How to Cure a Pizza Oven: Wood, Gas, Pellet, Stainless Steel, Refractory & Stone
There's nothing quite like firing up a new pizza oven for the first time. But before you make your first pizza, there's one important question to answer:
Does your pizza oven actually need to be cured—and if so, how?
The answer depends on the oven's construction, materials, and manufacturer's instructions. A newly built brick or refractory oven may need several gradual heating sessions to remove moisture from its materials. A manufactured gas or stainless-steel oven may have a much simpler first-firing procedure.
For example, Gozney recommends a 30-minute medium-to-low flame when first firing its Arc gas oven before increasing the heat. Gozney gives similar advice for its Dome, recommending a small fire or low gas flame for about 30 minutes before building the heat.
Alfa Forni takes a slightly different approach with its wood-fired ovens, recommending that the temperature be increased gradually to about 570°F to dry moisture and gently condition the refractory materials.
So, while the word curing is often used broadly, there isn't one curing schedule that applies to every pizza oven. Here's what you need to know before firing yours for the first time.
What Does It Mean to Cure a Pizza Oven?
Curing generally means gradually heating a new pizza oven to remove moisture from materials such as refractory concrete, mortar, brick, stone, or other masonry components.
Newly manufactured or constructed materials can contain moisture. When an oven is heated, that moisture needs to escape gradually. That's why traditional masonry and refractory ovens are generally heated progressively rather than immediately being taken to their highest cooking temperature.
- Curing gradually prepares moisture-containing masonry or refractory materials.
- Burn-in is an initial heating procedure specified by some manufacturers for new ovens.
- Preheating is the normal process of bringing an oven to cooking temperature.
- Seasoning can refer to conditioning certain materials or surfaces when specifically recommended by the manufacturer.
These terms are sometimes used interchangeably by manufacturers, so the best approach is to follow the terminology and instructions supplied with your particular oven.
Does Every Pizza Oven Need to Be Cured? No.
Fuel type doesn't tell you the whole story, either.A gas-fired oven can contain refractory materials. A wood-fired oven can be made primarily from stainless steel. A pellet oven may have a refractory cooking surface but a metal body. In other words, the construction of the oven matters just as much as the fuel it uses.
Always check the owner's manual before deciding how to cure or fire your oven for the first time.
Before You Cure Your Pizza Oven
Before lighting your first fire, make sure the oven is properly installed and ready to operate. Remove all packaging, protective film, labels, shipping materials, and anything else that isn't designed to remain on the oven during operation.
- The oven is sitting on a stable, approved surface.
- The chimney or vent is properly installed, if applicable.
- Gas connections are correctly installed on gas models.
- The cooking stone or floor is positioned correctly.
- All removable shipping components have been removed.
- The oven is located the required distance from combustible materials.
If you're dealing with a newly constructed masonry oven, allow the construction materials to dry or cure for the period specified by the manufacturer or builder before beginning the firing process. Most importantly, read the instructions for your exact oven before lighting it. The manufacturer's instructions should take priority over any general curing schedule you find online.
How to Cure a Wood-Fired Pizza Oven
Wood-fired ovens are commonly associated with traditional curing because many are constructed from brick, stone, refractory concrete, or other masonry materials.
The basic principle is straightforward: Start with gentle heat and increase the temperature gradually. Alfa Forni, for example, says its wood-fired ovens should be heated gradually during the first firing to approximately 570°F (300°C) to dry moisture and gently condition the refractory materials.
Start With a Small Fire
If your manufacturer specifies a wood-fired curing process, begin with a small, manageable fire. Use only the fuel recommended for your oven. For a traditional wood-fired oven, this generally means clean, dry, untreated firewood approved by the manufacturer.
Don't start with a huge fire simply because you're excited to see how hot the oven can get. The goal of the first firing is preparation—not pizza production.
Increase the Heat Gradually
Follow the manufacturer's recommended temperature progression. Different ovens use different materials, insulation systems, dome thicknesses, and construction methods, so there is no universal curing schedule that can safely be applied to every wood-fired oven.
For that reason, don't copy another manufacturer's schedule unless your oven manufacturer specifically recommends it.
