A wood-fired oven needs to reach 350–400 °C, and your choice of wood makes that easy or frustrating. The good news is that South Africans already know good firewood. Much of what you'd buy for a braai works very well in a pizza oven.
The short answer
Burn dry, untreated hardwood. Hardwood burns hotter and longer than softwood, and dry wood burns clean instead of wasting its heat boiling off water.
Good choices in South Africa
- Sekelbos: dense, burns hot and long.
- Kameeldoring: a classic braai hardwood with a steady heat.
- Rooikrans: widely available and burns well.
Any good local braai hardwood will do, as long as it's dry and untreated. Use smaller pieces to get the fire going, then add larger pieces as the heat builds.
How to tell if wood is dry enough
- It feels light for its size, and the ends show cracks.
- Two pieces knocked together sound sharp rather than dull.
- It lights easily and doesn't hiss or bubble at the ends.
Store wood off the ground and under cover, so it stays dry through summer storms.
What never to burn
- Treated or painted wood, including old pallets, decking and fence posts. It can release harmful fumes right where you cook your food.
- Wet or green wood. It smokes heavily and struggles to reach cooking heat.
- Petrol, paraffin or any accelerant. Never use these to start or increase a fire.
How to build the fire
- Start with a small fire and build it gradually.
- Let the dome and floor heat evenly. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours.
- Watch the inside of the dome. It turns white when it's at temperature.
- Check the thermometer. You're looking for 350–400 °C.
- Keep a small, steady flame while you cook, and add a small piece of wood at a time.
Let the oven cool naturally afterwards, and clean out the ash regularly. Remember that hot ash and coals stay dangerous for many hours after you've finished cooking.
New oven? Read how to cure a pizza oven before your first big fire.
Questions, answered
What is the best wood for a pizza oven in South Africa?
Dry, untreated hardwood. Braai hardwoods such as sekelbos, kameeldoring and rooikrans all work well.
Can I use pallets in a pizza oven?
No. Pallets and other treated or painted wood can release harmful fumes. Use only dry, untreated wood.
Can I use braai wood in a pizza oven?
Yes, as long as it's dry, untreated hardwood.
Why is my pizza oven so smoky?
The usual cause is wet or green wood, or too much wood at once. Use dry hardwood and build the fire gradually.
How do I start a fire without firelighters or accelerants?
Never use petrol, paraffin or other accelerants. Start with small, dry kindling and build the fire up gradually.