Stone Baked vs Wood Fired: What’s the Real Difference in Pizza Ovens?
When it comes to authentic Neapolitan pizza, the cooking method and oven make a tremendous difference to the taste, texture, and overall aesthetic.
The terms “stone-baked” pizza and “wood-fired” pizza are used regularly, but do you understand all the nuances between the two types of pizza ovens? Not many do. But if you’re planning a corporate event, party, street food or other type of event, it might be in your best interests to specify what type would work best for you.
At Monster Foods, we’ve perfected the art of making stone-baked pizza using our Italian mobile ovens, so it’s fair to say we may be a little biased. However, in the interest of fairness, we felt it important to explore the differences between stone-baked pizza ovens and wood-fired pizza ovens, and digest (no pun intended) the quirks of each that give an Italian pizza its quintessential qualities.
What is Stone-Baked Pizza?
Stone-baked pizza refers to pizza cooked on a special stone or in an oven with a stone base.
The stone, typically made from ceramic, cordierite, or refractory materials, absorbs and radiates heat evenly across the pizza base. The end result is a crispy, well-cooked crust with a perfect balance of flavours in your toppings.
At Monster Foods, our mobile pizza van hire service utilises Italian-built pizza ovens with stone bases, allowing us to create Neapolitan pizzas that cook in just 90 seconds. The stone surface ensures even heat distribution, creating that perfect crispy base your guests will love.
What is Wood-Fired Pizza?
Wood-fired pizza ovens use burning wood as the primary heat source, typically reaching temperatures between 427-482°C (800-900°F). The wood imparts a smoky flavour and aroma to the pizza whilst creating intense heat that cooks the pizza incredibly quickly. These ovens often feature dome-shaped chambers that circulate hot air and smoke around the pizza.
One of the main appeals of wood-fired ovens is their ability to create a slightly charred crust with a subtle smoky taste, which, being truthful, no other cooking method can replicate. The high temperatures create an almost leopard-spotted crust with a fluffy, light interior texture that is the proverbial hallmark of authentic Neapolitan pizza.
A Breakdown of Stone-Baked Pizza vs Wood-Fired Pizza Ovens
Stone-baked ovens offer:
- Even heat distribution and consistency
- Precise temperature control
- Versatility to accommodate various pizza styles and preferences
- Consistent performance
Wood-fired ovens offer:
- Higher temperatures than most stone ovens
- Faster cooking times
- Distinctive texture and flavour from the wood smoke
- Visual aesthetic appeal
The flavour difference between stone baked and wood fired pizza is perhaps the most significant distinction.
With stone-baked pizzas, the pure taste of the dough and toppings is most apparent. The crust is typically crispier which, for many, provides the perfect accompaniment to their ingredients. Wood-fired pizzas, on the other hand, add subtle smoky notes imparted by burning wood, creating a more rustic, traditional flavour profile that many associate with authentic Italian cuisine. The intense heat creates a charring on the crust edges, but it’s rarely ever crispy.
Which Pizza Oven Should You Choose for Your Event Catering?
Whatever event you’re planning, careful attention should be paid to ensure your pizza oven can accommodate your guests comfortably.
For corporate events, weddings, or parties where consistency and reliability are vital, stone baked pizza offers exceptional, consistent results. Our pizza van hire Surrey service has proven incredibly popular for this reason, with our clients regularly saying how their guests have received consistently excellent pizza whilst enjoying a social, interactive cooking experience.
Stone baked pizza is ideal for large corporate events and conferences, weddings, get-togethers and other events where timing is of the essence. Those functions and occasions where ingredient quality is valued, and where innovative cooking methods are admired and appreciated, will benefit greatly by hiring a pizza van with stone ovens.
On the flip side, wood-fired pizza might be best suited for outdoor events with plenty of space and ventilation. These ovens are typically bulkier and not best suited indoors, due to the additional equipment, safety, and air flow requirements brought on by the smoke.
Both stone baked and wood fired pizza ovens can produce exceptional results when operated by skilled professionals. But the short answer to the above question is, it depends. However, for most indoor events where timing is everything, a stone-baked pizza van won’t steer you wrong.
Hire a Stone-Baked Pizza Van in Surrey Today
At Monster Foods, we’ve chosen to specialise in stone-baked pizza using authentic Italian-built ovens because we believe it offers the perfect balance of quality, consistency, and practicality for mobile catering. Our Neapolitan pizza dough is prepared 48 hours in advance, ensuring the perfect texture and flavour.
Our pizza van hire service brings this authentic experience directly to your event, whether you’re in Sussex, Surrey, or Kent. Contact Monster Foods today to discuss how our mobile pizza van can transform your gathering into an unforgettable culinary experience.