How to Cure a Gas Pizza Oven
Gas pizza ovens demonstrate particularly well why curing instructions can vary. Some gas ovens are primarily metal appliances and require a controlled first burn. Others contain refractory or masonry materials that may need special attention.
Gozney provides a useful example. For the Gozney Arc, the company recommends putting the burner on a medium-to-low flame for 30 minutes during the first firing to help cure the oven before moving to a high flame. Gozney also says that if the oven has been dormant for an extended period, it should be cured again as though it were a first firing.
Gozney provides similar instructions for its Dome, recommending a small wood fire or low gas flame for approximately 30 minutes before increasing the heat. The company explains that this helps prevent thermal shock.
For a Manufactured Gas Oven
Your first firing may involve:
- Inspecting the oven and connections.
- Removing all packaging.
- Starting the burner according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Operating the oven at the specified low or medium setting.
- Allowing the oven to heat for the recommended period.
- Increasing the temperature only after completing the initial stage.
- The exact procedure will vary by model.
What If Your Gas Oven Has Refractory Materials?
This is where things become more complicated. A gas oven with a refractory dome, brick cooking surface, or other masonry components may require special attention because those materials can retain moisture. In that situation, don't assume that the oven needs only a standard gas-oven burn-in.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the complete oven.
How to Cure a Pellet Pizza Oven
Pellet pizza ovens vary considerably in construction. Some are primarily metal appliances with a removable pizza stone. Others incorporate refractory materials into the cooking chamber. A pellet oven that is primarily stainless steel or another metal may require an initial burn-in rather than traditional masonry curing.
Before the first firing:
- Assemble the oven completely.
- Check the pellet hopper and fuel system.
- Remove all packaging.
- Use only the pellets specified by the manufacturer.
- Follow the manufacturer's startup procedure.
- Run the oven empty if the instructions require it.
If your pellet oven contains refractory or masonry components, check whether those materials require a separate or extended first-firing procedure. Again, the fuel source alone doesn't determine the curing process.
How to Cure a Stainless-Steel Pizza Oven
Stainless steel itself does not need to be cured in the same way as newly constructed masonry or refractory materials. However, that doesn't necessarily mean you can unpack a stainless-steel oven and immediately start cooking. Many manufactured ovens have a specific first-use or burn-in procedure.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for:
- Removing packaging and protective materials.
- Installing the cooking stone or floor.
- Starting the oven.
- Running the oven empty.
- Reaching the recommended first-use temperature.
- Allowing the oven to cool before cooking, if instructed.
Don't assume that all stainless-steel ovens have the same burn-in temperature or duration. Internal insulation, cooking stones, burners, coatings, and construction vary between models.
How to Cure a Refractory Pizza Oven
Refractory materials are designed to tolerate extremely high temperatures, but a newly installed refractory oven can still contain moisture. That moisture is one reason gradual heating is important. A refractory oven's curing process may involve several progressively hotter fires or heating sessions.
Step 1: Allow the Oven to Dry – If the oven was newly constructed or installed, allow the masonry and refractory materials to dry for the period specified by the manufacturer or builder.
Step 2: Begin With Gentle Heat – Start with a small fire or low heat setting.
Step 3: Increase the Temperature Gradually – Follow the manufacturer's recommended progression.
Step 4: Move to Normal Cooking Temperatures – Once the curing process has been completed, the oven can be operated normally according to its instructions.
The important point is that there is no universal refractory curing schedule. A published schedule for one oven should not automatically be applied to another.
How to Cure a Brick or Stone Pizza Oven
Brick and stone ovens require particular care when they are newly constructed.
Depending on the design, the oven may contain:
- Firebrick
- Refractory mortar
- Cement
- Insulation
- Stone
- A masonry dome
- A refractory cooking floor
All of these components can affect how the oven should be heated. Allow the newly constructed oven to dry according to the builder's instructions, then begin the recommended gradual firing process. The goal is to slowly introduce heat rather than immediately trying to reach the temperatures used for Neapolitan-style pizza.
What About the Pizza Stone?
A removable pizza stone is different from an entire masonry oven and generally shouldn't automatically be treated as though it needs a traditional curing process.
