Ooni Pizza Oven Troubleshooting? (12 Common Problems) 2022
Last updated on September 11th, 2023 at 02:11 pm
Ooni pizza ovens help you cook restaurant-quality pizzas from your porch or backyard, but some minor problems hinder this wonderful cooking experience.
These challenges during usage can be exasperating. Luckily, they are also relatively easy to handle.
While using Ooni pizza ovens, you commonly encounter dirty or bad-looking bread and oven heat retention problems. Additionally, your pizza oven peel may cause your pizza to get stuck in the Ooni oven. On the other hand, other issues can deplete the usability of the oven as well.
What Are The Most Common Problems With Ooni Pizza Oven?
The common problems users of Ooni pizza oven usually face are as follows;
- Igniting issues.
- Low heat retention from the oven.
- Baking board getting soiled.
- Turning the pizza when cooking.
- Pizza sticking to the peel of the Ooni pizza oven.
- The Ooni pizza oven running too hot.
- Cleaning the Ooni pizza oven.
- Burnt flour changing the taste of the crust.
- Knowing the Kind of Gas Tank that You Need?
- Identifying the Type of Surface that You Need?
- Storing the Ooni Pizza Oven?
- Maintaining Temperature when Cooking with Wood?
#1. Igniting Issues.
Firstly, igniting issues come up when the oven isn’t firing; this causes some confusion, but here is what to do when faced with this problem.
First, make sure to remove the hose from the propane tank vessel and wait for half an hour before trying to put it on again.
Next, turn the ignition knob and hold it for a few more seconds; confirm that the propane tank has gas if it doesn’t light.
The connections between the propane tank and regulator should be airtight and secure; make sure this is the case.
With the use of lathered water, ensure no leaks in the gas tube. Use a matchstick to light the oven; if the gas flows next, turn it around if the Ooni is not igniting.
Igniting issues are pretty common when it comes to Ooni pizza ovens. Well, they aren’t hard to handle.
#2. Low Heat Retention from the Oven.
Low heat retention by the Ooni pizza oven arises when you do not properly use the pizza oven, leaving openings where heat can escape.
You can solve this by ensuring the oven is closed as much as possible without openings. When you find out the openings are stubborn and won’t close, get an expert to take a look and fix the hatch or anything else causing it.
Low heat retention considerably pushes down the overall efficiency of your pizza oven. Nonetheless, there are firsthand solutions to this problem.
#3. Baking Board Getting Soiled.
You can agree that it’s unpleasant when your cooking utensils get dirty, right? However, some baking boards comprise stone; and it begins to look dirty due to the color altering as time goes on.
Despite this, it is important to frequently clean the board using a sponge and soapy water, most likely after every cook and after the board has cooled down.
#4. Turning the Pizza when Cooking.
I recommend that you turn the pizza two or three times during cooking. To achieve this, users should get the Ooni pizza oven accessories; you should use a metal pizza peel to take out the pizza from the oven.
Then, with the pizza sitting on the peel, turn the pizza around to your satisfaction using your fingers or an Ooni pizza turning peel.
Then, put it back in to continue cooking. This activity exposes all angles of the pizza to heat so that the cooking gets complete.
#5. Pizza Sticking to the Peel of the Ooni Pizza Oven.
It must not be enjoyable when the pizza sticks to the peel of the oven. You can avoid this problem by keeping the dough dry and putting it in the oven.
However, it is not advisable to leave the dough on the peel for extended periods either, as that can also cause it to stick.
If a pizza gets stuck, lift it from one end, then use a blower to blow air under it to extricate it from the oven.
#6. The Ooni Pizza Oven Running Too Hot.
It’s not a good experience when the pizza gets burnt because the Ooni pizza oven is running too hot after all your hard work.
You can solve this problem by turning down the control knob to bring the gas output to the perfect cooking temperature of 500°C.
The oven should not be running at high temperatures for long periods when not in use; switch it off after every use.
#7. Cleaning the Ooni Pizza Oven.
Getting the Ooni pizza oven clean is a simple task that requires disassembling the oven.
First, use foamy water and a sponge to scrub out the accumulated soot from the chimney, the peel, and every part of the oven.
Rinse thoroughly afterward and leave it out to dry.
#8. Burnt Flour Changing the Taste of the Crust.
In this situation, the crust tastes burnt due to the flour burning. The solution is cleaning the board in between pies using tongs, a wet cloth, and a brush or scraper.
It also helps to use semolina on the pizza peel instead of flour; it keeps the burnt bits from sticking to the dough and doesn’t soil the board.
#9. Maintaining Temperature when Cooking with Wood?
For lighting the wood, add about 4 pieces to the charcoal/wood burner. Use a blowtorch or fire starter to light and avoid using petroleum-based fire starters to prevent undesirable flavors.
Refuel by adding wood to the remaining embers, and not after all visible flame has vanished.
It is wise to avoid overloading the grate as too much wood might damage your Ooni oven.
#10. Storing the Ooni Pizza Oven?
It would be best if you stored your Ooni pizza oven indoors, particularly during hostile weather conditions. For those located near a body of saltwater, make sure the Ooni pizza oven is stored indoors when not in use.
The Ooni must be dry and completely cooled down before moving or storing.
#11. Identifying the Type of Surface You Need
The Ooni modular tables have been specifically modeled to be used with Ooni pizza ovens.
However, you can use a stone, wooden, or metal surface that can hold the weight of the oven and will also work. Materials like glass and plastic are not to be used.
#12. Knowing the Kind of Gas Tank You Need
The Ooni pizza ovens were primarily produced and designed to be run on propane gas.
Propane tanks and gas regulators can be found at your local fuel station or other hardware stores.
If your oven is not connecting to the propane tank you have, one can easily exchange the regulator for one that fits the tank correctly.
It is important to take note of the mBar pressure. Make sure the mBar pressure on your regulator matches the pressure on your Ooni.
Conclusion
There are easy solutions to challenges you might face when using an Ooni pizza oven. For example, you can solve igniting issues by checking the gas or holding the ignition knob for a few more seconds.
It is better to get an expert to check out the hatch when you notice low heat retention.
