FAQ's
Shipping / Delivery
What is the charge for delivery?
Delivery is FREE of our pizza ovens to a commercial address within the continental USA. If you are in AK, HI, or islands (any ferry transport) off the US coast please contact us for a quote. There may be an added fee to the following states as they have excessive shipping costs: Maine, Vermont, Washington, and Oregon.
If a freight company 'deems' a residential address as a remote destination or a high-cost service area at the time we book the shipment, there will be an added cost which will be charged prior to your oven shipping. In the case of any unforeseen circumstances after your oven has shipped, such as but not limited to freight truck accessibility issues with your address, then you will be subject to added charges. This MAY occur on the delivery day. We will always assist with these types of matters, as well as you have the option to directly source a local company for the delivery or facilitate the pickup from the freight terminal if you prefer.
If your oven is being shipped to a residential address needing a lift gate there will be an additional $95 charge.
Please visit our Shipping Page for detailed shipping & delivery information.
What about sales tax?
There is no sales tax if shipping outside of Arizona; otherwise it is 8.06%.
What is the expected delivery time?
We ship daily Monday - Friday! Depending upon where you live, you should receive it within 2-10 days but we can’t foresee any freight company delays. We will give you shipping information and instructions once the freight company has confirmed pick up. We usually arrange pick up within 1-2 business days of purchase!
Do you ship outside of the United States?
We sure do! Just give us your address and we’ll provide you with a quote. Ps …Canada is easy as we have a warehouse in Toronto! Good Eh!! Give us a call to discuss shipping costs- sometimes we need to ship out of Houston and there is approx 17% duty which you'll need to pay on your end as well as added shipping costs.
And we are now operating in Australia shipping nationwide daily out of Sydney.(www.authenticpizzaovens.com.au)
How will my oven arrive?
Our ovens are shipped in a secure custom wooden crate which sit on a pallet. Our standard traditional oven crates measure 43″ x 43″ x 39″. (some are a few inches bigger) If able, we will provide recommendations for installation but we only ship to curbside or driveway. We use various freight trucking companies with a lift gate and will provide you with these details after purchase. Someone will need to be home to receive shipment.
Do I have to wait for the oven to be shipped from Portugal?
No, we are consistently ordering these wood fire ovens so that we have many of them in stock in our fulfillment center. If we are out of stock, there are always containers in transit.
Can I pick up the oven myself?
Absolutely, we love visitors. You are more than welcome to come and pick up from our fulfillment facility, just give us a call and we'll arrange it! Our traditional ovens weigh between 1250-1800 lbs so make sure your truck has a lift gate. The portable ovens are 200-400. We are happy to load with our forklift, but you need to make arrangements for your end. We will also deduct $100 for any oven that is picked up!
Returns
Do you offer a warranty?
Yes, please visit our Returns Page for detailed information.
Do you offer returns/exchanges?
Yes, we have a 14 day return policy. Please visit our Returns/Warranty Page for more information.
What if my oven or product arrives damaged?
All ovens are inspected and shipped without any damages so it is important that you inspect upon arrival PRIOR to the delivery truck leaving or Depot pick up.
Please note: Crumbling around the base is NOT considered damage. The base is essentially protection for our ovens. This can be easily touched up with the Ultra-fire that is included with the oven or in some cases a small supply of pre-made mortar.
You MUST inspect your oven order entirely for ANY order discrepancies within 5 days of delivery. We will NOT be held responsible for order discrepancies, including missing items, after the 5-day grace period.
Oven Installation
Do you install the oven or place it where it’s going to be?
We will recommend installation companies if we have contacts in your area but the freight drivers cannot do this. Installation is not difficult but you definitely need to have extra hands to assist. If you want to have your oven built-in, we urge you to consult with an outdoor kitchen contractor or landscaper. We also suggest contacting safe or piano movers- they know a thing or two about lifting heavy things. We do provide an easy diagram which will help assisting with the install. We welcome phone calls, so feel free to call us for any questions and/or advice. Call 602-482-1000 or email info@authenticpizzaovens.com. We respond to emails quickly!
Oven Features
Is a wood-fired pizza oven worth it?
Yes! One of the best things about owning a wood-fired pizza oven is the experience of getting back to the basics and cooking your food in a truly authentic way. You don't have to limit yourself to just cooking pizzas either! The recipes are endless from bread, meats, vegetables, seafood, and even desserts! Not only will you get in touch with your inner-chef but you'll also find enjoyment in entertaining family and friends with this unique and authentic experience!
What is different about our ovens?
We work directly with the factory where they are made. We actually spend a lot of time with the manufacturer going over quality control and learning about their methods. Our ovens are triple insulated which keeps the heat in, not out.
The triple insulation enables the oven to be hot on the inside yet remain warm to the touch on the outside during a typical burn. Our ovens are made from a long standing family company. These incredibly talented folks have been making ovens by hand for decades. They are true oven makers through and through!
What do I need to know before buying a pizza oven?