Pizza stones can be made from materials such as:
- Cordierite
- Ceramic
- Refractory material
- Other heat-resistant compounds
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific stone.
In general:
- Keep the stone dry unless the manufacturer says otherwise.
- Avoid sudden temperature changes.
- Don't place a cold stone into an extremely hot environment unless the manufacturer says it is safe.
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Don't use cleaning products unless they are specifically approved.
Alfa Forni provides an interesting example. The company says that some of its ovens may have red refractory powder on the cooking floor after shipping and recommends brushing it away. It also recommends cooking and discarding two or three dough balls before eating the first pizza. Alfa additionally recommends extending preheating by 30 minutes when the oven is first used or after a prolonged period of inactivity to help disperse humidity that may have accumulated in the refractory bricks. This illustrates why manufacturer-specific instructions are so important.
Common Pizza Oven Curing Mistakes
Heating a New Masonry Oven Too Quickly
The most important mistake to avoid with a new masonry or refractory oven is rushing the initial firing. Follow the manufacturer's recommended progression.
Assuming All Pizza Ovens Need the Same Cure
They don't. A traditional brick oven and a stainless-steel gas oven may have completely different first-use procedures.
Confusing Burn-In With Curing
A manufacturer may call a 30-minute initial firing a "cure," while another manufacturer may describe its first-use process as preheating or burn-in. Focus on the actual instructions, rather than the terminology.
Using the Wrong Fuel
Only use fuel approved by the manufacturer. For wood-fired ovens, use appropriate dry, untreated wood. For pellet ovens, use the recommended pellets. For gas ovens, follow the manufacturer's requirements for the fuel supply and connections.
Cooking Too Soon
If your manufacturer says to complete the curing or first-use process before cooking, wait until it is finished. Your first pizza will be worth the wait.
How Do You Know When Your Pizza Oven Is Cured?
The best answer is: When you've completed the manufacturer's recommended first-firing or curing procedure. Don't rely solely on how the oven looks.
Instead, confirm that you've completed the specified:
- Heating temperature
- Heating duration
- Number of firing sessions
- Cooling periods
- First-use procedure
If you have a custom-built oven, consult the builder for the appropriate curing instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to cure a pizza oven?
It depends on the oven. Some refractory and masonry ovens require several gradual heating sessions, while some manufactured ovens have a shorter first-firing procedure.
Can I cure a pizza oven in one day?
Some manufactured ovens can be prepared in a single first-firing procedure. Newly constructed masonry ovens may require a longer, gradual process.
Do gas pizza ovens need to be cured?
Some do. For example, Gozney recommends a 30-minute medium-to-low first firing for its Arc gas oven.
Do stainless-steel pizza ovens need curing?
Stainless steel itself does not require traditional masonry curing, but the manufacturer may require an initial burn-in.
Do pellet pizza ovens need curing?
It depends on the model. A primarily metal pellet oven may require a burn-in, while one containing refractory components may have additional requirements.
Can I cook pizza during the curing process?
Only if your manufacturer specifically says that you can. Otherwise, complete the recommended first-use process before cooking.
Take Your Time Before Making Your First Pizza
Curing a pizza oven isn't a one-size-fits-all process. The materials inside your oven matter. So does its construction. And, of course, the manufacturer's instructions matter most of all. A newly constructed brick, stone, or refractory oven may need gradual heating to remove moisture. A manufactured stainless-steel, gas, or pellet oven may instead require a shorter first-firing or burn-in procedure.
The examples from Gozney and Alfa Forni demonstrate just how much these procedures can differ. Gozney recommends a 30-minute low-to-medium first firing on certain ovens, while Alfa Forni recommends gradually heating its wood-fired ovens to about 570°F to dry moisture and condition the refractory materials.
So before you light that first fire, check your manual, start slowly, and give your oven the preparation it needs. Once the first firing is complete, you'll be ready for the best part of owning a pizza oven: stretching the dough, choosing your toppings, and making your first homemade pizza.
Important: This article provides general information. Pizza oven curing and first-firing procedures vary by manufacturer and model. Always follow the instructions supplied with your specific oven.