe for Wood-Fired Pizza with Prosciutto, Burrata, and Fresh Basil.

The combination of creamy burrata, salty prosciutto, and aromatic basil makes for an elegant yet simple pizza that highlights the benefits of cooking in a wood-fired oven.

Ingredients:

Pizza Dough

• 1 ball of pizza dough (about 250g) – store-bought or homemade

Toppings

• ½ cup tomato sauce (or crushed San Marzano tomatoes)
• 1 ball of burrata cheese, drained and torn into chunks
• 4-6 slices of prosciutto
• Fresh basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Freshly grated Parmesan (optional)
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat Your Wood-Fired Oven

• Heat the wood-fired oven to around 700°F to 800°F (370°C to 425°C). The high temperature will cook the pizza quickly, creating a crisp crust with a charred, smoky flavor.
• Make sure the oven floor is hot, and the flames are steady but not too aggressive.

2. Prepare the Pizza Dough

• On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll out the pizza dough into a thin round (about 10-12 inches in diameter). Try to leave a slightly thicker edge for a nice puffy crust.
• Transfer the dough onto a pizza peel dusted with flour or semolina to ensure easy sliding into the oven.

3. Add the Tomato Sauce

• Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving about 1 inch of the crust uncovered.
• Lightly drizzle some olive oil over the sauce and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

4. Bake the Pizza in the Wood-Fired Oven

• Slide the pizza onto the hot oven floor, positioning it where the heat is strong but not too close to the flames.
• Bake for about 1.5 to 3 minutes, rotating the pizza halfway through to ensure even cooking. The pizza should have a blistered crust with some charred spots, and the base should be crisp.

5. Add the Prosciutto and Burrata

• Once the pizza is out of the oven, immediately tear and place the burrata chunks evenly over the pizza. The residual heat will slightly melt the burrata, making it creamy.
• Drape the prosciutto slices on top of the burrata.

6. Finishing Touches

• Garnish the pizza with fresh basil leaves for a burst of flavor and aroma.
• Drizzle a little more olive oil over the pizza and season with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan, if desired.
• For a bit of heat, add red pepper flakes to taste.

7. Serve

• Slice and enjoy your Wood-Fired Prosciutto and Burrata Pizza immediately while it’s fresh and hot.

Pro Tips:

• Work quickly: The high heat of the wood-fired oven means the pizza cooks in just a few minutes, so keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
• Freshness matters: Use high-quality ingredients like fresh burrata, good prosciutto, and fragrant basil to let the simple flavors shine.
• Balance the burrata: Since burrata is rich and creamy, you don’t want to overdo the tomato sauce. Keep it light to let the flavors complement each other.

This Prosciutto and Burrata Pizza is perfect for entertaining or treating yourself to a gourmet wood-fired meal!

Here’s a delicious and simple recipe for Wood-Fired Lobster Tails using your pizza oven.

The high, intense heat of a wood-fired oven brings out the natural sweetness of lobster, giving it a beautiful smoky flavor.

Ingredients:

• 4 lobster tails (around 6-8 oz each)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Lemon wedges (for serving)

 Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Wood-Fired Oven

• Preheat your wood-fired oven to around 400°F to 450°F (200°C to 230°C). The goal is to have a steady medium-high heat with a nice bed of hot coals. Make sure the flame is not too strong, as you want to roast the lobster tails without burning them.

2. Prepare the Lobster Tails

• Using kitchen scissors, carefully cut through the top shell of each lobster tail lengthwise, stopping at the base of the tail. Gently pull apart the shell to expose the meat, keeping it still attached at the base.
• Lift the lobster meat slightly out of the shell and rest it on top, fanning the tail. This helps cook the meat evenly and gives a beautiful presentation.

3. Prepare the Garlic Butter

• In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to mix well.

4. Baste the Lobster Tails

• Brush the lobster tails generously with the garlic butter mixture, making sure to coat the exposed lobster meat thoroughly.

5. Roast in the Pizza Oven

• Place the lobster tails on a cast-iron skillet or grill-safe tray. Transfer the tray into the wood-fired oven. Keep an eye on the lobster as the wood-fired heat will cook them quickly.
• Roast for about 8-10 minutes, basting once halfway through, until the lobster meat is opaque and firm to the touch. The shells should have a nice charred look, while the meat should remain juicy and tender.

6. Finish and Serve

• Remove the lobster tails from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve with lemon wedges on the side for extra flavor.

Pro Tips:

• Monitor the heat: Pizza ovens can cook at high temperatures quickly, so adjust the placement of the tray or skillet as needed to avoid overcooking.
• Other seasonings: Add some red pepper flakes for a spicy kick or use a splash of white wine in the butter mixture for extra richness.

Enjoy your wood-fired lobster tails with your favorite side dishes like grilled vegetables or a fresh garden salad for a complete meal!

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING FEATURED AS CUSTOMER OF THE MONTH - please email Amber@authenticpizzaovens.com

Related Reads:

• Customer of the Month: Tom Perry
• Customer of the Month: Alex Highsmith
• Customer of the Month: David Brehm

← Previous Post