That you will be the most popular neighbor on the block. So be prepared for more guests. Another important thing to think about is where you're going to put it. You want to have it in a space which is convenient but visible because it adds so much ambiance to your backyard or home.
Cooking Instructions
What else can I cook in this oven?
The list is long. Of course our ovens make the most delicious home made pizzas and you’ll be the Bell of the Block! That said, you can try your hand with breads, chicken, turkey, fish, steak, burgers, lamb, desserts and the list goes on. We include many recipes with your oven and email them to you with all your care instructions.
Do I need to season the ceramic dish that comes with the oven?
We have included a step by step instruction here to properly care for your dish. These are beautiful oven to table dishes and you will want to take care of them!
How long does an oven take to heat up?
When prepared correctly, the oven will take approximately 45 minutes to an hour and a half to get to the right temperature to bake your delicious pizzas. To get it closer to the 45 min mark, use a butane torch which you can get at a Home Depot type store- around $15-$25. Set up your ‘camp fire’ in a Lincoln log/tic tac toe fashion and use the torch on it for about 2-3 min. Saves heaps of time. Do not use paper- that just creates ash.
What kind of flour should I use?
Since you’re buying a Pizza oven you know that excellent pizza is all about the crust. We recommend several kinds of flour- see below the products we suggest and we usually have them in stock and are happy to ship! If in a hurry we also love Trader Joe’s pizza dough! We carry the following.
- Hayden Flour Mills
- King Arthur Flour
- Caputo’s 00 (low in gluten)
What tools do I need for my wood fire pizza oven?
You will definitely need a peel. In Pizza language, that’s what you use to turn the pizza in the oven and put in and pull it out when it’s done. They look like a paddle with a long stick attached and come in wood or metal. We like the using the basic wood peel to put the pizza in the oven and take it out with the metal one- then we rest it back onto the wooden peel to serve/cut. (But that’s just us!)
A perfect starter pack includes:
- 2 pizza peels: One wood and one metal
- Oven brush (need that)
- Bubble popper which we use to turn the pizza…we love the bubbles.
- Oven shovel
Oven Maintenance and Care
Do I need to keep my oven covered?
If your oven is undercover, it isn't necessary, however if your oven is out in the open the answer is YES. It is important to protect it from wet weather. It's ok if it gets wet or a rained on occasionally- but it is very important that it doesn't sit in the wet, snow etc for extended periods of time. We do covers offer pizza ovens covers for purchase.
Can you use a pizza oven in the winter?
Yes Absolutely! You can cook in your authentic pizza oven during any season! The biggest thing to remember is to keep your oven protected when you aren't using it, especially during extended periods of time and in inclement weather. Be prepared to take a little more time heating up the traditional ovens when its very cold outside!
What kind of wood should I use?
Only use hardwoods such as walnut, oak, mesquite, apple, maple, etc. Please stay away from softer woods like pine our spruce that are resinous. We do NOT recommend using coal in our ovens.
Are pizza ovens a fire hazard?
Yes, if not used properly. As with anything that requires fire to heat and/or cook, you want to follow your local city/county ordinance requirements and use proper precautions. We also highly recommend getting a chimney cap for your traditional ovens. Our modern/portable ones come with them. The caps are important because they have a built in spark arrestor for safety purposes.
How far should a pizza oven be from a house?
We recommend that you place your oven at least 3 feet away from your house or any building structure/wall to allow for proper ventilation. However, you need to check with your local city/county ordinance and ensure you follow their requirements. Adding a chimney pipe and cap is an important safety feature.
How do I clean the oven?
You don’t. Once the fire is out and cools you just sweep it out and it’s perfectly ready for next time! I usually close the door after a session and simply shovel it out before the next burn.
Even though you cure your ovens it will still crack (realistically all wood fired brick or clay ovens will crack at varying degrees) they are usually thin but can get rather large especially when heated. We do include a ‘patch’ kit with each brick oven but this is not necessary, as it does not affect the oven function in a noticeable way. It is best to apply Ultrafire when the oven is hot! Here is a video on how to use the ultra fire crack repair kit.
What is curing and do I need to do this?
YES you need to do this! Curing simply means removing the moisture in the mortar. Curing will significantly help to protect the cooking ability and the life of your oven. So, yes you need to cure your traditional oven (1 day cure only). You will be starting small fires and repeating daily for 5 days.
Start a small fire and let it burn throughout the day (4-5 hours) maintaining temperature:
Day1. 140F/60C
Day 2. Repeat 215F/100C
Day 3. Repeat 300F/ 150C
Day 4. Repeat 400F/200C
Day 5. Repeat 480F/250C
REMEMBER YOUR THERMOMETER IS IN CELSIUS!! (because they are made in Europe)
Make sure that you close the oven door each night, which will keep in the heat and protect moisture from getting in until the curing process is complete.
>> CLICK HERE << to LEARN HOW TO CURE YOUR WOOD FIRED OVEN by The Kitchen Whisperer 🔥
Visit ABOUT YOUR OVEN for more detailed information on cooking, woods, curing, installation, oven care, etc.
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